Anchorage

Anse de la Catena

Shelter: NW, N, NE, W, E, SW, SE
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage of around 30 boats at the entrance of the Bonifacio fjord, Corsica, on the north side of the calanque.

Mooring buoys
Visitor buoys
Pontoon
Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach via the Bouches de Bonifacio, entering the calanque between the white limestone cliffs. Sheltered on almost every heading thanks to the surrounding cliffs, exposed only on a narrow south-westerly sector from the entrance. VHF 9. Sand bottom, good holding in 5 to 10 metres. Stay clear of the marked channel used by tourist boats and the ferries to Sardinia.

Practical

Anchorage only, no services on site. Commercial Marina of Bonifacio at 0.2 NM south with visitor berths, water, electricity and fuel. Town quay of Bonifacio at 0.3 NM SE. Provisioning and restaurants along the Quai Comparetti.

Ashore

Steep stairway of the Escalier du Roi d'Aragon carved into the cliff leads from the water to the old town in 187 steps. Citadel of Bonifacio with ramparts and the Bastion de l'Étendard museum. Coastal path from Bonifacio to the Phare de Pertusato offers views across to Sardinia on a clear day.

History

Bonifacio was founded in 828 by Bonifacio II, marquis of Tuscany, and later became a Genoese stronghold from 1195. The Escalier du Roi d'Aragon is traditionally linked to the 1420 siege of the town by Alfonso V of Aragon.

Key facts

Type: Anchorage
Coordinates: 41.39103, 9.15602 (41°23.46'N 9°9.36'E)
Country: France
Shelter: Sheltered from north-west, north, north-east, west, east, south-west, south-east winds
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed
Maximum length: 15 m
Fees: Paid
VHF channel: 9
Phone: +33495731007
Services: Mooring buoys, Visitor buoys, Pontoon, Beach
Boaters' rating: 3.6/5
Updated: July 7, 2026