Bonifacio
From CruisersWiki
Bonifacio Port of Entry
| |
| |
The inlet of Bonifacio in Corsica is one of the most spectacular natural harbours in the Mediterranean. Situated at the head of a deep fjord, the berths are protected from winds coming from any quarter.
Bonifacio is the closest harbour to the Italian island of Sardinia and is an enjoyable place to wait for the winds to die down before crossing the Strait of Bonifacio.
Warning: The French part of the Strait of Bonifacio (including Lavezzi archipelago) is proclaimed a natural reserve, Réserve naturelle des Bouches de Bonifacio. Marine activities in the reserve including fishing, navigation, anchoring are regulated by the authorities.
Charts
Imray | M6 Ile De Corse (Bonifacio inset) |
---|---|
SHOM | 6911-6929 |
Navicarte | 1004-1008 |
Weather
The Strait of Bonifacio is one of the windiest places in the western Mediterranean, regularly experiencing nearly gale force winds whenever the prevailing winds are much above force 4/5.
With anything east or west in the winds (which is most of the time), the winds are funnelled through the gap between Corsica and Sardinia and the seas whipped up into an unpleasant short swell.
Consequently, the harbour is often filled with yachts waiting for a clear passage across the Strait or round to Porto-Vecchio.
Also see Corsica.
Passages
Islands
The islands of the Lavezzi archipelago (Iles Lavezzi) are about six miles east of Bonifacio.
Communication
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
Bonifacio is surrounded by steep limestone cliffs and the entrance is not easy to spot when arriving from the west.
However, the old town on the promontory protecting the harbour is very conspicuous, as is the lighthouse of La Madonneta on a spit at the eastern side of the inlet.
Entrance
Bonifacio is a port of entry/exit to France.
Submit details about facilities for checking in - location of immigration & customs, etc.
Berthing
Berthing in the harbour is managed by the Port de plaisance de Bonifacio.
Anchorages
Bay of Bonifacio
The anchorage in the bay is regulated by the port authorities.
Calanque de la Catena [[Bonifacio#Calanque de la Catena|Calanque de la Catena]] 41°23.401'N, 009°09.346'E Organised mooring: monohull 25 €, multihull 50 €.
Calanque de l'Arinella [[Bonifacio#Calanque de l'Arinella|Calanque de l'Arinella]] 41°23.402'N, 009°09.102'E Warning: anchorage is prohibited.
W of the Bay of Bonifacio
There are several dinghy docks available E of the fuel station in the Bonifacio marina. Tenders can be tied up and left freely, as the tenders from the organized mooring from Calanque de la Catena leave their dinghies at the same locations.
Cala di Paragnanu [[Bonifacio#Cala di Paragnanu|Cala di Paragnanu]] 41°23.843'N, 009°07.702'E A beautiful fjord-like cove. Pay attention to the rocks along the coast. Anchor at the NE head of the cove and at the small inlet at the N.
Anse du Fazzio [[Bonifacio#Anse du Fazzio|Anse du Fazzio]] 41°23.636'N, 009°08.017'E Anchor at 2-5m and take a line ashore. The cove is very popular among the tripper boats. A branch of Les Glénans -- a famous French sailing school is operating at the SE inlet of the cove.
Amenities
Facilities | |
---|---|
Water | at the berths |
Electricity | at the berths |
Toilets | by harbourmaster's office |
Showers | by harbourmaster's office (paid) ![]() |
Laundry | Laundrette in the marina. |
Garbage | Bins by harbourmaster's office |
Supplies | |
Fuel | ![]() |
Bottled gas | |
Chandlers | A chandler is close by on the waterfront |
Services | |
Repairs | ![]() |
Internet | |
Mobile connectivity | |
Vehicle rentals | Rental outlets in the town |
Health | There is a good hospital in Bonifacio, which is used to treating yachting injuries (especially to feet, in view of the number of intellectually challenged yotties who sail barefoot around the island!) |
Provisioning
There are two good supermarkets ( SPAR [[Bonifacio#SPAR|SPAR]]
,
SPAR [[Bonifacio#SPAR|SPAR]] ) at the head of the harbour.
Eating out
Numerous restaurants in the town.
Transportation
Tourism
The town is divided into the Haut Ville, the old town built on a defensive promotory overlooking the sea, the citadel of which dates back to the 9th century, and La Marine, the area directly adjacent to the inlet, which houses the port facilities. The town takes its name from Boniface II, ruler of Tuscany, who built the first citadel here to protect the southern limit of his domain from Saracen pirates.
The best experience in Bonifacio is simply wandering around the steep and narrow streets of the Haut Ville before lunching in one of its many shady cafés. The south side of the old town is built right on the cliffs overlooking the windswept Bouches de Bonifacio and has spectacular views in good weather over to the north coast of Sardinia. Do not omit walking down (and inevitable climb up) the famous Escalier du Roi d'Aragon (Stairway of the King of Aragon).
Links
- Bonifacio at the Wikipedia
- Bonifacio at the Wikivoyage
- Port Bonifacio at www.bonifacio.fr
References
See France.
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Bonifacio and this page's details validated:
- May 2003 --Atheneoflymington
- June 2014 --Mithril
- September 2017 --Vadim
This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
![]() |
---|
Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington, Vadim |