Anchorage

Cala Scandola

Shelter: NE, E, SW, S, SE
Seabed: rock
Anchoring: Allowed

Small rocky cove on the west coast of Corsica, inside the Scandola nature reserve, north of the Golfe de Galéria.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

The Scandola reserve is a strict no-anchor zone. Anchoring, fishing and diving are prohibited under the decree of the Parc naturel régional de Corse. Transit only, at slow speed, keeping 100 m off the cliffs. The site is also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage property, part of the Gulfs of Porto listing. Open to winds from NE through SE and from SW through S.

Practical

No facilities and no legal mooring inside the reserve. Port de Girolata is 2.4 nm south-east on the far side of the Punta Rossa, with restaurants and a few mooring buoys. Galéria is 3.3 nm north-east.

Ashore

Landing inside the reserve is forbidden. Girolata village, reachable only by boat or by the mule track from Col de la Croix, has a beach, a few restaurants and the 16th century Genoese tower on the headland above the hamlet.

Key facts

Type: Anchorage
Coordinates: 42.38368, 8.58373 (42°23.02'N 8°35.02'E)
Country: France
Shelter: Sheltered from north-east, east, south-west, south, south-east winds
Seabed: rock
Anchoring: Allowed
Boaters' rating: 5.0/5
Updated: July 7, 2026