Otranto
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Otranto, Adriatic Coast, Italy
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The harbour of Otranto lies on the Adriatic coat of Italy 30 miles N of the ‘heel’ of the Italian peninsula, where the Ionian and Adriatic seas meet. Originally a Greek settlement, Otranto became a Roman port following the defeat of its Carthaginian allies during the Second Punic War (203 - 201 BC). Although the completion of the Via Appia to Brundisium (Brindisi) in 264 BC had turned the latter into Rome’s most important port of embarkation for the East, Otranto’s proximity to the province of Illyria on the eastern Adriatic coast made it at least as important during the Imperial period. The town and its strategically sited harbour subsequently passed through Byzantine and Norman hands. Its use as an embarkation point for generations of Crusaders made Otranto a target for the Ottoman rulers, who briefly captured the town in 1480 (when most of its inhabitants were slaughtered) and again in 1537. Traces of Otranto’s former occupiers are still to be found in the town, including a monumental Norman cathedral and the castle, rebuilt under Aragonese rule in the 15th century. Today, the harbour is a popular port of call for yachts cruising the Adriatic coast of Italy or crossing the Adriatic Sea en route to Greece or Croatia.
Charts
- British Admiralty
- 187 Punta Stilo to Brindisi
- 188 Entrance To The Adriatic
- Italian charts
- 920
- 28
- 189
Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
Local Weather
During the summer months the prevailing winds in the Adriatic are light to moderate coastal seabreezes. In spring and autumn, northerly winds are more frequent and can quickly rise to near gale force, especially in the northern Adriatic, where the much-feared bora is caused by high pressure over the mountains to the NE coupled with low pressure over southern Italy. Fortunately, the fiercest bora is normally to be expected in the winter months. Thunderstorms are occasionally experienced in spring and especially autumn and can be accompanied by violent winds of gale force and above. Luckily they are rarely long-lasting. In the southern Adriatic, the scirocco, a S/SE wind blowing up from North Africa which can last for several days, is more common. Unlike the bora, which can arrive without warning, a scirocco tends to build in strength over 24-48 hours, sometimes reaching gale force (especially in winter).
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 covering the Adriatic are broadcast from stations at Roma, Trieste, Kerkyra (Greece) and Split (Croatia)
In the approach from S, the tower of Torre del’Orto on a headland at the S end of the bay is conspicuous. From N, the town and breakwater of the harbour are visible once clear of the rocky offshore islets at the northern end of the bay. The bay is protected by a single breakwater oriented NW/SE. Entrance is from NW, leaving the green buoy marking the inshore shallows at the SW corner of the bay to starboard.
Berthing Options
The harbour authorities, the Circomare Otranto, can be contacted on VHF channel 16.
On the SW side of the harbour are a series of five pontoons run by the yacht club, providing a total of 390 berths. Of these about 4 berths are allocated to yachts in transit. Visiting yachts usually berth on the end of the easternmost pontoon where directed. Maximum length on the pontoons 20 metres. Depths at the pontoons range from 2.0 metres inshore to 6.5 metres at the outer end. Laid moorings at all berths. Water on the pontoons. Toilets. Internet point. Shelter is good here in most conditions, especially with the recent extension of the breakwater, although strong NE winds send in a swell, which is more troublesome than dangerous.
If the pontoons are full, moor to the quay at the root of the breakwater in front of the coastguard building. Depth 2.6 meters with laid moorings.
Both the transit berths for the Legale Navale (Yact Club) and the berths on the public quay are organised by Andrea. You can ring him on his mobile 339.7998073 and either he or Fabrizio will help you out. In April 2013 the a berth on the public quay was €25 a night for 15m yacht
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
- Lega Navale.
Anchorages
In settled weather it is possible to anchor in NW corner of the bay in 6.0 - 8.0 metres. The holding is good in mud and weed.
Offshore Islands and Groups
None.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.
Repairs/Yards
Slipway. Travel lift (25 T). Fixed crane (45 T). Mobile crane. Engine, electrical and electronic repairs. Wood and fiberglass hull repairs. Divers.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Fuel station on the quay (0800 - 1200 and 1500 - 1900) but not open every day outside high season (April 2013 was closed on Wednedays). Depth at the fuel dock about 2m and you can to go bows to to the quay alongside a small finger ponton. Water on the pontoons. No electricity.
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
The old town of Otranto is full of cobbled streets and squares and is deservedly popular with tourists during the summer. The 11th century Norman cathedral contains a forest of 42 marble pillars in its crypt, Byzantine frescoes on the walls and a magnificent 12th century mosaic pavement depicting the Tree of Life. More Byzantine frescoes are to be found in the small church of San Pietro. Close by the port is the 15th century Castello Aragonese, erected to protect the town following the disastrous Ottoman raid and massacre of 1480. From Otranto, it is also possible to catch a bus to Lecce, an inland town renowned for its superb Baroque architecture. Lecce boasts a number of magnificent baroque churches, Basilica di Santa Croce being the most ornamented of all, and an interesting cathedral and archbishop’s palace. Also in the town are the remains of a Roman amphitheatre and Roman theatre, the latter with a display of theatrical masks unearthed during various excavations.
 Norman cathedral, Otranto |
 Old town, Otranto |
 Castello Aragonese, Otranto |
 Archbishop’s palace, Lecce |
Grocery & Supply Stores
- Nearest supermarket is about 1km away. They advertise that they will deliver to your yacht.
Eateries
- Numerous restaurants and pizzerias around the harbour and in the town.
Internet/WiFi
Internet cafes in the town.
Laundry
None.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Rental outlets in the town.
Garbage Disposal
Bins at the harbour.
Transportation
- Buses to Rome via Lecce and Brindisi
- Local and international flights from Brindisi airport
- Train station with connections to Lecce and beyond
- Hydrofoil to Corfu (July - mid-September)
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.
- Pagine Azzurre Otranto
- Otranto Wikipedia
- Puglia region local events
References & Publications
See Italy.
Personal Notes
We were here in April 2013. The Pilot book says that the Yacht Club does not welcome visitors and this does seem to be the case. The marinero on the public quay was most helpful. The laid lines were substantial and new. A neighbouring yacht said he had tried anchoring in the bay but could not get his CQR anchor to bite in the hard sand.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- May 2004 --Athene of Lymington 14:27, 23 December 2010 (UTC)
- April 2013 -- Zebahdy of London
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Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington |
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