yacht club costa smeralda sardinia

15 - 21 September 2024

Rolex swan cup, porto cervo, 8 - 14 september 2024, maxi yacht rolex cup, young azzurra,   info regattas  ,   news  .

  29/09/2024

Young Azzurra, CESARE BARABINO WINS 2024 ITALIAN OLYMPIC CLASSES CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE ILCA 7 CLASS

FEDERICO PILLONI CLAIMS SECOND STEP ON THE PODIUM AND WINS THE U23 CATEGORY IN THE iQFOiL CLASS  Porto Cervo, 29 September 2024. Today saw the conclusion of the Italian Olympic Classes Championship (CICO), an Italian Sailing Federation regatta held in Cagliari from 26 September and organised...

Fantastic finish for 22nd Rolex Swan Cup

Light airs mean only ClubSwan 36 class completes race at Rolex Swan Cup

  regattas  .

Regata della Accademia Navale

Vela & Golf

Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta

J24 European Championship Range Rover

Grand Soleil Cup

Invitational smeralda 888.

Coppa Europa Smeralda 888

YCCS Members Championship

Trofeo Formenton

Palermo - Porto Cervo - Montecarlo

  YCCS  

The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda , founded in 1967 by its President H.H. the Aga Khan, is renowned for organising international sailing regattas for superyachts, maxi yachts and one-design yachts. The Yacht Club runs regattas during the summer season and offers exclusive services to its members, their guests and yacht owners in Porto Cervo. The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda has promoted international challenges such as Azzurra - the first Italian challenger for the America's Cup in 1983 - which became an Italian sporting icon. In 1992 the Club launched the motor yacht Destriero, which to this day holds the transatlantic crossing record set in the same year. In 2017 the YCCS celebrated the 50th anniversary of its foundation, an important milestone which was marked with the launch of an environmental project aimed at promoting the safeguard of marine environments and from which the One Ocean Foundation was born.

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Yacht Club Costa Smeralda

A season full of great returns and novelties: the entire regatta calendar for summer 2024.

The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s intense sporting season for 2024 with regattas scheduled from May to October has been unveiled , along with the announcement of an important event, the 40th anniversary of the partnership between one of the most prestigious yacht clubs in the world and its historical partner Rolex. Save these dates in your calendar until July.

The season opens in Porto Cervo with the traditional Vela & Golf (24-26 May) . It will then be the moment of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta on 4-8 June , which sees, for the third year running, an Italian excellence in the world of fashion join the YCCS as Title Sponsor of the event. Following the success of past editions, the Southern Wind RendezVous and Trophy will take place as part of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta , an opportunity for a sailing trip to Porto Cervo enhanced by a family-like atmosphere and sportsmanship offered to Southern Wind yachts. An intense June continues with three regattas starting with the eagerly awaited J/24 European Championship on 10-16 June , dedicated to the J/24 Class, one of the most popular keelboats, which has significantly contributed to spreading sailing as a sport.

The final event dedicated to the J/24 monotype was held in Porto Cervo in 1996. Another eagerly awaited return is the Grand Soleil Cup , sailed in partnership with Cantiere del Pardo. A fleet of some forty boats is expected for the event. The month closes with the Invitational Smeralda 888 on 28-30 June , followed by the Smeralda 888 European Cup on 12-14 July , on board Smeralda 888 yachts designed by renowned yacht designer German Frers especially for the YCCS. The fourth edition of the YCCS J/70 Sailing Clinic takes place on 19-21 July.

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Special Report: Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup

A Cutting-Edge, Upstart Yacht Club in Sardinia

By Chris Museler

• Sept. 4, 2015

Two centenarian clubs occupied the top of the global yachting world in 1983: the New York Yacht Club and the Royal Yacht Squadron, on England’s Isle of Wight.

The stone foundations of the two clubhouses on opposite sides of the Atlantic resembled mini forts defending their traditions from the modern world. New York was also defending something equally precious: the America’s Cup.

So the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, founded in 1967 by the Aga Khan, raised more than a few eyebrows when it sent a challenger to Newport, Rhode Island, for the 1983 America’s Cup races, a curvy red diamond dominating its burgee and spirited young Italian sailors on board. But the team put on a strong showing and went on to pursue their Azzura racing campaigns into the modern world of Grand Prix sailing.

The America’s Cup involvement is only a blip, however, in the club’s history, which is considerably shorter than that of the most significant American and European yacht clubs, all founded between the mid 1800s and early 1900s. In its short existence, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda has influenced not only the type of racing that members of the venerable clubs and other sailors in the yachting establishment enjoy, but also the level of service and hospitality on shore that is now standard at all large yachting events.

“They are still a small club compared to the most influential ones,” said Bruno Trouble, a French America’s Cup sailor who created the enduring partnership between the sponsor Louis Vuitton and the Cup challenger series. “They are quite influential in the wealth of the membership alone. And it is an incredible place to sail and enjoy. It’s the most expensive postcard in the world.”

The Aga Khan developed the rugged shore of Sardinia and the natural harbor of Porto Cervo in the 1960s. He continued to build hotels along the Costa Smeralda and carved out a corner for his vision of a new yacht club to service the growing number of ultra wealthy vacationers on the Italian island.

Originally housed in the rustic Maison du Port, in 1977 the club moved into a purpose-built facility overlooking the azure waters of the harbor. It has a modern marina capable of hosting some of the largest private sail and motor yachts on the planet.

If the established clubs of the world were holding to the traditional look and feel of a classic yacht club, with walnut-paneled walls and dimpled leather chairs, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda was catering to the appetites of their billionaire members, who were used to the contemporary luxury of Europe and elite resorts around the world.

But the Porto Cervo club’s biggest influence on world yachting and racing has been in the superyacht scene, Trouble said: Owners need a place to race their 200-foot yachts.

“Boats get bigger and bigger, and we had to become better organized on shore,” said Ricardo Bornadeo, the commodore of the club and the club’s first secretary, who raced a 44-footer in the early days of the club. “We are following the natural evolution of the fleet around the world and the expectations of the owners.”

The rocky section of Sardinian coastline to which the yacht club clings is visually spectacular, and the view is complimented by the high-end luxury of the hotels promoted by the Aga Khan. Presidential hotel suites can be had for $36,000 per night.

But Bornadeo said “lifestyle” was only part of the story. “We prefer to concentrate on the best possible organization on the water and on land, and with all kinds of assistance for the sailors and their boats,” he added. “Lifestyle is not our target.”

The yachting historian John Rousmaniere said that the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda filled a growing need. “The maxi yachts wanted to be able to sail in the Med,” he said. “The owners needed someone they could count on to host them and give them a luxurious experience. It caught on right away.”

Bornadeo said the Aga Khan is still the driving force behind the club’s management.

Each act of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda has been hard to follow and hard to match. But with most rival yacht clubs well over 100 years old, there is a lot more history to write for this “new” club.

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Founder of Porto Cervo’s Yacht Club Costa Smeralda honoured at World Superyacht Awards 2019

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By Katia Damborsky   23 May 2019

His Highness the Aga Khan saw the potential of Sardinia ’s Costa Smeralda as a yachting hub in the 1950’s, and the Costa Smeralda Yacht Club was established as a result of his vision.

Businessman, spiritual leader and philanthropist His Highness the Aga Khan was presented with the Legacy Award at the World Superyacht Awards 2019 in London on May 18.

He was honoured for his discovery and development of the Costa Smeralda region, near Porto Cervo , on the north east portion of Sardinia in the sixties. 

By introducing the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, he is largely responsible for turning this part of Sardinia into the superyacht magnet it is today. 

He wanted the area to become an exclusive destination for elite travellers, while still maintaining its natural beauty and heritage.

Together with Andrè Ardoin, Giuseppe Kerry Mentasti and Luigi Vietti, the Aga Khan established the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda on 1967 as a sporting centre for fellow sailing enthusiasts looking for a slice of Italian paradise.

Since its inception, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda has organised a number of international regattas which it went on to host in later years, making the Aga Khan a worthy winner of this prestigious accolade.

The Aga Khan is also noted for his role in the establishment of the Costa Smeralda Consortium in 1962.

Costa Smeralda's Regatta Circuit

This year, the hotly-anticipated Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta 2019 will be back at Yacht Club Costa Smeralda on June 3, marking an important date in the calendar for the Mediterranean yacht charter season.

Over five days, thrilling races will take place around La Maddalena archipelago, which sits just a few kilometres from Sardinia. This scattering of islands creates around 50 fast-paced racing circuits, each of which are complemented by excellent sailing conditions and stunning scenery.

Visiting the Emerald Coast

Those on a superyacht vacation in Italy shouldn’t miss the chance to explore Sardinia, and discover everything this idyllic island has to offer.

On the north eastern tip, Porto Cervo has earned a reputation for its sailing, superyachts and luxury living. It regularly pulls in luxury charter yachts with its countless designer fashion houses, upscale restaurants and chic beach clubs.

Further along the coast lies the Costa Smeralda. With a name which translates to ‘Emerald Coast’, this stretch of shoreline is lapped by the Tyrrhenian sea and promises clear, turquoise water, ivory, sun-baked beaches and plenty of calm, secluded anchorages for charter yachts looking for some peace and quiet.

It’s all too easy to understand why his Highness the Aga Khan fell in love with this Sardinian stretch of coastline all those years ago, and why his legacy will live on as Costa Smeralda continues to delight those exploring on a  West Mediterranean private yacht charter .

If you’d learn more about chartering a superyacht in Sardinia, please reach out to your preferred yacht charter broker .

Alternatively, you can compare all superyachts for charter in Porto Cervo .

Yachts for charter in Porto Cervo

105m Oceanco 2000 / 2023

92m Neorion 2004 / 2023

90m Lurssen 2010 / 2024

82m Abeking & Rasmussen 2013 / 2018

89m Oceanco 2017

83m Feadship 2015 / 2024

92m Feadship 2016

85m Golden Yachts 2018 / 2024

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YACHT CLUB COSTA SMERALDA

The youngest twinned club.

Home » Yachting Around The World » YACHT CLUB COSTA SMERALDA

Yacht Class n°22 (sept-oct-nov 2020)

Since 1967, the Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast in Italian) in Sardinia hosts an eponymous yacht club. An institution with an international aura, which has a privileged relationship with the Yacht Club de Monaco.

Written by Aurore Teodoro – Photos :  Rolex Borlenghi, Studio Martinez, Studio Borlenghi, YCCS & DR

This is the youngest of all the clubs twinned with Monaco, but certainly not the least dynamic. Created in May 1967 by H.H. the Aga Khan, Andrè Ardoin, Giuseppe Kerry Mentasti and Luigi Vietti as a non-profit sports association for fellow sailing enthusiasts and with a view to promoting related activities, the very active Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (ycss) had soon earned its stripes and joined the big league. Affiliated with the Italian Sailing Federation since 1968 and with the Italian Powerboat Federation since 1978, the club has since its inception aimed to organize international regattas and as early as 1972 the first edition of the Settimana delle Bocche was held. Then the following year, with the One Ton Cup, the Club was recognized as the main promoter of competitive offshore sailing in Italy and in the Mediterranean. The YCCS was also the one to launch the first Italian challenge for the America’s Cup in 1981. Today, the YCCS has lost none of its superb and is involved in many major international events, including world championships, for a wide range of classes (including the J, Wally, TP52, RC44, ClubSwan 50, Melges 32, J/70 and Maxi 72 classes). The YCCS also organises regattas in collaboration with top shipyards such as Nautor’s Swan, Perini Navi and Southern Wind.In addition to the sporting calendar, the YCCS also promotes activities relating to the YCCS Sailing School and the One Ocean Foundation, created in March 2018 from an environmental sustainability project launched in 2017 to mark the Club’s 50th anniversary.

Riccardo Bonadeo : “A specific experience with superyachts and maxi yachts”

Interview by Jean-Marc Moreno – Photos : Rolex Borlenghi, Studio Martinez, Studio Borlenghi, YCCS & All rights reserved

Riccardo Bonadeo perfectly remembers when he became a member of the YCCS. It was on August 18th 1978. That same year, he had won the edition of the Settimana delle Bocche regatta. Since 2008, he is the Commodore of this prestigious institution and its 700 members, representing 25 nationalities. People from various backgrounds, be they top international yachtsmen and women and key names from the world of business, or people who simply love the sea.

What are your key events?

The YCCS organises international sailing regattas, including world championships, for a wide range of boats and has specific experience with superyachts and maxi yachts. Among the prestigious classes that frequently race in the Costa Smeralda are the J Class, Wally Class, TP52, RC44, ClubSwan 50 and 36, Melges 32, J/70 and Maxi 72 classes. The YCCS also organises regattas in collaboration with top shipyards such as Nautor’s Swan, Perini Navi and Southern Wind. The main events today are undoubtedly the ones we organise for superyachts, and above all our traditional September regattas with the support of our historic partner Rolex, such as the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup.

What is your best memory as Commodore?

I have so many great memories from my experience as YCCS Commodore, but also before that as CEO of the first Italian challenge for the America’s Cup in 1983 with Azzurra, and later managing the two VO60 boats sponsored by Amer Sports for Nautor’s campaign for the Volvo Ocean Race 2001-2002.

As Commodore I can proudly recall the winning comeback of Azzurra in November 2009 at the first Louis Vuitton Trophy regatta. The year 2011 saw the launch of the TP52 Azzurra, the sporting symbol of the YCCS, which has brought us great emotions and successes over the years, for which I thank the owners, our members the Roemmers. The last memory I’ll be carrying with me as the outgoing Commodore is the One Ocean Foundation, our environmental sustainability project born from the One Ocean Forum which the YCCS organized in 2017 on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. The principle of safeguarding the seas has become part of the DNA of the Club, blending perfectly with the sporting spirit that has always inspired us in our activities.

What would you consider to be the advantages of a twinning with the Yacht Club de Monaco?

Certainly the opportunity for our members to attend the respective facilities, enjoying the beautiful locations of the clubs throughout the year. The YCCS base offers members 24 suites, a bar, restaurant and panoramic swimming pool. In 2016 it was expanded with a presidential suite of 700 square metres. Our club also has the exclusive YCCS Wellness Center & Spa and the YCCS Sailing School.

How do these take concrete form?

Members of both clubs can take advantage of the services and facilities on offer by means of a letter of introduction. We have always seen this exchange and continuous interaction between clubs as an opportunity for enrichment. We always try to build on our reciprocity over and above the services that our members can enjoy in both clubs. We are pleased to support sporting events such as the Palermo – Porto Cervo – Montecarlo race. We are also happy that our Smeralda 888 Class, which celebrates its 25th birthday in 2020, has found a new home at the Yacht Club de Monaco and a new racing circuit – of which we host some legs. In this year in which the pandemic Covid-19 caused our activities to be halted, we actually started the sporting season off with the Coppa Europa Smeralda 888 event.

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Costa Smeralda private boat tour

Price starting from

• 6 Hours Duration
• Transport: included

Discover the beautiful beaches of Sardinia on board your private yacht

• Fun & Adventure
• Yacht Charter
• La Maddalena island
• La Marinella beach
• Islands of Soffi and Mortorio
• Stops for swimming
• Private Luxury Yacht
• Fuel, tax, port fees included
• Private Captain
• Refreshments on board
• Hotel pick-up (optional)

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Description:

This private boat tour of Costa Smeralda will make you discover the beautiful coast of Sardinia onboard a luxury yacht .

During this private cruise in Sardinia you will be able to relax on your motor yacht away from the crowds, admire the beaches and islands with stops for swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean sea.

You will meet your skipper in Porto Cervo or Poltu Quatu  (or other port in the area) where you will board your private motor yacht. If you are staying in a hotel or villa in the Costa Smeralda area (Porto Cervo, Porto Rotondo, Olbia and surroundings) we will be happy to organize private transportation from your accommodation to the port (this is optional at additional cost, please contact us for more information).

On board your private motor yacht you will navigate along the coast towards the famous beach of La Marinella with its fine white sand and enjoy views of the shore and the amazing color of the water of the gulf. Navigation will then continue to the scenic island of Soffi which forms part of the National Park of La Maddalena . This island is a granite formation, the habitat of many bird species and famous for its lovely coves. At the quaint port of La Maddalena you may have lunch in one of the nice restaurants (we will be happy to give you suggestions and to book a table for you). Next stop will be the island of Mortorio. The island is uninhabited and characterized by beautiful beaches, cliffs and Mediterranean vegetation. The island and its beaches can be reached only from the sea and are a perfect stop for a swim in the crystal clear water and some snorkeling. 

At the end of the boat tour our skipper will take you back to the port. If you have asked for a private transfer, we will then take you back to your hotel or villa.

Please note that the itinerary is flexible and may be adjusted to your preferences. This includes the possibility of boarding the boat directly at your hotel whenever possible (subject to confirmation, contact us for more info).

For this private boat tour we offer a nice 27 ft. model. If you wish it is possible to upgrade to larger and more luxurious models (you can make the selection from the options menu in the reservation box located in the upper right corner of this page).

The tour is subject to weather and sea conditions. A full refund will be given if the tour needs to be cancelled when the weather conditions cannot guarantee safety of navigation.

Private yacht, captain, fuel, port tax, towels, drinks on board

Not included:

Hotel pick-up (optional at additional price) - Peak season surcharge for July and August €200

Italian, English

Meeting point:

At Porto Cervo, Poltu Quatu or other port in the vicinity (pick-up at hotels can be arranged, contact us for more information)

Dress code:

Don't forget your swimsuit and sunscreen!

Included in the price: 27 FT

Upgrade to 41 FT

Upgrade to 52 FT

Upgrade to 60 FT

Alternative tours:

Corsica boat tour from Sardinia

The boat trip was an amazing day as well as the complimentary wine. We had a great time!! The crew and boat were awesome. Thank you for the upgrade in the boat and such an amazing time. We will definitely use your company again in the future and will recommend to our friends and family. Thank you for all of your hospitality.

It was amazing! Everything was great, specially our skipper. Thank you so much for a great memory!

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Costa Smeralda: Unabashed luxury meets unbridled natural beauty

This Italian island retreat was created from scratch 60 years ago, resulting in a strange juxtaposition of paradise and playground

Shortly after arriving in Sardinia I receive a Whatsapp from a fellow traveller: “I just paid €50 for an eight-minute taxi ride!” he types, aghast. Only in Costa Smeralda, a destination thought to be the most expensive in Europe – a place where a cocktail will cost you €20, antipasti €40, and property up to €88,000 per square metre (for reference, the average in London is around €20,300).

The ‘Emerald Coast’ is a 20km stretch of coastline in northern Sardinia, populated by exclusive hotels, designer boutiques and chi-chi restaurants. It’s a magnet for celebrities, business people and politicians – Silvio Berlusconi once owned an outrageously opulent 68-room retreat here, which he reportedly sold to Saudi royals for £350 million. The coast’s Hotel Cala di Volpe has hosted the likes of Beyoncé and Jay Z, Princess Diana and Dodi al Fayed, Elton John, Grace Kelly, and George and Amal Clooney. Roger Moore was filmed here as James Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me .

So it’s good enough for some of the wealthiest people in the world. But is it right for you? We delve into the destination’s particulars to help you decide.

At times Costa Smeralda resembles an ancient fishing village, with its knobbly architecture, chalky piazzas and blooming bougainvillea. But it isn’t. In fact, all of this is new – back in the Fifties there was nothing here aside from some disgruntled Sardinian women.

Let me explain. In 1961, the Aga Khan (the Imam of Nizari Ismailis), whose net worth has been estimated at $13.3 billion, visited the province of Sassari and liked it so much that he decided to buy a bit and build a playground for the rich and famous. In Sardinian culture, valuable farming land – usually located inland – was passed onto sons, while coastal land was given to daughters. Apparently, these women, paying tax on worthless acres, jumped at the chance to shift it.

The Aga Khan’s vision for Costa Smeralda was eco-fuelled – to preserve and enhance its natural beauty. There are extremely strict regulations when it comes to developing here: nothing new has been built for 30 years, and nothing ever will be. It’s done – which is supremely rare in this day and age. How often do you visit a destination whose skyline isn’t punctured by cranes? The buildings that do exist on Costa Smeralda have to look a certain way, and even be a certain height; the Aga Khan stipulated that no structure should rise above the level of the indigenous vegetation.

The appeal that this gives Costa Smeralda should not be underestimated. Sitting on the terrace of the Cala di Volpe hotel on a scorching July morning, the view is ravishing. The limpid water, dotted with yachts , reflects a cobalt sky; it’s met by grassy peninsulas studded with fuschia flowers, while a hazy hinterland rises in the distance.

Architecture

The knowledge that the pseudo-Moorish architecture is – well – pseudo, may be a bit of a turn-off. But although it may not be authentically rustic, it is seriously beautiful. Much of it was designed by iconic landscape designers like Luigi Vietti, Michele Busiri Vici and Jacques Couëlle – a friend of Picasso and Dalí, nicknamed ‘the architect of billionaires’. He is known for pioneering the ‘architecture-sculpture’ movement, which employs only organic shapes and corporeal curves. He designed the Cala di Volpe; you can also rent out a Couëlle-designed villa in Costa Smeralda (for an amount not disclosed online), which resembles a hobbit hole rendered in turquoise mosaic.

Renting would almost seem a shame when Costa Smeralda is home to some of the most revered hospitality establishments in the world. There’s Hotel Romazzino, a building in Mediterranean whitewash with a choice of fresh and seawater pools and a myrtle-scented private beach. The Pitrizza, meanwhile, is a group of villas subsumed into the landscape (some have grass roofs) overlooking Liscia di Vacca bay.

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Cala Di Volpe, meanwhile, was originally built as the Aga Khan’s private home. It’s cast in pink ombre with terracotta accents and features sourced from artisans, like a tiled floor that, on closer inspection, is made from cross-sections of local wood, or coloured glass set into the rough-hewn walls. Patrons decamp from yachts and smoke Cubans on the terrace, and a mini Prada boutique in the lobby pedals the most expensive kaftans you will ever see (Italianate glamour doesn’t stop at the beach).

At the top of the Cala Di Volpe, the Harrods Suite goes for up to €39,000 per night during high season: arched doors are carved to look like shells, beds are tucked inside patinated alcoves, and hand-painted wardrobes are flecked with 22kt-gold fragments. On the roof terrace, the raised infinity pool and pastel-paved dining pergola are irresistible.

The restaurants here range from the traditional to the thoroughly modern. Take Phi Beach, for example: a beach club/bar/restaurant hybrid where you can spend the afternoon on a canopied sunbed before dining on fregola (a Sardinian pasta served in fish stew and usually topped by a fat, freshly-caught prawn) and dancing ‘til dawn.

Then there’s Quattro Passi Al Pescatore, where I dined in Costa Smeralda (at about 10pm, as is the Italian way); an essential stop for authentic fare such as squid tagliatelle and roasted octopus. Signatures include raw Mazara prawns, which are the spearhead of Sardinian delicacies – distinctive for their bright red colour and retailing at up to £45 a kilo – and bottarga, cured fish roe sack which is then grated over dishes, known by some as ‘Mediterranean caviar’.

Finally, if you find yourself all pasta’d out, Japanese restaurant chain Zuma will be opening in Porto Cervo next week. Guests can expect the finest fish and robata dishes, from sliced yellowtail to spicy beef tenderloin.

What else is there?

There’s the prestigious Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, and the Sardinia Cup sailing regatta is held off the coast. The Pevero Golf Club, meanwhile, is considered one of the most challenging courses in Europe, and was the seat of the Italian Open in 1978. For shopping, it’s the Promenade du Port, a village of both designer mainstays like Loewe and Off White, as well as independent stores and pop-ups. Polo matches are held near Arzachena, and there’s a film festival and a vintage car rally that come around yearly.

Costa Smeralda, by admission of its CEO Mario Ferraro, is trying to draw in younger patrons, hence the addition of Nikki Beach – the renowned beach club where beautiful people repose on sunbeds to the sound of world-class DJ sets. There’s also the (in)famous Billionaire nightclub, where red supercars line up outside and you’ll be hard-pressed to order a drink without a sparkler in it. Very m’as tu vu , but a lot of fun.

The verdict

There is certainly a whiff of artifice about Costa Smeralda – it’s a bit like Disneyland for Russian oligarchs. And, yes, there are a lot of uber-tanned, Rolex-clad men and women donning Balenciaga and botox. But you just can’t deny that natural beauty or the artistry of the surroundings, which were Costa Smeralda’s whole raison d’être in the first place. Beholding those macchia-clad hills as your tender cuts through indigo waves, everything else sort of melts away.

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Self-indulgence on the Costa Smeralda

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The Costa Smeralda is still the Italian getaway of the stars and the mega-rich, with superyacht regattas drawing the crowds every April. The Blu Mediterraneo Spa , a huge attraction every season, is the only ticket into the members-only club itself. And now there's fresh appeal, with Acqua di Parma 's new Italian Resort skincare collection. The utterly Italian brand known for its delicious smells and glamorous image absolutely typifies this place, alongside swathes of Loro Piana cashmere and handsome boys with nut-brown tans climbing the rigging.

One of just two Acqua di Parma spas in the world, this gloriously chic set-up has cool whitewashed walls lined with sparkling mosaic tiles. The signature Mediterranean Oxygenating Complex is fantastic, a blend of essential oils and minerals that help the native flora thrive against the wind, sun and salt. The treatment to go for is the Detoxifying Body Therapy : two hours of deep exfoliation and massage that will leave tired skin buffed and beaming. Book in at least a week in advance at the height of summer when the jet-set roll into town. The feel-good creams and scrubs will help you hang on to that holiday glow for longer, and the fragrance combination - bergamot, cypress and sea accord - still evokes the scent of the Med even once you're home. Post-spa, head for an ice-cold limoncello on the terrace and keep your eyes peeled for George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Jay Z.

Treatments from about £45. spa.acquadiparma.com

This feature was first published in Condé Nast Traveller March 2015

Terrace at Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Porto Cervo

Revitalizing Body Cream, £52, Acqua di Parma

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Porto Cervo

Le Panorama, 11th Floor 57 Rue Grimaldi MC 98000 Monaco +377 99 99 97 97

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Superyacht Charter Corsica & Sardinia

Private Yachting Cruises in Corsica and Sardinia

A superyacht charter in Corsica & Sardinia takes in clear turquoise waters, stunning small islands, mountainside towns and hundreds of golden beaches. The wild landscapes of Corsica are great for hiking, and Sardinia's ultra-luxury Costa Smeralda yacht club is a favourite playground of the superyacht set. Rent a crewed motor or sailing boat with YPI to have the best cruising possible in Corsica & Sardinia. This is an example of an eight day yacht charter itinerary for Corsica & Sardinia. Yacht charter itineraries are created individually for every client based around personal preferences and how you want to spend your time onboard your superyacht in Corsica & Sardinia.

Girolata Bay

City meets nature.

Board your private superyacht in Calvi and cruise to Girolata Bay, lying in the Scandola Nature Reserve and surrounded by high red rock mountains, a wonderfully scenic and atmospheric place to spend time. Take the yacht tender to explore Corsica's caves and coves by boat. Walk up through the pine-scented mountains and snap spectacular shots of your charter yacht in the bay below. Stop for lunch in the small village of Girolata, at the Le Bel Ombra restaurant, famous for its locally caught langouste, or spiny lobster. Linger over dessert, taking in the fantastic view.

Bays and Beaches

Wild Island

Anchor off Asinara to swim and snorkel in waters of bright turquoise. The island itself has a fascinating history, as a former prison now converted into a national park. Explore the coastal village of Cala d'Oliva, a former penal colony, and the island's steep rocky coasts, small coves from a crewed motor or sailing yacht. The island, only populated by its native donkeys, can be discovered by bike or electric car.

Sea and City

On to Bonifacio, a picturesque waterfront harbour with pastel-coloured houses rising up behind. Have your camera ready for the cruise out, which takes you through a fjord-like channel with iconic views of this extraordinary hilltop town. Anchor your superyacht in the Lavezzi Islands, formed by huge granite blocks weathered by the elements, and dive or snorkel to discover rich marine life. Enjoy cocktails and dinner onboard the boat later, feeling totally at peace in this magical anchorage.

Porto Vecchio

Hike, swim and party.

Head to the pretty town of Porto Vecchio. Enjoy a round of golf on one of the 18-hole courses or take a picnic prepared by the yacht's chef and go hiking in the Ospedale Forest. Explore the area's many pretty coves and beaches by tender and spend the afternoon on your favourite beach. In the evening, wander around the vibrant, historical holiday town, known as the Saint-Tropez of Corsica.

Maddalena Islands

Castaway islands.

Cruise to the Maddalena archipelago, made up of seven large islands and 55 tiny ‘isolotti’. Take the tender from the boat to discover these castaway islands - the pristine beach of Cala Soraya on uninhabited Spargi or the islands of Budelli and Razzoli. Explore Razzoli with its granite rocks resembling petrified giants. Anchor off Maddalena island in the beautiful bay and enjoy fresh fish at La Scogliera restaurant. Continue on to Porto Cervo for partying , and then back to your charter vessel.

Porto Cervo

The in crowd.

Spend the day at one of the many beautiful beaches or exclusive beach clubs surrounding Porto Cervo. Visit a spa for some pampering or play a round of golf at the Pevero Golf Club. Shop in Porto Cervo itself for that perfect outfit. Head to the chic Hotel Cala di Volpe for a dinner of Michelin-quality food and fine wine before dancing the night away at the Billionaire Club. Spend another evening here on your rental yacht with the crew or carry on the party in nearby Porto Rotondo.

Disembarkation

Enjoy a last breakfast onboard your motor yacht or sailing yacht charter before you disembark in Olbia. Time permitting before onward travel, explore the centro storico (historic centre), browsing boutiques and watching the world go by from a wine bar or piazza cafe.

Corsica & Sardinia Yachts for Charter

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News New World Championship for September's Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup

New world championship for september's maxi yacht rolex cup.

The 2024 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup will feature the very first World Championship for Maxi 1 . Taking place out of Porto Cervo over 8-14 September as part of the main event, the "Rolex IMA Maxi 1 World Championship" will be open to maxi yachts with an IRC TCC of 1.700-2.200 and up to 30.51m (100ft) in length. Typically it will include larger maxis, such as 100 footers (like Leopard 3)  and the former Wallycentos, down to the ClubSwan 80 My Song. The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo, Sardinia, is co-organised by the event’s host, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS), and the International Maxi Association (IMA), the body responsible for overseeing and nurturing the sport of maxi racing and representing the interests of its maxi yacht owner members globally. While it had existed in this role for 30 years previous to this, in 2009 the IMA was formally recognised for these responsibilities by World Sailing. As a result, the IMA is permitted officially to hold two world championships each year. In 2010 the first Rolex Mini Maxi World Championship was held during the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and since then world championships have been held for the Maxi 72 and J Class under the auspices of the IMA, the latter taking place out of Newport, RI in 2017. “The International Maxi Association endeavours to adapt its world championships to wherever across the maxi fleet there is the greatest competition,” explains IMA Secretary General Andrew McIrvine. “Over recent seasons we have seen the 100 footers increasingly ramping up their programs with boats that were once cruiser-racers now becoming more thoroughbred racing yachts with all the development, sail programs and elite level crews that that entails. As a result we are expecting at least 10 Maxi 1 yachts to be competing at our new World Championship.”  

Despite entry to the event having not yet closed, the line-up for the Rolex IMA Maxi 1 World Championship already looks impressive, including: the 100 footers Leopard 3; a trio of former Wallycentos - Magic Carpet Cubed, Galateia and V; SHK Scallywag - Seng Huang Lee's David Witt-led campaign returning to race in the northern hemisphere for the first time since the pandemic. Then there is the 93ft Bullitt, last year’s Rolex Middle Sea Race winner; the 85ft racer Deep Blue; the 82ft Django HF in her first race since receiving some major modifications; the ClubSwan 80 My Song; all eyes will be on the brand new 80ft Capricorno for which the Rolex IMA Maxi 1 World Championship will be the first regatta in which she will race.

While yachts larger than 30.51m (100ft) compete in their own Super Maxi class, the IMA Maxi fleet today encompasses yachts of 18.29m (60ft) to 30.51m (100ft), as published annually in the IMA Maxi Class Rules.

In recent seasons the IMA has shed monickers from its classes such as Racer/Racer-Cruiser/Cruiser-Racer and Mini Maxi, in favour of dividing up the Maxi fleet solely by IRC rating. For example at the 2023 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, Maxi 1 was for yachts with a TCC of 1.700< (ie 100 footers); Maxi 2 1.600-1.700 (ie the former Maxi 72s); Maxi 3 1.400-1.600 (the former Mini Maxi Racer-Cruiser class), Maxi  4 1.260-1.400 (the ex-Mini Maxi Cruiser-Racer class, but including a Swan 80 and a Southern Wind 82) and Maxi 5 <1.260 (the former Mini Maxi Cruiser class, ie Swan 65).

“The aim of this is entirely to encourage yachts of a similar performance to race against one another to ensure the best possible competition, rather than rely on any highly subjective terminology,” explains McIrvine.

Maxi yacht world championships have long been associated with the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and Porto Cervo. From the early 1980s the International Class A Yacht Association (ICAYA – the IMA’s previous name) regularly held here World Championships for the ‘Class A’ ; the name of the maxi class as defined by the IOR rule of that era. It is because of this that, to this day, the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is still referred in sailing circles as ‘the Maxi Worlds’.

The last world championship held at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup was for the Maxi 72 class in 2018 when it was won by Dieter Schön’s Momo. The world championship for this class was withdrawn due to dwindling numbers and the Maxi 72s increasingly racing out of class. Despite no longer racing within the confines of their box rule, the remaining former Maxi 72s continue to enjoy the best racing with four currently entered in September - Jethou, plus Jolt, Proteus and North Star, which will be competing in their own class in Porto Cervo in September.

(Report by James Boyd / International Maxi Association)

International Maxi Association Legal Headquarters: c/o BfB Société Fiduciaire Bourquin frères et Béran SA - 26, Rue de la Corraterie - 1204 Genève - Switzerland

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Sardinia luxury yacht charter

Sardinia’s scalloped bays, shimmering sands and dramatic coastline have long been the playground of screen starlets, royalty, first families and the yachting elite. With some of the most exclusive harbours, hotels and restaurants in the western Mediterranean, a luxury yacht charter around the Italian island of Sardinia seamlessly combines sun-soaked glamour with timeless elegance and natural beauty. A Tyrrhenian Sea yacht charter around this island can happily balance partying in hotspots like Porto Cervo on the Costa Smeralda with an escape to secluded islands and jaw-dropping marine parks in places such as the Maddalena archipelago.

Sardinia yacht season and weather

Sardinia is hot and dry from May to October with the island enjoying an average of 300 days of sunshine a year. Peak charter months are July and August, though June is also an excellent time to charter. August is particularly busy as most Italians take their holidays during this month.

Most rain falls between October and February, giving much of Sardinia a lush and verdant character. Visitors may well experience balmy summer days in March and April, though evenings will be cool during this time of year. The prevailing wind is north westerly, which can be particularly significant on the Strait of Bonifacio at the north of the island.

Sardinia superyacht charter itineraries

Historic Cagliari crowns Sardinia’s southern edge, and a litter of pretty coves and tiny villages then await. With vineyards inland and towns steeped in history, it is a region rich in cultural and gastronomic offerings. Yachts up to 55 metres LOA can drop anchor at Marina di Cagliari. 

To the north, the superyacht haven of Porto Cervo is the central hub for the yachting elite that descend on Sardinia’s glittering Costa Smeralda each summer. Home to some of Europe’s most expensive residences and exclusive resorts, including the iconic Cala di Volpe hotel, Porto Cervo pulsates during the summer season and its bars and restaurants promise a great night ashore. 

The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda is based in Porto Cervo and organises a packed yacht racing season throughout the summer. Highlights of the Mediterranean cruising calendar in Sardinia include the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta, the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta, the Maxi Rolex Cup and Rolex Swan Cup – all lively events for sailing enthusiasts in Porto Cervo to get involved with. Yachts up to 120 metres can berth at the IGY marina in Port Cervo.

South of Porto Cervo, the resort village of Porto Rotondo’s turquoise waters, pristine beaches and charming piazzas will prove irresistible, and the port here has 25 berths for megayachts. Cruise 20 nautical miles and dock at Marina di Olbia (for yachts up to 80 metres) to discover the city’s café-lined squares. Further south explore the caves near Cala Luna, where the peaks of Gennargentu National Park provide a dramatic backdrop and the snorkelling is excellent. Nearby Cala Goloritzé is another natural wonder.

From the northern coast of the main island cruise about 10 nautical miles offshore toward the spectacular archipelago of La Maddalena. While away long, languid sunny days around Caprera, Spargi, Santo Stefano, Santa Maria, Budelli and Razzoli, and discover some of Sardinia’s best beaches and the island’s breathtaking lagoons. On Isola Maddalena, Cala Gavetta marina can host yachts up to 60 metres LOA, as can the marina of the Hotel Excelsior. On Capera, Porto Palma can accommodate yachts up to 40 metres.

Some luxury yacht charters will combine the magic of Sardinia with French-held Corsica – the islands lie in a north to south run, with Corsica sitting off Sardinia’s northerly tip.

On Corsica , visit the historic capital of Porto-Vecchio, discover the UNESCO wonders of the Lavezzi islands and marvel at the houses perched atop the windswept bluffs in Bonifacio before cruising south to the majestic La Maddelena archipelago.

Sardinia by superyacht

Getting to sardinia.

Olbia, Alghero and Cagliari airports handle commercial and private jets.

Many visiting charters will arrive from the west coast of Italy. Corsica and Sardinia run north to south.

Legal requirements

Sardinia is part of Italy, so the same yachting and travel regulations apply to this island as on the mainland.

Yacht features

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The Rolex Swan Cup Is One of Sailing’s Most Illustrious Races. Here’s What It’s Like to Attend.

Every two years, more than 100 owners and crews of the world’s most sought-after sailboat brand come together for the Rolex Swan Cup , a five-day race series held at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. The regatta takes place on the northern coast of Sardinia, with its famed Mistral winds, and attracts owners from three continents to compete for two sweet prizes—a Rolex watch and, equally as important, winner’s bragging rights.

This year’s cup, the 22nd iteration that ended Sunday, had 101 boats attending.

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The Rolex Swan Cup is one of multiple events held each year for Nautor Swan owners. Costa Smeralda’s superyacht marina is packed with Swans bearing the familiar arrow on their hulls. Green Rolex flags fly on the masts, flapping in the breeze, and even the superyachts in the area are upstaged by the packs of Swans racing against each other, many with billowed black sails, around the area’s stunning waters.

“Every day the boats go all around the islands on different courses, which depend on wind conditions,” Federico Michetti, head of sports activities at Nautor Swan, told Robb Report at the event. “They are scored based on position, so if there are 15 boats and yours is first, you get one point. Last place gets 15.” The lowest scorer by the end of the week is the overall winner.

The boat classes range from Maxi yachts to the historic S&S Classic group to multiple One Designs—boats with the same hull configurations and weight that make racing a game of skill rather than superior technology. “In the one-class, the sailors are what differentiate the winners from everyone else,” says Michetti.

Nautor Swan has been building high-end, fast, and luxurious sailboats (and recently three motorboat models) since 1969. The brand established its presence after the Swan 65 Sayula II won the first Whitbread Round the World Race in 1973/74. In 58 years, the builder has only had four yacht designers, but all are icons in the sailing world: Sparkman & Stephens, responsible for designing the first 1,000 hulls, Ron Holland who did three different lengths, German Frers, who has developed many iconic Swans over 40 years, including many Maxis, and Juan Kouyoumdjian, designer of the ClubSwan fleet.

Fashion magnate Leonardo Ferragamo, who purchased the yard in 1988, has transformed Nautor Swan into the luxury cruising/racing brand in the sailing world. As president, he expanded the brand across multiple segments (from the custom 131-foot Custom Maxi to the recent Nautor 28) while also enhancing both the luxury and technical components of the fleet. It launched its first hybrid yacht in June.

Ferragamo was also tireless in establishing a Swan race circuit with an average of six to eight annual events in different yacht clubs, typically in glamorous locations. This year, 101 Swans of all sizes from 30 countries made the trek to Porto Cervo, hailing from different European countries, California, and Japan.

Ferragamo also races his hunter-green Swan 50 Cuordileon e. “When choosing my first yacht, I decided to buy a Swan, specifically because I wanted to take part in the Swan Cup,” he tells Robb Report .

The event has improved every year, Ferragamo says, thanks to the participation of Rolex, which has long sponsored sail-racing events around the world. “We’ve been able to bring three marvelous brands, Rolex, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, and Nautor Swan into one event,” he says.

The Rolex Swan Cup is by invitation only for Swan owners, attracting more than 700 sailors and a few hundred loved ones as well as many race-sponsor clients. In the mornings, owners and their crews buzzed around the docks, readying giant, high-tech sails, tying off lines, and loading gear. Many teams were easily identifiable in what amounted to colored uniforms, donning matching UV shirts in ocean blue or bright yellow. A few local yachties watched the preparations, almost meditatively, from their decks, enjoying fresh cornettos and espresso.

Racing is intense, with staggered starts to allow the non-class boats time to move through the racecourse, while one-designs often jockey for position, usually aggressively, to lead their groups. There is intense peer pressure among owners to win this cup, mostly with skillful captains and crews, but sometimes the right puff of wind can make the difference between first and second place.

Californian Don Macpherson comes to Sardinia every two years to race in the cup. His racing career started as soon as his 90-foot Freya was launched 12 years ago. He originally had a professional captain, but with the help of a crew that now includes his children, he chases grand prizes by skippering the boat himself. Macpherson also races in the Caribbean (where he’s headed after Sardinia) but considers the Swan Cup the “premier” racing experience. “There is no place better to sail than Porto Cervo,” he tells Robb Report . “The club here does a fantastic job organizing events.”

Freya , easily identifiable by its yellow sails, has come a long way in the last decade. “In the first race, we came in dead last,” Macpherson recalls. “Then we did better and better.” His boat won the Maxi Class Group 1 Division A in 2016, 2022 and also this year.

Fellow Californian Al Ramadan hopes to have a similar record one day. He is the newest ClubSwan member, but he wasn’t able to sail his Swan 28 until a week before the race, since it had just been delivered to Italy from the factory. His shakedown cruise was from the mainland to Sardinia, with a five-person crew aboard. Like many sailors, Ramadan had always been attracted to Swans. He was determined to own one and race it someday.

From the outside, Ramadan notes, the Nautor Swan community can look pretentious, unapproachable. But in Sardinia, he had an entirely different experience. “I went to the parties, and they were very glamorous, but Swan is a wonderful, helpful community that I’m proud to be a part of,” he says. In other words, he was instantly adopted into the club.

The event is also about play. Parties close out the event—the first is hosted on Thursday for owners at Costa Smeralda by Nautor Swan. The evening proved to be intimate and civilized.

But the second post-race party, hosted by Rolex, was the place to let loose, dance, and enjoy Sardinian pasta specialties made in front of you. With more than 1,000 people in attendance, the space was packed with dancing, singing sailors who were lip-synching to American Top 40 hits on large video screens.

This year’s winners, in different classes, included Freya, Sea Quill, Isabella, Mascalzone Latino XXXIII, Katima, From Now On, Moonlight, Ulika, Canopo, Fra Martina , and Marcello.

“The Rolex Swan Cup is not just a race,” says Michetti. “It’s a lifestyle, a state of mind, and all these guys coming from all around the world enjoy being part of the Swan family. That part always amazes me.”

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