Favignana — Cala Rossa
Cala Rossa Favignana · Favignana NE bay
37°55.4'N 12°21.8'E
Depth
5–12m
Bottom
rock
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Fair holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
On AMP mooring buoys, reduce alarm to 40m. If day-anchoring on verified sand in Zone C (permitted with permit), use 70m in 5–8m. The N–NE exposure means that in Tramontana or Grecale, the cala becomes uncomfortable — shift to the S side of Favignana (Cala Azzurra) for shelter.
About This Anchorage
Favignana is the largest of the Egadi Islands and the main ferry connection to Trapani. Cala Rossa on the NE coast is famous for its brilliant reddish volcanic tuff rock and exceptional water clarity. The island's tuna fishing heritage (now largely ceased — the last traditional mattanza trap fishing ended in 2007) is celebrated at the excellent Museo del Tonno in the former tuna processing factory (tonnara). The Egadi AMP permit (via BlueDiscovery app) is mandatory for all vessels. The AMP's 150 mooring buoys distributed across 14 fields are specifically designed to prevent Posidonia damage — the commitment to protection is serious.
Protected From
S · SW · W
Exposed To
N · NE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free anchoring in Zone C on verified sandy patches with AMP permit — but mooring buoys are strongly recommended as Posidonia is extensive.
- Maximum stay
- 5 days
- Permit required
- Yes
- Permit details
- Egadi AMP PERMIT MANDATORY — via BlueDiscovery app or ampisoleegadi.it. Fee based on vessel LOA (approx €18/day 2024). Mooring buoy fees additional (~€15–€30/night depending on LOA). AMP staff patrol daily and check permits. Failure to have permit = immediate fine.
Restrictions: Zone A: strict no-entry areas around specific headlands. Zone B: mooring buoys only, no free anchoring. Zone C: free anchoring on sand permitted (with AMP permit), mooring buoys preferred. AMP permit mandatory throughout the archipelago. No spearfishing throughout the AMP. Speed limit Zone B 5 kn, Zone C 10 kn. Diving in Zone B requires additional AMP authorization.
Hazards
- !AMP permit enforcement: The Egadi AMP is one of Italy's most actively managed AMPs — fines for permit non-compliance and Posidonia anchoring are levied regularly; no grace period
- !Tramontana/Grecale from NE: Cala Rossa is exposed to N–NE; in these winds, Cala Azzurra (SW coast) or Favignana harbour provide better shelter
- !Battle of the Egadi archaeological zone: The site of the 241 BC naval battle is in the waters between Marettimo and Favignana — archaeological finds (Roman warship rams) continue; anchoring in marked archaeological sensitivity areas is prohibited
- !Posidonia extent: The Egadi's Posidonia meadows are among the most extensive in the Mediterranean — mooring buoys are the safest option throughout the archipelago
Skipper's Tips
- →The Museo del Tonno in the ex-Florio tonnara (tuna factory) is one of Italy's most impressive industrial heritage museums — the scale of the 18th-century tuna processing operation is astonishing
- →Favignana is a bicycling island — hire bikes from the town and explore the island's quarries (the local tufa stone has been quarried since antiquity; the quarry pools now fill with seawater — extraordinary swimming)
- →The Battle of the Egadi Islands (241 BC) decided the First Punic War — the Superintendent of the Sea in Palermo runs permit-accessible dives to the battle site wreck material; a unique archaeological diving experience
- →Cala Azzurra (SW coast) is the most beautiful beach on Favignana — turquoise water, white sand, accessible by bike from town (5nm) or by sea
Facilities
Good restaurants in Favignana town. The Museo del Tonno restaurant serves traditional tuna-based cuisine. Ferry connection to Trapani (9nm) for full provisioning.
Nearest provisions: Favignana town (1.5nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, September, October
Best May–June and September–October (AMP buoys operational June–September; outside these months anchoring restrictions still apply but buoys may not be in place). July–August: buoys fill quickly; arrive before 10:00 for a space.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
Scirocco and Tramontana can make Sicilian anchorages untenable in hours. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — so you sleep safely.
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