Bonifacio - General Info
Description:
Situated on the southern tip of the island, this town is regarded as one of the most attractive on Corsica. It is however very popular in high season with over-zealous Customs (see comments from cruisers at the bottom of the page).
Position:
41°23’N, 09°09’E (Harbor entrance)
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I am in a 12m yacht and have just had 3 nights in Bonifacio waiting out the weather. We paid €40, facilities aren’t flash and no berthing help from staff but neighboring yachts all assist if you need it. Absolutely well worth a visit & a must to walk up to the fort town. Can only book online which we couldn’t do so turn up by 3. It gets packed from 5 onwards & would be hectic at peak summer. The music is a big annoyance.
If the harbor is full or if you want to save some money it is possible to anchor at the Cala paragnanu just around the corner, and visit Bonifacio on foot. Its a 30-45 min walk, very pretty and shaded. We also stayed in the harbour for one night and it was expensive and noisey. We got squeezed into a tiny spot. The toilets are dirty and public. We payed around 70 euros for a 41 foot boat. Bonifacio is amazing though!
Bonifacio is well worth a visit but know that you’ll get no assistance docking, lazy lines are often missing or attached to the wrong ring, washrooms are public and far away and only open during the day and there is no security.
Visited in April for a weekend. Plenty of vacant berths. Harbour Master office closed Friday 1730 to Monday 0830, although apparently, they are soon to open 24/7. Water and electricity points on pontoons.
WiFi available from HM. Pontoons open directly on to the quayside, no security. HM claims they have some form of watchman monitoring arrivals and departures while the office is closed to keep track of weekend arrivals/departures.
Although I was quoted €70 per night for a 12m catamaran, I was only actually charged €42 for 2 nights.
Spar supermarket on the quay, stocks Camping Gas. Wall to wall restaurants on the quay.
Observations of Calanque de Catenary revealed one yacht moored stern to the rocks, but no obvious mooring buoys, also large swimming platforms in North part of the inlet – perhaps ask HM before arriving.
Bonifacio is well worth a visit.
Interesting time in Bonifacio: I am Captain of a privately owned 32-meter sailing yacht who arrived with the owner on board for a two-day stay.
Initially, all was good until the customs arrived. Four hours of checking paperwork followed, of course, all was in order however it was a tiresome experience. The harbor Master eventually became involved to rid us the officials this was only achieved when the Mayor became involved.
Apparently, this is happening with most yachts and many have left as a consequence just fed up with the overzealous customs. The Harbor Master was doing his best to stop the customs from sitting on every boat and informed me that it was reducing business to the port.
In closing, the charges were astronomical. We paid just under 500e for two nights!!!( I know we are bigger than the average) but in comparison the next night we were in a wonderful Tuscany (Expensive? not compared to Bonifacio) Here we paid just 71 Euros with no hassle,
So, do not know what is going on there, be ready to have your short stay spoiled by the authorities. It was only the Mayors intervention and us preparing to leave that ‘called off the dogs’