Porto Palo

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Porto Palo, Sicily, Italy

The harbour of Porto Palo is situated around two miles SW of Capo Passero, the extreme SE point of Sicily. It consists of a large natural bay protected by breakwaters on the eastern and western sides, forming an anchorage much used by trawlers and other small commercial vessels. It is also popular with yachts waiting for suitable winds to head down to the Maltese archipelago sixty miles to the south. Shelter here is good from all directions except SW, when an anchored yacht will find a better protected anchorage two miles to the NE on the north side of Capo Passero.

Charts

British Admiralty

2123 - Capo Granitola to Capo Passero

1941 - Capo Paassero to Capo Colonne

Italian

917 - Da Capo Rassello ad Augusta e Isole Maltesi

Weather

Prevailing winds on the east coast of Sicily are NE during the summer and on the south coast a moderate SW seabreeze predominates. Most of the harbours along the south coast are subject to swell in strong southerly winds which are, however, rare in the summer months.

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 Roma, Cagliari (Sardinia) and Augusta (Sicily).

Passages

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Islands

Isola Capo Passero two miles NE. Isole dei Correnti two miles SW. It is possible to anchor off both with care in settled weather, but only as a lunch/swimming stop.

Communication

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Navigation

There are shallows and reefs around Capo Passero and Punta Porto Palo in the approach from NE and both should be given a clearance of at least 0.5 mile. There are similar reefs around Isola dei Correnti two mile SW, which should be given a similar clearance. There are no further dangers in the approach, although entry could be dangerous in strong southerlies. Enter close to the end of the east breakwater, leaving the red buoy off the west breakwater to port. Depths in the entrance are 6.0 - 7.0 metres and in the anchorage range from 3.5 - 6.5 metres.

Berthing

The eastern breakwater is quayed, and in theory a yacht may berth bows-to along the outer 50 metres, being careful to avoid the ballasting. Depths here range from 1.8 to 2.8 metres. In practice, however, most of the quay is usually full of working boats and trawlers and there is not much space for a yacht. Most yachts anchor off in 5.0 - 6.0 metres, clear of the numerous moorings on the east side of the bay. The bottom is sand and rock and reasonable holding.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

None.

Anchorages

In southerly or westerly winds, a yacht can anchor just north of Capo Passero inside the island, where the holding is good in sand.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

Very limited.

Repairs/Yards

There is a slip and fixed and mobile cranes (30T) at the root of the quay. Limited engine and electrical repairs.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel available at the root of the quay, but difficult to get to in view of the numerous fishing boats moored here. Similarly with water, where the tap at the root of the quay is hard to access. Limited electrical points.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

Little of interest ashore.

Grocery & Supply Stores

Reasonable provisions available from the village 1.5 kilometres to the north.

Eateries

A few trattorias at the harbour and cafes along the beach.

Internet/WiFi

None.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

In the village.

Garbage Disposal

Bins at the root of the quay.

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 Porto Palo and this page's details validated:

• Data compiled from web research and accounts by other yachts (please update if possible) --Athene of Lymington 15:37, 27 October 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