Ischia
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Ischia (Italy)
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 | 40°43.61′N, 13°54.83′E |
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 | Local chartlet |
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The island of Ischia is situated at the NW end of the gulf of Naples, 19 miles SSE of Ventotene and 15 miles NW of Capri. Like most of the offshore Italian islands, Ischia is volcanic, and the continuing presence of underground activity is demonstrated by the numerous hot mineral springs that have made the island a spa resort since ancient times. Lush vegetation covers much of its surface, even extending up the slopes of the 788 metre high Mount Epomeo in its centre. Like most of the Italian islands, Ischia heaves with tourists during the season and berths in its two principal harbours at Porto d’Ischia and Casamicciola are at a premium.
Charts
British Admiralty chart 1911 - I. del Giglio to I. d’Ischia
Italian chart 914
Radio Nets
Also see Cruiser's Nets
Weather
Prevailing winds are from W or NW, in which conditions shelter is excellent in both of the island’s main harbours of Porto d’Ischia and Casamicciola.
Sources for weather forecasts:
- 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).
There are rocky shoals off the west coast of the island, extending in some place for over half a mile. On the northern side, the reef of Scoglio del Sanctuario half a mile WNW of Casamicciola is to be avoided.
Check-in facilities (Customs and Immigration)
Port police and customs in Porto d’Ischia. Harbour staff only at Casamicciola.
Ports and Popular Stops
Ports
Porto d’Ischia 40°44.9′N, 13°56.7′E
Porto d'Ischia, the island’s main harbour, is a natural cove with a narrow entrance protected by breakwaters. Care is needed in the approach to avoid the additional, detached breakwaters E and W of the entrance, which are unlit. Depths in the entrance are 5.0 - 6.0 metres and at the quays from 2.0 - 4.0 metres. Shelter in the harbour is excellent. The harbour provides a total of 200 berths, including three for yachts in transit. Maximum length 50 metres. Yachts berth on one of four pontoons on the east side of harbour. Laid moorings, water and electricity at all berths. Toilets and showers. Fuel on the quay in the NW corner of the harbour. The harbour is usually full to bursting during the season and it is often necessary to anchor off if the weather is settled or continue 1.5 miles west to Casamicciola.
Casamicciola 40°45.2′N, 13°54.7′E
Casamicciola is the island’s second harbour and arguably better suited to the needs of cruising yachts. In the approach from east, the shoal patch off Punta della Scrofa should be given a good clearance. From the west, the reef of Scoglio del Sanctuario is the principal danger. The reef is marked with a N cardinal marker and four yellow buoys. There can be a nasty swell at the entrance in strong N winds. Depths in the harbour entrance are 5.0 - 6.0 metres and on the quays and pontoons from 2.2 - 5.0 metres (however, there is a tricky shoal patch of only 1.6 metres towards the SE side of the harbour). Shelter in the harbour is very good, although strong NE winds cause a slight swell. There are a total of 300 berths, including 10 for yachts in transit, around the quays and on five floating pontoons. Maximum length 80 metres. Water and electricity on the quays and pontoons. Toilets and showers. Wifi. Slipway and fixed crane (10T). Diver.
Sant Angelo d’Ischia 40°41.71′N, 13°53.79′E
Sant Angelo d'Ischia is a small harbour on the east side of Punta Sant’Angelo, a rocky peninsula on the south coast of Ischia connected to the mainland by a sandy spit. The harbour entrance is oriented NE and has depths of 8.0 - 10.0 metres. Depths at the quays and pontoons inside range from 2.0 - 4.0 metres. The harbour provides berths for up to 100 vessles. Maximum length 21 metres. The quay on the S side, immediately opposite the entrance, is run by the municipalilty and offers around 10 berths in depths of 3.0 - 4.0 metres. Shallower draught vessels can also moor at the two pontoons on the W side of the harbour. Water and electricity on the quay and pontoons. Slipway. Limited electrical and mechanical repairs.
 The harbour of Casamicciola |
 Anchorage north of causeway |
 Anchorage south of causeway |
 The harbour of Sant’ Angelo |
Anchorages
Castello d’Ischia 40°43.54′N, 13°57.43′E
The Castello d’Ischia is on an islet connected to the shore by a causeway. There are anchorages either side of the causeway, depending on wind direction. Anchor in 4.0 - 8.0 metres in sand and mud wherever there is space. Holding on both sides is good. The anchorage on the south side is usually the better bet in the prevailing winds, but beware of the rocky shoals to the south of the anchorage.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
See each Port
Yacht Services and Repairs
Several yards in Porto d’Ischia, which can haul out vessels up to 100T. Most repairs can be undertaken. Limited mechanical and electrical repairs at Casamicciola, which has a fixed crane (10T).
Marine Stores
Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.
Yacht Services/Repairs/Yards
Engine, GRP and electrical repairs at yards in Porto d’Ischia. More limited mechanical and electrical repairs in Casamicciola.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Fuel on the quay at Porto d’Ischia and Casamicciola. Water and electricity in both harbours.
Offshore Islands
Tourism and Things to do Ashore
Tourism
A must is the Aragonese castle at the NE tip of the island. A castle has existed on the island site since 474 BC. In the 15th century King Alfonso V of Aragon extended the castle and constructed a stone bridge and rock-cut access tunnel. The castle has a somewhat gruesome museum of torture implements. In the same vein is the nearby cemetery of the former Convent of Our Lady of Consolation, where nuns of the Clarisse order were placed on stone seats after death to decompose as a ‘memento mori’ for their surviving sisters. A rather more uplifting prospect is to be found in the beautiful gardens of La Mortella, the former villa of Sir William Walton, which also has a museum dedicated to his life. Among other Ischia gardens worth visiting it is the Giardini Ravino, which has a wonderful collection of outdoor cacti and succulents.
Grocery & Supply Stores
Good provisions in Porto d’Ischia and Casamicciola.
Eateries
Internet/WiFi
In Casamicciola.
Laundry
See each Port
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Rental outlets in Porto d’Ischia and Casamicciola.
Garbage Disposal
Bins at all harbours.
Transportation
Transportation (local and/or international) See each Port
Routes/Passages To/From
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
Publications, Guides, etc.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- July 2003 --Athene of Lymington 17:10, 8 August 2010 (UTC)
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
- Ischia is not a cheap place to visit. In Casamicciola, be prepared for a charge of well over 100 Euros a night for a 13 metre yacht in high season --Athene of Lymington 17:13, 8 August 2010 (UTC)
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Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington |
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Mediterranean | Italy | Ischia | |
