Porto Santo Stefano
From CruisersWiki
Santo Stefano, Italy
| Porto Santo Stefano
| |
 Santo Stefano, with Porto Vecchio (right) and Porto del Valle (left) |
The small port of San Stefano, with its two harbours, Porto del Valle and Porto Vecchio, lies on the N side of the prominent Argentario peninsula on the Tuscan coast of Italy. The island of Giglio lies 12 miles WSW and the island of Elba just over 40 miles NW. Yachts generally either anchor moor in Porto Vecchio or moor on the pontoons of the tiny Porto Domiziano marina in Porto del Valle. Both harbours get very busy during the summer season and it can be difficult to find space here. Shelter is poor in both harbours with strong northerly winds and probably untenable in gales from this quarter.
Charts
- British Admiralty
- 1999
- Italian
- 913
- 122
- 5
Weather
The prevailing winds along the Tuscan coast are from NW or W and are mostly moderate, rarely rising above force 5. Close inshore, a yacht will often encounter SE or even S winds, especially around the offshore islands, or long periods of calm. A depression passing to the N along the line of the Alps will sometimes cause a libeccio, a strong SW wind that occasionally reaches gale force and causes a heavy swell. In winter, the tramontana is a very strong N or NE wind that blows down off the Alps and can affect most of the NW coast of Italy.
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)
Passages
Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.
Islands
Communication
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
The rocky outcrop of the Argentario Peninsula dominates the flat land to either side and is visible from some distance off. From N and W the lighthouse of Punta Lividonia is easily identifiable. The harbours of Santo Stefano lie in a bight on the E side of Punta Lividonia. Porto Vecchio is a small, open quayed inlet at the northern end of the town, whereas Porto del Valle half a mile SE is enclosed by two prominent breakwaters and entered from NNE.
Berthing
Porto Vecchio
Porto del Valle
Porto Domiziano
Porto Domiziano (VHF channel 12) has 105 berths on a long T-shaped pontoon on the W side of the harbour with laid moorings (maximum length 26 metres, maximum draught 7.0 metres). Water and electricity on the pontoons. Toilets and showers.
Santo Stefano Yacht Club
Santo Stefano Yacht Club has 40-50 berths on its two pontoons with no facilities. The wharf of Cantiere Navale dell’Argentario at the SE end of the harbour can accommodate yachts of up to 40 metres, maximum draught 5.0 metres. Water and electricity.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
- San Stefano Yacht Club, telephone: + 39 0564 814002
Anchorages
Except with strong winds from NW round to E, a yacht can anchor in the bight just E of Porto del Valle. Depths here are 5.0 - 10.0 metres and the holding is good in mud.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.
Repairs/Yards
Cantiere Navale dell’Argentario, Località Valle 58019, Porto Santo Stefano, (Grosseto) Italy (telephone: +39 0564 81 29 75; fax: +39 0564 81 72 02; Website; Email . Specialists in yacht restoration (especially classic yachts) and repairs. Slipway (400 T). Mobile crane (25 T). Hard standing. All carpentry and joinery work. GRP repairs. Metal fabrication. Painting and varnishing. Teak deck relaying. Engine, electrical and electronic repairs. Sail repairs. Chandlery.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Fuel by tanker and limited water points on the quay in Porto Vecchio. Fuel station, water and electricity on wharf of Cantiere Navale dell’Argentario (0800 - 1900). Water and electricity on the pontoons of Porto Domiziano.
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
In the town of Santo Stefano, the most famous attraction is the 16th century Spanish fortress of Rocca Spagnola, an imposing square fortress accessed via a drawbridge. Further afield, there are some lovely walks around the Argentario Peninsula with superb views over the sea over to the Isola del Giglio.
Click for larger view
Grocery & Supply Stores
- Good provisions shopping in the town
- Fish market on the quay
Eateries
Good fish restaurants round the harbour.
Internet/WiFi
None.
Laundry
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Garbage Disposal
Bins near both harbours.
Transportation
- The Via Aurelia (E80) runs along the coast at the base of the Argentario Peninsula, 12 kilometres E of Santo Stefano.
- Train station at Orbetello, 11 kilometers E of Santo Stefano. Trains to Rome and Pisa.
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
- Porto Santo Stefano 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 Porto Santo Stefano and this page's details validated:
- Data compiled from web research (please update if possible)--Athene of Lymington 14:13, 7 December 2010 (UTC)
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Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington |
