Bonifacio occupies a natural fjord carved into the white limestone cliffs of southern Corsica, 11 nautical miles north of Santa Teresa di Gallura in Sardinia. It is one of the most visually dramatic ports in the Mediterranean — but the approach and mooring require attention. Katabatic winds, ferry traffic, and a narrow crowded harbour make preparation essential.
⚓ Quick Facts for Sailors
| Coordinates | 41°23’18.8″N / 9°09’44.8″E |
| VHF Channel | Ch. 09 (marina) | Ch. 16 (watch) |
| Berths | 350 |
| Max Draft | 6 m |
| Max Length | 85 m |
| Water & Electricity | ✓ all berths |
| Fuel | ✓ fuel dock in port [VERIFY location] |
| Showers & Toilets | ✓ multiple locations around port |
| Green Marina | ✓ certified eco marina |
| Fee (approx.) | €35–70 / night (high season) [VERIFY] |
| Best Season | May – October |
| Advance Booking | resaportcorse.com — mandatory in July/August |
⚠ Book in advance. Bonifacio fills up fast in high season. Mooring is narrow. Without a reservation you may find no space — and no alternative anchorage in bad weather.
Approach & Navigation
Entry Conditions
Identify the lighthouse Phare de la Madonetta on the eastern headland before the entrance. The Goulet (channel) is narrow — approximately 200m wide — with 70m white limestone cliffs on both sides. The channel runs roughly NW-SE. Enter and exit on the starboard side of the channel.
⚠ Ferry & Tourist Boat Traffic: Fast ferries to Santa Teresa di Gallura and tourist excursion vessels run continuously in summer. They have right of way. Stand well clear of the channel before their departure. Ferries exit at speed — do not block the Goulet.
Wind & Weather
The Bocche di Bonifacio is one of the windiest passages in the Mediterranean. The Maestrale (NW) accelerates dramatically through the strait. Katabatic winds can descend suddenly from the cliffs inside the port itself — especially at night and in the morning. Winds of 15 knots outside can become 30+ inside the strait within minutes. The port offers good shelter once inside, but the entrance can be rough in strong NW conditions.
The Libeccio (SW) is less common but creates uncomfortable swell at the marina entrance. Always check a forecast specific to the Bocche — standard Mediterranean forecasts often underestimate conditions here.
⚓ Mooring
Marina Berths
Stern-to mooring with laid lines. The marina is long and narrow — follow marina staff instructions precisely. Call on VHF Ch. 09 before entering. See the marina map for shower/toilet locations — there are several distributed around the port.
Noise warning: The marina and town are very lively at night in summer. If you need quiet, request a berth further into the fjord away from the main quay.
Anchorage (calm weather only)
La Cayenne — 41°23.48′N / 9°9.37′E
Calm weather anchorage just outside the Goulet to the west. Sand bottom, reasonable holding. Small and gets busy in season. Only use in settled conditions — exposed to swell from the SW and to ferry wash.
Facilities & Services
On the Dock
- Water & electricity: ✓ all berths
- Fuel: ✓ [VERIFY current dock location]
- Showers & toilets: ✓ multiple locations on the quayside
- Wi-Fi: ✓ marina area [VERIFY]
- Waste disposal: ✓ (Green Marina certification)
Provisioning & Shopping
Supermarkets and a daily market are available in the lower town (Bonifacio Basse Ville) on the quayside. The upper citadel (Haute Ville) has restaurants and small shops but no large provisioning. In high season, shops stock well.
Technical Services
Limited technical services at the marina itself. For significant repairs, Propriano (50 km north) or Ajaccio are better options [VERIFY local mechanics].
Getting Around
- To Citadel: Steps (Escalier du Roy d’Aragon — 187 steps carved into the cliff) or petit train for €5
- Ferry to Santa Teresa di Gallura: Moby Lines / Sardinia Ferries — ~1 hour, multiple daily
- Car rental: available in lower town — essential for Plage de Rondinara, Sperone
- Excursion boats: depart from quay daily to sea caves, Lavezzi Islands, Sardinia coast
️ Where to Eat — Sailors’ Picks
The lower town quayside has a solid selection of brasseries and seafood restaurants. The upper citadel (Haute Ville) is more expensive but the setting is unique. Avoid the most tourist-facing menus on the main square — walk one street back for better value.
Quayside restaurants (Basse Ville)
Fresh seafood, moules-frites, Corsican charcuterie. €€ | Direct marina view.
Citadel restaurants (Haute Ville)
Corsican cuisine — brocciu cheese, chestnut dishes, local wines. €€€ | Historic setting. Reserve in high season.
️ What to See & Do Ashore
The Citadel (Haute Ville)
The medieval citadel sits 70m above the port on the cliff edge. Inhabited continuously since the Bronze Age. Key sites: Bastion de l’Étendard (views of the Goulet and strait), Porte de Gênes (1598 Genoese gateway), Église Sainte-Marie-Majeure. Allow 2–3 hours to walk the citadel walls.
Must-See from the Water
Grotta di Sdragonato — sea cave with a ceiling opening shaped like a map of Corsica. Excursion boats depart from the quay daily. Worth doing before or after berthing.
Escalier du Roy d’Aragon — 187 steps cut into the cliff face in 1420 (legend says in one night). Walkable with good shoes — views back over the Goulet entrance are some of the best in the port.
Beaches
Plage de Rondinara — 20 km east by car. A near-perfect circular bay with turquoise water, considered one of Corsica’s finest beaches. Worth the drive.
Plage de Piantarella — 5 km east. Sheltered lagoon, very shallow, family-friendly. Kite surfing spot.
Plage du Petit Sperone — 10-minute walk. Close to the marina, quieter than town beaches.
Day Sail
Îles Lavezzi — 5 nm east. Nature reserve — 23 granite islets in turquoise water. Anchoring permitted in designated areas. One of the finest day sails from Bonifacio. See the SeaTV Lavezzi guide.
Events in June
Fête de la Musique (21 June) — France’s national music day. Free concerts throughout Bonifacio — quayside, citadel, and streets. Jazz, traditional Corsican polyphony, and world music. One of the best evenings of the sailing season in the port.
Tour de Corse sailing events — check local programme for regattas and sailing events passing through the Bocche in June.
✅ Sailor’s Safety Checklist — Before Departing
- Check Bocche di Bonifacio forecast specifically — strait conditions are independent of general area forecast
- Check ferry schedule before exiting — ferries to Santa Teresa run frequently and exit at speed
- Fuel topped up before departure — next reliable stop: Santa Teresa di Gallura (11 nm) or Porto Vecchio (28 nm)
- VHF Ch. 16 monitored at all times
- For Lavezzi anchorages: check Nature Reserve rules and restricted zones
Nearby Destinations
| Destination | Distance | Sailing Time (est.) |
| Îles Lavezzi | 5 nm | ~1 hr |
| Isola Piana | 8 nm | ~1.5 hrs |
| Santa Teresa di Gallura | 11 nm | ~1.5–2 hrs |
| Cala Gavetta, La Maddalena | 20 nm | ~3 hrs |
| Porto Vecchio (Corsica) | 28 nm | ~4 hrs |
SeaTV Visual Pilot Video
Watch the full visual pilot video of Marina Bonifacio — the approach through the Goulet, the limestone cliffs, docking, the citadel, and the Bocche di Bonifacio strait. Free for SeaTV members.
