Carloforte - Isola St Pietro - 13 September 2021

The alarm went off a only a little earlier than usual at 07.00 and we slipped lines off the mooring buoy at 07.30. We had had a very peaceful night. During the night there was a wonderful view of the carpet of stars in the sky. We enjoy watching the plants rising, although it’s mainly just Jupiter and Venus that are visible with the naked eye.


There were about 30 vessels attached to buoys when we arrived yesterday, by dusk, there were three. When we departed one of those three had already gone before us. The deck was wet with condensation, which always occurs when the nights are cooler. As we travelled across the five mile wide entrance to Oristano bay, lines of pearl grey mist lay across the land. The cliffs in the shadow of the sun appeared charcoal grey. There is depth the scenery in Sardinia, because of the hills and mountains inland.

We had chosen to travel the 48 nautical miles to Carloforte today, because there was a forecast of virtually no wind. This choice is because, firstly, we prefer to motor until we have had the rig checked and we were not able to get this done in Bosa. When we know the rig tension is safe, we’ll be happy to power on the loads while sailing. Secondly, we would be traversing the very shallow channel between Isola St Pedro and the mainland of Sardinia, so navigating this section under engine without significant wind and waves is needed. We don’t want to bumping across the bottom. After some hours of the depth being 75-80 meters under the keel, we then had 3-5 metres for the last 3 or 4 miles of our voyage.

Even with almost no wind, the sea down this west coast of Sardinia still has significant swell, but we are loving just being out on the water, especially under almost cloudless blue sky.

All went well, even avoiding the rapidly moving ferries between the Isola and mainland Sardinia. They look very similar to the Isle of Wight ferries and likewise move quickly, even through the very narrow entrance to Carloforte harbour. We were lucky to get inside just as one ferry was leaving, so we able to keep out of its way quite easily. As promised, after a VHF call to the marina, a marinaro came in his rib to guide us to our berth and be there to give assistance, if needed, while we reversed into our slot.


Our first impression of Carloforte is very good. It is very reminiscent of Cadiz, but on a very much smaller scale. More of that tomorrow.

Ready for dinner under the moon and soon stars

Tricia (and Steve)

Distance today             48 miles

Total distance 2021:    83 miles


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