Superyachts in Gallura: vessel numbers rise as the international season expands

3,417 unique vessels between June and September 2026, up 9.7% on 2025 and 27% on 2024: these are the findings of the third study by the CIPNES Gallura–UniOlbia Research Centre, using Northern Sardinia Maritime Directorate data. The analysis completes the research presented at the Cannes Yachting Festival.

August leads with 2,039 vessels, followed by July with 1,870. However, the strongest annual increases occurred in June, with 1,139 vessels and growth of 16.5%, and September, with 988 and growth of 16.1%.

This pattern suggests opportunities to extend operations in marinas, technical support, provisioning and crew services. For businesses, the challenge is to translate activity outside the summer peak into demand that sustains operations and specialist skills more consistently.

Growth extends across Gallura

La Maddalena recorded 3,166 vessels, Costa Smeralda 2,794 and Porto Rotondo 2,475. Cannigione posted the largest annual increase, 21.2%; Olbia reached 1,446 vessels, up 51.1% on 2024.

For destination promotion, activity across several areas supports a network approach. Connecting marinas, shipyards and suppliers could help present a more comprehensive offering internationally, highlighting the complementary expertise available locally.

Understanding superyacht demand

Researchers profiled 311 large yachts, averaging 60.9 metres, with a combined estimated value of $19.93 billion. 112 were built in Italy; the United States led the countries publicly associated with ownership, accounting for 57 vessels.

The fleet’s composition provides useful direction for technical services, refit and business development. Vessel valuations describe the sample’s asset value; local economic benefits depend on businesses’ ability to respond to owners’ and crews’ requirements.

Turning research into industry strategy

Monitoring covers only vessels with active AIS, identified through MMSI numbers and deduplicated. It includes both passages and stays, so monthly and geographical counts cannot be added together.

Read within these boundaries, the research can inform investment, training and international promotion. For the Sardinia Boat Show, it offers a useful basis for connecting the destination’s appeal with greater visibility for the industrial capabilities and services of Sardinia’s nautical supply chain.