Santa Maria de Leuca
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| Santa Maria de Leuca
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 Santa Maria di Leuca |
The harbour of Santa Maria di Leuca lies at the extreme southern tip of the ‘heel’ of the Italian peninsula, where the Ionian and Adriatic seas meet. It is a popular port of call for yachts transiting the Golfo di Taranto en route to Greece or Sicily. Apart from its position as the ‘gateway to Italy’ from S and E, the town is also famous for its lighthouse, one of the tallest in Italy, and its Basilica De Finibus Terrae (land's end), built in the 18th century to commemorate the arrival of St Peter here on his way to preach in Rome around 60 AD. The area around Santa Maria di Leuca is riddled with limestone caves, in some of which prehistoric remains have been found.
Charts
- British Admiralty
- 187
- 188
- Italian
- 919
- 920
- 28
Weather
During the summer the prevailing winds in the Ionian are light to moderate SW or SE sea breezes. In spring and autumn, northerly winds are more frequent and can quickly rise to near gale force, especially in the lee of high mountain ranges. Winds in summer are generally light from the Straits of Messina until reaching the Golfo di Squillace between Roccella Ionica and Le Castella. With anything W in the wind, it tends to funnel down here over the mountains of southern Calabria, bringing strong gusts and raising an uncomfortable sea. The conditions to avoid, however, when cruising this part of the Ionian coast are strong southerlies. The harbours here are few and far between and none of them are really safe to enter in such conditions. Further east in the Gulf of Taranto local sea breezes predominate during the summer, although a light to moderate northerly is not uncommon. With strong southerlies, a heavy and uncomfortable swell develops across the whole gulf.
Sources for weather information:
- There is a continuous (computerized 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 Roma, Cagliari (Sardinia) and Augusta (Sicily)
Passages
See Aegean to West Mediterranean Passages.
Communication
Add here VHF channel for the coastguard, harbor masters. etc.
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
In the approach from N, beware of the dangerous reef of Secche di Ugento, which extends 1.5 miles offshore between Torre San Giovanni and Torre Pali. A yacht heading along this coast should keep at least two miles offshore. In the approach to the harbour of Santa Maria di Leuca the lighthouse on Capo Santa Maria di Leuca immediately E of the harbour, one of the largest in Italy, is conspicuous. Closer in, the breakwaters of the harbour are clearly identifiable. The harbour is entered from WSW, staying in the centre of the channel to avoid reported shoals on either side.
Berthing
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Porto Turistico Marina di Leuca
Porto Turistico Marina di Leuca [[Santa Maria de Leuca#Porto Turistico Marina di Leuca|Porto Turistico Marina di Leuca]] 39°47.776'N, 018°21.697'E Contact the harbour authorities on VHF channel 12 prior to entry. To port on entering the harbour are a series of pontoons providing a total of 700 berths, of which 252 are allocated to leisure craft and 32 for yachts in transit. Maximum length on the pontoons 40 metres. Depths at the pontoons range from 2.0 metres inshore to 7.5 metres at the outer end. Laid moorings at all berths. Refuelling service, water and electricity on the pontoons. Toilets and showers. Laundry service, WiFi. 24/24 surveillance of jetties and pontoons. 50 tonne travel lif. The shelter is good here in most conditions, although strong SW winds send in a swell which can become dangerous.
- [email protected]; Tel: +39 (833) 758 687; Fax: +39 (833) 758 235; VHF channel 12
- Address: 73040 Marina di Leuca (LE), Lungomare C. Colombo 26, Italy
Anchorages
None.
Amenities
| Facilities | |
|---|---|
| Water | In the Marina |
| Electricity | In the Marina |
| Toilets | In the Marina |
| Showers | In the Marina} |
| Laundry | In the Marina? |
|Garbage| Bins in the marina
|header|Supplies |Fuel| Fuel station on the quay (0800 - 2000) |Bottled gas| ? |Chandlers| None
|header|Services |Repairs| Slipway. Travel lift (50 T). Mobile crane (20 T). Hard standing. Engine, electrical and electronic repairs. Wood and fiberglass hull repairs. Sail repairs. Divers. |Internet| WiFi in the Marina |Mobile connectivity| ? |Vehicle rentals| Rental outlets in the town }}
Provisioning
Provisions shops in the town.
Eating out
Several restaurants and pizzerias in the town.
Transportation
- Buses to Taranto and Brindisi.
- Local and international flights from Brindisi (88 km) and Bari (200 km) airports.
- Train station at Gagliano del Capo (7 kms) with connections to Lecce and beyond.
Tourism
The town’s main claim to fame is the brief stay of St Peter here on his way to Rome around 60 AD. Later in the 1st century AD, a group of monks founded a small church here, replaced in the 18 century with a large basilica now accessed via 184 steps up from the harbour. Also near the site is a Corinthian column erected in 1939 to commemorate the completion of the Apulian Aqueduct. Inland from the harbour are some smart (if rather faded) villas built in the 19th century.
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
- Santa Maria de Leuca at the Wikipedia
- Santa Maria de Leuca Pagine Azzurre
- Puglia region local events
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 Santa Maria de Leuca and this page's details validated:
- May 2004 --Athene of Lymington 18:48, 22 December 2010 (UTC)
| This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
 Contributors to this page |
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Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington |
