Cinque Terre — Vernazza / Monterosso
AMP Cinque Terre Zone C · Vernazza anchorage
44°08.1'N 09°41.0'E
Depth
4–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Fair holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m in Vernazza, 100m in Monterosso. Day anchoring only with AMP permit — do not anchor overnight without specific authorization from the AMP. The Ligurian Sea afternoon W–NW sea breeze (Ponente) regularly creates choppy conditions in front of the villages; the anchorages are best in the morning calm before 13:00.
About This Anchorage
The Cinque Terre (Five Lands) — Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore — are five medieval fishing villages clinging to the cliff faces of the Ligurian coast, connected by centuries-old hiking paths and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Cinque Terre AMP (established 1997) covers the entire coastline between Punta del Mesco and Punta Montenero. Access to the villages by boat is strictly regulated — the tiny ancient harbours cannot accommodate visiting yachts and boats cannot dock except for emergency. Day anchorage (08:00–20:00) in Zone C requires an AMP day permit. The sailing approach along the Ligurian coast, with the colourful villages apparently emerging from the vertical cliffs, is one of the most dramatic coastal passages in Italy.
Protected From
NE · N
Exposed To
S · SW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- AMP day permit fee: ~€10–€20 per day (2024 rates). No overnight fee as overnight anchoring without specific authorization is not permitted.
- Maximum stay
- 1 days
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- DAY ANCHORING PERMIT REQUIRED for Zone C (in front of Cinque Terre villages). Obtain from: parconazionale5terre.it or the AMP office at Riomaggiore, tel +39 0187 762 600. Permit is exclusively for recreational boats. No commercial charters without separate authorization. Permit specifies the anchorage location and time limits (08:00–20:00).
Restrictions: Overnight anchoring in Zone C: NOT PERMITTED without specific AMP authorization. No docking in any Cinque Terre village harbour (emergency only). Boats cannot enter the village harbours. No fishing in the AMP. No motorized water sports within AMP boundaries. Speed limit 5 kn within AMP. No anchoring on Posidonia.
Hazards
- !Afternoon W–NW Ponente sea breeze: Creates choppy conditions in front of the villages from about 13:00 — day anchor in the morning and depart by early afternoon
- !Tourist boat traffic: Excursion boats, water taxis, and kayakers surround the villages all day in summer — the anchorage area is busy with small craft
- !Rock falls: The cliff faces of the Cinque Terre are subject to active erosion and rock falls — maintain 200m clearance from cliff bases at all times
- !S/SW exposure: Any Libeccio component makes the day anchorages uncomfortable — monitor weather and be prepared for rapid departure
Skipper's Tips
- →Arrive early (07:00–08:00) before the tourist water taxis and excursion boats crowd the anchorage area — the morning light on the village facades is magnificent
- →The hiking trail between all five villages (Sentiero Azzurro, often partially closed) is world-famous — arrange to meet crew on shore for a hike while you hold the boat or anchor briefly
- →Acciughe di Monterosso (Monterosso anchovies) are DOP-protected and among Italy's finest — buy a jar from the fish market
- →For overnight stay, the safest option is La Spezia marina (12nm E) or the Portovenere anchorage (8nm E) — use Cinque Terre as a day stop
Facilities
Excellent restaurants in all five villages — accessible by dinghy to the village landing (Vernazza and Monterosso have the best dinghy access). Local seafood (anchovies are the Cinque Terre specialty — acciughe di Monterosso) and Sciacchetrà dessert wine.
Nearest provisions: Monterosso al Mare village (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, September, October
Best May–June and September–October (day trips only — AMP permit mandatory). July–August: extremely crowded with tourists; the anchorage is impractical in peak summer. The hiking season coincides with sailing season; the evening light on the coloured houses is the classic Cinque Terre image.
Recommended Anchor Types
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
Katabatic Tramontana gusts arrive without warning in Ligurian coves. Safety Anchor Alarm watches your position all night and alerts you the moment anything changes.
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