The famous island of Tavolera was not in the cards for us or even the mega yachts with the wind and swell plowing in from the south east. However, we were lucky enough to drop anchor with a spectacular view of the island (along with all those mega yachts). Cala Girgolu, as it turns out, is rather like the Baths in the British Virgin Islands. The coast is littered with stunning rock formations that are only accessible by boat, swimming, or a long, hot, sweaty hike. (Trip rowed, I paddle boarded).
We had seen ice cream boats in other anchorages, but now we discovered the Bar Boat! A wave of the hand was enough to get their attention, and soon enough Trip was enjoying ice cream while I had a lemonade & Mirto slushee (of course with Mirto made by one of the boat owners).
I had a flash of realization while in this anchorage…..in all the cruising we had been doing in the islands, we had seen no private docks (marinas excluded). The waterfront is considered a protected public space. If there is a beach, motorized boats of any sort aren’t allowed at all unless there is a ‘dinghy lane’. Even anchoring must be done 300 feet from the beach, allowing swimmers and others a safe place to enjoy themselves. A refreshing change from the US, where there seems to be a constant battle between public and private access to the waterfront.
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