Taranto
From CruisersWiki
Taranto, Italy
(Click links for more information) | |
| 40°28.49′N, 17°13.36′E |
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| Photo gallery |
| Local chartlet |
Taranto Porto Mercantile Click for larger view |
Charts
- British Admiralty
- 187 - Punta Stilo to Brindisi
- 1417 - Approaches to Taranto
- 1643 - Taranto
- Italian charts
- 919
- 920
- 27 - From Crotone to Point Alice
- 147
- 148
Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
Local Weather
During the summer the prevailing winds in the Ionian are light to moderate SW or SE seabreezes. In spring and autumn northerly winds are more frequent and can quickly rise to near gale force, especially in the lee of high mountain ranges. Winds in summer are generally light from the Straits of Messina until reaching the Golfo di Squillace between Rocella Ionica and Le Castella. With anything W in the wind, it tends to funnel down here over the mountains of southern Calabria, bringing strong gusts and raising an uncomfortable sea. The conditions to avoid, however, when cruising this part of the Ionian coast are strong southerlies. The harbours here are few and far between and none of them are really safe to enter in such conditions. Further east in the Gulf of Taranto local seabreezes predominate during the summer, although a light to moderate northerly is not uncommon. With strong southerlies, a heavy and uncomfortable swell develops across the whole gulf.
Sources for weather information:
- There is a continuous (computerised voice) weather forecast on VHF 68 - first in Italian and then followed with an English translation.
- The same forecast is given in Italian and English on VHF coastal stations following a notification on channel 16.
- Navtex weather forecasts are broadcast from stations at Roma, Cagliari (Sardinia) and Augusta (Sicily).
The harbour of Taranto is enclosed by a long western mole linking the islands of Isola San Pietro and Isola San Paulo to the shore and a shorter eastern mole extending NW from Capo San Vito. The islet of San Paulo and the tower and lighthouse on Capo San Vito are conspicuous either side of the entrance channel. The area enclosed by the moles is called the Mar Grande and contains the main commercial port and the Porto Mercantile. A swing bridge separates the Mar Grande from two smaller natural basins which together form the Mar Piccolo. Leisure craft moorings are found in the Porto Mercantile at the NE end of the Mar Grande and at several boatyards around its shores. A visiting yacht should proceed straight to the Porto Mercantile to berth. There are two operations that offer berths for yachts in transit here, Taranto Yacht and Marina Taranto Molo Sant Eligio. Shelter here is good, although an uncomfortable swell develops with strong southerlies.
Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)
Taranto Yacht
40°28.72′N, 17°13.45′E
Taranto Yacht is situated at the northern end of the Porto Mercantile. It offers 160 berths in total on a long, L-shaped pontoon for yachts up to 25 metres. Laid mooring at all berths. Depths at the pontoon range from 1.5 metres inshore to 8.0 metres at the outer end. Water and electricity on the pontoon. Toilets and showers. Mobile crane (50 T). Hard standing area. Engine, electrical and electronic repairs. Hull repairs. Sail repairs. Divers.
To contact, call Taranto Yacht on VHF channel 12 or telephone: +39 099 4706846 or Email.
Marina Taranto Molo Sant Eligio
40°29.49′N, 17°13.36′E
Marina Taranto Molo Sant Eligio is situated on the eastern side of the Porto Mercantile. It offers 254 berths in total on a series of seven pontoons for yachts up to 40 metres. Laid mooring at all berths. Depths at the pontoons range from 4.0 metres to 12.0 metres. Water and electricity on the pontoons. Toilets and showers. Mobile crane (60 T). Hard standing area. Engine, electrical and electronic repairs. Hull repairs. Security (24 hrs). Divers.
To contact, call "Marina Taranto Molo Sant’Eligio" on VHF channel 08 or telephone: +39 099 4712115 or Email.
Offshore Islands and Groups
- Isola San Pietro
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
'See above'.
Anchorages
List details of all safe anchorages in the area.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.
Repairs/Yards
- Several yards around Mar Grande.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel
- a station at northern end of Porto Mercantile (0800 - 1900)
- Water
- on the pontoons of Taranto Yacht
- on the pontoons of Marina Taranto Molo Sant Eligio
- Electricity
- on the pontoons of Taranto Yacht
- on the pontoons of Marina Taranto Molo Sant Eligio
Tourism and Things to do Ashore
Tourism
The old town of Taranto SE of the Porto Mercantile, although rather dilapidated, is worth exploring. Several of the old palazzi here have been restored and the 11th century cathedral has ancient columns in the nave and a lovely Baroque chapel of Sam Cataldo, the city’s patron saint. The Museo Nazionale is one of the finest archaeological museums in Italy and contains many relics of Taranto’s former stature as capital of Magna Graecia, including some wonderful ceramics and gold objects as well as prehistoric finds. The 15 century Castello Aragonese at the southern tip of the island on which the old town was constructed is worth a look, although entry is forbidden as it is occupied by the Italian Navy.
Grocery & Supply Stores
- Good shopping for all provisions.
Eateries
- Excellent choice of restaurants in the town.
Internet/WiFi
None.
Laundry
None.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
- Several outlets in the town.
Garbage Disposal
Bins at both pontoon operations.
Transportation
Transportation (local and/or international)
- Buses to Rome and Naples
- Trains to Brindisi, Naples and Rome
- Local and international flights from Taranto-Grottaglie airport (16 km).
Routes/Passages To/From Taranto
Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
Links to relevant websites.
References & Publications
See Italy.
Personal Notes
- Data compiled from web research (please update if possible)--Athene of Lymington 16:40, 21 December 2010 (UTC)
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
Contributors to this page |
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Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington |
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| HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Mediterranean | Italy | Ionian Sea | Taranto | |