France — Corse (Corsica)

Baie de Calvi

Calvi · Calvi anchorage

42°34.1'N 008°44.5'E

Depth

412m

Bottom

sand

Alarm Radius

90m

Holding

Good Holding

Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius

90m

90m on sandy patches. Good Maestrale shelter. DONIA required. Large bay — plenty of space. Open to S/SW.

About This Anchorage

Baie de Calvi is dominated by Calvi's iconic 15th-century Genoese citadel rising 80m on a rocky promontory above turquoise water — one of the most photogenic approaches in Corsica. The wide bay offers good Maestrale shelter and easy access to the town with its excellent provisioning, fuel, restaurants, and the famous Jazz in Calvi festival (June). Christopher Columbus is claimed to have been born in Calvi (disputed). The Légion Étrangère (French Foreign Legion) is based here at Quartier Raffalli.

Protected From

N · NW · NE

Exposed To

S · SW · SE

Anchoring Rules

Anchoring fee
Free
Mooring buoy fee
€15–25/night (seasonal)
Maximum stay
3 days
Permit required
No

Restrictions: Mooring buoy zone near the citadel (marked). DONIA app required. Speed limit 5kt. Port de Calvi (inner) is a commercial and ferry port — anchor in the bay.

Hazards

  • !Maestrale can arrive suddenly — the Balagne provides some shelter but be prepared to leave quickly
  • !SW/SE swell enters the open bay — leave if southerly develops
  • !Ferry wash from the frequent Calvi–Nice/Bastia ferries

Skipper's Tips

  • Jazz à Calvi festival (mid-June): extraordinary event in the citadel — worth planning a cruise around it.
  • Calvi is one of the best-provisioned ports on the NW coast — stock up here before heading to Girolata.
  • The citadel walk at sunset with the Balagne mountains behind is unmissable.

Facilities

Water Fuel Restaurant Provisions WiFi

Calvi town has excellent restaurants and beach cafés. Famous for Corsican charcuterie and local AOC wines.

Nearest provisions: Calvi (1nm)

Best Months & Season

May, June, September, October

May–October. One of the main cruising hubs on N Corsica. Excellent provisioning base.

Recommended Anchor Types

SPADERocnaDelta

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When the Libeccio arrives at 03:00 with no warning, Safety Anchor Alarm wakes you before your boat reaches the rocks — critical in Corsica's wild bays.

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