Anchorage

Rade de Fornali

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

Anchorage in the inner roadstead of Saint-Florent, 0.4 NM from the harbour entrance, on the north shore of the gulf under the Tour de Fornali.

Water
Electricity
Pontoon
Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Enter the Gulf of Saint-Florent from the N between Cap Corse and the Agriates. Head SE toward the town and anchor on sand in 4 to 10 m opposite the Fornali tower. The bottom is dark sand and the water is often murky, and by day the wash from passing boats sets up a swell. Shelter across E, SE, S, SW and W. Exposed to the Libeccio that rolls into the gulf from the NW and to N winds.

Practical

Water and electricity available at Saint-Florent port 0.4 NM E, which also has diesel, sanitaires, a chandlery and supermarkets within 400 m. Land the tender at the dinghy dock inside the harbour, on the far left on entering and signed parking annexes, with bins alongside; the tender can also be tied up near the Spar by the bridge for a heavy shop. The Mare E Stagnu marina is 0.5 NM SE.

Ashore

The citadel of Saint-Florent, built by the Genoese in 1439, sits above the port at 500 m from the tender quay. The old town has restaurants around the Place des Portes, La Gaffe among them, and a covered market, with the specialty grocer Épicerie Scotto for local wine and good bread. The Patrimonio wine appellation starts 3 km inland, with tasting cellars along the D81.

History

Saint-Florent was one of the three Genoese strongholds in Corsica with Bastia and Calvi. The Fornali tower, on the north shore of the rade, guarded the approach to the citadel. During the British occupation of 1794 to 1796 the rade served as an anchorage for the Mediterranean fleet.