Sorrento
From CruisersWiki
Sorrento, Italy
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 | 40°37.83′N, 14°22.7′E |
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 | Local chartlet |
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Situated just five miles NE of Punta Campanella at the SE extremity of the Bay of Naples in Italy, the town of Sorrento is a popular tourist destination and stopping-off point for visits to the islands of Capri and Ischia at either end of the Bay of Naples. Renowned in ancient times for its Temple of the Sirens, the mythical seductresses who lured unwary sailors to their deaths with their singing, it remained something of a provincial backwater until a road was constructed joining it to Castellammare di Stabia and onwards to Naples in the mid 19th century. However, its attractive, mountainous landscape, benign climate and wonderful views of Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples had been a lure for travellers from the late 18th century onwards, including such luminaries as the poets Byron, Keats and Goethe. Today it attracts tourists in their tens of thousands to admire its mountainous setting at the gateway to the Sorrentine Peninsula and the vertiginous Amalfi Drive, a Roman road carved for 50 miles along the coast from Sorrento to Positano. Yachtsmen are perhaps less well served than other tourists here, although a berth can usually be found in the town’s Marina Piccola or the basin of Piano di Sorrento a mile NE of Marina Piccola.
Charts
- British Admiralty 1908, 908
- Italian charts 914, 10, 127, 130, 132
Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Local Weather
Winds along the Tyrrhenian Coast of Italy are generally light in the summer months. The most notable feature is a SW seabreeze that kicks in in late morning and blows at little more than Force 2 - 4 until the evening. Often in the Bay of Naples a flat calm can prevail for several days. Thundery conditions are not infrequent during early Spring and Autumn, and associated winds can sometimes reach gale force and kick up a substantial sea in the Bay. In winter, gales can blow from both NW and S and entry to and exit from some of the harbours along the coast can become hazardous. 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).
The town of Sorrento, perched on a high plateau above the sea is visible from some miles off. Closer in, the high breakwater protecting the small harbour of Marina Piccola will be seen. The harbour entrance is open to the E.
Check-in and Facilities
Marina Piccola 40°37.83′N, 14°22.7′E is the main ferry harbour of the town, and as such is constantly busy with traffic bound for Naples, the islands and other coastal towns around the peninsula. A very limited number of yachts in transit (maximum length 15 metres) can moor with care on the Banchina da Riva quay at the root of the breakwater. Depths here are 1.5 to 3.0 metres. Most of the rest of the harbour is filled with permanent moorings. Facilities on the quay include fuel station (0800 -2000); some water and electricity points; toilet; mobile crane.
Marina Grande 40°37.66′N, 14°22.07′E about half a mile W of Marina Piccola is misnamed, since it is smaller and shallower than Marina Piccola, is crammed with local moorings and has depths of less than 2.0 metres.
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Piano di Sorrento 40°38.41′N, 14°24.17′E lies a mile NE of Marina Piccola and contains two adjacent basins protected by curved breakwaters from winds from the W quadrant. Shelter is no better than reasonable here. Works are underway in both basins. In the eastern basin it is possible for yachts of up to 30 metres to go alongside or stern/bows to the western quay, clear of the fishing boats and the fuel station. Depths here are 2.0 - 3.0 metres. In the western basin there currently three pontoons and a field of buoys where a visiting yacht of up to 13 metres may find a berth. Depths here are 2.5 - 6.0 metres. Other than a fuel station in the eastern basin, there are few facilities here.
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Offshore Islands and Groups
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None
Anchorages
It is possible in settled weather to anchor off Marina Piccola or in the western harbour of Piano di Sorrento clear of the buoys, wherever there is space.
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.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Fuel station on the quay in the eastern basin (24 hrs). Some water points in the western basin.
Tourism and Things to do Ashore
Tourism
The town of Sorrento is an attractive place to stroll around, with fantastic views over the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius to the north. It is also the start of the famous Amalfi Drive, a Roman road carved for 50 miles along the coast from Sorrento to Positano, with spectacular views of the sea and picturesque villages clinging to the cliffs. Finally, Sorrento (if you can find a secure berth there) is a potential base for exploring the delights of Naples - see entry for Naples for details.
Click for larger view
Grocery & Supply Stores
- Good provisions shops in the town.
- The town is famous for its limoncello licqueur.
Eateries
- Numerous restaurants, pizzerias and bars up in the town.
Internet/WiFi
None.
Laundry
Motorbike & Car Rentals
Garbage Disposal
A few bins around the harbour.
Transportation
Taxis and buses into Naples. Trains on the Circumvesuviana railway into Naples station. Ferries to Naples, Amalfi, Positano, Capri and Ischia.
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 17:52, 15 December 2010 (UTC)
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
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