Cala Francese
anchorage · La Maddalena · Sardinia
Cala Francese is an anchorage on the island of La Maddalena, in the Sardinia cruising area.
The nearest town is La Maddalena.
La Maddalena is part of the Maddalena archipelago.
Also known as Carlotto.
The bay opens towards the south-south-west (207°).
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in north (tramontana), north-east, east and north-west wind.
Partial shelter in south-east (sirocco), south, south-west and west wind.
In the most open sector, up to 1.4 NM of open water towards the south-west.
Swell can come in from south to south-west (188°–232°).
- 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
Seabed: posidonia, sand and rock.
Sand share corrected from satellite imagery.
Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot.
Good holding.
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 5 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.3 NM from the anchoring spot.
Marked on the nautical chart as: anchorage.
Protected area and seagrass
Cala Francese lies in the protected area Arcipelago di La Maddalena National Park: check its rules (anchoring, speed, buoys) before you arrive.
Posidonia seagrass is present: drop the anchor on sand only.
Ashore and services
Road within 400 m: busy in the afternoon.
Almost no buildings ashore (9 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 south-east wind: Cala Nido d'Aquila Small Harbour, 0.8 NM by sea.
- In south wind: Cala Nido d'Aquila Small Harbour, 0.8 NM by sea.
- In south-west wind: Cala di Trana, 1.2 NM by sea.
- In west wind: Cala Granara, 0.9 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Cala Nido d'Aquila Small Harbour marina · 0.8 NM by sea
- Cala Granara anchorage · 0.9 NM by sea
- Cala di Trana cove · 1.2 NM by sea
- I Delfini cove · 1.2 NM by sea
- Porto Turistico Palau marina · 1.5 NM by sea
- Cala L'Inferno cove · 1.6 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Sardinia by wind
More places – La Maddalena
- Cala Camiciotto marina
- Cala Capo Ferrari cove
- Cala L'Inferno cove
- Marina del Ponte marina
Questions
Is Cala Francese sheltered from the tramontana?
Yes. Shelter is rated good in north wind.
Is Cala Francese sheltered from the sirocco?
Partly. Shelter is rated fair in south-east wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Cala Nido d'Aquila Small Harbour, 0.8 NM by sea.
How deep is the water at Cala Francese?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 5 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
What is the seabed at Cala Francese?
Seabed: posidonia, sand and rock. Sand share corrected from satellite imagery. Satellite imagery shows light, sandy patches around the anchoring spot.
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.