Strait Of Bonifacio
July 2023
Swim across the Bonifacio channel in this 16K lifetime achievement crossing from Sardinia (Italy) to the French coast of the island of Corsica! You’ll start on the beach of Rena Bianca, Sardinia (Italy) and cross to the beach of Punta Sperone, Corsica (France) across a stretch of blue Mediterranean Sea linking the two. We have helped the first American, Mexican, and Brazilian make this crossing, as well as the world record holder. Join the ranks!
Your crossing will be overseen by Italian captain Tommaso Munatoni. In order to consider booking the swim crossing the Bocche di Bonifacio, please plan accordingly to allow 5 days, during which you will stay in the beautiful town of Santa Teresa di Gallura on Sardinia. Be aware weather and sea conditions may vary suddenly, requiring adjustment of the date of the swim. While there, practice swims are encouraged and we will provide you with training guidance and places to swim.
Before completing your International Application, please take a moment to review our Confidentiality & Minors policy, as well as our Required Supplemental Documents expectations. Thank you very much!
Details
- Crossings can be scheduled year round but are best in summer
- $2,200 per swimmer (including 50% non-refundable deposit). For crossings of 2 or 3 swimmers, please request fee information.
- WWS full year members receive a 10% discount at time of approved registration.
- We require the following in advance of your swim: International application, copy of photo ID and passport, a doctor’s letter approving you for this swim, EKG/stress test, and proof of covid-19 vaccination, deposit payment, a paragraph (10 lines max ) describing your open water swim experience, planned swim training to prepare you for 16 km swim. For swims of 2 or 4, swimmers at a time, each swimmer must submit Registration/Application individually.
- Applications will be reviewed and approved by WWS Certified Coaches in U.S. and Italy to comply with World Marathon long distance swim rules and regulations and requirements.
- If Application is not accepted, the 50% deposit will be refunded minus 15% for handling and processing.
Included
- A Five days window to swim across the Bonifacio
- Permits, vessels, staff/crew, safety & support
- Practice swims in Santa Teresa di Gallura with a coach
- T-shirt, medal, and certificate
- A 2 years Water World Swim International Membership
Recommendations
- We recommend staying in either Hotel da Cecco, close to the beach and main square
- Call the hotel directly about discounts for swimming Bonifacio with Water World Swim
- Fly into Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB)
- You can book a rental and drive to Santa Teresa di Gallura (about 1hr drive)
- Or take the bus available from the airport to Santa Teresa de Gallura (trip of 1 hr.).
- The town is small and everything is reachable by walking, including beaches
Julio Vieira is a triathlete from São Paulo, Brazil. He started swimming at 12 years old in 1986, and running triathlon races as amateur in 2002. Since that time, he felt in love for open water swimming.
Julio has completed 5 IRONMAN races and competed in several swim events as:
- 2009: Amazon River Swim crossing (10km) – Brazil
- 2012: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon (2,5km) – USA
- 2017: Strait of Gibraltar Swim crossing (15,5km) – Spain
- 2021, 2022: Turn around swimming of Alcatrazes Island (7,5K) – Brazil
He is very excited to face this amazing new challenge of Bonifacio Channel Swim Crossing. He’s been training five days per week at Paulistano Club in Brazil with his coach Alberto Smities to be in shape and ready to do the Bonifacio Crossing in July 2023.
“I started swimming when I was around 12, and I’m sure that it gave me an important base to face open water swimming challenges. Thanks in advance to Coach Pedro Ordenes and all of his team, who are giving me all the instructions and support to make this comes true. “
Tommaso Munatoni will pilot the crossing. He’ll be looking out for you as you swim, and probably make you laugh along the way!
Your swim will be fully supported by an awesome team. Your safety is paramount and the crew will work to keep you on track for success.
Sydney Roberts
🇺🇸 United States
July 18, 2021 – Time: 05:00:00 · From San Francisco, California, Sydney is the youngest swimmer to cross the Bonifacio Channel solo.
Francisco Aguirre
🇨🇱 Chile
SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 – Time: 05:56:00 · From Santiago, Chile. Francisco became first Chilean ever to complete this swim.
Robin Lang
🇺🇸 United States
SEPTEMBER 15, 2019 – Time: 04:31:58 · Robin enjoyed great warm waters, finishing the 2019 season
April Warrick
🇺🇸 United States
JUL 26, 2019 – Time: 04:45:00 · From Danville, Pennsylvania, April became the first American woman to cross the Bonifacio Channel solo.
Riley Lim, Mitali Khanzode, Hana Lip, Saumitr Dikhit, and Anaya Khanzode
🇺🇸 United States
JUN 27, 2019 – Time: 04:23:00 · These swimmers (ages 13 – 17) are the youngest individuals to ever make the Bonifacio crossing.
Angela Andelson & Liz Foster
🇺🇸 United States
JUN 19, 2019 – Time: 04:16:00 · Angela and Liz are the first to complete this as a tandem swim.
Robert McGlashan
🇨🇦 Canada
SEP 3, 2018 – Time: 05:00:00 · Robert was the first swimmer to make it across Bonifacio in 2018.
Alessandra Cima
🇧🇷 Brazil
JUL 4, 2017 – Time: 05:24:58 · Alessandra Cima Rossi, from Dubai, became the first Brazilian to complete this swim.
Gonzalo Nadal
🇲🇽 Mexico
JUN 23, 2017 – Time: 05:54:12 · Gonzalo Nadal became the first Mexican to complete this endurance feat.
Romano Mombelli
🇨🇭 Switzerland
NOV 7, 2015 – Time: 03:38:54 · Romano Mombelli made this crossing in world record time.
David Rich
🇺🇸 United States
JUL 8, 2015 – Time: 04:56:37 · He became the first American to make the Bonifacio crossing in 2015.
You must be at least 14 years of age to swim the Strait of Messina or the Bonifacio Channel. In addition, you must have an Echocardiogram (EKG) and Stress test performed by a doctor, valid within one year of your swim date. Without meeting either of these requirements, you will not be able to swim.
We highly recommend travel insurance – and not just for your stuff! Swimming in the open water can be dangerous. While we haven’t encountered any, there are jellyfish and you want to be covered in case the unexpected happens. We are not responsible for any swim or open-water related injures.