Puerto Cervo

[Roaring Girl]

This afternoon we, along with four other boats (French, Italian and Norwegian, if it makes a difference) were kicked out of the tiny remaining anchoring space in Puerto Cervo. They have installed buoys in the anchoring field, at a apparently flat rate charge of EU80 per night. Even if your anchoring position does interfere in any way with the bouys, anchoring is not allowed.

We were informed of this by an aggressive policeman acting on behalf of the port, and told we had 10 minutes to leave. In practice, we were able to take down our wind generator etc which took about 30 minutes. As boats left the anchorage, port staff were waiting on mooring bouys and watching that we were leaving. No explanation was given. When we asked we were told that he is the police (which he proved) and he's telling us to leave, and that's all we needed to know.

Also we gather one boat, drawing 1.8m spent one night on buoy number 3, where he was touching the bottom at times.

So no more camping out to watch the rich and famous at play. We will be happy to leave the Costa Smeralda, but had a fantastic (and very cheap) time in the Maddalena archipelego.

[capt_douglas]

It's been coming for some time since the yachts found Puerto Cervo. They raised the cruising fee to something north of EU10,000 for the season. The very rich and famous didn't like their poorer cousins filling the bars, restaurants, and beaches. Too bad, it's a great place to walk, sight see, and relax.

And the EU80's about right considering the other costs.

[swagman]

Thanks for the info, but isn't it a shame?

Since arriving here in Lagos only a week back we've since chatted with three Brit boat skippers who are this year homeward bound.

It might be just coincidence - but it might equally be a sign of the times.

The combo of rising costs, enforced regulations and local taxes, the worlds crunch and its impact on pensions / earnings is all hurting lots of crsuiers - but anchoring restrictions like this certainly do not help either.

JOHN

[Roaring Girl]

Our experience remains that in many places, even in 'expensive' Italy, we have avoided high charges by anchoring, provisioning in cheaper places and being prepared to move for the weather. In almost of Italy people have been charming and friendly. We really wouldn't want to put people off visiting the Med just because of one snotty p---k of a cop.

[Burls]

Roaring Girl,

We anchored in Porto Cervo about 10 days ago but fortunately didn’t meet your grumpy policeman. There were about 4 boats at anchor, and only one of the mooring balls was being used! Hopefully the cop was just having a bad day, or the marina management are crrently behind budget, and it’s not a permanent change of the rules, but I guess it’s inevitable that the anchoring yachts are pushed out.
We found the Costas Miralda to be very nice, but being July it was just a total ‘zoo’ as far as boat traffic, which in our opinion degraded its charm significantly. Would like to try it again one day, but out of peak season next time.

PS. Thanks for your feedback on La Maddelena.

Burls