Le Grazie

From CruisersWiki

The small harbour of Le Grazie is situated half a mile N of the western entrance to the Rada di La Spezia on the Ligurian coast of Italy, immediately W of the long breakwater, Diga Foranea, which extends across the southern entrance to the gulf. The harbour provides good shelter from all directions except NE.

Charts

British Admiralty

1998 - Nice to Livorno

Italian

909

115

3

Weather

The prevailing winds along the western part of the Ligurian coast during the summer are a SW or SE seabreeze, which rarely gets up much above force 4-5. Along the eastern part of the coast, the winds tend to come more from W or NW and are again usually little more than moderate. While infrequent, gales are not unknown during the spring and early summer and are typically caused by depressions further west in the Golfe du Lion which bring strong N winds as they move further E. In winter, the tramontana, a strong N wind off the Alps, is more frequent, although the libecchio is a strong SW wind that can affect the whole of the Ligurian coast and blow for several days, causing heavy seas.

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 La Garde (Toulon), Roma and Cagliari (Sardinia)

Passages

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Islands

• Isola Palmaria
• Isola Tino

Communication

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Navigation

Approaching from W, a yacht passes through the channel between Portovenere and Isola Palmaria and continues round the next three headlands before entering the bay of Le Grazie. Note: the bay to the S of Le Grazie, Seno del Varignano, is a military zone and strictly out of bounds to yachts. Approaching from E, a yacht passes through the gap between the western end of the long breakwater, Diga Foranea, protecting the entrance to the gulf and the mainland. Le Grazie lies in the second bay to port once past the breakwater. In either approach, stay at least 100 metres off Punta del Varignano, the headland at the southern end of Le Grazie bay, to avoid the rocky shallows.

Berthing

There are two mooring options in the bay. Either moor on the pontoons or the quay operated by the boatyard of Cantiere Valdettaro, where there are berths suitable for vessels of up to 50 metres, or anchor moor on the quay in the SW corner, being careful to avoid the areas of rock ballasting. Depths at the quay range from 2.0 to 4.0 metres. The bottom is mud and sand and good holding.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

A yacht can anchor off in the bay of Le Grazie in 9.0 - 10.0 metres. The holding is good in mud and sand. Alternatively, anchor at Isola Palmaria in one of the bays on the N or E coast of the island, depending on wind direction.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.

Repairs/Yards

Yard of Cantiere Valdettaro can lift out yachts of up to 60 tonnes. Travel lift (60 T). Crane (30 T). Outdoor and indoor storage. Engine, electrical and electronic repairs, Wood, fiberglass and steel repairs. Sail repairs. Divers. Toilets and showers.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel station on the quay. Water from hose. Electricity on the quay.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The old town of Le Grazie, clustered around the 15th century church of Nostra Signora delle Grazie, is very picturesque. A nearby monastery, once occupied by Olivetan monks and now converted into luxury flats, has an ancient refectory with wonderful frescoes. In a valley outside the town are the remains of a 1st century AD Roman villa, the Villa Varignano.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Good shopping for provisions in the town.

Eateries

• Several trattorias and bars along the waterfront and in the town.

Internet/WiFi

No.

Laundry

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Garbage Disposal

Bins near the harbour.

Transportation

List transportation (local and/or international.)

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

List links external to the wiki such as in Wikepedia.

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 Grazie and this page's details validated:

• Data compiled from web research (please update if possible)--Athene of Lymington 13:32, 1 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: Athene of Lymington