Sunday, November 27, 2016



Italy Yacht Charter Destinations @ Catamaran Italy Charter @ Sailing Italy

Italy is home to some of the best sailing grounds in the Mediterranean witnessed by the large number of boats that are kept in the area. The lack of natural harbors located along the coast and the limited numbers of places in the marinas can make it really challenging to find a berth during the summer months on the Italian coast. The islands of Sardinia and Sicily tend to enjoy more wind than the Bay of Naples and the Riviera (check weather) but, in general, there is a lot less during the summer months than other times of the year and yachts tend to have to motor more here than elsewhere in the Mediterranean. The Italians’ love affair with speed, that explains the high numbers of motor boats relative to sailing boats in the area. But, when the sun shines, and there is a warm, steady breeze, most yachtsmen would feel that the wait had been worth it. The variety of scenery, the fabulous climate, the beautifully clear water and Italian food and wine certainly go some way to make up for the lack of wind! Our yachts are in many number of yacht charter centers in the key sailing areas of Italy. Italian regulations state that skippers wishing to sail on a Catamaran for Charter i Italy more than six miles offshore in Italian waters need to hold an International Certificate of Competence (ICC). They also need to be able to produce the registration document for the boat and a valid insurance certificate. There is no lifeboat service in Italy and emergencies are dealt with by the Guardia Costiera.
The telephone number for assistance is: 1530
Most people refer to the whole sailing area as the Mediterranean sea, Italian waters are actually divided into several different areas: The North Adriatic Sea, The Central Adriatic Sea, The South Adriatic Sea, The Sardinian Sea, The Strait of Sardinia, The Strait of Sicily, The Ligurian Sea, The North Tyrrhenian Sea, The Central Tyrrhenian Sea, The South Tyrrhenian Sea, The North Ionian Sea, The South Ionian Sea.

North Adriatic

The coastline of the north Adriatic is flatter and less interesting than other areas of Italy, mainly made up of mile after mile of sandy beaches that are not so much interested for Catamaran Charter Sailing Italy. However, there are many interesting places to visit such as: Venice, Trieste, Ravenna and Rimini. The proximity to the northern coastline and islands of Croatia make this area wherry popular for Catamaran Charter cruising.

Central Adriatic

There is little of interest for the cruising yachtsman in this area of the Adriatic for Catamarans Charter. There are a few notable harbours such as: San Giorgio, San Benedetto del Tronto, Pescara and Ortona but most of the cruising interest is either further north or to the south of the Italian coast.

South Adriatic

The heel of Italy stetches from the port of Otranto up to the Gargano Peninsular. This area is probably the most interesting in the Italian Adriatic for Catamaran Charter, as the coastline becomes very flat and the sea very shallow inshore as you travel north Italy. Also, from here it is only a day’s sail to the island of Corfu in Greece and the fabulous sailing waters of Greece. The Tremeti Islands, off the northern coast of the Gargano Peninsular are very beautiful and totally unspoilt and perfect for Catamaran Charter Italy. There are no marina facilities there and it is only safe to anchor in settled weather. The harbours of Otranto, Vieste, Bari, Brindisi and Manfredonia all have marina facilities.

Sicily

Sicily is an attractive cruising ground for Catamaran Charter Sailing Italy, particularly along the northern and eastern coasts. It has a number of well established marinas although they can be very expensive in the summer months. We have also bases on Sicily so we can offer you catamarans from there. There are anchorages at Cefalu and either side of Palermo. At the western end, San Vito lo Capo also has a comfortable marina and anchorage, which can be very useful in a Maestrale. Off the western end of Sicily lie the Egadi Islands, which provide some spectacularly clear water and secure anchorages. There is a marina at Favignana. The cities of Trapani and Marsala are attractive destinations, but further round to the south the facilities diminish somewhat. The area is slowly being developed but some care should be taken when on passage in this area. The eastern side of Sicily has some beautiful cities and interesting sailing destinations, in particular: Siracusa, Catania and Taormina are well worth a visit. The marina at Riposto provides ring-side seats for any firework shows that Mount Etna chooses to put on! A trip through the Straits of Messina is made more interesting by the presence of whirlpools at certain states of the tide! Although not dangerous to cruising yachts, they look a little threatening and can affect the sterring at times.

The Ionian

The Ionian coast makes up the ‘Instep’ of the Italian ‘Boot’. There are few harbours suitable for catamarans sailing Italy but there are marinas at Crotone, Taranto and Gallipoli. At Sibari, there is an inland development of holiday homes and a large number of marina berths so you come with the catamaran.

The Italian Riviera

The Italian Riviera stretches along most of the coastline of Liguria, either side of the port of Genoa in Italy. From part that runs from Genoa to the border with France in the west is called the ‘Riviera di Ponente’ and its a fantastic location to charter a catamaran.

La Spezia

There are plenty of comfortable harbors in this area for charter a catamaran sailing Italy, notably San Remo, Imperia, Loano and Savonna but few anchorages if any. The port of Genoa has several yacht harbours so you can come with a catamaran. From here to Cinque Terre and the natural harbour of La Spezia in the east is called the ‘Riviera di Levante’. There are a large number of comfortable harbours where you can stop with a catamaran in this area too, but like most of Italy, it gets very busy in the summer and some effort needs to be made to secure a berth for the night where we can also help you. There are a few anchorages available, notably in Sestri Levante and inside the harbour of La Spezia. In the Golfo Tigullio (Golfo Marconi), the harbours of Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure and Rapallo are very popular with the rich and famous and space is hard to find during the season. Come and be one of them with our Luxury Catamarans.

The Tuscan Islands & Argentario

Of all the places to sail in Italian waters, the Tuscan Islands are probably the most appealing and it is propably one of the most popular areas for yacht charter. It has something for everyone. The islands of Capraia, Elba, Giglio and Giannutri are all accessible to yachts and provide a number of attractive harbours and plenty of anchorages, some even secluded in bad weather. On the mainland south of Livorno, the harbours of Cala di Medici, Punta Ala, and on the Argentario promontory: Porto Santo Stefano, Porto Ercole and Cala Galera, are all relatively large and comfortable, and any one of them would provide a fabulous base for exploring the area.

The Pontine Islands

The Pontine islands are a favourite destination for sailing Italy. They are conveniently placed for both Rome and Naples and with six islands to choose from, there is plenty of variety to enjoy. The two largest Islands: Ponza and Ventotene, have attractive towns to explore. The others: Palmarola, Zannone, Gavi and Santo Stefano are smaller, but provide some very attractive anchorages. Care needs to be taken in bad weather as they are a little exposed.

The Bay of Naples

It is not hard to see the appeal of the Bay of Naples for sailors of our catamarans sailing Italy charter. On the northern end, the islands of Ischia and Procida are both very accommodating to our catamarans sailing Italy with several well equipped marinas and a number of beautiful anchorages suitable in settled weather. In the center, the famous outline of mount Vesuvius dominates the skyline with a number of marinas where is also one of ours, lining the coastline around Naples, some more attractive than others! On the southern end, the Island of Capri lies serenely off the Sorrento peninsular. Its harbour is famously expensive, but there is an anchorage to the side of it and a number of spectacular bays suitable for anchoring in settled weather. To the north of the bay, yachts can visit the beautiful Pontine Islands and to the south, the Amalfi coast beckons.

Sorrento Peninsular

This area is renowned for its beauty and is one of the most popular holiday destinations Catamaran sailing Italy. On the northern side, the town of Sorrento sits serenely on a hill overlooking the bay of Naples, and on the southern side, the towns of Positano, Ravallo, Amalfi and Salerno gaze southwards, framed by one of the most famous backdrops in the world. From a sailing point of view, its shortcomings are compensated by the extraordinary scenery. Sorrento has marina facilities, as do Amalfi, Maiori and Salerno. Catamarans can anchor off the seafront at Positano in settled weather.