Mooring at anchorage to spend the night on a boat under the starry sky, away from everyone and with views otherwise impossible to imagine, is among the dreams of any boater. So when planning a summer cruise, many sailors schedule at least one night at anchorage, selecting in advance which spots to drop anchor to enjoy the sunset and possibly, the next morning (for early birds) the sunrise at sea. And there are truly many dream anchorages in our Mediterranean! Some of these are very close to our marina in Genoa, namely Marina Porto Antico, right in the city center. Think for example of the fantastic anchorage of Seno di Paraggi, just north of Portofino, decidedly chic and scenic, as well as quite convenient for taking walks on land, among restaurants and magnificent villages. And what about the anchorage of Riva Trigoso or Bonassola? But beware: the anchorage isn’t always the best solution: that’s why it’s good to always have a marina nearby as a backup option, to reach quickly if needed!
Unstable weather, better to moor in port or stay at anchorage?
The scenario is far from unlikely. Think of the small family on a sailboat doing a summer cruise in the Mediterranean, planning to spend a night in one of the many anchorages along the Ligurian coast. Paraggi, Bonassola, or even Porto Venere. However, as the hours pass, the weather forecasts – via app, VHF, online and so on – become increasingly pessimistic. Dark clouds appear on the horizon, the wind starts to pick up. It’s well known: when it comes to navigation and bad weather, the maxim to keep in mind is always “prevention is better than cure.” And sure, there are experienced skippers who have found themselves sailing in bad weather multiple times, who know their boat’s limits well, and so on. But why should one expose themselves to unnecessary risks by choosing to spend the night at anchorage in bad weather? In the best case scenario, you’ll spend a sleepless night, constantly fearing that the anchor might lose its grip, that the boat might be drifting towards the rocks, and so on. The advice in these cases is precisely to prevent, contacting the nearest marina to book a berth for the night, perhaps just for transit in Genoa: there will certainly be other opportunities to spend a night at anchorage!
Services needed: nothing beats a good marina
Certainly, a night of bad weather isn’t the only occasion when, perhaps during a cruise focused on autonomy and nights in very quiet bays, one feels the need to moor in a marina. There’s no doubt: sooner or later a boat’s autonomy ends, even knowing that capabilities vary widely. Days pass, miles are covered, and fuel decreases, as does fresh water on board, not to mention pantry supplies. But that’s not all! Sometimes you need to dock on solid ground for other reasons: for a relaxing shower, to unwind in the streets of a maritime center, to enjoy dinner at a restaurant, or, even more simply, to spend an entire night without the slightest worry about your anchor’s hold or that of other boats in the immediate vicinity!
That’s when the conveniences of a marina become particularly attractive. In our marina in Genoa, you can find, beyond the water and electricity pedestals, also WiFi, ice dispenser, restrooms, showers, changing rooms, fuel supply, shipyard assistance and so on. All of this, obviously, in the historic center of Genoa!
To protect the seabed, better to moor in the marina
Without wanting to demonize nights at anchorage in any way, which are an integral part of boating life, let’s continue looking at other scenarios where mooring in a marina proves to be a decidedly better idea. Sometimes, in fact, one might realize that their choice to anchor could have a far from negligible impact on the seabed. Often we find ourselves dropping anchor blindly, without actually knowing where it will impact: marine vegetation, but also “fragile” rocks that represent homes for many marine species. When the fragility of the chosen spot is known, when it’s not possible to know what lies beneath the boat, or when one knows that their equipment or seamanship skills aren’t sufficient to guarantee minimal impact, it’s generally better to opt for mooring in
Overcrowded anchorages, seeking tranquility
Finally, there’s another factor that, well considered, should push towards booking a berth in a marina. Often, in fact, the most chic and popular anchorages, the most beautiful ones, get besieged by boaters. During summer weekends, or even on weekdays in August, this is a sad classic: in similar situations, the night at anchorage loses each of its most desired characteristics. Tranquility cancelled, paradisiacal view eliminated, forgotten the dawn awakening in a marine paradise. Everything becomes more difficult, with the risk of touching others’ anchor lines, or the risk that someone else might do the same with your chain, not to mention what could happen when the wind increases in a bay full of boats with anchor lines of different lengths!
There are, in short, situations where mooring in a marina is undoubtedly the safest, most comfortable, most appropriate choice. Are you transiting in Liguria? Contact us to reserve a berth in Genoa
