Antibes to Dubrovnik Anchorage Recommendations

[cherikita]

We are setting sail mid-May from Antibes to Dubrovnik on our Oceanis 423. Our schedule allows us 45 days to get out of the Schengen area. Do you have any anchorage recommendations or other trip tips? We are experienced sailors from Australia, but new to the Med.

[bobnlesley]

A while since we've been that way, but I recall particularly enjoying Calvi on Corsica and Syracuse in Sicilly. The Aeolian Islands were special, but they're definitely 'light weather' destinations. Off the beach just N of Marina Piccola to the east of Cagliari on Sardinia was another favourite - easy/regular buses from there into the city. A lot of Italian harbours had 'transit' quays which were free for a couple of days, but they could've gone by now. If you're looking for 'free' berthing the whole way, you'll not be able to day-sail. Oh, the islands of Ponza and Capri (flat weather only for the latter) were very pleasant too.

[Arthur Garfield]

Isn't Croatia Schengen now ?

[cherikita]

My understanding is that Croatia is EU, but not Schengen.

[Franziska]

A place not to be missed is Otranto cathedral.
You can anchor in the large port, close to the coasties.
I was there 2004 though, so things in the port might have changed.

www.ladyrover.jimdo.com

[Vladis]

Hello,

I do not know if you go through Corsica, Sardinia and north of Sicily or if you follow the west coast of Italy.

Form the Straight of Messina, you may anchor on the bay of Taormina (either on the north part or in the south part, if wind does not come from east). Further south you have Siracusa with a sheltered bay, but this could be out of your way. Almost every people going east from here, stops at the marina of Roccella Ionica (25 euros in 2013 going up to 40 euros in 2015 for a 40 footer) as there are not may sheltered anchorages along this part of the Italian coast. In settled weather you can anchor between Le Castella and Capo Rizzuto. If not, and if your draft is less than 2m you can enter in the small marina of Le Castella if there is a place available. On the way to Croatia or Corfu, I stop at the marina of Santa Maria di Leuca (reasonable cheap if not July/August). In Leuca, you can also put the anchor outside the inner mole if the weather permits.

In the way to Croatia, I would stop at Otranto (good shelterd anchorage as already noted) and Brindisi. Here, there is a free public quay just in the city centre with many bars and restaurants. In 2015, I made the crossing from Brindisi to Bar (here you only the marina and it is a bit expensive) in Montenegro. In 2013 I went further north in Italy and made the crossing directly to Dubrovnik from Mola di Bari where you can anchor inside the port (but put a trip line on the anchor). On the other way round I have been on anchor inside the port at Barletta.

Around Dubrovnik, the best anchorage is in the north of the island of Kolocep. You can leave the boat there and take a ferry to Dubrovnik.

Hope this information is useful,

Vladis

[TheThunderbird]

My Heart spells for the unusual...

SAINT FLORENT IN CORSICA
THEN, Calvi, Algajola bay, Bonifacio on the W side

Lavezzi on the strait

La Maddalena in S., and surrounding islets (a must see)
Cala PIRASTU (SE tip of S.)
Villasimius for civilization...

Sicily AEOLIAN ARCHIPELAGO (a must, by any w-w standards)

Pass by Taormina, visit CATANIA, SYRACUSE, THEN route NE stop in GALLIPOLI (puglia, sporting three harbours), visit
OTRANTO
MONOPOLI

and cross the sea.... (Tremiti islands also much worth a stop)

Syracuse sports the best Archeological museum about the Paleolithic era...

Brindisi is a commercial harbour, no spell, sorry. Skip.

But South of B. Coast is 10/10,like Around Cassis-Frejus

[TheThunderbird]

Monopoli
Maddalena
Gallipoli

Free mooring for 3days

[eddi]

good anchorage at Vulcano
also drop it to Bigovo if you pass by Montenegro - very nice and good shelter.
both are free.
near Dubrovnik - Cavtat. Very beautiful, free anchorage and customs Quay. Good shelter too.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by eddi

good anchorage at Vulcano

+1 (the one on the NW side is considerably better than the NE). Anchor off black beaches under the active volcano (walk up from the beach). Interesting caves to visit by dinghy.

Panarea is a little gem (good anchorage SE tip). Sail around petite Stromboli at night and see the spectacular volcanic display.

The Aeolian islands are well worth a visit. Quaint, colorful villages, beautiful scenery, crystal clear water. Sicilians also make the best almond cookies and cannoli in the entire universe .

SWL

[David B]

Originally Posted by cherikita

We are setting sail mid-May from Antibes to Dubrovnik on our Oceanis 423. Our schedule allows us 45 days to get out of the Schengen area. Do you have any anchorage recommendations or other trip tips? We are experienced sailors from Australia, but new to the Med.

We were in a similar position to yourselves back in 2012 - except that we were not experienced sailors (sailed for 30 years, but very on and off - very few hours/miles, especially in a keelboat).

Antibes is certainly worth a couple of days at least - just watch the berth you are allocated to ensure it is the size for you, or you will be charged far more than you need to pay (they charge by berth size, not your size).

The west coast of Corsica is great, with hi-lights being Calvi, Girolata, and of course, Bonifacio (allow several days for Bonifacio). Just make sure you don't get caught on that coast in a westerly.

We also have very pleasant memories of the east coast of Sardinia - especially coming through the straights, then Porto Cervo (couple of days if you have the time). The trip down the east coast has quaint little marinas - quiet and atmospheric, but if you need to keep going then you may decide to turn east after Porto Cervo.

We are still discovering Sicily, but cannot speak highly enough of Malta - we spent nearly two weeks there last year, including Comino (do not, I repeat, do not go to the Blue Lagoon on a weekend !!!), and Gozo.

The rest of our time we have spent away from the area you are heading (French coast from Spanish border, and Tunisia), so cannot advise you further. Is you VAT status paid or unpaid - assume you are across that and the implications?

We will be back in Sicily and Malta early June through to mid July - might see you (send me a PM if you want to have a chat before you leave, or try to catch up over there).

Either way, hope your trip goes really well.

David