Three must-do boat itineraries between Sardinia, Campania and the Aeolian Islands

We have chosen for you three dream itineraries along the coasts of Sardinia, Campania and the Aeolian Islands.

1. Sardinia: Villasimius and Costa Rei

A cruise to the southeastern corner of the island leads to the discovery of a little-known but nonetheless beautiful area because it includes the stunning coastlines of Villasimius and Costa Rei and the Capo Carbonara reserve.

A “corner” of wilderness that is discovered from the sea

In this “hidden” part of Sardinia, if inland stretches Sarrabus with Monte dei Sette Fratelli where the last specimens of Sardinian deer live, along the coast there are magnificent seaside resorts. To discover them, we start in the town of Villasimius, the center of gravity of the area that also offers boaters a safe haven at the Marina di Villasimius (39°07′ 41N – 09°30′ 23E). Not far away, the first anchorage not to be missed is Baia Carbonara (39°08′ 0N – 09°29′ 2E), a beautiful inlet that opens up east of Capo Boi. It is also very beautiful because of its unique nature: not for nothing is it part of the larger Capo Carbonara Marine Area, which covers the entire stretch of sea that right from Capo Boi stretches to the wild, overlooking Serpentara Island.

In the reserve, anchoring is allowed in marked areas and mooring in equipped areas (info at www.ampcapocarbonara.it). Just at the height of Serpentara Island then, but on the coast, is the beach of Punta Purceddu, where the protagonist is the sea in all shades of blue. But the beauty of this Sardinian area continues outside the reserve: a little further north opens Cala Pira (39°10′ 0N – 09°34′ 8E), a delightful cove located south of Punta Is Cappuccinus. Just beyond the promontory then begins the Costa Rei coastline: a good 8 miles wide, it is closed to the north by Capo Ferrato and is characterized by long sandy beaches in front of which it is possible to give bottom in good weather (39°21′ 5N – 09°36′ 06E). The last bay to visit is that of Capo Ferrato (39°18′ 45N – 09°37′ 8E): it lies under the north side of the promontory and contains a double inlet fringed with white sand beaches: the best anchorage is in front of the southernmost beach. Finally, to end a fine day at sea, one can return to Villasimius to enjoy a hearty seafood dinner at Sa Tankitta Restaurant (tel. 070 791338).

2. Campania: Amalfi Coast and Capri

The large strip of land that closes the Gulf of Naples to the south is divided in half between the Sorrento Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast, unique territories where going by sea is always a treat for the eyes. And opposite is Capri…

The pearls of the Campanian sea that the world envies us

Two magical rivieras that the world envies us and each of which has as its center two villages of magical and ancient beauty. The symbol of the Sorrento Peninsula is the delightful Sorrento, the city of lemons erected on a tufa terrace where the 16th-century walls, the Cathedral and the Cloister of St. Francis can be admired. On the Amalfi Coast, which corresponds to the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula, and where nature is even wilder and rockier and the sea slips into real fjords such as the beautiful one at Furore, the heart is Amalfi: once a powerful Maritime Republic, today it is a jewel that can be visited starting from the Duomo. And then there are the coastlines with their ancient and beautiful inlets. The first one encountered when sailing east from Naples is that of Marina di Meta (40°39′ 00N – 14°25′ 00E): located below Punta Gradelle, it is a landing place where there is also a small pier. Just beyond, around the promontory of Punta Campanella, rounding which the Amalfi Coast “begins,” lies a Marine Protected Area (info on navigation and anchoring: www.puntacampanella.org).

Here, protected right from the bulk of Punta Campanella is the bay of Seno di Ieranto (40°34′ 10N – 14°19′ 80E): wide and wild it is well protected from all winds. Before heading south along the Coast, however, one looks and west to where the island of wonders-as it was nicknamed in ancient times-is located, Capri. So splendid that it deserves a vacation dedicated only to her, Capri is home to beautiful and protected natural coves: don’t miss Marina Piccola (40°32′ 40N – 14°14′ 30E) on the south side, Cala del Rio (40°33′ 00N – 14°12′ 00E) and Cala del Limno on the west side. Continuing along the Coast finally, one cannot fail to drop anchor in Positano (40°37′ 40N – 14°29′ 10E): in the wide inlet in front of the scenic village, one can anchor in the roadstead, about 300 meters from the beach of Marina Grande.

3. Sicily: Aeolian Islands

A unique and magnificent destination that is unparalleled in the entire Mediterranean: these are the seven islands consecrated to the god Aeolus that are now home to a unique mix of dreamy coves, seaside villages and “volcanic” nature.

The seven volcanic sisters that all sailors dream of visiting

Located in front of the northern coast of Sicily-from where convenient departure points are the marinas of Capo d’Orlando and Milazzo-the archipelago includes the islands of Stromboli, Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Panarea, Alicudi and Filicudi, which are positioned in the shape of an “ipsilon” in an area of 15 miles from east to west and 30 from north to south. Seven magical places that, while betraying a common volcanic origin, are even more fascinating because one is different from the other. The closest island to the coasts of Sicily, Vulcano reserves its “smelly” welcome for all, for as soon as one approaches it, one catches a penetrating smell of sulfur witnessing the Aeolian Islands’ constant volcanic activity. Then discover the Mud Pool, a natural sulfur thermal pool, and the wild Mastro Minico Cove (38°24′ 95N – 14°56′ 50E), surrounded by high cliffs.

Instead, it is the largest and most worldly of the Lipari group: despite this to reach is at least the Bay of Canneto (38°29′ 15N – 14°58′ 21E) with turquoise waters that open up under the mass of Mt. Wilder, however, is Salina: here lies one of the most beautiful bays in the Aeolian Islands, Cala Pollara (38°34′ 80N – 14°48′ 30E), famous for its scenic black beach. From here you walk uphill to reach the “poggio del Semaforo” made famous by the film “Il postino” and from where you can admire one of the most spectacular sunsets in the archipelago. Next stop at Stromboli, first and foremost to discover the mighty Sciara di Fuoco from the sea. Located on the west side, it is formed by steep lava walls along which flows of lava at 1,000°C slide steadily down steaming. Arriving finally at the super wild Filicudi, the “forced” stop is at the Cove of the Sea Ox Cave (38°34′ 30N – 14°32′ 60E): under Capo Perciato there is a large natural hall that opens to the sea. Not far away in Filicudi Porto for eating only the freshest fish is the terrace of Da Nino Restaurant (tel. 090.9889984).

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