Those who love spending their holidays on a boat know that wonderful feeling of casting off the moorings and starting the long-awaited cruise!
Every day discovering new coves between continuous dips in the water and sunbathing, pampered by the sea and satisfied by breathtaking landscapes.
But where do you sleep: roadstead, port or buoy?
There is no equal to the charm of the night at anchor, that is, anchored in a natural inlet, whether surrounded by a cliff or a beach, the feeling of freedom is unique and the nights under the stars are unforgettable!
Before planning this beautiful experience, the skipper will have to carefully evaluate the weather conditions so that the bay is well protected from winds and waves.
Although in our imagination the coves are a romantic place of silence and relaxation, often in the "hottest" months of summer they transform into crowded places with a real coming and going of boats where it is difficult to find a place. A good tactic, used by expert skippers, is to arrive before sunset, to be able to organize the overnight stop well and give guests the opportunity to spend a magical night lulled by the sea.
The "buoy fields" are usually placed in protected areas such as Marine Areas in order to prevent the seabed from being ruined during anchoring by plowing up the submerged vegetation.
They are managed by consortia, the MPA managing bodies or private individuals and require the payment of an entry ticket.
The "buoys" are also an excellent alternative to anchoring, especially during the windiest nights and on those islands where the seabed does not allow a safe landing.
There are several reasons why during your cruise you might decide to enter a port or moor in a private marina.
The weather is certainly one of the main factors: marine weather conditions dictate the rules of sea travel, the itineraries to follow and also the landing places to choose.
In anticipation of adverse conditions that make anchoring or navigation unsafe, the good skipper will take the boat and crew to port.
Another good reason could be the need to stock up on water, recharge the boat's batteries and want to take advantage of all the services and conveniences made available at the dock.
Entering the port can also be a nice opportunity to meet your "boat neighbors" with whom you can make new friends and talk about adventures spent at sea.
The moorings are also very convenient for stocking up, or for a walk and spending a pleasant evening on land among clubs and restaurants which in summer light up with colours, life and which will give a truly summery flavor to our beloved holidays!
The choice between anchorage, port or buoy can therefore vary based on various factors including the crew's propensity for a cruise more in contact with nature or with greater comfort on land, the presence of children on board who may have greater needs of services, weather conditions or the presence of comfortable and large enough sheltered bays for anchoring.
The advice is to plan at least one day's stay in the Marina during a charter week and book in time to avoid not finding a place, especially in the months of July and August.
