Pre-charter Information & FAQ's Olbia
Please complete the crew list as soon as possible as this will avoid delays in processing your yacht papers which could in turn delay you setting sail. The completed crew list will also allow us to organise your transfers from/to Olbia airport if required.
If you have booked a skipper please ignore the skipper sections of the form but allocate one of your party who is over 18 as ‘First Mate’.
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE YOUR CREW LIST AND TRANSFER FORM
TRANSFERS TO DYC OLBIA MARINA
If you need any help or information when arranging your travel to DYC OLBIA Marina near Olbia airport we will be glad to help. There are also airports in Cagliari and Alghero in Sardinia.
Request a transfer from/to Olbia airport by checking the box on the Crew List/Transfer Form & completing your flight information
When you depart the airport terminal there will be a driver waiting holding a card bearing your name who will drive you directly to the marina where the base team will be waiting to greet you. Please pay the base office for the transfer in euros. Taxis are not so cheap on Sardinia. The cost €30 for 1-3 people each way or €40 for 4-8 people. Between the hours of 22.00 - 07.00 the price is €40 and €45 respectively. The transfer takes around 5 minutes.
Your transfers will automatically be arranged i f you have correctly completed your flight information on the Crew List/Transfer form so there is no need to re-check or re-send flight information to us.
ARRIVALS
Upon arrival make their way to the DYC (Dream Yacht Charter) office in the main building opposite the piers (please see map below). For skippered charters make your way to the DYC office and the office staff can let your skipper know you have arrived and they will come and meet you.
If you will be arriving at the marina after 18.00 please inform us in advance so we can make arrangements with you for boarding your yacht.
If we are not arranging your transfers p lease let Island Sailing know the approximate time of your arrival to the marina. I f you are going to be significantly earlier or later than expected please call us (see contact information below).
CONTACT INFORMATION LOCAL BASE - DYC OLBIA Marina (Dream Yacht Charter)
DYC Marina OLBIA
Viale isola Bianca 5
07026 Olbia
Sardinia
Italy
GPS Position: 40° 55' 30. 95" N
9º 30' 34. 03" E
The DYC office is situated in the new DYC Marina, which is currently still under construction (please see map) and is open 08.30 - 17.30
Island Sailing UK Head Office Tel: (0044) 0330 088 4744
If you need any help, information or advice that Francesco, Alessandra and their team cannot be provided by the base team please contact the Island Sailing Support Team
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
Travel light is our advice. Don’t forget your passport(s).
Unless you have booked a skipper you must remember to bring the original copy(s) of your sailing qualifications/skipper's licence.
You must bring a mobile phone set up for roaming in Sardinia and charger – it is very important that you have contact in case of emergency as VHF signal is only line of sight.
Please bring your luggage in a soft bag that will fold down without wheels or hard edges. Space on a yacht is limited and cases with hard edges and wheels will often damage the woodwork on the boat.
Bedding and yacht towels are provided on your yacht but we advise you to bring beach towels with you. If you have a late flight home we recommend bringing another towel if you wish as yacht towels cannot be kept after you disembark on the last day.
All yachts are equipped with sufficient numbers of life jackets, usually of a standard size. If you are not a standard size, or especially for small children it is wise to bring your own life jackets . If you would like to check about this before you come to Sardinia please get in touch.
You will need to bring a VISA or MASTERCARD credit card for your yacht security deposit (debit cards and AMEX are not accepted). Please make sure you have a large enough limit to cover the deposit for the yacht you have booked. If you do not possess a VISA or MASTERCARD credit card you must inform us BEFORE you travel to Sardinia as your charter can't commence without the completed credit card security deposit.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING? - CHECK LIST
Passport (s)
Flight Tickets (Check names shown on the flight ticket match those shown on the individual passports)
Travel insurance documents (make sure you have coverage for sailing)
The skipper must bring original copies of sailing certificates/licences and original valid VHF Radio Licence
Credit Cards/Debit Cards and local currency (euro). You must bring a VISA or MASTERCARD credit card with you for the yacht security deposit.
Mobile phone set up for roaming in Italy and charger – it is very important that you can keep in contact in case of emergency as VHF signal is only line of sight
Beach towel (yacht towels are provided for use on the yacht). If you have a late flight home we recommend bringing another towel if you wish as yacht towels cannot be kept after you disembark on the last day
Snorkels, mask and flippers if you have them, or you can buy them when you arrive in Sardinia.
Soft soled shoes &/or deck shoes
Swimwear
Light jumper or light fleece
Waterproof jacket (especially in early and late summer in case of a shower)
Hat & sunglasses (with cord)
T-shirt/tops and long sleeve casual shirts/tops
Shorts and casual long trousers
Toilet bag with toiletries
Suntan cream (protection)
Sea sickness pills if required
Insect Repellent
Anti-histamine ointment and tablets (for insect bites/stings) & any essential medication
Camera, batteries & spare memory cards
Your choice of device for playing music on board + lead with a 3.5mm jack plug at each end and a USB connection lead
Books/magazines/Kindle
Two-pin European travel adapter for charging phones etc. (at marinas or even in restaurants)
12 volt adapter / car charger for charging phones, etc. on-board (onboard with a car type cigarette lighter socket)
WHAT FACILITIES ARE AT DYC OLBIA MARINA
DYC OLBIA marina is a new facility not fully completed (as of late summer 2019). There are showers and WC’s and the base is walking distance from the city centre with cafes, bars, restaurants and shops (ask base staff for directions).
The marina has all the essential services you will need for the yacht such as power and water. Electricity is available on the piers as well as fresh water.
At the end of your charter there is a fuel station at nearby Marina di Olbia where you will fill up and pay for fuel. There is car parking in several places around the marina.
HOW MUCH IS THE YACHT SECURITY DEPOSIT?
Before your charter begins a security pre-authorisation 'hold' deposit is taken from the Party Leader which will be processed by the owner/operator at base (please see amounts below) by VISA or Mastercard credit card (Debit cards and American Express are NOT accepted) . Make sure you have a large enough limit to cover the deposit for the yacht you have booked. If you do not possess a VISA or MASTERCARD credit card you must inform us BEFORE you travel to Sardinia as your charter can't commence without the completed credit card security deposit. On successful completion of post charter inspection the pre-authorisation 'hold' deposit charge will not be completed and the 'hold' will elapse. The time it takes for the ‘hold’ to elapse depends on your card provider.
You will more than likely already have travel insurance set up but if not y ou can get specialist yacht travel insurance which includes some coverage for yacht security deposits from a number of companies including Topsail. As a customer of Island Sailing if you use discount code ISLAND you will receive a 10% discount. For more details visit http://www.topsailinsurance.com/island-sailing
Option One - Yacht Damage Waiver (YDW) and Reduced Security Deposit: Mandatory for skippered charters
The YDW is a non-refundable fee, the amount is dependent on length overall of yacht which reduces your liability per incident to the amounts below which will be taken as a pre-authorisation 'hold' deposit (Security Deposit) as follows:
Yacht Size
Reduced Security Deposit
YDW
Monohulls from 50-55 feet
€600
€ 40 per night. Min €280 per charter
Monohulls from 37-49 feet
€500
€ 30 per night. Min € 210 per charter
Monohulls up to 36 feet
€500
€ 20 per night. Min € 140 per charter
Catamarans 42 feet +
€650
€ 50 per night. Min € 350 per charter
Catamarans up to 41 feet
€650
€ 40 per night. Min € 280 per charter
Option Two - Security Deposit Only: Available for bareboat and flotilla sailing only
Yacht Size
Security Deposit
Monohulls from 48-55 feet
€3500
Monohulls from 45-47 feet
€3000
Monohulls from 42-44 feet
€2500
Monohulls from 37-41 feet
€2000
Monohulls up to 36 feet
€2000
Catamarans 42 feet +
€5000
Catamarans up to 41 feet
€4000
CAN ISLAND SAILING ORGANISE OUR TRANSFERS FROM / TO OLBIA AIRPORT?
Yes, you will need to complete your flight information on the Crew List/Transfer form at least 14 days prior to your arrival that we will have emailed to you. When you depart the airport terminal there will be a driver waiting holding a card bearing your name who will drive you directly to the marina.
Please pay the driver directly in euros, Taxis cost €25 for 1-3 people each way or €35 for 4-8 people. Between the hours of 22.00 - 07.00 the price is €35 and €45 respectively. When you return your yacht's papers back to the base office at the end of your charter, if you are having a transfer please ask the base staff what time your transfer pick up will be.
WHEN WILL I BE ABLE BOARD MY YACHT?
Your yacht will be ready to board by 17:00 on the first day of your charter. If your flight gets you to Sardinia earlier than this you will be able to enjoy the cafe bars and restaurants in town, walking distance from the base. If the yacht is ready a little earlier you will be able to board sooner.
When you are on board you will be given a full safety brief and a chart brief with one of the skippers or base team with extensive knowledge of the sailing area.
WILL I GET A YACHT HANDOVER BRIEFING?
Yes, you will receive a thorough handover of your yacht upon boarding as well as a chart/sailing area briefing and you can familiarise yourself with the yacht and its equipment before setting sail. The Dream base team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have as well as offering any advice you may need about the sailing area. If you arrive close to or after the base office closes you will receive your yacht handover the following morning.
For those on a Skippered yacht charter you will meet your skipper, they will show you around your yacht and chat about where you would like to sail.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY FLIGHTS ARRIVE OR DEPART LATE?
As long as you let us know when you are arriving and departing we can make arrangements for your arrival. If you arrive to Sardinia early before your yacht is ready there are lots of places to have a drink or some food in town whilst you wait. Olbia is a lovely town with lots of shops, cafes and restaurants.
If you have a late flight home you can relax in town. You are welcome to use all of the shower and bathroom facilities at the marina before or at the end of your yacht charter.
WHEN DOES MY CHARTER END & RETURNING BACK TO THE MARINA?
You will need to return to DYC OLBIA marina at 17:00 at the latest on the penultimate day of your charter (usually Friday). Please call the base team an hour before your estimated arrival back to Olbia so they can give you instructions for berthing.
There is a fuel station at nearby Marina di Olbia. Before returning to the berth, please refuel your boat and fill up your outboard engine can. Please pay the marina fuel staff directly by cash or card. Do not use your anchor, there are mooring lines on the shore that will be passed to you to secure your yacht whilst you re-fuel.
When returning to the yacht berth, go stern to and do not use your anchor as there are laid mooring lines.
You will be able to stay on the yacht on your final night and enjoy relaxing onboard or exploring Olbia town .
Please disembark by 09:00 on the last the next morning.
When you return your yacht's papers back to the base office, if you are having a transfer please ask the basen staff what time your transfer pick up will be.
HOW TO GET LOCAL WEATHER FORECASTS?
You may well have your own favourite websites and Apps to check the weather.
Many skippers sailing in Sardinia refer to Windfinder and Lamma Toscana http://www.lamma.rete.toscana.it/en/meteo
Remember the sailing area has extremely localised conditions which are affected by numerous factors which cannot be foreseen by the forecasters such as land breeze, sea breeze, sea swell, the local landscape, fetch, ferry wash and so on.
You can also find weather information at marinas and yacht clubs.
DO YOU PROVIDE LINEN AND TOWELS?
All bed sheets, linen, pillows and towels are provided on the boat. We recommend bringing your own beach towel. If you have a late flight home we recommend bringing a spare towel if you wish as yacht towels cannot be kept after you disembark on the last day.
WHAT MUSIC SYSTEM DOES THE BOAT HAVE?
All the boats have car stereo style music systems with speakers below deck and in the cockpit. They will either have a 3.5mm jack or a USB connection. We advise you to bring a jack lead as sometimes there may be compatibility issues in connecting your device.
SHORE POWER & WHAT PLUG SOCKETS DOES THE BOAT HAVE?
Shore power is available on most town quays and marinas. All plug sockets on the boats are the European 2 pin type however these are only usable when the yacht is plugged in to mains power. If your devices or equipment do not have 2 pin European plugs you'll need to bring a travel adaptor with you. During the week there is a 12v socket, similar to a car cigarette lighter, which can be used to charge phones and other electronic devices if you bring a car charger with you.
ARE THERE MASKS AND SNORKELS ON THE YACHT?
Masks, snorkels or flippers are not provided. You are welcome to bring your own or they are readily available and reasonably priced in the nearby shops and at many places around the sailing area.
WHAT ABOUT TRANSFERS FROM / TO OLBIA AIRPORT?
We can arrange your transfers between between Olbia airport and the marina or you can catch a taxi yourself. There are also airports in Cagliari and Alghero in Sardinia.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO FUEL UP MY YACHT?
Fuel is available at the nearby Marina di Olbia . At the end of your charter please fill your yacht and outboard jerry can and pay the fuel personnel directly with a debit or credit card or cash (euro).
Fuel will vary depending on the size of yacht you charter and how far you sail and motor on your holiday. Most customers spend between £60 - £150 per week on fuel for the yacht depending on the size of the yacht and the amount of motoring they do and to top up the fuel for the outboard engine if they have one.
If you have chartered one of the largest yachts or catamarans especially the ones with generators and air-conditioning, you will use more fuel.
HOW MUCH ARE THE MOORING FEES?
Mooring fees at Olbia marina for your first and last day are FREE. The marinas offer all the essential facilities and there are laid moorings on quays and mooring buoys in many locations. Harbour and mooring charges vary. You can pay for a daily ticket for La Maddalena national park, please ask base staff for more details.
DO WE NEED AN OUTBOARD ENGINE FOR THE DINGHY/TENDER?
An outboard engine for your dinghy/tender can be very useful. They are great for exploring caves and some of the quieter snorkelling spots. They are also essential if you are looking to moor in the many anchorages or on a mooring buoy to go ashore.
Every yacht has its own dinghy/tender and an optional outboard engine. If you would like an outboard engine please let us know before your charter.
WHAT ABOUT SHOPPING & PROVISIONING?
There is a supermarket called 'Super Pan' just 500 meters from the base and they also can help to deliver your provisioning; it is open from 08.00 - 22.00 every day.
There will be opportunities to purchase anything you need at the various places you visit around the sailing area so you do not have to purchase too much when you arrive.
The euro is the currency in Sardiniaa. We would recommend bringing a reasonable amount of local currency with you as quite a few small cafes, restaurants and small shops usually only accept cash. There are ATM machines in town and in other larger towns you will visit.
WILL I BE ABLE TO USE MY CREDIT CARD?
Many restaurants, café bars and shops around the sailing area only accept cash (euros).
The fuel station, the yacht charter base office at the marina and some large shops and restaurants accepts major credit cards (VISA and MASTERCARD) when you re-fuel at the end of the week and you will need to bring a VISA or MASTERCARD with you for your yacht security deposit. Please make sure you have a large enough limit to cover the deposit for the yacht you have booked.
WILL THERE BE CASH MACHINES?
There are cash/ATM machines in Olbia town. However, over the course of the week, you may not visit one of the towns with cash machines every day so it is advisable to stock up before you leave. We would recommend bringing a reasonable amount of local currency with you as quite a few small cafes, restaurants and small shops usually only accept cash.
DO I NEED TO WEAR SPECIAL SHOES OR CLOTHES?
It would be advisable to bring a pair of lightweight shoes with non-marking soles for wearing on the boat. You can wear whatever clothes you feel comfortable in but it is a good idea to bring a lightweight waterproof jacket. We do get the odd day of rain, especially at the start and end of the season.
WHERE CAN I GET INTERNET ACCESS?
The yachts are equipped with optional W-lan for a small charge you can have this onboard. There is W-lan internet available at the marina plus most cafés, bars and restaurants around the sailing area have free Wi-Fi for their customers.
WHAT IS THE MOBILE PHONE SIGNAL LIKE?
Mobile phone reception is usually very good. You must bring a mobile phone and charger with you for use around the islands and keep your phone available and charged at all times. Whilst VHF is used, you will not always be in range. There is an emergency phone line 24 hours a day, should you need to contact the base as VHF signal only works in line of sight.
WILL THE SKIPPER SPEAK ENGLISH?
Skippers are of mixed nationalities, most are Italian, some are British but all of them speak excellent English.
WHAT / HOW DO WE FEED OUR SKIPPER?
That’s up to you. When you provision for food remember to get enough for your skipper. We can let you know if there is anything particular that they can or can’t eat, but, generally they are happy to have whatever you are having. In the evening you can choose to invite them out with you or cover their inexpensive meal if you prefer to dine alone. The skippers are extremely professional and personable and provide discreet and unobtrusive assistance throughout your yacht charter and always become welcome additions on the yachts they sail.
WHAT DOES THE SKIPPER DO IN THE EVENING?
Again, that’s entirely up to you as every group is different and interacts with people in different ways. The skippers are extremely professional and personable and provide discreet and unobtrusive assistance throughout your yacht charter and always become welcome additions on the yachts they sail. If you invite your skipper to join you in the evening they may accept or choose to meet up with fellow skippers or choose to stay on the yacht and wait for your return.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP MY SKIPPER?
It is customary that you tip your skipper. A guideline amount would be around 5-7% of your yacht price, though as this could encompass quite a range we leave it at your discretion and ask that you offer gratuity you think your skipper deserves. We’re sure they’ll add immense value to your charter experience.
CAN I STORE LUGGAGE AT THE MARINA?
There is a limited amount of space at the marina base on check-in and check-out.
CAN I FIND OUT IN ADVANCE HOW MANY YACHTS AND/OR HOW MANY CHILDREN ARE SAILING IN OUR FLOTILLA?
Final numbers, schedules and crews can alter right up to the last minute so you will meet up with other members of your flotilla on the first morning’s briefing.
IS THERE ANY PARKING AT THE MARINA?
Yes, there is free parking available at the marina. You can leave your car at the car park for the duration of your charter.