Tremiti Islands
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Tremiti Islands, Italy, Cruising Guide
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 | 42°07.10′N, 15°30.12′E |
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 | [ Local chartlet] |
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An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to the Tremiti Islands, Italy.
The Tremiti Islands are a group of three small islands plus one tiny islet, lying on the Adriatic of Italy around 12 miles N of the Promontorio Gargano, the ‘spur’ on the ‘boot’ of the Italian peninsula. Only two of the islands, Isola San Domino, the largest, and Isola San Nicola, a few hundred metres to the E of it, are inhabited. The third island to the NE, Isola Caprera, is abandoned except for an isolated lighthouse, whereas the fourth, Cretaccio, is little more than a deeply cleft expanse of rock. The origin of the islands’ name is much debated, but seems most likely to derive from the history of earthquakes that created and subsequently shaped the archipelago (Tremiti = tremors). Traces of settlement have been found dating back to Neolithic times, but the lack of natural resources on the islands have always prevented them from supporting substantial populations. During the Roman period the islands were used as a place of exile, notably for the adulterous Julia, niece of the emperor Augustus. In the early 11th century Benedictine monks set up home here, initially on San Domino but later moving to San Nicola, where they established a foundation that grew in prosperity, owning substantial tracts of land on the mainland as far south as Trani. Pirate attacks forced the monks to fortify the island until in 1334 the defences were breached by a group of Dalmatian pirates and the settlement destroyed. The monastery was re-settled and further fortified in the 15th century and was able in 1567 to fight off a Turkish force of 150 ships. In 1792, however, the monastery was suppressed by the Bourbon ruler Ferdinand VI and the islands began their long subsequent history as a penal colony. During the Mussolini era hundreds of political prisoners were exiled here. The islands’ role as a leisure destination only began after World War II, when the modest infrastructure then existing was turned over to tourism. By 1989 the growth in tourism and its associated pressures led to the island’s designation as a marine nature reserve. The islands are relatively featureless and low-lying and there are no sheltered harbours, only anchorages. A visit is only advisable in settled weather and with any sudden change in the weather a yacht is well advised to seek shelter in the new marina at Rodi Garganico or the harbour of Termoli with its small marina of Marina di San Pietro. With suitable weather, there are anchorages on the islands of San Nicola, San Domino and Caprara suitable for an overnight stop, although the holding is nowhere particularly good. There is also a small jetty at the SW end of Isola San Nicola which may be used once the last of the ferries has departed.
Charts
British Admiralty 186, 1443
Italian charts 922, 32, 33, 204
Radio Nets
Also see Cruiser's Nets
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).
See entries for individual islands for details.
Ports and Popular Stops
Ports
Small ferry pier only on San Nicola (see entry below for details).
Anchorages
Isola San Nicola 42°07.10′N, 15°30.12′E has just one anchorage suitable as an overnight stop in settled weather, the small harbour of Porto San Nicola at the SW end of the island. The harbour is best approached from S; the channel between the islet of Cretaccio and Isola San Domino is forbidden to navigation, whereas the channel between Cretaccio and Isola San Nicola has depths of less than 2.5 metres, a shoal patch of only 1.5 metres and (like the Cretaccio/San Domino channel) a high-tension cable spanning it at a height of only just over 20 metres. Yachts up to 15 metres are permitted to moor on the short pier at the SE end of the harbour, but only between the hours of 1900 and 0800, when the ferries are not running. Depths on the pier range from 2.0 metres inshore to around 4.0 metres at the end. Anchoring is supposedly forbidden in the area to the W of the harbour, between the islands of San Domino and San Nicola, although there are invariably several local boats moored there in the summer. If planning to stay overnight here, it is probably wise to plan on an arrival around 1900, when it may be possible to go straight on the pier. Alongside berthing is better if there is space, since the holding is poor. Obviously you must be prepared to raft up if you do so. Note: recent pictures show that steel struts and fenders have been installed on the NW side of the quay for use by the ferries and it may be more difficult for a yacht to use the pier now. In any event, be sure to give the end of the pier a generous clearance in view of underwater ballasting.
Isola San Domino 42°07.21′N, 15°29.86′E has several coves on the E side which can be used with care as day anchorages. At the NE end is a small cove, Cala degli Schiavoni, with a small quay protected from NW by a short, rough breakwater. The quay is constantly busy during daylight hours, like the pier of Porto San Nicola. However, it may be possible to tie up here overnight if there is space. Depths at the quay are 2.0 - 4.0 metres. Holding is poor, so it is best to go alongside if possible. With suitable winds, there is also an anchorage on the W side of the island, Cala degli Inglesi 42°07.05′N, 15°29.0′E, which can be used in settled weather. There is shoal patch of 4.0 metres around 100 metres the W of the centre of the cove. Depths in the cove are 4.0 metres inshore and 10 - 12 metres in the centre, so you need to lay out a good length of chain and preferably take a line ashore. The holding here is only adequate in settled weather.
Isola Caprara DD°M.M′N/S, DD°M.M′E/W has only one anchorage, Cala dei Turchi (so-called because the Turkish fleet anchored here in 1567 during their futile attack on the monastery). The anchorage lies on the W side of the island. Depths in the cove are 6.0 metres inshore and 14-15 metres in the centre. Again, you need to lay out a good length of chain and preferably take a line ashore. The holding here is only adequate in settled weather and a yacht should leave immediately if the wind strengthens from N round to W.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Yacht Services and Repairs
None.
Marine Stores
None.
Yacht Services/Repairs/Yards
None.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
None.
Tourism and Things to do Ashore
Tourism
One of the virtues of being on small islands (assuming you can moor) is that it is possible to walk everywhere. Even the largest island, San Domino, can be traversed on foot in little more than 20 minutes. The island has the only sandy beach in the archipelago, which is understandably packed during the summer daytimes. It is also possible to hire bicycles on San Domino during the season. On San Nicola the impressive, fortified abbey complex includes the original church of Chiesa di Santa Maria, which contains a painted Byzantine crucifix and a black Madonna and Child, thought to have been brought from Constantinople.
 Beach on San Domino |
 Fortified abbey, San Nicola |
 Entrance to Abbey, San Nicola |
 Church of Santa Maria, San Nicola |
Grocery & Supply Stores
Effectively none. You need to bring your own here.
Eateries
A few restaurants on San Nicola and San Domino.
Internet/WiFi
None.
Laundry
None.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
None.
Garbage Disposal
Best to take it away with you.
Transportation
Transportation (local and/or international)
- Regular summer ferries from Manfredonia, Vieste and Termoli.
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.
- Isole Tremiti website: [1]
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 17:00, 2 January 2011 (UTC)
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
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