Cala Francese
cove · Capo Testa · Sardinia
Cala Francese is a cove on the coast of Sardinia.
The nearest town is Capo Testa.
It lies in Gulf of Asinara.
The bay opens towards the west-north-west (292°).
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in east and south-east (sirocco) wind.
Partial shelter in north-east wind.
No shelter in north (tramontana), south, south-west, west and north-west wind.
In the most open sector, up to 30 NM of open water towards the north.
Swell can come in from south-south-west to west (196°–276°).
Swell can come in from west-north-west to north-north-east (284°–24°).
- 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
Good holding.
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 7 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.2 NM from the anchoring spot.
Protected area and seagrass
Cala Francese lies in the protected area Area Marina Protetta Capo Testa - Punta Falcone: check its rules (anchoring, speed, buoys) before you arrive.
Regulated anchoring (area marked on the nautical chart).
Ashore and services
Beach within 300 m.
Road within 400 m: busy in the afternoon.
Almost no buildings ashore (0 within 600 m).
A remarkable site can be reached from here.
Within reach:
- faro di Capo Testa: 13 min on foot
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: Li Graniti, 1.6 NM by sea.
- In north-east wind: Li Graniti, 1.6 NM by sea.
- In south wind: Cala Spinosa, 0.9 NM by sea.
- In south-west wind: Cala Spinosa, 0.9 NM by sea.
- In west wind: Cala Spinosa, 0.9 NM by sea.
- In north-west wind: Capo Testa, 1.7 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Cala di l'ea cove · 0.7 NM by sea
- Cala Spinosa anchorage · 0.9 NM by sea
- Li Graniti cove · 1.6 NM by sea
- Santa Reparata anchorage · 1.7 NM by sea
- Capo Testa cove · 1.7 NM by sea
- Punta Contessa cove · 1.8 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Sardinia by wind
More places – Capo Testa
- Cala Spinosa anchorage
- Cala di l'ea cove
Questions
Is Cala Francese sheltered from the tramontana?
No. It is exposed in north wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Li Graniti, 1.6 NM by sea.
Is Cala Francese sheltered from the sirocco?
Yes. Shelter is rated good in south-east wind.
How deep is the water at Cala Francese?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 7 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
What is the seabed at Cala Francese?
Good holding.
Can you spend the night at Cala Francese?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.