Le Castella

From CruisersWiki

The harbour of Le Castella lies on the Ionian coast of Italy, around 55 miles NE of Rocella Ionica and 15 miles SW of Crotone. The harbour consists of a southern basin reserved for fishing boats and a northern basin for leisure craft.
The northern basin (maximum authorized draught 2.0 metres), has five pontoons with laid moorings belonging to various clubs. Shelter is good in the northern basin.

Charts

British Admiralty

1941 Capo Passero to Capo Colonne

Italian charts

919

25 From Point Stilo to Point Staletti

146

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.

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)

Passages

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Islands

None.

Communication

Add here VHF channel for coastguard, harbor masters. etc.

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Navigation

The harbour is situated on the E side of the village of Le Castella. The eponymous castle sits on a sandy spit just W of the village and is conspicuous on the approach. The harbour is entered from ENE keeping close to the end of the outer, curved breakwater to avoid the shallow reef off the rocky headland to the N. Once into the outer harbour, the narrow channel leading to the northern basin will be clearly visible to starboard. The entrance is narrow and depths are only 2 metres, so the basin is only suitable for smaller, shallow draught yachts. Entrance is difficult and possibly unsafe in strong winds from NE round to SE.

Berthing

Five pontoons have been installed in the harbour. Depths on the pontoons range from 1.0 metre at the root to 2 metres at the end. The deeper water is along the quays near the entrance, where depths are 3 - 3.5 metres. Berth alongside or stern or bows-to wherever there is space. The pontoons are generally full of local boats. Laid moorings at most berths.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Lega Navale: Tel. +39 0962.795528 -- Cell. +39 328.6290636

Anchorages

None.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

None.

Repairs/Yards

None.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

N/A (Not Available)

Water

some points on the quays

Electricity

some points on the quays

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The village and its castle are spectacularly situated at the end of a rocky promontory jutting out into the sea. The 16th century castle on the shore has been excellently restored and is well worth a visit.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Good provisions in the village.

Eateries

Several restaurants in the village.

Internet/WiFi

None.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Garbage Disposal

Transportation

• Buses to Crotone.
• Local and international flights from Crotone airport

Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forums

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

Links

• Pagine Azzure Le Castella

References & Publications

See Italy.

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.

Verified by

Date of member's last visit to Le Castella and this page's details validated:

• Data compiled from internet research (please update if you visit)--Athene of Lymington 13:14, 20 December 2010 (UTC)

This page has an outline in place but needs completing. Please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to suggest further content or alternatively, if you feel confident to edit this page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.

Contributors to this page
Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington