Grotta Bianca
anchorage · Ponza · Lazio and Pontine Islands
Grotta Bianca is an anchorage on the island of Ponza, in the Lazio and Pontine Islands cruising area.
The nearest town is Ponza.
The bay opens towards the south-west (236°).
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in north-east and east wind.
Partial shelter in north (tramontana) and south-east (sirocco) wind.
No shelter in south, south-west, west and north-west wind.
In the most open sector, up to 30 NM of open water towards the south.
Swell can come in from south-south-east to west-north-west (168°–288°).
Swell can come in from north-west to north-west (312°–320°).
- sheltered
- partly
- exposed
Shelter is estimated from open water and swell, not from wind strength: a strong wind can still gust over the land.
Here, shelter depends on tonight's wind. Seadromy reads the forecast and tells you before you leave.
Seabed, depth and room
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 8.5 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Room to anchor: large (about 21.5 ha).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.1 NM from the anchoring spot.
Marked on the nautical chart as: anchorage.
Protected area and seagrass
Grotta Bianca lies in the protected area Riserva Naturale di Ponza: check its rules (anchoring, speed, buoys) before you arrive.
Posidonia seagrass is present: drop the anchor on sand only.
Seagrass shown on the general chart: drop the anchor on sand.
Ashore and services
Road within 400 m: busy in the afternoon.
Almost no buildings ashore (0 within 600 m).
Nothing ashore: a wild anchorage.
Where to go when the wind turns
When the wind makes this place exposed, the nearest places rated as well sheltered are:
- In north wind: Cala di Chiaia di Luna, 0.4 NM by sea.
- In south-east wind: Cala di Chiaia di Luna, 0.4 NM by sea.
- In south wind: Lucia Rosa, 1.8 NM by sea.
- In south-west wind: La marinella dei morti, 3.9 NM by sea.
- In west wind: La marinella dei morti, 3.9 NM by sea.
- In north-west wind: Bagno Vecchio, 2.5 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Cala di Chiaia di Luna anchorage · 0.4 NM by sea
- Faraoni anchorage · 0.7 NM by sea
- Faraglioni di Maria Rosa anchorage · 1.1 NM by sea
- Lucia Rosa anchorage · 1.8 NM by sea
- Bagno Vecchio cove · 2.5 NM by sea
- Cala Feola mooring field · 2.5 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Lazio and Pontine Islands by wind
More places – Ponza
- Cala Fonte anchorage
- Faraoni anchorage
- Punta Papa anchorage
Questions
Is Grotta Bianca sheltered from the tramontana?
Partly. Shelter is rated fair in north wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Cala di Chiaia di Luna, 0.4 NM by sea.
Is Grotta Bianca sheltered from the sirocco?
Partly. Shelter is rated fair in south-east wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Cala di Chiaia di Luna, 0.4 NM by sea.
How deep is the water at Grotta Bianca?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 8.5 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
What is the seabed at Grotta Bianca?
Room to anchor: large (about 21.5 ha).
Can you spend the night at Grotta Bianca?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.