Licata

From CruisersWiki

Licata is situated on the S coast of Sicily some 18 miles west of Gela and 45 miles SE of San Leone. Established in the third century BC on the banks of the River Salso, little remains of the ancient Greek city. The Byzantines, Normans and Aragonese all left their mark on the city, but it’s real expansion came in the 20th century, when Licata was developed as a major port for the shipment of sulphur and asphalt mined in the hinterland. Today, the city survives mainly on the fishing industry and a growing tourist industry. The harbour itself is undergoing considerable investment which is planned to create one of the largest marinas in the Western Mediterranean, Marina di Cala del Sole, with a total of 1,500 berths. As at Sept 2010 the breakwaters for the new marina are in place but no pontoons.

Charts

Admiralty

2123 - Capo Granitola to Capo Passero

Italian

917 - Da Capo Rassello ad Augusta e Isole Maltesi

Weather

The prevailing wind on the south coast of Sicily during the summer is a SW seabreeze, which rarely gets up much above force 4-5. Most of the harbours along the south coast are liable to swell in strong southerly winds which are, however, rare outside the winter months.

Sources for weather forecasts - see Italy - weather.

Passages

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Islands

None.

Communication

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Navigation

Like many of the harbours along this coast, Licata is subject to silting. However, constant dredging maintains depths of over 10.0 metres in the entrance and 4.0 - 5.0 metres throughout most of the inner harbour. The long E and W breakwaters are very conspicuous from some distance off and the outer harbour is entered from due S.

Berthing

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Stella Maris Yacht Club

The Stella Maris yacht club has a long catwalk in the central basin of the inner harbour, the Darsena di Marianello, with laid moorings for around 150 vessels of maximum 20 metres. Water and electricity are available on the catwalk. Depths along the catwalk range from 1.5 metres at the inner end to 2.5 at the outer end. In October 2009 the pontoons appeared so run down that mooring here hardly seems possible any more, though with care one boat might get in at the southern end.

Marina di Cala del Sole

The Marina di Cala de Sole in the eastern basin is now operating (May 20110 with two pontoons in place. Prices are cheap as at November 2011 for visiting and wintering yachts but this will change as the marina grows over the next few years. The final capacity as planned will be 1500 berths. Minimum depths have been dredged to 4.0 metres. Protection in the marina is excellent from all quarters. Facilities in the Marina complex include a shopping mall with a large supermarket, cafe, pizzerias and a well stocked chandlery. More businesses will open in the marina as the marina becomes more popular. The staff and management are very enthusiastic and extremely helpful.

Anchorages

None. The nearest alternative anchorages are Gela, 18 miles E or the small fishing harbour of Marina di Palma 15 miles W. Some yachts anchor outside the marina breakwater on the SE in settled weather, usually only for a night while transiting.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

• In Marina Cala del Sole
  Nautilhouse, Self Service Ship Chanlder, Coral Marine Services S.r.l Offers 20% discount to boats with a winter contract in the marina - Will deliver orders to Marina di Ragusa.

  Contact: Andrea Valenti (speaks English)

  Address: Marina Cala del Sole, 92027 Licata (AG)

  Telephone/Fax: +39 0922.1837150

  Mobile: +39 334.7728152

  Email

  Nautilhouse and Coral Marine

  Skype: coral.marine.services

• A store on the waterfront towards the E has marine equipment though this is aimed primarily at the local fishing boats.

Repairs/Yards

The Marina di Cala del Sole project includes the development of a boatyard and associated workshops, including facilities for lift out and storage. It may take some time, however, for these facilities to be fully established following completion of the marina. Currently basic engine and electrical repairs can be arranged through the Stella Maris. Slipway and mobile crane (40T) in the Darsena di Marianello.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel station on the eastern quay of the Darsena di Marianello. Further fuel station to be constructed in the Marina di Cala del Sole. Water and electricity at Stella Maris catwalk and planned on all pontoons in the new Marina di Cala del Sole.

No fuel station as at 6/2015 - go alongside for truck delivery (note- filling of containers not permitted by the Porto Captain but marina staff will take you to the town gas station)

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

Most tourists come to Licata for the beaches, although the old town around Monte Sant’Angelo is worth exploring.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Numerous supermarkets and provisions shops in the town. Shopping centre planned in the new Marina di Cala del Sole. Large Conad Superstore on the marina site. A Lidl some distance away. Large electronics/electrical store in the San Giorgio mall. Also a reasonably large Trony in the marina mall.

Eateries

Many restaurants in the town, with more planned for the Marina di Cala del Sole.

Internet/WiFi

Vodafone, Wind and TIM all available in town. Marina wifi is not free and not good but the private Cruiser's Clubroom has wifi on a PC

Laundry

• Laundromat in the marina. Privately leased, not everything always works and open to the public also which can cause some queueing.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Outlets in the town.

Garbage Disposal

Bins around 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

• Licata at the Wikipedia

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 Licata and this page's details validated:

• October 2009 --Wayward
• Information compiled from web research and accounts by yachtsmen (please update if possible) --Athene of Lymington 12:03, 29 October 2010 (UTC)
• Oct 2014 to May 2015 --S/v Common Sense

This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly.

Contributors to this page
Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington, Wayward, S/v Common Sense