The Strait of Bonifacio separates the Italian island of
Sardinia from the French island of Corsica; they are only 11 km apart.
The Strait takes its name from Bonifacio, the southernmost town of
Corsica. It enables passage from the Sea of Sardinia in the west to
the Tyrrhenian Sea in the east. Its width varies from eight to ten
nautical miles and its maximum depth is 100 m.
At the eastern end lies the Italian archipelago of La Maddalena,
and Cavallo island and the Lavezzi Islands, belonging to France. This
is a sensitive area for navigation. In the northern part of the Strait,
ships have to avoid the reefs of Perduto and the Lavezzi Islands,
while in the south lie the Sardinian islands of Razzoli and Persa.
Navigation is possible along a narrow three-mile wide stretch and
ships are asked to take a recommended route wide just over one mile.