Porto Cesareo
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Porto Cesareo, Italy
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 | [ Local chartlet] |
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The bay of Porto Cesareo is a natural anchorage 43 miles ESE of Taranto and 15 miles NNW of Gallipoli on the E side of the Golfo di Taranto on the Ionian coast of Italy. The bay contains two anchorages, a north and a south anchorage. However, the north anchorage is virtually filled with small craft moorings and therefore the information below relates to the quieter south anchorage. This provides reasonably good shelter for smaller yachts in all winds except from NW round to SW.
Charts
British Admiralty 187
Italian charts 919, 920, 27
Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
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. Further east in the Gulf of Taranto local seabreezes predominate during the summer, although a light to moderate northerly is not uncommon. With strong southerlies, a heavy and uncomfortable swell develops across the whole gulf. 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 Roma, Cagliari (Sardinia) and Augusta (Sicily).
The south anchorage is difficult to distinguish among the numerous small bays and offshore islets along the coast. At the N end, the buildings of the hamlet of Porto Caesareo and a tower in the centre are conspicuous. From S, the tower of Torre Squillace on a short promontory a mile SE of the entrance to the anchorage is conspicuous. Entry to the bay is between two rock-strewn peninsulas. The safe channel is marked by port and starboard marker buoys. A course of 035 degrees into the bay takes one clear of the dangerous shallows off Isola della Scogliera, joined by a causeway to the northern peninsula.
Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)
The southern part of the south anchorage is too shallow for most yachts to anchor. There are several pontoons around this area (as there are in the north anchorage) which are, however, mostly occupied by shallow-draught vessels in depths of little more than a metre. A yacht should anchor off the short pier of the village of Porto Caesareo at the NW end of the south anchorage. Depths here are around 2.5 - 3.0 metres. The holding is good in sand. A yacht should leave immediately if the wind turns W/SW as any swell will have you bumping on the bottom.
Offshore Islands and Groups
- Isola dei Conigli
- Isola del Caparrone
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.
Repairs/Yards
- Very limited. Mobile crane (30 T). Basic repairs only.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Fuel station on the pier (0800 - 2000), but shallow water alongside (2.0 meters). Water on the pier.
Tourism and Things to do Ashore
Tourism
Grocery & Supply Stores
- Provisions shops in the village.
Eateries
- Several restaurants and pizzerias in the village.
Internet/WiFi
None.
Laundry
None.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
None.
Garbage Disposal
Bins on the pier at the village.
Transportation
Transportation (local and/or international)
- Buses to Taranto
- Local and international flights from Taranto-Grottaglie airport (110 km).
- Train station at Nardo, 16 kms SE.
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
Publications, Guides, etc.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- Data compiled from web research (please update if possible) --Athene of Lymington 14:35, 22 December 2010 (UTC)
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Mediterranean | Italy | Taranto | |
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