San Foca (Melendugno)

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Revision as of 20:07, 24 January 2013

San Foca (Melendugno), Italy

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	40°18.08′N, 18°24.42′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet
San Foca harbour from E - Click for larger view

The small harbour of San Foca lies on the Adriatic coast of Italy, 12 miles N of the port of Otranto and six kilometers NE of the town of Melendugno. Until recently a tiny, small craft harbour with depths of little more than 1.0 - 1.5 metres, a long, curved northern breakwater has been constructed, creating a new outer basin suitable for yachts of up to 25 metres. Shelter here is good in all winds except strong SE, when Otranto provides better shelter.

Charts

British Admiralty

187

188

Italian

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)

Approach and Navigation

In the approach from both N and S, keep at least 500 metres off the shore to avoid the shoals 300 metres N and 500m metres S of the harbour. The long curved breakwater is conspicuous once close in. Entrance is from SE between this and the smaller breakwater of the inner basin. Depths in the entrance are 5.0 - 6.0 metres.

Berthing Options

Call Porto Turistico di San Foca on VHF channel 16 or 12 or telephone: +39 0832 881183 or Email. Inside the new breakwater and protected from S by a short inner breakwater are three pontoons in depths of 4.0 - 5.0 metres operated by the Porto Turistico di San Foca. Along the quay of the outer, curved breakwater are additional berths in similar depths, providing a total of 150 berths of which 20 are reserved for yachts in transit. Maximum length 25 metres. Laid moorings at all berths. Water and electricity. Toilets and showers.

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

• Lega Navale.

Anchorages

None.

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. Mobile crane (5 T). Some engine, electrical and electronic repairs. Fiberglass hull repairs. Divers.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel station on the quay (0700 - 2000)). Water and electricity on the pontoons.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

Tourist interest is limited, although there is a 15th century defensive tower on the coast and behind the village of San Foca a Roman settlement has been excavated

Grocery & Supply Stores

• Provisions shops in the village.

Eateries

• Restaurants and pizzerias in the village.

Internet/WiFi

None.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Garbage Disposal

Bins at the harbour.

Transportation

• Buses to Rome via Lecce and Brindisi.
• Local and international flights from Brindisi airport.
• Trains to most destinations from Lecce.

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 15:22, 23 December 2010 (UTC)

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