Trapani

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Revision as of 14:24, 21 August 2013

Trapani, Sicily, Italy (Port of entry)

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	38°00.40′N, 12°30.05′E
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	Local chartlet
Trapani Boat Services from the air - Click for larger view

Trapani is a small harbour situated at the NW extremity of Sicily, some 20 miles N of Marsala and a similar distance SW of San Vito lo Capo. Together with the Egadi islands (Isole Egadi) a few miles to the W, Trapani is a popular stopping-off point for yachts arriving from Sardinia or rounding the western end of Sicily. The name derives from drépanon, the Greek word for sickle, because of the curved shape of its harbour. Originally founded as the port of the nearby mountain-top town of Erice (well worth a visit), it developed under the Carthaginians until its cession to Rome in 241 BC at the end of the First Punic War. Under Norman rule, the harbour was an important staging post during the early Crusades. Severely damaged during World War II, the town’s revival is largely down to its fishing fleet and a growing tourist industry, attracted by the nearby Egadi Islands, the historic town of Erice and Trapani’s own spectacular Easter celebrations.

Charts

Admiralty

2122 - Bizerte to Capo San Marco

Italian

916

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Local Weather

The prevailing wind on the west coast of Sicily during the summer is a NW seabreeze, which rarely gets up much above force 4-5. While infrequent, gales are not unknown during the spring and early summer and combine with a NE-going current along the west coast to kick up a vicious sea. In winter, the gregale is a strong NE wind that can affect the whole of the island and blow for several days.

Sources for weather forecasts: See Italy - weather

Approach and Navigation

The approach to the harbour is from SW, between the long breakwater running due S from Columbaia islet and a detached breakwater due east of its southern extremity. If approaching from N, the rocky shallows off the twin headlands at the W end of the town and off Columbaia islet itself should be give a clearance of at least half a mile. From S the salt pans immediately south of the harbour are conspicuous from some distance. Entry is potentially dangerous in strong southerly winds. The harbour is exceedingly busy with ferry and tripper boats in summer. In theory it is necessary to seek permission to enter from VTS on Ch10 (or 16) before entering harbour, call at about 500m from the tip of the western mole; in practice VTS dont speak good English so you may be ignored at busy times, pick a quiet moment to enter.

Berthing Options

The fishing harbour at the NW corner of the harbour is for commercial vessels only. The porto turistico behind a long mole due N of the entrance is shallow and for small craft only. A yacht club 200 metres west of the mole of the porto turistico has pontoon berths sheltered by a mole. However, berths are seldom available here and shelter is poor in strong NW or S winds. Most yachts pass through to the inner harbour to starboard, where there are 50-60 berths at the quay or on the pontoon of Trapani Boat Services. Laid moorings at all berths in 3.0 - 5.0 metres. Maximum length 30 metres. Water and electricity at all berths. Although a working yard, Trapani Boat Services is a relatively quiet spot and well sheltered.

Note: Trapani harbour is occasionally subject to the phenomenon of the marrobio, a tidal wave that can raise and lower the water level by as much as a metre in the space of 10-15 minutes. The phenomenon is most frequently experienced in the winter months during strong westerly winds (although it is not unknown in spring - see below).

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Columbus Marina sits between the Guardia Costiera and fishing port, it is reported as having good showers.

Anchorages

Anchoring is permitted in 7-8m on mud just to the east of the Old Lighthouse, again in theory it is necessary to have VTS permission before anchoring. This is open to the NW (the marina developments shown in the 6th Edition, Italian Waters Pilot have not happened) and the S. It is possible to go ashore just W of the Guardia Costiera enclosure where there is a slip and small quay with mooring rings.

Offshore Islands and Groups

See Isole Egadi

Marine Services

Marine Stores

There is a 'Nautico' store along the Viale Regina Elena with a good basic stock, it seems geared more to the local fishing boats than yachts however.

Repairs/Yards

• Numerous workshops adjacent to Trapani Boat Services can undertake most kinds of repairs. Make sure you get an estimate first!
• Trapani Boat Services can undertake most kinds of repairs. Make sure you get an estimate first! Slipway and travel lift (250 T). Mobile crane (80T). Outdoor storage. Engine, electrical and electronic equipment repairs. Wood and fiberglass repairs. Divers.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel station on the N quay in the inner harbour (0700 - 1900). Water and electricity at the berths of Trapani Boat Services.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The town is attractive and still bears many relics of its historic past, including some beautiful Baroque churches. Its long straight streets, especially Corso Vittorio Emanuel and Via Garibaldi, are lined with palazzi from the 15th to 18th centuries. The walk to the fort at the end of peninsula affords good views over the fishing harbour and west to the Egadi Islands. A visit to Erice (40 minutes by bus or cable car), a mediaeval town on a spectacular mountain-top site with winding, cobbled streets, is a must. A stroll around the ruins of Erice’s Norman castle provides impressive views of Capo San Vito to the N and, to the S, the saltpans of Trapani and the Egadi Islands. The photogenic Norman church, Chiesa Madre, with its tall bell-tower, is a very popular tourist destination. If visiting Trapani at Easter, don’t miss the famous Easter procession, The Misteri, when the city's guilds carry 17th and 18th century religious statues through the streets in a 16-hour procession starting on Good Friday. The statues are displayed in the Chiesa del Purgatorio in the old town for the rest of the year.

Chiesa del Purgatorio, Trapani Click for larger view	View from Erice Click for larger view
Norman castle, Erice Click for larger view	Norman church, Erice Click for larger view

Grocery & Supply Stores

Good provisions shops in the town within a short distance of Trapani Boat Services.

Eateries

• Excellent restaurants in the town. Trattoria Peppe does a tasty couscous alla pesce. Tavernetta di Davido does an excellent spaghetti alla vongole e bottarga or spaghetti with tuna and peppers, followed by cassata Siciliana and strawberries.

Internet/WiFi

Internet point near the stazione marittima

Laundry

None found

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Several outlets in the town

Garbage Disposal

Bins at Trapani Boat Services and in streets

Transportation

• Buses and trains to Palermo
• Regular ferries to Isole Egadi
• Ferries to Sardinia

References & Publications

See Italy

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

• We were in Trapani in May during a NW gale and experienced a marrobio, with a rapid tidal cycling of around half a metre every five to ten minutes and our passerelle going up and down like a yo-yo --Athene of Lymington 12:55, 9 November 2010 (UTC)

Last Visited

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:

• May 2004 --Athene of Lymington 12:55, 9 November 2010 (UTC)
• August 2013 --RobbieW 15:24, 21 August 2013 (BST)