Portovenere — Rada del Terrizzo / Palmaria
Rada del Terrizzo · Rada dell'Olivo · Portovenere roadstead
44°03.0'N 09°49.7'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m in the Terrizzo channel in 3–6m. The channel provides reasonable shelter from most summer conditions. In Libeccio, use the Rada dell'Olivo (E of Palmaria) or enter La Spezia harbour for full shelter. The Tino island (to S) has a lighthouse and is restricted (military/monastic) — no landing.
About This Anchorage
Portovenere is one of the most historically significant and beautiful ports on the Ligurian coast — the Church of San Pietro (12th–13th century Romanesque-Gothic) on the dramatic rock promontory guarding the entrance to the Gulf of La Spezia is one of Italy's finest church settings. The Gulf of La Spezia was called the 'Gulf of Poets' (Golfo dei Poeti) after Byron, Shelley, and D.H. Lawrence who lived here. Portovenere's colourful medieval houses, the castle, and the Palmaria island anchorage make this a perfect overnight stop. The island group (Portovenere, Palmaria, Tino, Tinetto) was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the Cinque Terre.
Protected From
E · SE · N
Exposed To
W · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free to anchor in the Terrizzo channel outside the mooring field.
- Maximum stay
- 7 days
- Permit required
- No
- Permit details
- No AMP permit for main Portovenere anchorage. The Cinque Terre AMP begins to the W (Punta Montenero). Standard Italian maritime rules. Tino island: restricted (lighthouse, historic monastery site) — no landing.
Restrictions: Tino island: no landing (lighthouse and military installation). Tinetto islet: strictly no landing (protected seabird colony). No anchoring on Posidonia. Keep clear of the ferry route through the Terrizzo channel.
Hazards
- !La Spezia naval base (N): The Gulf of La Spezia contains Italy's largest naval base — maintain clear distance from naval vessel movements and observe any temporary exclusion zones
- !Libeccio (SW): Can push swell into the Terrizzo channel from the W; the channel's shelter is good but not perfect — Libeccio above F5 makes it uncomfortable
- !Tino island approach rocks: The Bocca di Porto between Palmaria and Tino requires careful navigation — rock shoals on both sides; use large-scale chart and proceed at slow speed
- !Ferry traffic: Portovenere–La Spezia ferries run regularly in summer; maintain clear passage of the ferry route
Skipper's Tips
- →The Church of San Pietro at the tip of the Portovenere promontory (open daily) is one of the finest Romanesque-Gothic churches in Italy — its setting on the cliff above the sea makes it uniquely dramatic
- →Byron's Grotto (a sea cave at the base of the promontory where Byron supposedly swam) is accessible by dinghy at low tide — the cave is real even if the legend may be embellished
- →Palmaria island: The main beach (Spiaggia Pertusato) is a 15-minute dinghy ride; the cave (Grotta Azzurra/del Colombo) with prehistoric deposits is accessible on foot from the beach
- →La Spezia's Museo Navale (Naval Museum) houses one of the finest collections of Italian naval history in Europe — open to visitors (by appointment for some sections)
Facilities
Excellent restaurants in Portovenere town. Try the local seafood — the Gulf of La Spezia is famous for its mussels (cozze) and the local muscoli (wild mussels). La Spezia (5nm N) has major provisioning facilities.
Nearest provisions: Portovenere village / La Spezia (5nm) (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September, October
Open year-round as a port. Best sailing May–October. The Gulf of La Spezia is relatively sheltered from all but SW and SE winds — it's one of the safest anchorage areas in Liguria for weather waiting.
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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