Corsica and Sardinia - Where to go?

[marina.alex]

We're heading back to the med for 2 months this summer (July and August) and plan in the first 2-3 weeks to go south from France to Corsica and Sardinia, (and then on to Sicily and Greece). Any suggestions for anchorages in Corsica and Sardinia where we can avoid high marina fees? Thanks! Marina

[Roaring Girl]

Hi - for northern and western Corsica and the north and east to Cagliari of Sardinia, do look at our blog.

In general - you can anchor in many places but the wind (particularly on the west coasts) must be carefully observed! Also it is deep in places.

In Corsica, we enjoyed or found useful: Macinaggio, St Florent, Calvi, various spots on the west coast, Ajaccio

Girolata is not now anchor able, and the buoys are not free but it is a lovely stop.

In Sardinia - bays opposite Bonifacio, much of the La Maddalena islands, the free quay at Olbia.

We loathed the Costa Smeralda and anchoring is now banned in Puerto Cervo. There are various anchoring stops down the east coast.

HTH

[LifePart2]

Actually we were in Porto Cervo a week ago and you can actually anchor in the harbour. However, there is space for only two yachts. We were lucky to get one of the spaces, just beating another catamaran by a few minutes. No one bothered us, and the other yacht had been there a couple of nights without bother too.

We did a full circumnav of Corsica without any marina stops, anchoring all the way. The trick is, of course, to watch the weather and make sure you are on the right side of the island when the winds come through. Had some beautiful stops in little places like Giotanni, and Centuri - pictures on our blog Corsica

However, we did get caught out in Bonifacio. Our out-of-date guide says there is anchoring in there. There isn't. the little bay to the north of the town is now med mooring up against the cliff, for which a fee is charged - 40 euro for our 12m cat. We weren't impressed, it broke our non-stop-no-pay stretch since leaving Cartagena.

However, they only charge for the night, so you can moor there for the day, visit the town, which is spectacular, and then move down the coast (East) a bit where there is anchoring. Watch the winds in the strait - often very windy. We recorded 44kts during one gust while we were moving from the West to East coast for protection.

Happy cruising.

Noel

[multihullsailor6]

Ceu and Noel,

Are you heading for Sardinia? - would love to hear of good anchoring spots on the west and south coast.

Hope to catch you soon - best regards

[LifePart2]

We are in Southern Sardinia at the moment.

Here are where we anchored on the way:

North Coast

Porto Cervo - yes, we sneaked in there and found space for two anchoring yachts. We took one of the spaces, just before another cat cam in and had to turn around. Good shelter

Marmorata - protected from W & NW - sandy cove with hotel in it. Easy entrance. Good holding

Just south of Capo Testa, on the west side. Don't know the name. Big wide sandy beach, but open to W, NW, N.

Castelsardo - East side of the harbour is just rocky, but west of the harbour is a sandy beach with good holding. A bit exposed though. Open to W NW N NE

All along that big gulf, passing Porto Torres are long sandy beaches.

Stintino. Just north of the village, south of the Forneli passage, is a popular anchorage in about 3m on sand. Fairly protected from S to N if you position yourself well. No problem finding room.

West Coast

Porto Conte - Huge bay that is a marine reserve. However, no problems anchoring there on sand and weed in about 7m. Good protection from W and N.

Alghero - Anchored just outside the harbor in 5m on sand. Open to W, so prone to swells. Protected from NW round E to S. Nice town. Bought internet dongle here.

Just north of Bosa Marina, just under Capo Maragiu, there is a little cove protected from NW - NE. 10m on sand. Nice stop if you are on your way south, with protection from NW swell.

Torre Grande in the huge Golfo Oristano. The bay is enormous and shallow, so you can anchore just about anywhere and get protection from pretty much any direction. We parked just outside the harbor Grande Torres on sand in 3m. Watch out for the two huge fish farms.

South Coast

Isola San Pietro - On our chart it says no anchoring in a big circle around Carloforte. However, we did anyway, and no one bothered us. 4m weed with sandy patches. Gets rough if there is a NW wind blowing.

At the south end of San Pietro is a small bay with anchoring in sand. We didn't stop there, as there was an onshore wind, but several yachts were anchored there. Good protection from W NW N. Sand. Just east of the two stone columns that are on all the postcards.

West of Calaseta on San Antiocco island is a bay with beach. Good holding in sand, 4-5m but open to NW.

Porto Pino, where we are now. Big wide sandy bay with easy anchoring and good protection all around except SW.

Didn't do the East Coast, so can't comment!

Hope that helps

Noel

[AngeW]

We just left Sardinia for Sicily a couple of days ago and can add a couple of East Coast spots: with a permit we picked up moorings in the Maddalenas. We tied up alongside the old town dock in Olbia for free - and negotiated showers for five Euros pp with the nearby marina. Highly recommend the old style butcher and good bakery in Olbia We anchored outside the sea wall to the north in Arbatax by the beach. Our final anchorage before passage to Sicily was by a lovely beach and a well sheltered bay in Cala Pira.

Ange

[LifePart2]

Ange, How do you know which places actually have free tie-up on the town dock? Or do you just chance it and move if they try to charge you?

[AngeW]

Originally Posted by LifePart2

Ange, How do you know which places actually have free tie-up on the town dock? Or do you just chance it and move if they try to charge you?

Talking to other cruisers has been the best source of information - 5 minutes sharing good places to anchor/moor/shop is like gold. Otherwise pilot guides, online blogs are good

Ange

[anjou]

The bay north of Bosa marina is full of german and Dutch nudists during summer. Dont know why I mentioned it.......might be of interest.

Fertillia, north of Alghero is sheltered for anchoring

Its all gorgeous and your lucky to be there.

[jckb]

Originally Posted by AngeW

Talking to other cruisers has been the best source of information - 5 minutes sharing good places to anchor/moor/shop is like gold. Otherwise pilot guides, online blogs are good

I wrote my blogs up as Cruising Guides for each area, and now keep them up to date with contributions from readers. See Corsica here , and there's a Sardinia page too. Maybe they'll help.

[terra57]

Free anchoring in Ajaccio port. We tied onto a huge bollard for a week for no charge. Also many many beautiful anchorages at and near Girolata and the marine reserve. Don't miss it! All in July.

[terra57]

Probably should add, IF you choose to go on a buoy at Girolata pull out wads of cash and avoid it in Sw wind. You can anchor there also but best to arrive between 10am and 2 pm to get a spot. No worries if you don't. There are other beautiful anchorages you just can't dinghy in for dinner! Also don't miss the north side of Cap Rosso. It is more spectacular than Girolata. Coolest anchorage Sbiro!