The 20 most beautiful bays where to anchor by boat in summer 2024

We asked our followers what were the most beautiful bays where to drop anchor by boat this summer.

The 20 bays to anchor in summer 2024

Here are the 20 highest-rated: from Liguria to the Adriatic, via the islands, discover the 20 most-loved bays among Italians (and take a cue for your cruise this summer). They are not in order of votes received, but are broken down by area! The areas most represented? Sardinia (four bays) and Sicilian islands (Egadi and Aeolian Islands).

Bays in Liguria…

1. Seno of Paraggi
Immediately N of Portofino is a charming cove that ends with a beach and a small village. You can moor only in good weather in 15 to 20 meters of water. Portofino is one step away.

2. Palmaria Islet. Portovenere
In front of the harbor in the quaint town of Portovenere one can anchor close to the islet of Palmaria, being careful of the permanent moorings of local boats. Good anchorage.

… in Tuscany…

3. Island of Capraia. Port Capraia
In front of the harbor and village, inside a beautiful roadstead with a rugged conformation that looks like a pirate haven. You can anchor on the south side, in stable weather, in 5/10 meters of water on sand/algae bottom.

4. Elba Island. Gulf of Biodola
East of Marciana Marina a well-sheltered bay with a large sandy beach, busy during the day in summer, but with very clear water. Anchoring in 4 to 8 meters of water.

5. Baratti Harbor
Delightful anchorage on the coast, north of the promontory of Piombino, with a 1960s appearance. Part of the roadstead is occupied by permanent moorings. Ashore there is a small hamlet. Anchorage of yesteryear.

… in Sardinia…

6. Porto Pozzo
Perfect anchorage to make a day trip to the Maddalena archipelago. Give bottom in the end of the deep inlet, in 2/5 meters of water. On the ground is a built-up area with stores and inns. In front of the most beautiful archipelago in the world.

7. Island of Caprera. Coticcio Cove
Two inlets inserted into the cove, one of the most famous in northern Sardinia. It is called Tahiti because of its beauty, reminiscent of Polynesia. During the day they are very busy. Nature, scenery, and water from ten out of ten. There is nothing on the ground, but it is unforgettable. Top.

8. Porto Frailis
is a small sandy inlet that opens up on the granite coast south of Cape Bellavista. The beach-in the central area-is not that big, but beautiful. The bay is sheltered from winds and surrounded by flat rocks on both sides. Onshore bars and restaurants. Close to Arbatax and Santa Maria Navarrese.

9. Carbonara Bay
On the west side of the Cape of the same name, dominated by a Tower, a very wide bay hemmed in by a white beach, to the west is the village of Solanas. Near the Marina of Villasimius. Sardinian paradise.

Bays at the Pontine Islands

10. Ponza Island. Feola Cove
One of the best alternatives to the crowded and chaotic harbor. It is located on the opposite side of Ponza harbor, but a 5-minute walk takes you to the bus that goes to the village. Natural caves and tunnels in the bay can be explored.

Bays in Campania

11. Procida Island. Corricella Cove. Chiaia Beach
Beautiful cove where to anchor in front of a village with a small harbor, dominated by a castle. You may want to bottom out near the cliffs or in front of Chiaia beach on the opposite side of the village of Corricella. Onshore restaurants and bars. The best of the Neapolitan islands.

12. Bay of Good Sleep. Cape Palinuro
In the Cilento Park, near the Natural Arch, well protected from prevailing winds, very crowded during daylight hours but in the evening generally much quieter. Peak vegetation, water color variations range from green to blue. Easily recognizable in that in front of the roadstead is the Rabbit islet, the name of which recalls precisely the shape of the animal.

13. Bay of the Infreschi. Marina di Camerota
A spectacular natural harbor where you moor at the buoys of the “Costa degli Infreschi e della Masseta” marine reserve. The shape is crescent-shaped set among the green vegetation and the different shades of blue of the waters. Crosswind Libeccio, bottom on 3/5 meters sand and posidonia.

To the Aeolian Islands

14. Salina Island. Pollara Cove
Below Punta Perciato, at the NO end of the island is the spectacular bay with high cliffs and a black beach. The best anchorage is right in the center almost in front of the village of Pollara. You drop anchor between the Point and the Faraglione, in 7 meters of water on a rocky bottom.

15. Stromboli Island. Ginostra
It is a small cove located just in front of the village of the same name: you can give bottom in front of the houses, 80 meters from land, in 7-8 meters of water, on an irregular rocky bottom.

16. Panarea Island. Capo Milazzese
Located on the SE coast of Panarea it is divided into two coves. The first, of the same name, is hemmed in by a beautiful beach. The second, on the O side, is called Cala Zimmari and is home to two more sandy shores. You can give bottom in the center of the bays in 5-7 meters of water on sandy bottom.

Egadi Bays

17. Marettimo Island. Cala Manione
Small inlet recessed in the NE corner of the island, S of the Fort of Punta Troia. You can bottom there in 3-4 meters of water on sand and rock: with S winds the anchorage suffers from undertow.

In the Tremiti

18. Island of San Domino. Englishman’s Cove
Located on the O side of the island, it is recognizable by the long promontory that closes it to the N and is called Crocodile Point. It is perhaps the best sheltered inlet in San Domino, and you can bottom it 50 meters from shore in 6-8 meters of water on rock.

In the Gargano

19. Zagare Bay
It is one of the most beautiful inlets in the Gargano: it is enclosed at N by two stacks of white limestone, the Mergoli, and there is a long clear beach, in front of which you anchor in 10 meters of water.

20. San Felice Cove
Situated immediately N of the Testa del Gargano promontory and S of the Architello of Vieste, it is topped by the conspicuous 16th-century tower of the same name and can be bottomed in 5 meters of water.

Your bays of the heart

Can’t find your favorite bays in this ranking? Tell us about them with a comment or by sending an email to speciali@panamaeditore.it, explaining why they are special!