Anchorage

Cala di Lignaghia

Shelter: N, NE, E, NW
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Sand anchorage on the west coast of Corsica, inside the Réserve naturelle de Scandola and close to the Golfe de Girolata.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the north along the red porphyry cliffs of the Scandola peninsula. Sand and posidonia, the clean sand mainly in the eastern and northern part; the usual depth is 10 to 15 metres near the steep shore, though closer in there are 4 to 8 metres on the sand. The fine sand can be slow to set, and the cliffs throw strong gusts and rotors in fresh northerlies, so some crews drag. A large submerged tree trunk has lain just under the surface in the middle of the bay, so keep well clear when entering and anchoring. Shelter from N, NE, E and NW only, open to the libeccio from the SW and to S winds which raise a heavy swell on the cliffs. Scandola is a strict reserve, anchoring is regulated and fishing is prohibited.

Practical

No facilities. Port de Girolata lies 2,4 NM to the N with a summer-only quay and a few buoys, reached only by sea or by the mule track from Col de la Croix. Porto-Ota 4 NM to the SE offers a small marina and all shops.

Ashore

The Scandola peninsula is listed as UNESCO World Heritage since 1983, together with the Calanche de Piana and the Golfe de Girolata. There is no real beach, so landing is on the rocks or on beached posidonia, and tender landings are restricted in the reserve, most visits being made by boat tour from Porto. Snorkelling is good over the fine sand, where rays feed in the early morning, and cold freshwater springs rise among the boulders at the foot of the west bay. Osprey and Audouin's gull nest on the cliffs.