Naples

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Naples, Italy

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40°49.44′N, 14°14.16′E
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Local chartlet
Naples Italy.jpgBay of Naples
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Situated in the bay of the same name on the SW coast of Italy, Naples is a city rich in history and culture, rivalled in the Italian pensinsula only by Rome itself. Founded by Greeks in the 9th century BC, the colony later became one of the foremost cities of so-called Magna Graecia, the group of Greek city states that occupied much of southern Italy prior to the rise of Rome. It subsequently acted as the prime conduit for the introduction of Greek culture to the burgeoning Roman empire during its expansionist heydays. From the 13th to the early 19th centuries Naples was the capital of a substantial kingdom that at its peak encompassed the island of Sicily as well as the whole of the south of the peninsula. Much of the city’s former grandeur survives, with remains from the Mediaeval, Renaissance and Baroque periods, in spite of the city suffering from some of the fiercest bombardments experienced by any city in Italy during World War II. For the cruising yachtsman today, the city is a perfect base for a visit to its world-famous Naples National Archaeological Museum, one of the finest in Europe, the city’s World Heritage listed old centre and the twin sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, both preserved for future generations to explore by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD.

Mooring facilities in the central area of Naples are scare and very expensive, with the result that many yachts prefer to berth elsewhere in the Bay of Naples and travel into the city to enjoy its historic attractions. Working from W round to E, the main harbours and marinas in the Bay are as follows: Baia; Marina di Maglietta (Pozzuoli); Nisida; Sannazzaro (Mergellina); Santa Lucia; Marina Vigliena and Torre del Greco. A little further away, but still within day visiting distance are Marina di Stabia, Castellammare di Stabia and even the island of Procida.

Local Weather

Winds along the Tyrrhenian Coast of Italy are generally light in the summer months. The most notable feature is a SW seabreeze that kicks in in late morning and blows at little more than Force 2 - 4 until the evening. Often in the Bay of Naples a flat calm can prevail for several days. Thundery conditions are not infrequent during early Spring and Autumn, and associated winds can sometimes reach gale force and kick up a substantial sea in the Bay. In winter, gales can blow from both NW and S and entry to and exit from some of the harbours along the coast can become hazardous.

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

Charts

British Admiralty
1908
908
914
Italian
914
10
84
127
130

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Approach and Navigation

See individual harbour and marina entries for details.

Berthing Options

Baia

World icon.png 40°49.04′N, 14°04.73′E
Baia is an open bay at the western end of the Bay of Naples, just over three miles N of Capo Miseno. Shelter here is good in the prevailing NW and SW winds, but the bay is completely open to winds from NE and E. In strong winds from this direction it would become untenable. In the approach, a large castle is conspicuous on the headland at the southern entrance to the bay. Further into the bay is a large boatyard, to the N of which a series of pontoons are installed during the season to provide moorings for up to 200 yachts. Maximum length around 15.0 metres. Depths at the pontoons range from little over 1.0 metre at the inshore end to 4.5 metres at the outer end. Water and electricity are available on the pontoons. Moorings may also be available at the yards operating in the harbour. Fuel berth in the harbour or at the yard of Cantieri FIART. Hard standing. Slipway (250 T). Fixed crane (15 T). Mobile crane (60 T). All kinds of mechanical and hull repairs at the various yards. Buses into Naples along the coast road. Anchorage is also possible in the bay in 4.0 - 5.0 metres. The holding is good in mud.

Marina di Maglietta (Pozzuoli)

Marina di Maglietta (Pozzuoli)
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World icon.png 40°49.52′N, 14°06.85′E
Marina di Maglietta is situated at the northern end of the harbour of Pozzuoli, two miles E of Baia in the Bay of Pozzuoli. The southern part of the harbour is for fishing vessels only; yachts berth in the small ‘Marina di Maglietta’ operated by the yard of Sud Cantieri (call Marina di Maglietta on VHF channel 72 or telephone/fax: +39 081 5261140; Website; Email.). Shelter here is good from all directions. The ‘marina’ has a total of around 150 berths on pontoons. Depths at the pontoons range from 1.5 metres at the inner end to 4.0 metres at the outer. Maximum length 50 metres. Access is between the detached breakwater and the mole protecting the W end of the harbour. Facilities include: fuel berth (0830 - 1730, summer only); water and electricity on the pontoons; toilets and showers; wifi; 24 hour surveillance; laundry service; car and scooter rental. Yard facilities include: travel lift (80 T); hard standing; indoor storage; all kinds of mechanical and hull repairs.

Nisida

Nisida islet and marina
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World icon.png 40°47.9′N, 14°10.2′E
Nisida the small harbour and ‘marina’ of Nisida lie at the E end of the Gulf of Pozzuoli, just N of the narrow spit that connects the prominent islet of Nisida to the land. Shelter here is good from all directions except NW/N. Yachts berth on a series of eight pontoons, run by two separate organisations and laid out from the spit in a NNW direction. The pontoons have space for around 400 yachts of up to 26 metres. Depths at the pontoons range from 4.5 to 6.0 metres. Facilies include: water and electricity on the pontoons; fuel station; slipway; fixed crane (12 T); hard standing. For reservations/enquiries, contact Onda Azzurra, telephone: +39 081 5708000 or Nisida Yachting, telephone: +39 081 8531465.

Sannazzaro (Mergellina)

Sannazzaro harbour (after an apparent diesel spillage!)
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World icon.png DD°M.M′N/S, DD°M.M′E/W
Sannazzaro the harbour of Sannazzaro (also known as Mergellina) lies just over a mile W of the huge commercial docks of Naples and is one of the closest ‘marinas’ to the centre. It is protected from S and W by a long breakwater and only open to NE (however, the fetch from this direction is very short). Inside the breakwater is a series of piers with moorings for around operated by four different concerns. Maximum length around 30 metres. Try calling Società Luise & Sons, telephone: +39 081 7611633 for a berth. Depths at the pontoons are from under a metre inshore to 4.5 metres at the end. Facilities include: fuel station (0600 - 2000); water and electricity on the pontoons; hard standing; indoor storage; fixed crane (20 T); mobile crane (15 T); toilets; all mechanical and electrical repairs; sail repairs; divers.

Santa Lucia

Santa Lucia harbour
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World icon.png 40°49.71′N, 14°15.14′E
Santa Lucia is a small harbour situated just under the mediaeval Castello dell’Ovo, a few hundred metres SW of Naples’ commercial port. The harbour contains a small ‘marina’ with berths for up to 200 yachts, maximum length around 25 metres. Depths in the harbour are 2.0 - 6.0 metres. The berths here are operated by concessions whose mission appears to be to extract the maximum revenue possible from unwary yachtsmen, so it is advisable to arrive early and have a plan B if you attempt to berth here. We paid Euros 100 a night in 2003 (and that was after bargaining!) --Athene of Lymington 17:49, 14 December 2010 (UTC). Having said that, St Lucia is unquestionably the most atmospheric place to berth in Naples (although facilities are pretty non-existent).

Marina Vigliena

Plan of the proposed Marina Vigliena
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World icon.png 40°50.00′N, 14°18.17′E
Marina Vigliena is a new, large, pupose-built marina which is planned for completion in 2011. The marina lies just N of the easternmost end of the inner detached breakwater of Naples commercial harbour. When complete, it is proposed to offer over 850 berths for yachts of up to 80 metres. See Website for latest details.

Torre del Greco

Torre del Greco harbour (without the seasonal pontoons)
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World icon.png 40°47.09′N, 14°21.78′E
Torre del Greco lies around five miles SE of Naples’ commercial harbour, in the eastern suburbs of the city. The harbour is protected from all directions except SE and provides berths for up to 500 smaller vssels of up to 15 metres. Depths in the harbour range from 3.5 - 8.0 metres. Yachts berth on a series of nine pontoons laid out from the breakwater in the summer (1 May to 31 October) only. Visiting yachts are normally berthed on the southernmost pontoon. Note: entry is dangerous in strong S/SE winds. Facilities include: fuel station (0600 - 1900); water and electricity; slipway; fixed crane (30 T); all mechanical and hull repairs; sail repairs; divers; toilets and showers (at the yacht club).

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Anchorages

See entries for individual harbours.

Offshore Islands and Groups

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

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

Repairs/Yards

See entries for individual harbours and marinas.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

See entries for individual harbours.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The area of Santa Lucia around the mediaeval Castell d’Ovo is attractive and full of good fish restaurants (however, the harbour is eye-wateringly expensive to berth in, even if you can get a space). The church of San Francisco di Paola opposite the old royal palace is an impressive copy of the Pantheon in Rome. Even if you are not into shopping, the Galleria Umberto I, a 19th century shopping mall with an amazing wrought iron and glass roof, is worth a visit. There are great views of Castell dell’Ovo and the island of Santa Lucia from there at sunset. An absolute must is the National Archaeological Museum, which houses some magnificent sculptures from excavations around Naples from 17th to 19th centuries, including the stupendous Farnese Bull, the Farnese Hercules and a lovely statue of Artemis of Ephesus made of alabaster and bronze. Other highlights are some stunning mosaics and frescoes from Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabia, bronzes from the Villa dei Papiri in Pompeii and a display of artefacts recovered from the excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum. The atmospheric old town of Spaccanapoli is fascinating to explore (but don’t flash your valuables). Another interesting trip is via the funicular up to the old Carthusian monastery of San Martino, with terrific views over Naples, gorgeous frescoes in the monastery church and inlaid marquetry panelling in the sacristy. The monastery also has some beautiful cloisters and a small museum of Neapolitan presepi, or traditional Christmas cribs, dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Finally, the remarkable sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum can be visited from any of the Bay of Naples marinas (or even from Salerno).

Grocery & Supply Stores

Eateries

Internet/WiFi

See entries for individual harbours.

Laundry

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Garbage Disposal

See entries for individual harbours.

Transportation

Transportation (local and/or international)

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 partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Links to relevant websites.

References & Publications

See Italy.

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:


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SailorSmiley.gifContributors to this page

Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington


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