Anchorage

Golfe de Calvi

Shelter: W, E, SW, S, SE
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Deep sandy bay on the north-west coast of Corsica, overlooked by the Genoese citadel of Calvi, with holding on sand across most of the anchorage.

Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the north between Pointe de la Revellata to the west and Punta di Spanu to the east. No off-lying dangers once past the Revellata light, but a fish farm lies in the middle of the bay, so approach with care at night. Anchoring is prohibited in the western half from mid-April: anchor east of the two yellow marker buoys, or in more than 20 m, on sand in 5 to 12 metres off the 4 km beach. Good holding, though northerly and westerly winds send a swell into the gulf.

Practical

Shelter from W, SW, S, SE and E. A long mooring buoy field, often empty, runs off the beach, around 40 euros for an 11 m boat. A free floating dinghy dock sits on the starboard side just inside the marina entrance. Calvi marina 1 NM west for fuel, water and provisioning, though the fuel berth may only open on request or with limited hours off-season; a Super U and other shops lie within a 15 minute walk of the port. Port Eugène Ceccaldi at Sant'Ambrogio 3.3 NM NE as an alternative refuge in northerlies.

Ashore

Citadel of Calvi 1 NM west, built by the Genoese from 1483, with ramparts, the Oratoire Saint-Antoine and the cathedral Saint-Jean-Baptiste inside the walls. Pine forest of Calvi behind the beach, crossed by a coastal path toward the Agriates. Sentier des Douaniers starts from Pointe de la Revellata 2.5 NM west.

History

Calvi was a Genoese stronghold from 1278 until 1768, when Corsica passed to France. The town claims to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, disputed by Genoa. The citadel was bombarded by the Royal Navy in 1794 during the siege in which Horatio Nelson lost the sight of his right eye.