Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area
AMP Capo Rizzuto · Parco Marino Capo Rizzuto · Le Castella anchorage
38°54.2'N 17°05.5'E
Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area (AMP)
Zone A: no entry. Zone B: anchoring on sandy bottom only — AMP permit required (fines €500–€3,000). Zone C: general access. Contact AMP authority before visiting: +39 0962 790 101 | parcomarinocalaborizzuto.it. Posidonia anchoring is prohibited and enforced by Guardia Costiera patrol boats.
Depth
4–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
85m
Holding
Excellent holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
85m
85m in Zone C in 5–8m on excellent sand. CRITICAL AMP RULES: Zone A = no entry whatsoever. Zone B = anchoring permitted only on sandy bottom with AMP permit (€500–€3,000+ fine for violation). Zone C = general access, standard rules. The Posidonia meadows in this AMP are among the most extensive in Italy — anchor only on verified sand patches. Contact the AMP authority before visiting: parcomarinocalaborizzuto.it | +39 0962 790 101.
About This Anchorage
Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area is the largest marine park in Italy by area (36,000 ha), encompassing a stretch of the Ionian coast of Calabria that includes extraordinary underwater Posidonia meadows, rocky reefs, sea caves, and the historic site of Le Castella. The AMP was established in 1991 and contains three protection zones: Zone A (strict, no entry), Zone B (limited access, permit required), and Zone C (general access, standard rules). The medieval Castello di Le Castella — an Aragonese fortified castle on a tiny islet connected to the shore by a causeway — is the visual anchor of the bay and one of Calabria's most photographed monuments (it appears on the Calabrian Ionian coast tourism poster). The underwater environment is exceptional: Posidonia meadows support diverse fish life, the rocky reefs have significant populations of grouper (cernia), sea bream (orata), and octopus. The AMP's proximity to the ancient Greek city of Crotone (one of the most important Greek colonies in Magna Graecia — founded c. 708 BC, home of Pythagoras) adds cultural depth to the visit.
Protected From
N · NW · W
Exposed To
S · SE · E
Setting Your Anchor
Calabrian anchorages vary from excellent sand to mixed rock — always verify holding by backing down firmly before leaving the boat unattended. In the Capo Rizzuto AMP, anchoring on Posidonia carries fines of €500–€3,000 — confirm sandy bottom visually or by snorkel. Posidonia prohibition applies in all Italian waters. In the Strait of Messina area, current load on the anchor can be equivalent to a Force 4 wind — use a minimum 5:1 scope and back down at engine speed to simulate current load.
Zone C — Le Castella bay (general access)
Depth: 4–10m · Bottom: sand · Alarm: 85m
Zone C (general access) anchorage in the bay of Le Castella — the medieval Aragonese castle (Castello di Le Castella) sits on a tiny islet connected to the shore by a causeway. Anchor in 4–10m on clean sand — excellent holding. Protected from N through NW by the coastline. Exposed to S and SE (Scirocco). In Zone C, standard anchoring rules apply. Do not enter Zone A or Zone B without AMP permit. Zone A (strictly protected, no entry) is marked on AMP maps and charts.
Zone B — restricted anchoring (permit required)
Depth: 5–12m · Bottom: sand, posidonia · Alarm: 95m
Zone B areas require AMP entry permit. Anchoring permitted only on verified sandy bottom — not on Posidonia. Contact AMP authority in advance: +39 0962 790 101. Posidonia meadows are extensive and well-developed in Zone B — anchor placement must be confirmed by dinghy inspection. Zone B boundaries are marked on IIM charts and AMP maps.
Overnight Anchoring
Overnight anchoring on the Calabrian Tyrrhenian coast requires a firm Libeccio contingency plan. Libeccio (W/SW) can reach Force 6–7 within hours with little warning — ensure you have an escape route to Porto Vibo Marina or another sheltered harbour. On the Ionian coast, Scirocco (SE/S) from the open Mediterranean can build quickly. Near the Strait of Messina, anchor current load is significant — monitor the anchor alarm closely; a 2–3 kn current through the anchorage can work even a well-set anchor loose over several hours.
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free in Zone C. Zone B permit required — see AMP authority for current fees.
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- AMP permit required for Zone A (no entry regardless) and Zone B. Zone C is free to enter. For Zone B access and anchorage permits, contact: Parco Marino di Capo Rizzuto, +39 0962 790 101, info@parcomarinocalaborizzuto.it. Permit fees vary; typically €10–€30/day per vessel for Zone B access. Zone A: absolutely no entry — significant fines enforced by Guardia Costiera patrol boats.
- Mooring buoy fee
- Mooring buoys available in Zone B (where provided) — fees included in AMP permit.
Restrictions: CRITICAL: Zone A = no anchoring, no entry. Zone B = anchoring on sandy bottom ONLY with AMP permit — Posidonia anchoring carries fines €500–€3,000. Zone C = standard Italian rules, no Posidonia anchoring. AMP patrol boats (Guardia Costiera and AMP wardens) are active in summer. No fishing in Zones A and B. No jet skis, no motorized watersports in Zone A or B.
Hazards
- !AMP ZONE VIOLATIONS: The Guardia Costiera and AMP patrol boats actively enforce zone boundaries — fines are substantial (€500–€3,000+); study the AMP chart before entering and know which zone you are in at all times
- !Posidonia: The most extensive Posidonia meadows in Calabria are here — anchoring on Posidonia is a serious environmental offence and is actively enforced; always verify bottom type
- !Scirocco (SE/S): The Ionian coast is exposed to the open Mediterranean from SE — Scirocco creates significant swell at Le Castella; depart to Crotone (12nm N, better shelter) if forecast worsens
- !Zone A exclusion: Zone A boundaries are not always clearly visible from the water — carry AMP chart or download the official AMP boundary GPS coordinates before arriving
Skipper's Tips
- →Contact the AMP authority in advance to understand current zone boundaries and permit requirements — the rules can change seasonally and permit processes differ year to year
- →The castle at Le Castella (Castello di Le Castella) is open to visitors — walk across the causeway and explore the medieval fortifications; the view of the AMP from the castle walls is the best perspective in the park
- →Anchor in Zone C and take the dinghy to explore the Zone B edge (without entering) — the water clarity in the AMP is exceptional and the marine life visible from the surface is impressive
- →Combine with a visit to Crotone (12nm N) — the Museo Nazionale di Crotone has one of the finest Magna Graecia collections in Italy, including finds from the ancient city founded by Pythagoras
Facilities
Restaurants and cafes at Le Castella — try the local Ionian seafood; the grouper and sea bream from the AMP waters are excellent at local restaurants. Fuel at Crotone (12nm N).
Nearest provisions: Le Castella village (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September
May–September. The AMP is best visited in June or September when weather is settled and the park is less crowded than July–August. AMP patrol activity is highest in July–August. The Posidonia meadows are at their most spectacular in clear summer water. Autumn Scirocco season (October–November) makes Ionian anchorages challenging.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Sleep Peacefully at Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area
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