Officially opened in 2021, the Cala del Forte marina in Ventimiglia is certainly one of the most modern marinas in the Mediterranean. In 2023, the installation of 120 meters of additional barrier at the breakwater, designed to protect the coastal cliff in the event of southwesterly swells, provided the port with additional shelter for improved comfort and safety.
Marco Cornacchia, former professional sailor and crew member of the Moro di Venezia, is the director of Cala del Forte, as well as our guide, taking us on a tour of this innovative, safe and sustainable marina.
Marina di Cala del Forte in detail
Marina di Cala del Forte is the third port owned by Monaco Ports, along with Port Hercule and Port de Fontvieille. It was built precisely with the aim of replicating the model of comfort and hospitality of the Principality’s Monaco Ports. Strategically located less than 50 kilometers from Nice Airport and just a few minutes’ drive from Monaco and its heliport, Cala del Forte also offers direct sea connection between Ventimiglia and Monaco with Monaco One*, a revolutionary motor catamaran that travels the distance between Monaco and Ventimiglia in less than 15 minutes at 45 knots, carrying up to 11 guests in absolute comfort, even in rough seas. The marina boats 178 berths from 6.5 to 70+ meters with guaranteed mooring assistance 24/7.
Ashore, everything is designed for 5-star hospitality. Starting with the 15,000 m2 of promenades and gardens, a natural environment in tune with the surrounding landscape, which houses 31 businesses, including gourmet restaurants, coffee bars, a gymnasium, a boatyard, boating services and more.
The parking lots have a total of 582 parking spaces. Surveillance is provided 24 hours a day, thanks to specialized staff and a network of 70 CCTV cameras.
A vertical elevator provides a direct, fast and free pedestrian connection between Cala del Forte and Ventimiglia Alta and vice versa. The time of a ride is about 40 seconds.
Marina di Cala del Forte – Technical Specs
| 178 berths from 6.5 to 70 meters | Fuel pump |
| 24/7 mooring assistance | Charging station for electric cars |
| 24/7 active guard and cameras | 150 kW electric boat charging station |
| Boatyard for boats up to 30 meters | Electric golf cart transportation services |
| 31 stores in the harbor | 582 car parking spaces |
| 15,000 m2 of promenades and green areas | Ultra-fast Shuttle service to Port Hercule |
| Nice airport: 45 km | Monaco helipad: 24 km |
| Direct elevator to Ventimiglia Alta | VHF channel: 73 |
| Sewage suction pump | Warehouses available near the boats |
Everything has been designed and implemented to be at the forefront of environmental sustainability. Cala del Forte’s commitment in this area takes concrete form through the adoption of innovative best practices: two Enel X fast charge columns for charging electric cars in the surface parking lot and two AQUA super power stations for charging electric boats, which can also deliver power for cars, are already operational. The waste collection rooms are air-conditioned. Garbage collection is also differentiated for restaurants, black water discharge is operational for 24-meter boats. Since 2023, Cala del Forte has been awarded the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) Blue Flag.
Wedged near Punta della Rocca, the marina is, moreover, the gateway to the most beautiful portion of the coast on this side of western Liguria, which is famously known as the French Riviera. From here, you are literally just a handful of minutes away by boat, both from the most beautiful places to drop anchor and from the most fashionable places to spend evenings of fun and glamour.
Monaco One
Monaco One is a real concentrate of technology: built of glass/carbon sandwich, 12.00 meters long by 7.50 meters wide, powered by two Yanmar engines of 350 hp each, it has a range of 250 miles, The boat combines speed, reliability and respect for the environment thanks to innovative aerodynamic solutions that allow fuel consumption to be halved at high speed compared to conventional boats. Monaco One also features an innovative monitoring device called REPCET, which enables real-time tracking of large cetaceans, thus contributing to the preservation of marine mammals.
