General informations
Outside the Maddalena archipelago, and its numerous anchorages, the North-East coast offers also many anchorages and harbours, notably Cannigione, at the end of the Arzachena gulf.
One must count on strong winds when there are forecasted at short time: this area has a reputation of wind accelerator, especially in the channels between islands. It is even possible to have completely opposite winds - and strong in both ways – at short distances (i.e. when exiting Passo delle Galere going to Caprera). One must pay attention to anchorage orientation and also holding, for instance in Porto Pozzo by strong West wind…
At the North cape opens the Marmorata bay, exposed to N, E and NW winds, but well protected from Libeccio (SW). One may anchor W of the bay behind big rocks that breaks the NW swell.
The North-East of Sardinia, called Costa Smeralda passed the Capo Ferro, remains rocky and indented by great bays: there are many possibilities, harbours or shelters… but pay attention to the harbour tarifs: it is a very luxuous area (see Porto Cervo).
Under the Capo Figari, at the North entry of the Olbia bay, one may experiment some terrible weather by strong West wind. It is possible to sail the Olbia gulf up to the town itself but one shall then follow a quite narrow marked fairway crossed by ferrys. In Olbia, there were a public mooring quay and it is nice to walk the mile in one of the rare authentic Sardinian urbanisation of this coast; one will find there all needed for victualling.
South of the Olbia gulf, the coast is again indented, with some islands; thanks to a precise navigation, it is possible to follow fairways between islands and coast (by fair weather with the prevailing South breeze, one shall tack, or it will quickly push by mistral). Tavolara is really impressive and there is an anchorage by its South-West coast.
There are four good anchorages in this area of the coast: Porto San Paolo, Porto della Taverna (better the South creek by fair weather, and the anchorage East of the capo Coda Cavallo... and the two creeks at Porto Brandighi – take care to the rock in the middle of the bay), the coast being more monotonous southward. It is possible to sail to la Caletta, where a yacht harbour with accessible prices has been installed. Further, there is a good shelter North of the Capo Comino, near the Ruja island. Then, especially by South winds, there is not much things up to Arbatax (about 50 NM away)... Anyway, by fair weather, the Blue Marino grotto and the cliffs south of the Capo Monte Santu deserve a stopover.
(informations by Daniel Blouin, 2003)
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