Pellestrina — Isola di Pellestrina Anchorage
Bacino di Pellestrina · Pellestrina barrier island
45°16.7'N 12°17.9'E
Depth
2–5m
Bottom
mud
Alarm Radius
70m
Holding
Good holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
70m
70m in 3–5m on mud/sand with 4:1 scope. Pellestrina is less protected than the inner lagoon islands — Bora from the NW and Scirocco swell from SW can both cause uncomfortable conditions. The murazzi (sea walls on the Adriatic side) protect from direct sea but not from lagoon chop.
About This Anchorage
Pellestrina is the thin, 10km-long barrier island separating the southern Venice Lagoon from the Adriatic. A quiet, authentic fishing community with no cars and traditional lace-making, it is connected to Chioggia and the Lido by ferry. The historic murazzi — massive Istrian stone sea walls built by the Republic of Venice in the 18th century — line the Adriatic side. The lagoon-side anchorage offers a tranquil alternative to the busy northern lagoon approaches, with local osterie serving fresh fish. A convenient staging point for vessels approaching Venice from the south, avoiding the busier Lido channel.
Protected From
E · SE · NE · N
Exposed To
W · NW · SW
Setting Your Anchor
Anchoring on Posidonia oceanica meadows is prohibited throughout Italian waters under the EU Habitats Directive and is actively enforced — fines range from €500–€3,000. In the Venice Lagoon, always navigate within marked channels (bricole); mud banks outside channels can be as shallow as 0.3m. In AMP zones throughout Italy, check for Zone A/B/C designations before anchoring.
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Maximum stay
- 5 days
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Follow marked lagoon channels. Speed limit 5 km/h in lagoon. Do not anchor in the ferry channel between Pellestrina and Chioggia.
Hazards
- !Bora from NW: Can funnel down the lagoon from the Lido inlet and create significant chop on the lagoon-side anchorage even when Adriatic conditions are moderate
- !Shoaling channels: Approach channels shift due to tidal sediment transport; use most current chart edition and proceed slowly with continuous depth monitoring
- !Ferry wash: The Chioggia-Pellestrina-Lido ferry runs regularly and creates significant wash — beware when ferrying ashore and ensure dinghy is well secured
- !Limited weather shelter: The long, thin island provides directional shelter from E but nothing from W — not suitable for strong W or NW wind forecasts
Skipper's Tips
- →Pellestrina's lace-making tradition (merletti) is almost as celebrated as Burano's — visit the local artisans for authentic, less-commercialized examples than in Venice
- →The murazzi walk on the Adriatic side provides extraordinary views of the open Adriatic and the distant outline of the Dolomites on clear winter days
- →Use the vaporetto (ferry) from Pellestrina to Chioggia (15 minutes) for provisioning rather than moving the boat
- →The anchorage makes an excellent quiet night before tackling the Venice approach — plan to transit the Lido inlet on a rising tide, ideally 2 hours before HW
Facilities
Several small osterie and fish restaurants in Pellestrina village — excellent traditional Venetian seafood at local prices far below Venice rates. Try moeche (soft-shell crabs) in season.
Nearest provisions: Pellestrina village (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, September, October
Best May–June and September–October. July–August is manageable but the ferry traffic increases. November–March: Bora risk and cold; acqua alta can affect even this area.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 70m
In the Northern Adriatic, the Bora can build from calm to 60+ km/h while you sleep. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — alerting you the moment your anchor starts to drag.
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