Portofino
From CruisersWiki
Portofino, Italy
 Click links for more information
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 | 44°18.18′N, 09°12.83′E |
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 | Photo gallery |
 | Local chartlet |
 Harbour of PortofinoClick for larger view | |
Once a small fishing village, Portofino in Italy was discovered by British and other wealthy tourists in the late 19th century and the hills above the tiny port began to fill with elegant villas and hotels catering to the monied classes of Europe. Today Portofino’s tall, pastel-coloured fishermen’s houses, clustered tightly around its jam-packed harbour, attract tourists from all over the world to this jewel of the Ligurian coast. Portofino is a deservedly popular stopping-off point for yachts cruising this coastline and spaces on the quay or the moorings are at a premium for most of the summer months.
Local Weather
The prevailing winds along the western part of the Ligurian coast during the summer are a SW or SE seabreeze, which rarely gets up much above force 4-5. Along the eastern part of the coast, the winds tend to come more from W or NW and are again usually little more than moderate. While infrequent, gales are not unknown during the spring and early summer and are typically caused by depressions further west in the Golfe du Lion which bring strong N winds as they move further E. In winter, the tramontana, a strong N wind off the Alps, is more frequent, although the libecchio is a strong SW wind that can affect the whole of the Ligurian coast and blow for several days, causing heavy seas.
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 La Garde (Toulon), Roma and Cagliari (Sardinia)
Charts
- British Admiralty
- 1998 - Nice to Livorno
- Italian
- 909
- 107
- 2
- 3
Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
The harbour of Portofino is situated under a mile NW of the headland of Punta Portofino. The lighthouse on the headland is conspicuous from some distance off. Closer in, a prominent castle, Castello Brown, sits on the headland immediately E of the harbour. Shelter in Portofino is good except in strong E or NE winds, when Rapallo offers better shelter.
Berthing options
Call Marina di Portofino on VHF channel 12 or telephone +39 0185 269580 on approach. For advance reservations (advisable during summer) Email. The Marina manages six places on the quay at the SW end of the harbour, Molo Umberto 1, for yachts from 20 - 55 metres (anchor moor back to quay) and eight for yachts up to 20 metres (pickup buoy and reverse back to quay). Additional spaces are available in Cannone Bay to the N of the main harbour. Including permanent berthholders, the port has room for around 250 vessels, either anchor moored back to the quay or lying on fore and aft moorings. Depths at the quays range from 2.0 - 4.0 metres and on the moorings 7.0 to 16 metres. Toilets and showers. Wifi available on the quay.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Anchorages
In settled weather, it is possible to anchor off in Cannone Bay just N of the harbour. Depths here are 8 - 12 metres and the bottom is mud.
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
Limited repair facilities. Mobile crane (8 T). Divers.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Fuel station on the quay (0800 - 1930). Water and electricity available on the quays.
Things to do Ashore
Tourism
The waterfront of Portofino is probably the most photographed in the whole of Italy, and still retains most of its charm, in spite of the busy bars and trattorias that throng its pavements. The 16th century Castello Brown on the hill to the E of the town, formerly the resident of the English consul in Genoa, is now owned by the municipality and is worth a visit. If you are into scuba diving (or are a very good breathhold diver), the much-imitated Christ of the Abyss is a bronze statue placed on the seabed at a depths of 18 metres in the bay of San Fruttuoso a few miles west of Portofino. It commemorates Duilio Marcante, the first Italian to use the then pioneering SCUBA technology.
Click for larger view
Click for larger view
Grocery & Supply Stores
- Limited shopping for provisions.
Eateries
- Numerous trattorias and bars in the town.
Internet/WiFi
Yes, on the quays.
Laundry
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Garbage Disposal
Bins on the quays.
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:
- Data compiled from web research (please update if possible)--Athene of Lymington 13:45, 29 November 2010 (UTC)
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Names: Athene of Lymington |
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Mediterranean | Italy | Portofino | |
