Calvi, Girolata, Scandola, Saint-Florent, the Agriates and Cap Corse: where to anchor and what the rules allow for your length.
The north of Corsica is wilder and more mountainous than the south. On the west side, the Gulf of Calvi, the red cliffs of Scandola and the village of Girolata. On the north coast, the Gulf of Saint-Florent and the empty white beaches of the Agriates desert, then Cap Corse with its fishing harbours.
Two protected areas shape where you can anchor here: the Scandola nature reserve on the west coast, and the Cap Corse and Agriate marine park, where yachts of 24 m and over may only anchor inshore in a few listed bays. Our Calvi office covers the whole area and can confirm the current rules before you arrive.
Last reviewed November 2026
A planning guide drawn from pilot sources. Swell, gusts off high ground and local effects can change the picture, so check the forecast and ask us before you commit.
| Anchorage | MistralNW | LibeccioW / SW | Levant & SiroccoE / SE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf of Calvi | Good shelter | Good shelter | Check locally |
| Revellata | Partial | Partial | Check locally |
| Girolata | Good shelter | Good shelter | Exposed |
| Saleccia and Lotu | Exposed | Good shelter | Good shelter |
| Centuri | Check locally | Exposed | Good shelter |
| Macinaggio | Good shelter | Good shelter | Exposed |
Off Calvi town and citadel
A wide sandy bay under the citadel, with easy tender access to the town and marina. It gives good shelter from the Mistral and from westerlies, but opens to the north-east.
In season the inner bay is organised as a municipal buoy field for boats up to about 23 m, and anchoring is restricted in the buoyed area and in the ferry approach.
The Gulf of Calvi is one of the designated anchoring zones for large yachts under the west coast order (AP 168/2023). Yachts of 45 m and over use the mandatory zones of AP 157/2024 and declare to, or request authorisation from, the signal station.
West of Calvi, under the Revellata peninsula
More space and clearer water than the inner Gulf of Calvi, a short tender ride from town.
The Golfe de la Revellata is one of the designated anchoring zones of the west coast order (AP 168/2023).
Gulf of Girolata, next to the Scandola reserve
A tiny village reachable only by sea or on foot, with a Genoese fort and a well-sheltered bay. It is the natural base for visiting Scandola.
In season the bay is organised as a buoy field for boats up to about 20 m.
Girolata is not an inshore sector for yachts of 24 m and over in the west coast order (AP 168/2023). Anchor seaward of the limit line and visit by tender.
Between Galeria and Girolata, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Red porphyry cliffs, sea caves and some of the richest marine life in the Mediterranean. The reserve is best seen slowly by tender.
Under the current rules, anchoring is allowed by day only, outside the integral zone between Gargalu and Punta Palazzu, and you must weigh anchor at sunset. A new decree put to public consultation in 2025 would ban anchoring throughout the reserve and limit speed to 5 knots. Check its status before your visit, we keep it updated.
No inshore anchoring for yachts of 24 m and over (AP 168/2023). Visit by tender.
Off Saint-Florent, inside the Cap Corse and Agriate marine park
A large gulf next to a lively harbour town, and the gateway to the Agriates beaches and Cap Corse.
A municipal buoy field of about 60 buoys for boats of 6 to 24 m is planned at the head of the gulf, north of Roya beach.
Yachts of 24 m and over anchor seaward of the marine park limit line (AP 095/2021). Yachts of 45 m and over use the mandatory zone in the Golfe de Saint-Florent.
Agriates coast, west of Saint-Florent
Long white beaches backed by the undeveloped Agriates desert, reachable only by sea or a long track. Among the most beautiful anchorages in Corsica in settled weather.
Saleccia has a 5 knot access channel and passenger landing zones (AP 334/2026).
One of the few inshore exceptions on this coast: yachts of 24 m to under 30 m may anchor inside the limit line at Saleccia and Lotu (AP 095/2021). From 30 m, anchor seaward of the line.
West coast of Cap Corse
A small fishing harbour known for its lobster, with an islet that gives shelter from the south and east.
Inshore anchoring is allowed for yachts of 24 m to under 30 m (AP 095/2021). Larger yachts anchor seaward of the limit line.
East coast of Cap Corse
Good shelter from westerlies and northerlies on the east side of the cape, with a marina ashore for provisioning and crew.
Macinaggio is not an inshore sector for yachts of 24 m and over (AP 095/2021): anchor seaward of the limit line.
Anchorage Intelligence, our map of the French anchoring decrees, shows whether a rule applies to your length overall and links straight to the official text. Access is by waitlist.
West coast, Lozari to Roccapina. AP 168/2023 sets a limit line for yachts of 24 m and over and lists the zones where they may anchor, including the Gulf of Calvi, the Revellata and Ile-Rousse. Girolata, Scandola and Porto are not among them, so large yachts stay seaward of the line there.
Cap Corse and Agriate marine park. AP 095/2021, updated in 2023, covers the coast from Lozari round Cap Corse to Bastia. Yachts of 24 m to under 30 m may anchor inshore at Saleccia, Lotu, Centuri, Barcaggio and Erbalunga. Elsewhere, and for larger yachts everywhere, anchoring is only allowed seaward of the limit line.
Scandola nature reserve. Daytime anchoring only, outside the integral zone, and no fishing or diving. A stricter decree is in preparation.
Yachts of 45 m and over declare to the signal station (45 to 80 m) or request authorisation (80 m and over) at least one hour before arrival and use the mandatory anchoring zones (AP 157/2024). Dynamic positioning is banned within 500 m of the shore.
Everywhere: no anchoring on Posidonia seagrass, and no more than 72 hours in one spot unless you are 24 m and over with AIS (AP 77/2025).
Calvi: municipal buoys in season for boats up to about 23 m.
Girolata: seasonal buoy field for boats up to about 20 m.
Saint-Florent: a buoy field for boats of 6 to 24 m is planned at the head of the gulf.
These fields are booked by VHF or phone with the operator on the day. We can check space and book for you, or arrange a berth in Calvi or Saint-Florent instead.
No. Under the current rules anchoring in the Scandola reserve is allowed by day only, outside the integral zone, and you must weigh anchor at sunset. Girolata, next door, is the usual overnight stop. A stricter decree is in preparation.
The Gulf of Calvi and the Golfe de la Revellata are designated anchoring zones for large yachts under AP 168/2023. Yachts of 45 m and over must also declare to, or get authorisation from, the signal station before arriving.
Yes. Saleccia and Lotu are among the few places in the Cap Corse and Agriate marine park where yachts of 24 m to under 30 m may anchor inshore, on sand and outside the passenger channel. From 30 m you must anchor seaward of the limit line.
Yes, the town runs a seasonal buoy field in the bay for boats up to about 23 m. The buoys are usually removed around the end of September.
This guide is for planning only and does not replace official charts or notices. Anchoring rules in French waters change from season to season: check the arrêtés in force on premar-mediterranee.gouv.fr and the SHOM charts before anchoring, or ask our team.
Tell us your yacht, dates and where you would like to anchor. Our local team will confirm what the current rules allow for your length, suggest the best spot for the forecast and arrange buoys, tenders, provisioning or a berth if the anchorage is closed.
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