Maddalena archipelago

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Maddalena Archipelago

A typical anchorage in the Maddalena Islands

Background

The Maddalena archipelago, which takes its name from the principal island, Isola Maddalena, is a group of seven islands lying on the southern side of the Strait of Bonifacio between Corsica and Sardinia. National park status protects the islands from unsympathetic development and the beautiful sandy coves and cobalt blue waters surrounding the islands make them one of the most idyllic cruising grounds to be found anywhere in the Mediterranean. Although there are traces of prehistoric occupation, the first substantial settlers were Roman, followed by Pisan and Genoan invaders, Corsican shepherds and finally 16th century Sards. The islands' strategic position have always attracted the attention of foreign powers, including the French under Napoleon Bonaparte (1793), the English under Admiral Nelson (1803), the Italians in the form of the Regia Marina Italiana (1887) and even American NATO forces (1973 - 2008). The archipelago is also famous in history as the place where the 19th century hero of Italian nationhood, Giuseppe Garibaldi, built his home (on Isola Caprera, now a museum). The island of Maddalena has a small, 130 berth marina, Marina Cala Gavetta, but the principal pleasure of a visit to the islands is the wonderful and largely unspoilt anchorages.

Charts

Submit the chart details that are required for safe navigation.

Radio Nets

Submit details of local radio Nets.

Approach

There no particular dangers to be observed when approaching the islands, except for the infamous tendency of the Strait of Bonifacio to increase the prevailing wind strength by Beaufort one or two. Detailed charts are essential, however, for navigating around and through the archipelago in view of the many rocky islets and reefs.

Check-in facilities

All yachts visiting the Maddalena archipelago are required to purchase a permit from the national park authority. Permits are available for one day/15 days/one month and can be purchased online from www.lamaddalenapark.net (site currently under development and some sections in Italian only). If arriving without a permit, the (very diligent) park staff may charge the normal fee due plus an extra 30 per cent, so it is wise to purchase in advance if possible.

Weather

Local weather details?

Sources for weather forecasts.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Cala Gavetta
  • The Marina Cala Gavetta World icon.png 41°12.57′N, 09°24.57′E is a municipal marina in the principal harbour of the archipelago on Isola Maddalena. The harbour has three floating pontoons which welcome yachts up to 12 metres (although larger yachts up to 15 metres and more have moored here without difficulty). Larger yachts, however, usually tie up on the eastern quay inside the breakwater. Depths in the harbour range from 3.0 to 6.0 metres. Call on VHF channel 74. Telephone: +39 (0)789 730121 E-mail: [email protected]. Water and electricity on the pontoons. WCs. Slipway. Good chandlery in the town. Caution: beware when entering of ferries passing en route to the commercial docks.
  • Porto Massimo World icon.png 41°15.4′N, 09°25.55′E is a private port on the north-east coast of Isola La Maddalena. The marina has 140 berths and can accommodate yachts up to 50 metres, although it is reported that visitors are only accepted by prior arrangement. Telephone: +39 (0)789 734033 or E-mail: [email protected] for details. Depths in the marina are 3.0 to 8.0 metres.

OTHER YACHT MOORINGS EAST OF CALA GAVETTA (more details needed):

  • Cala Mangiavolpe World icon.png 41°12.72′N, 09°24.77′E Situated immediately east of the main harbour. Two floating pontoons, privately managed. Total of 120 berths. Maximum length 18 metres. Pontoon one: Ecomar telephone: +39 (0)338 6378256 or +39 (0)339 2326737 or e-mail: [email protected]. Pontoon two: Society Genesis Telephone +39 (0)789 731125 or cellphone: +39(0)335 5262864.
  • Cala Camiciotto World icon.png 41°12.78′N, 09°25.75′E The harbour of Cala Camiciotto is about 1.5 miles east of Cala Gavetta, through the gap between the island of Santo Stefano and the breakwater extending south from the small island of Isola Chiesa. Eight pontoons. Total of 160 berths (supposedly 60 for yachts in transit). Maximum length 20 metres. Quay to the right of the pontoons is a military zone. Contact coastguard for details on +39 (0)789 736709.
  • Marina del Ponte World icon.png 41°13.00′N, 09°26.4′E The Marina del Ponte is situated about two miles east of Cala Gavetta next to the bridge connecting the island to Isola Caprera. Berthing on a long floating pontoon and mooring buoys. Total of 120 berths. Maximum length 25 metres. Contact: Telephone: +39 (0)789 726034. E-mail: [email protected] .

OTHER YACHT MOORINGS WEST OF CALA GAVETTA (more details needed):

  • Cala Capo Ferrari World icon.png 41°15.5′N, 09°24.6′E is a small inlet on the NW side of Isola Maddalena on the east side of the bay of Stagno Torto. In the outer part of the inlet are 200 berths on floating pontoons in depths of up to 8 metres. These are reportedly for motor boats only (information needed).

Anchorages

ISOLA MADDALENA

  • Cala Spalmatore World icon.png 41°14.97′N, 09°29.91′E is a lovely (but, sadly, extremely popular) natural inlet at the NE end of Isola Maddalena. There is a long concrete pier at the SW end, the outer end of which can be used by 15-20 yachts on anchor moor. Depths here range from 1.5 to 4.0 metres. A substantial charge is made. There are submerged rocks towards the root of the pier, so care is needed when mooring. Yachts may also pick up one of the 20 mooring buoys that have been installed for visitors, for which an equally substantial charge is made. Depths at the buoys are from 2.0 to 8.0 metres. Maximum length 30 metres. As a result of the installation of these buoys, anchoring in the inlet is now forbidden. During high season, visiting yachts are requested to call the mooring staff on VHF channel 74 in advance of arrival to be assigned a berth. Cala Spalmatore is sheltered in all except NE and E winds.

ISOLA CAPRERA

  • Porto Palma World icon.png 41°11.19′N, 09°27.00′E is one of the most beautiful anchorages in the whole archipelago. Situated at the southern end of Caprera island, it is sheltered from all directions except south and offers idyllic mooring in turquoise water on clean white sand. The best anchorage is on the eastern side of the bay in 5 - 9 metres. The Caprera Sailing Centre operates from a jetty at the head of the bay and by anchoring here you are away from the busy sailing regattas that fill the bay during the summer months.
  • Cala Coticcio World icon.png 41°12.95′N, 09°28.89′E is a butterfly-shaped inlet lying on the east side of Caprera island. It is open to the south but sheltered from all other directions. Both bays are very popular during the season and the beaches are buoyed off for swimming to prevent crews going ashore from anchored boats. Anchor in 5.0 - 10.0 metres on sand and rock. The anchorage would probably become uncomfortable and even tenable in strong winds from S round to SE.
  • Cala Napoletana World icon.png 41°14.48′N, 09°27.65′E is a small, west-facing inlet tucked inside the headland at the northern extremity of Caprera island. It is normally partly closed to pleasure craft during the summer on account of buoyed-off areas for swimming. However, it is still possible to anchor in 4.0 -5.0 metres on sand and rock outside the buoyed areas. Shelter in the bay is no more than reasonable and winds from NW round to S would probably cause problems.
  • Cala Garibaldi World icon.png 41°13.50′N, 09°27.20′E is the principal anchorage of the island of Caprera. Situated on the west coast of the island, north of the causeway connecting it to Isola Maddalena, it is a natural inlet protected from all directions except north. There are threee small islets in the bay which rejoice in the name of Isole Italiani and the best anchorage is to the SE of the southernmost island in 3.0 - 4.0 metres on sand. Beware of the numerous underwater and above water rocks in the bay, especially closer in to the shore. There is a jetty at the southern end of the bay which can be used for embarking/disembarking crew but it is forbidden to moor there. With strong northerlies, Port Palma offers better security.
  • Cala Stagnali World icon.png 41°12.140′N, 09°26.79′E lies on the western side of Caprera island, about one mile south of the causeway between Maddalena and Caprera islands. Entrance is from the north avoiding the shallows between the rocky islet to starboard and the adjacent coast. Cala Stagnali is a rather shallow anchorage and really suitable only for small or shallow draught yachts. Maximum depths in the inlet are around 3.0 metres. The jetty at the head of the bay is in use by the military and it thus out of bounds. Shelter here is good from all directions except N, NW and W.

ISOLA SAN STEFANO

  • Cala di Villamarina World icon.png 41°11.25′N, 09°24.36′E is a small inlet on the southern side of Isola San Stefano. Enter down the centre of the inlet, avoiding the numerous rocky shallows on either side. Anchor where suitable in 5.0 - 10.0 metres on sand and rocks. Shelter here is good from all directions except W, SW and S.

ISOLA SANTA MARIA

  • Cala Santa Maria World icon.png 41°17.31′N, 09°22.40′E is a natural cove on the south side of Sant Maria island. There are numberous rocks in the entrance and a shallow patch of only 1.6 metres in the middle of the southern approach. The best approach is from the east, close in to Punta Vecchio Marino, avoiding the above-water rocks. Anchor in the centre of the bay on sand and rock in 3.5 - 4.0 metres. The bay is open to the SE and any winds from SW round to NE would probably make it uncomfortable and (if sufficiently strong) untenable.
  • Cala Muro World icon.png 41°18.30′N, 09°22.48′E is a rather open anchorage at the northern end of Santa Maria island, immediately west of the narrow channel between it and Isola La Presa. It is not possible to approach any closer to the shore than 250 metres because of numerous rocks in the shallows, but one can anchor in 6.0 - 8.0 metres on sand and rock just north of the southernmost of the three small islets in the anchorage. Cala Muro is open to winds from NW round to S and is probably best regarded as a day anchorage.

ISOLA RAZZOLI

  • Cala Lunga World icon.png 41°17.87′N, 09°20.47′E is a long and narrow inlet on the west coast of Razzoli island, sheltered from all directions except W. Approach from due west, keeping close to the southern side, where the deeper water is to be found. Anchor in 5.0 - 8.0 metres over sand and rock. The anchorage is very snug and only westerly winds will give any problems.

ISOLA BUDELLI The island is a protected area and anchoring or unauthorised landing is forbidden. The island's famous Spiaggia Rosa (Pink Beach) was closed to tourism in 1998 to protect its unique ecosystem and has only recently been re-opened for carefully supervised visits on a trial basis.

Routes to/from

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Tourism & things to do ashore

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Marine stores

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Offshore Islands

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References & Publications

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Cruiser's Friends

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Forum Discussions

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External Links

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Personal Notes

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