Le Castella
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Le Castella, Italy
 Click links for more information
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| | 38°54′N, 17°02.00′E |
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| | <a href="http://www.panoramio.com/map/#lt=38.909936&ln=17.024817&z=2&k=2&a=1&tab=1&pl=all">Photo gallery</a> |
| | <a href="http://mapserver.mytopo.com/homepage/index.cfm?lat=38.9&lon=17.033333&scale=24000&zoom=50&type=1">Local chartlet</a> |
| <img src="/images/thumb/8/84/LeCastellaHarbour.jpg/330px-LeCastellaHarbour.jpg" _fck_mw_filename="LeCastellaHarbour.jpg" _fck_mw_width="330" alt="LeCastellaHarbour.jpg" /> | |
| Le Castella harbour Click for larger view | |
The harbour of Le Castella lies on the Ionian coast of <a _fcknotitle="true" href="Italy">Italy</a>, around 55 miles NE of <a _fcknotitle="true" href="Rocella Ionica">Rocella Ionica</a> and 15 miles SW of <a _fcknotitle="true" href="Crotone">Crotone</a>. The harbour consists of a southern basin reserved for fishing boats and a northern basin for leisure craft. The northern basin is still a "work in progress" and has few facilities at present (December 2010). However, smaller yachts (maximum draught 2.0 metres) are permitted to use the pontoons and quays. Shelter is good in the northern basin.
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.
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; also available at the <a href="http://www.meteoam.it/?q=meteomar/view">marine pages</a> at Aeronautica Militare
- 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:
- La Maddelena (R) (<a _fcknotitle="true" href="Sardinia">Sardinia</a>) - Warnings & situation for Western Med, forecast for Ligurian & Tyrrenhian Seas only
- Mondolfo (U) - Warnings and situation for Italian Seas - forecast for Adriatic only
- Sellia Marina (V) - Warnings and situation for Italian Seas - forecast for Ionian only
- Roma, Cagliari (<a _fcknotitle="true" href="Sardinia">Sardinia</a>) and
- Augusta (<a _fcknotitle="true" href="Sicily">Sicily</a>)
- Toulon / La Garde (W) (<a _fcknotitle="true" href="France">France</a>) - Forecasts for all Western Med northern areas
- The <a href="http://www.ilmeteo.it/portale/mari-italia-oggi">marine pages</a> at Il Meteo
- The <a href="http://www.lamma.rete.toscana.it/mare/modelli/vento-e-mare">marine pages</a> at Lamma
- The <a href="http://www.meteoam.it/?q=meteomar/view">marine pages</a> at Aeronautica Militare
Charts
- British Admiralty </dt>
- 1941 Capo Passero to Capo Colonne </dd>
- Italian charts </dt>
- 919
</dd>
- 25 From Point Stilo to Point Staletti </dd>
- 146 </dd>
- 25 From Point Stilo to Point Staletti </dd>
Radio Nets
Also see <a href="World MM Nets">World Cruiser's Nets</a>.
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 Options
<img src="/images/thumb/f/f9/LeCastellaBerths.jpg/345px-LeCastellaBerths.jpg" _fck_mw_filename="LeCastellaBerths.jpg" _fck_mw_location="right" _fck_mw_width="345" _fck_mw_type="thumb" alt="" class="fck_mw_frame fck_mw_right" />
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.
August 2013 update: (<a href="User:JeanF73">s/v Seatern</a> 08:38, 12 September 2013 (BST))
- Lega Navale: Tel +39 0262 795528, Cell +39 328 6290636.
- Upon entering we were welcomed by an attendant who directed us to a transit berth.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
- Lega Navale: Tel +39 0262 795528, Cell +39 328 6290636.
Anchorages
August 2013 update: (<a href="User:JeanF73">s/v Seatern</a> 08:38, 12 September 2013 (BST))
- No anchorage in the port.
- Anchored overnight WNW of the castle in 10m sand and rocks keeping clear of beach limit buoy; Good protection from NW to E winds and swell.
Offshore Islands and Groups
None.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
None.
Repairs/Yards
None.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fue </dt>
- N/A (Not Available) </dd>
- Water </dt>
- some points on the quays </dd>
- Electricity </dt>
- some points on the quays </dd>
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
<img src="/images/thumb/9/92/LeCastellaCastle.jpg/345px-LeCastellaCastle.jpg" _fck_mw_filename="LeCastellaCastle.jpg" _fck_mw_location="right" _fck_mw_width="345" _fck_mw_type="thumb" alt="" class="fck_mw_frame fck_mw_right" /> 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
Transportation (local and/or international)
- Buses to <a _fcknotitle="true" href="Crotone">Crotone</a>.
- Local and international flights from <a _fcknotitle="true" href="Crotone">Crotone</a> airport
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 <a href="Cruising Forums">partnering forums</a>. (see link for requirements)
External Links
Links to relevant websites.
References & Publications
See <a href="Italy#References_.26_Publications">Italy</a>.
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- Data compiled from internet research (please update if you visit)--<a href="User:Atheneoflymington">Athene of Lymington</a> 13:14, 20 December 2010 (UTC)
<img src="/images/9/92/SailorSmiley.gif" _fck_mw_filename="SailorSmiley.gif" alt="" />Contributors to this page | ||
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Names: <a href="User:Lighthouse">Lighthouse</a>, <a href="User:Atheneoflymington">Athene of Lymington</a> </small> </td></tr></table>
<a _fcknotitle="true" href="Category:Ports_-_Italy">Ports_-_Italy</a> |
