Bordighera harbour is small, compact and well worth a look: it lies just east of Capo Sant’Ampelio, the southernmost point of Liguria, sheltered by a long breakwater that closes it off from the open sea. Inside are the pontoons for pleasure boats, the fishermen’s quays and the clubhouses of the town’s sailing clubs.
Since 2021 the harbour has also held the FEE Blue Flag for marinas, confirmed in 2026: an award for the harbour’s environmental management and its services for people who go to sea.
It is not a harbour of yachts and shop windows but a lived-in one: in the morning the fishing boats come back in, in summer the sailing boats and the divers’ dinghies head out, and in the evening locals stroll along the quays with the Capo and the little church of Sant’Ampelio in front of them.
History
For centuries Bordighera had no real harbour. Fishermen hauled their boats up on the beaches, especially in the bay of Arziglia, and kept their nets and gear in wooden huts on the sand: a scene found in many paintings and postcards of the old Riviera.
The present harbour was built by the town council with public funds, in the sheltered bend between the Capo and Arziglia, and has been run directly by the town ever since. Part of the quays has always been reserved for fishing boats, alongside the berths for pleasure craft.
Plans to enlarge it have been discussed for over thirty years: the first project dates back to the 1990s, others followed in 2003, 2009 and 2020, and a new, scaled-down version was put forward again in 2025. For now the harbour remains as it has always been, with the character of a small town harbour.
What to see and do
A stroll along the quays
Access on foot is free: you walk along the quays among the boats, watch the fishermen at work and reach the spots from which you can see Capo Sant’Ampelio from the sea side, with the Romanesque church on the rocks and, higher up, the pine wood and the Marabutto. Dogs on a lead are welcome too.
The fishing boats
About twenty berths are reserved for professional fishing: the harbour is still home to Bordighera’s fishermen. Come in the morning to watch the boats return.
Sailing, kayaking and diving
The town’s sailing and diving clubs are based at the harbour, such as the Club Nautico Bordighera, the Yacht Club Sant’Ampelio and the Centro Sub Riviera dei Fiori. They run sailing courses, kayak outings and dives in the seabed around the Capo. Every summer, with «SportinPorto», the harbour becomes an open-air gym for a weekend, with free taster sessions of sailing, kayaking and snorkelling and a dinghy race.
Events by the sea
The quays also serve as a stage for concerts and open-air celebrations: in September 2026, for example, the harbour hosted the concert for the seventieth anniversary of the twinning between Bordighera and Villefranche-sur-Mer. For upcoming events, ask the IAT tourist office.
Arriving by boat
The harbour has 223 berths, 20 of them reserved for boats in transit, for vessels up to about 15 metres. Transit stays are limited to 72 hours and include water, electricity, toilets and showers. Inside the harbour and within 200 metres of the entrance the speed limit is 3 knots.
The harbour is well sheltered from westerly and north-westerly (mistral) winds, while with easterly and south-easterly (sirocco) winds quite a swell enters at the mouth: on those days it is best to check beforehand. For transit and fees contact the Harbour Office in Via Marinai d’Italia.
Visiting tips
- Harbour Office: open Monday to Friday 8 am–2 pm, Tuesday and Thursday also 3–6 pm.
- When to go: early in the morning to see the fishing boats come in; at sunset for the light on the Capo and on the coast towards France.
- No swimming and no fishing: inside the harbour and within 200 metres of the entrance, swimming, diving and fishing, including with a rod, are forbidden. For a dip, head to the rocks next to the church of Sant’Ampelio.
- Do not climb onto the breakwater: the outer breakwater and its rocks are closed to the public for safety reasons.
- By car: only authorised vehicles may enter the harbour area, so it is best to arrive on foot.
- Combine with: the church of Sant’Ampelio, the Capo pine wood and a stroll along the Lungomare Argentina.
Nearby
- On the Capo: the church of Sant’Ampelio on the rocks, the Capo pine wood and the Marabutto, the old powder magazine with its cannons.
- The old town: a little higher up, Bordighera Alta, the old town with its gates and caruggi (narrow alleys).
- Towards Arziglia: the palm grove, the Winter Gardens, Villa Garnier and the Pallanca Exotic Garden, or the Sentiero del Beodo up into the hills.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Bordighera harbour?
Just east of Capo Sant’Ampelio, in the Arziglia area: the entrance is in Via Marinai d’Italia.
Can you visit the harbour on foot?
Yes, pedestrian access is free. The pontoons, reserved for boat owners, and the outer breakwater remain closed to the public.
Can you swim or fish in the harbour?
No: inside the harbour and within 200 metres of the entrance, swimming, diving and any kind of fishing are forbidden.
How many berths does Bordighera harbour have?
223 berths for pleasure craft, 20 of them for transit, plus the quays reserved for fishing boats.
Does Bordighera harbour have the Blue Flag?
Yes, since 2021: the FEE awards it every year among marinas, including 2026. The same year the Blue Flag also went to the town’s coastline.
Can you moor in transit?
Yes, for up to 72 hours, with boats up to about 15 metres. Book and ask about fees at the Harbour Office: tel. +39 0184 266688, ufficioporto@bordighera.it.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, on a lead and provided you clean up after them.
