Mouillage

Falaises de Bonifacio

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Shelter: N, NE, E, SE
Seabed: sand, rock
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage along the white limestone cliffs of Bonifacio at the southern tip of Corsica, above a sand and rock bottom.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Daytime anchorage only, sheltered from N through E to SE but exposed to the libeccio from the SW which builds a heavy swell against the cliff face. Sand is scarce and much of the bottom is bare rock that can look like sand from the surface, so sound carefully and anchor on a clear patch in around 5 metres. It stays rolly even in calm weather, and the better sand lies a little further south along the cliffs.

Practical

Old harbour of Bonifacio 1 nm to the NW inside the fjord-like calanque for full services, reachable by tender in about 30 minutes when the sea is calm. Commercial Marina of Bonifacio 1.2 nm NW for larger berths and fuel.

Ashore

The sea cave of Saint-Antoine, along the cliffs, shelters a small beach inside. Cliff path from the harbour up to the Bosco and the Bonifacio citadel, with Bouches de Bonifacio marine park signage along the coast. Ferries run to the Lavezzi islands from the old harbour quay.

History

The citadel of Bonifacio, founded in 828 by Count Boniface of Tuscany, occupies the limestone plateau above these cliffs and was fortified by the Genoese from the 12th century. The Bouches de Bonifacio have been a designated international maritime park since 1999, shared between France and Sardinia.