Cala Portese
Porto Portese · Caprera West Bay
41°11.7'N 09°27.1'E
Depth
5–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
On park mooring buoys, alarm radius of 30–40m is sufficient (buoy + line length). On day anchor in 5–10m on sandy patches, use 80–100m to account for swing. Note that overnight free anchoring is PROHIBITED — if you anchor and are found overnight, the park authority will issue an immediate fine and require you to move to a buoy.
About This Anchorage
Cala Portese is one of the designated buoy fields in the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park on the west coast of Caprera island. The park (Parco Nazionale dell'Arcipelago di La Maddalena) encompasses 7 main islands and numerous islets/rocks, with strict zoning. All vessels entering the park must hold a valid park permit (online at parconazionalelamaddalena.it, fees scale with LOA, sailboats get 40% discount). Night anchoring is prohibited throughout the park (21:00–08:00); only designated park mooring buoys are permitted. Cala Portese is well sheltered from N/NE with a sandy bottom giving good holding, and the water clarity is exceptional — the park's marine ecosystem is among the most pristine in the western Mediterranean. The pink sand of nearby Budelli (accessible by day only under strict rules) and the wild scenery of Spargi make this one of Italy's premier sailing destinations.
Protected From
N · NE · NW · E
Exposed To
S · SW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Park permit fee applies (day anchoring 08:00–21:00 on sand only). Overnight: mooring buoy fee applies.
- Maximum stay
- 3 days
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- La Maddalena National Park permit MANDATORY. Purchase online at parconazionalelamaddalena.it or via the BlueDiscovery app. Fee based on vessel LOA; sailboats receive 40% discount. 2024 fees range approx €15–€80/day depending on size. Permit must be shown on request. Night anchoring (21:00–08:00) PROHIBITED — use park mooring buoys only (€10–€40/night depending on LOA).
Restrictions: Anchoring on Posidonia PROHIBITED — €500–€3,000 fine. No night anchoring (21:00–08:00) — mooring buoys only. No spearfishing. No jet skis or towed water toys. Speed limit 5 kn within park boundaries. No campfires or BBQs ashore. Budelli island (pink beach) landing prohibited — day view only from water. Razzoli Zone A: no entry.
Hazards
- !Maestrale: The Strait of Bonifacio (5nm N) is one of the most dangerous passages in the Mediterranean in Maestrale conditions — gusts regularly reach 40–50 kts; the archipelago provides some shelter but gusts still funnel through gaps between islands
- !Posidonia meadows: Extensive throughout the archipelago; visually check bottom before anchoring; park wardens patrol by RIB and levy on-the-spot fines
- !Submerged rocks and shoals: Numerous unmarked hazards throughout the archipelago; never transit unfamiliar channels without large-scale chart and slow speed; pilots describe 'every rock has a wreck to prove the point'
- !Night anchoring prohibition: If you miss the 21:00 buoy curfew and are found anchored, expect an immediate fine and relocation order from park authority
Skipper's Tips
- →Book park mooring buoys well in advance for July–August via the park website; they are regularly sold out by midday
- →The park permit also covers Cala Spalmatore (Spargi), Porto Palma, and other designated buoy fields — move between locations using a single daily permit
- →Cala Corsara (Spargi): arguably the most beautiful anchorage in the archipelago — two gorgeous bays with pink-tinged granite boulders; reach it early or use a buoy at Cala Spalmatore nearby
- →La Maddalena town is a gastronomic highlight — try the local bottarga (cured grey mullet roe) and the traditional Sardinian bread from the morning market
Facilities
No facilities at Cala Portese itself. La Maddalena town (4nm W) has all facilities including water, fuel, multiple restaurants, and provisioning.
Nearest provisions: La Maddalena town (4nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, September, October
May–June and September–October are ideal: calmer winds, fewer crowds, park buoys available. July–August: park extremely crowded, buoys fill by noon, Maestrale risk elevated. The park is open year-round but winter sailing (Nov–Mar) is for experienced crews only due to Maestrale/Tramontana severity.
Recommended Anchor Types
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
In Sardinia, the Maestrale can build from calm to Force 8 while you sleep. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — alerting you the moment your anchor starts to drag.
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