Punta Sabbioni — Porto di Lido Anchorage
Cavallino-Treporti anchorage · NE Venice Lagoon entrance
45°26.7'N 12°25.6'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
80m
Holding
Good holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
80m
80m on sand in 4–7m. The NE Bora exposure is the critical vulnerability — if Bora is forecast above F5 (gale-force Bora can reach 60+ kts), this anchorage must be vacated. The tidal current through the nearby Lido inlet runs up to 3 kts and affects swing; set anchor well to weather of the main channel.
About This Anchorage
Punta Sabbioni sits at the northeast corner of the Venice Lagoon entrance, on the mainland side of the Porto di Lido — the main navigable inlet for larger vessels approaching Venice. The area is the departure point for the popular ferry to Venice (Piazza San Marco). The outer anchorage off the Cavallino coast gives good holding on sand and reasonable shelter from W/SW, making it a convenient staging point before entering the lagoon or proceeding NE along the coast to Caorle. The Lido (Venice beach island) lies immediately across the inlet. The MOSE barriers at the Lido inlet are the largest of the three barrier installations.
Protected From
W · NW · SW · S
Exposed To
N · NE · E
Setting Your Anchor
Anchoring on Posidonia oceanica meadows is prohibited throughout Italian waters under the EU Habitats Directive and is actively enforced — fines range from €500–€3,000. In the Venice Lagoon, always navigate within marked channels (bricole); mud banks outside channels can be as shallow as 0.3m. In AMP zones throughout Italy, check for Zone A/B/C designations before anchoring.
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Maximum stay
- 3 days
- Permit required
- No
Restrictions: Keep clear of the main Lido inlet navigation channel (marked with port/starboard buoys). Ferry traffic in the inlet is very heavy in summer — maintain 300m clearance from ferries. Speed limit 5 km/h within lagoon.
Hazards
- !Bora (NE): The outer anchorage is directly exposed to the Bora direction — in a Bora event, seas build rapidly from NE; vacate immediately on first Bora forecast
- !Lido inlet current: Tidal currents through the Porto di Lido inlet reach 3 kts at springs — dangerous for small boats crossing the inlet; plan crossings at slack water
- !Ferry and cruise ship traffic: Venice cruise ships transit the Lido inlet multiple times daily and create enormous wash; stay well clear of the main channel
- !MOSE barrier closures: When barriers at the Lido inlet are raised, access for vessels may be prohibited or delayed — check closure schedule at comune.venezia.it
Skipper's Tips
- →The ferry from Punta Sabbioni to Piazza San Marco (Venice) takes approximately 40 minutes and provides a magnificent approach to the city — far superior to any road approach
- →Arrive late afternoon to secure a good spot; the morning ferry rush creates significant traffic — time your dinghy landing to avoid peak ferry hours
- →The Cavallino coast (N of Punta Sabbioni) has some of Italy's largest camping and holiday parks — useful for laundry, showers, and reprovisioning if the marina is full
- →For timing the Lido inlet transit, use the Capitaneria di Porto Venezia tidal predictions (published daily on VHF Ch 16 morning bulletin)
Facilities
Ferry terminal at Punta Sabbioni has a bar/café. The Cavallino Treporti coast has numerous beach restaurants and campsite facilities.
Nearest provisions: Punta Sabbioni / Cavallino Treporti (0.5nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, September, October
May–June and September–October ideal. July–August is very busy with beach tourism and ferry traffic. Winter sailing possible in settled conditions but Bora risk is highest November–March.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 80m
In the Northern Adriatic, the Bora can build from calm to 60+ km/h while you sleep. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — alerting you the moment your anchor starts to drag.
Download Free for iOS