Isole Egadi

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Revision as of 16:39, 25 November 2015

Egadi Islands, Sicily

Isole Egadi/wiki/Isole_Egadi

Isole Egadi 37°57.91′N, 12°13.24′E37.965166666667;12.220666666667 destination

Anchorage in the Egadi Islands - Click for larger view

The Egadi Islands (aka Aegadian Islands) consist of a group of three small, rocky islands, Isola Favignana, Isola Levanzo and Isola Marettimo, lying some 6-10 miles off the harbour of Trapani at the extreme NW corner of Sicily. They were the site of a major naval battle in 241 BC which effectively ended Carthaginian resistance during the First Punic War.

The islands are famous for the former annual tuna catch, the mattanza (massacre), when tuna migrating through the channel between the islands and Sicily were trapped in nets and butchered for the canning industry. Nets are still set off the island from 1 April to 15 July.

Latterly however, with the decline in tuna numbers, tourism has assumed increasing importance in the population’s struggle for survival. The largest island, Isola Favignana, offers secure anchorages on both N and S sides where protection should be found in most winds.

Egadi Islands protected zones - Click for larger view

Note: The area around the islands is a marine protected area. It is necessary to have a cruising permit for the Egadi Islands. Permits can be obtained online at Area Marina Protetta (Italian only but Google Translate works well). There have also been reports that fines of €200 have been levied for not having a cruising permit.

Charts

British Admiralty

2122 - Bizerte to Capo San Marco

Italian

916

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Weather

See Italy - weather.

Approach and Navigation

There are no dangers in the approaches, although a current sets NE between the islands and can run at up to 1.0 knot. Most of the islands are rock-strewn around the coasts and it is wise to stay half a mile offshore unless you have a large-scale chart.

Berthing Options

Ports

Cala Principale, Favignana - Chartlet
Click for larger view

Cala Principale, Favignana

Cala Principale, Favignana/wiki/Isole_Egadi#Cala_Principale.2C_Favignana

port Cala Principale, Favignana [[Isole Egadi#Cala Principale, Favignana|Cala Principale, Favignana]] 37°55.88′N, 012°19.52′ECala Principale, Favignana37.931333333333;12.325333333333

Cala Principale (as the name suggests) is the principal harbour of the islands. Open to winds from NW round to NNE. Space here is limited, especially during the season.

Anchor moor stern-to or go alongside the small L-shaped Molo Principale (or Pontile Principale) off the beach wherever there is room, avoiding the fuel berth and the reserved areas marked with yellow lines. Depths here range from 2.0 - 3.0 metres.

NB: There is a stone surbase extending from the quays just below the water level there. Also mind stone steps extending from the landing stairs.

In season the berths inner side of the jetty and the the T-shaped pontoon further inshore are managed by Circolo Nautico Favignana (phone: 09231961245). The depths at the pontoon are 1.2 m - 2.5 m. Off the season it is all occupied by small craft.

Mooring is also allowed on the Molo San Leonardo in depths of 4.0 - 5.0 metres between the hours of 1930 and 0730.

Marettimo harbour (prior to pontoon construction - Chartlet
Click for larger view)

Scala Nuova, Marettimo

Scala Nuova, Marettimo/wiki/Isole_Egadi#Scala_Nuova.2C_Marettimo

port Scala Nuova, Marettimo [[Isole Egadi#Scala Nuova, Marettimo|Scala Nuova, Marettimo]] 37°58.00′N, 012°04.50′EScala Nuova, Marettimo37.966666666667;12.075

Scala Nuova is a small harbour off the hamlet of Marettimo on the E side of the island. A long pontoon has been installed inside the harbour, with depths ranging from 1.5 metres at the inner end to 4.5 metres at the outer. Yachts of up to 24.0 metres can be accommodated. Water and electricity on the pontoon.

The harbour is open to winds from S round to NE.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

In settled weather, there are a number of small coves along the coast of Favignana that are also worth exploring. Those listed are a small sample.

Cala Rossa, Favignana

Cala Rossa, Favignana/wiki/Isole_Egadi#Cala_Rossa.2C_Favignana

anchorage Cala Rossa, Favignana [[Isole Egadi#Cala Rossa, Favignana|Cala Rossa, Favignana]] 37°55.4′N, 12°21.8′ECala Rossa, Favignana37.923333333333;12.363333333333

Open to wind from the N sector.

Cala Azzura, Favignana

Cala Azzura, Favignana/wiki/Isole_Egadi#Cala_Azzura.2C_Favignana

anchorage Cala Azzura, Favignana [[Isole Egadi#Cala Azzura, Favignana|Cala Azzura, Favignana]] 37°54.5′N, 12°21.7′ECala Azzura, Favignana37.908333333333;12.361666666667

Nice anchorage surrounded by low cliffs with a small beach. Good holding in sand patches (5-8m) but much weed elsewhere. Open to wind from the S sector.

Punta Longa, Favingnana

Punta Longa, Favingnana/wiki/Isole_Egadi#Punta_Longa.2C_Favingnana

anchorage Punta Longa, Favingnana [[Isole Egadi#Punta Longa, Favingnana|Punta Longa, Favingnana]] 37°54.95′N, 012°19.22′EPunta Longa, Favingnana37.915833333333;12.320333333333

Anchor either side of the point in 5-8 metres, many sand patches and good holding, open to wind from the S sector. There are two small harbours, the more central asked for a fee to moor the dinghy. It is, however, a short walk into town from the S side of the island and well worth it. There is also a summer bus service, roughly hourly.

Cala Dogana, Levanzo - Click for larger view

Cala Dogana, Levanzo

Cala Dogana, Levanzo/wiki/Isole_Egadi#Cala_Dogana.2C_Levanzo

anchorage Cala Dogana, Levanzo [[Isole Egadi#Cala Dogana, Levanzo|Cala Dogana, Levanzo]] 37°59.20′N, 012°20.44′ECala Dogana, Levanzo37.986666666667;12.340666666667

Cala Dogana is a diminutive cove off the hamlet of Levanzo on the S side of the island. Anchor east of the small breakwater in 4.0 - 5.0 metres in sand and weed, ensuring you are well clear of the ferry access on the eastern side of the bay. Smaller yachts (max 10.0 metres) may be able to find space on the end of the jetty, where depths are 2.5 - 4.5metres. Open to winds from the S sector but protected from the N, swell may get around the E end of the island.

Cala Fredda, Levanzo

Cala Fredda, Levanzo/wiki/Isole_Egadi#Cala_Fredda.2C_Levanzo

anchorage Cala Fredda, Levanzo [[Isole Egadi#Cala Fredda, Levanzo|Cala Fredda, Levanzo]] 37°59.33′N, 012°20.72′ECala Fredda, Levanzo37.988833333333;12.345333333333

This bay is slightly to the E of Cala Dogana. It is deep (10-12m) until close in with few obvious sand patches. It is protected from the ferry wash in Dogana, wind protection as for Cala Dogana.

Marine Services

Marine Stores

None noted.

Yacht Services/Repairs/Yards

Limited repairs at Cala Principale on Favignana and Scala Nuova, Isola Marettimo. Slipway and mobile crane at both. Divers.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

station (0800 - 1930) in Cala Principale, Favignana

Water

on the quay (via a water man) in Cala Principale, Favignana

on the quay Scala Nuova, Isola Marettimo

Electricity

on the quay Scala Nuova, Isola Marettimo

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The main attraction of the Egadi Islands is the numerous rocky coves, many with small sandy beaches, lapped by crystal-clear waters. Away from the towns, the islands are criss-crossed by excellent walking paths (on Marettimo there are no roads at all).

• Favignana: Old Tuna factory on the W side of the Cala Principale has now been transformed into a Museum about tuna fishing and processing - €4.00 entrance fee includes free guided tour.
• It is well worth paying a visit to the Palazzo Florio just at the E shore of the Cala Principale. It was the home of the owners of the tuna factory -- now among the others a tourist office of Favignana is located there.
• Many of the old tuff open quarries can be visited by bicycle (see below).
• Levanzo island is famous for its Grotta del Genovese, a cave with traces of Neolithic cave paintings of animal and human figures.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Limited provisions on Isola Favignana in Favignana town. In season this is a bustling community with at least three supermarkets

Eateries

A good supply of trattorias in Isola Favignana. Fewer in Marettimo and Levanzo.

Internet/WiFi

None noted.

Laundry

None noted.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Scooter and cycle hire on Isola Favignano -- there are a couple of them located at the E side of the Cala Principale.

Garbage Disposal

Bins at all harbours.

Transportation

• Ferries (Siremar)
• Hydrofoils and catamarans (Ustica Lines) from Trapani

Routes/Passages To/From

List 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

• Isole Egadi at the Wikipedia
• Favignana at the Wikipedia
• For a plan of Cala Principale, Favignana check this site. On the right side of the page there are also some links to plans of other ports in the Province of Trapani.

References & Publications

See Italy.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

• Delightful and mostly off the beaten track for Brits, many Italian & French boats at anchor in August 2013 --RobbieW
• A fuel pump in Cala Principale, Favignana doesn't seem to work regularly off the season: we managed to stay at the fuel berth for 2 days in October 2011 without any problem --Vadp 16:42, 17 February 2015 (GMT)
• "Amici Del Mare" restaurant in Favignana is quite good -- just at the Molo Principale. --Vadp 18:42, 17 February 2015 (GMT)

Last Visited

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• May 2004 --Athene of Lymington 15:38, 9 November 2010 (UTC)
• October 2011 --Vadp
• August 2013 --RobbieW 16:25, 20 August 2013 (BST)

Contributors to this page
Names: Athene of Lymington, RobbieW