Anchorage

Erbalunga

Shelter: SW, W, NW
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Open roadstead off the village of Erbalunga on the east coast of Cap Corse, 9 km north of Bastia.

Water
Pontoon

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Straightforward approach from the east in settled weather. The yellow buoys off the village mark a speed limit, not an anchoring line, and boats may lie inside them on sand in about 4 metres, or in 5 to 8 metres closer to the rocks. Ferries running close along the coast between Bastia and the mainland set up a persistent roll, day and night, even in calm weather, so it is a fair-weather anchorage only. Exposed to the easterly wind and swell, untenable in libeccio backing east. The small fishing harbour of Erbalunga lies 0.1 NM north and is reserved for local boats, though a tender can be landed there behind the Genoese tower.

Practical

No services at the anchorage. Water tap ashore. A Spar open every day and a bakery in the village cover provisioning, with a bus to Bastia roughly every 30 minutes. Port Toga in Bastia is 3.9 NM south for fuel, berths and chandleries.

Ashore

Village centre with a Genoese watchtower dating from the 16th century standing on the small rocky peninsula, a bakery, grocers and a dozen restaurants along the quay, some with live music in the evening, and a farmers' market on Monday morning. Cap Corse coastal path passes through the village.

History

The ruined Genoese tower was built around 1550 as part of the coastal defence line against Barbary raids. The village was the birthplace of poet Paul Valery's mother and inspired painter Henri Matisse during his 1898 stay in Corsica.