Trapani
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| Trapani
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 Trapani, view from Erice |
The city of Trapani is situated at the NW extremity of Sicily, some 32 km (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
- British Admiralty
- 2122 - Bizerte to Capo San Marco
- Italian
- 916
Weather
The prevailing wind on the west coast of Sicily during the summer is a NW sea breeze, 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.
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).
Passages
See Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages.
Islands
See Isole Egadi.
Communication
- Before arrival contact Trapani Port Authority on VHF channel 16
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
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 given 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.
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. Bear in mind though that in practice you may be ignored at busy times, then just pick a quiet moment to enter.
Entrance
Trapani is a port of entry for Italy. For details see Entrance: Italy.
Berthing
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 few boatyards (or former boatyards) in the harbour are offering some mooring facilities at their pontoons. A yacht club of Lega Navale (see below) is usually full.
Note: It is advisable that you make a reservation beforehand. Especially, taking into account that VTS may ask you if you have such a reservation when you are entering the harbour.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
A Lega Navale] 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.
- [email protected]; Te/Faxl: +39 (923) 547 467; VHF channel XX
Trapani Boat Service
Trapani Boat Service is the largest boatyard in Trapani. It's located at the very E head of the harbour, 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 are at the berths. There is a fuel pump at the quay. Although a working yard, in season it is a relatively quiet spot and well sheltered.
- [email protected]; Tel: +39 (923) 29 240 - 28 223; Mob: +39 (349) 661 8376; VHF channel XX
- Address: Via Ilio - 91100 Trapani (TP) , Italy
Columbus yachting
Columbus yachting, "Gianpaolo" +39 (923) 947 7497 sits between the Guardia Costiera and fishing port in the NW corner of the harbour, it is reported as having good showers. Some of its moorings are shallow < 2m, water can also be obtained here.
- [email protected]; Tel/Fax: +39 (923) 28 341; VHF channel XX
Marina Vento di Maestrale
Marina Vento di Maestrale [[Trapani#Marina Vento di Maestrale|Marina Vento di Maestrale]] 38°0.84′N, 12°29.98′E Vento di Maestrale is at another pontoon W of the Columbus yachting.
06/15 Euro 50 per night for a stay of a week with free power, water and wifi (wifi works best in the bar area) --S/v Common Sense
- [email protected]; Tel: +39 (923) 26 874; Mob: +39 (349) 627 2840; VHF channel 74
- Address: Vento di Maestrale s.r.l., via dei Gladioli sn, 91100 Trapani, Sicilia, Italia
Marina Levante
Marina Levante offers berthing for sailing and motor boats up to 27 m. There is water and electricity are on the pontoon. There are bathrooms with showers on the shore. Other facilities include fuel, laundry (free), WiFi (free). Reportedly helpful and friendly staff.
- [email protected]; Tel: +39 (923) 25 399; Mob: +39 (333) 25 399; VHF channel 16
- Address: Via Ammiraglio Staiti 18, 91100 Trapani, Italy
Marina Arturo Stabile
Marina Arturo Stabile [[Trapani#Marina Arturo Stabile|Marina Arturo Stabile]] 38°00.780'N, 012°30.600'E At the end of the harbour so well protected from all winds. Full service (water, electricity, toilets, showers, laundy, WiFi, shipyard.
- [email protected]; Tel: +39 (923) 28 191; Fax: +39 (923) 557 170; Mob: +39 (347) 016 5842;VHF channel 69
- Address: 2/10, via avv. g. palmeri - 91100, Trapani, Italy
- Hours:
Anchorages
Anchorage in harbour
Amenities
| Facilities | |
|---|---|
| Water | See Marinas & Yacht Clubs |
| Electricity | See Marinas & Yacht Clubs |
| Toilets | ? |
| Showers | ? |
| Laundry |
Vento di Maestrale does laundry Euro 15 for 8kg, dried, folded and wrapped in plastic |
| Garbage | Bins at Trapani Boat Service and in the streets |
| Supplies | |
| Fuel |
|
| Bottled gas | Camping Gaz is available from a small hardware store on Via Carolina on the corner opposite a small supermarket |
| Chandlers |
|
| Services | |
| Repairs |
|
| Internet |
|
| Mobile connectivity | ? |
| Vehicle rentals | Several outlets in the town |
Provisioning
Good provisions shops in the town within a short distance of Trapani Boat Services. Also supermarkets and a Saturday street market to be found in the area around the fishing port at the NW end of the port, easy walking from Columbus and the anchorage area.
Eating out
- 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
Transportation
- Buses and trains to Palermo
- A direct bus to Palermo airport
- Regular ferries to Isole Egadi
- Ferries to Sardinia
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.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
- Trapani at the Wikipedia
- Trapani at the Wikivoyage
- On this site there is a plan of the harbour of Trapani. On the right side of the page there are also some links to plans of other ports in the Province of Trapani including Marsala, Favignana, etc.
References
See Italy.
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Trapani and this page's details validated:
- May 2004 --Athene of Lymington 12:55, 9 November 2010 (UTC)
- October 2011 --Vadp
- August 2013 --RobbieW 15:24, 21 August 2013 (BST)
- June 2015 --S/v Common Sense
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Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington, RobbieW, Vadp |
