Cala di Santa Maria
anchorage · Santa Maria · Sardinia
Cala di Santa Maria is an anchorage on the island of Santa Maria, in the Sardinia cruising area.
The nearest town is La Maddalena.
Santa Maria is part of the Maddalena archipelago.
Also known as Cala Macchione dei Bovi and Spiaggia di Santa Maria.
The bay opens towards the south-east (128°).
One of the busiest anchorages of the area, in clear water.
Shelter by wind direction
Good shelter in north (tramontana), south, south-west, west and north-west wind.
Partial shelter in north-east and east wind.
No shelter in south-east (sirocco) wind.
In the most open sector, up to 2.7 NM of open water towards the south-east.
Swell can come in from east to east-south-east (96°–108°).
Swell can come in from east-south-east to south-east (120°–124°).
- 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: sand, posidonia 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 3.4 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
Approach
Direct approach from open water; the routing point lies 0.2 NM from the anchoring spot.
Marked on the nautical chart as: anchorage.
Protected area and seagrass
Cala di Santa Maria 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
Sandy beach.
Road within 400 m: busy in the afternoon.
A few houses ashore (20 buildings within 600 m).
Within reach:
- Isola Carpa: 22 min by dinghy
Where to go when the wind turns
When the wind makes this place exposed, the nearest places rated as well sheltered are:
- In north-east wind: Cala Piatto, 2 NM by sea.
- In east wind: Spiaggia del morto, 2.4 NM by sea.
- In south-east wind: Spiaggia del morto, 2.4 NM by sea.
Nearby anchorages and ports
- Cala di Roto anchorage · 0.9 NM by sea
- Porto Madonna anchorage · 0.9 NM by sea
- Cala di Ponente cove · 1.2 NM by sea
- Cala Piatto anchorage · 2 NM by sea
- Spiaggia del morto cove · 2.4 NM by sea
- Cala Capo Ferrari cove · 2.4 NM by sea
Sheltered anchorages of Sardinia by wind
More places – Santa Maria
- Porto Madonna anchorage
- Cala Drappo cove
Questions
Is Cala di Santa Maria sheltered from the tramontana?
Yes. Shelter is rated good in north wind.
Is Cala di Santa Maria sheltered from the sirocco?
No. It is exposed in south-east wind. The nearest well-sheltered place is Spiaggia del morto, 2.4 NM by sea.
How deep is the water at Cala di Santa Maria?
Depth near the anchoring spot: about 3.4 m (EMODnet bathymetry, indicative).
What is the seabed at Cala di Santa Maria?
Seabed: sand, posidonia 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 di Santa Maria?
It depends on the wind of the night: Seadromy picks the evening anchorage with the forecast of the day.