Getting from Sicily to the Ionian

Moodyjim

Moodyjim

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Have been developing the plan for this year (using Google maps which is a very useful tool on My Maps). All looks good from Port Nap via Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily (anti clockwise round the south) but the "blank" bit is from Sicily across to Corfu or thereabouts. A few pointers would be appreciated as we didn't particularly want long passage legs which the memsahib isn't keen on. Thanks in advance for words of wisdom.
 
Moodyjim said:
Have been developing the plan for this year (using Google maps which is a very useful tool on My Maps). All looks good from Port Nap via Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily (anti clockwise round the south) but the "blank" bit is from Sicily across to Corfu or thereabouts. A few pointers would be appreciated as we didn't particularly want long passage legs which the memsahib isn't keen on. Thanks in advance for words of wisdom.
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According to the Italian waters pilot, it is an unfriendly coast, with only 2 suitable stops Crotone and S. Maria di Leuca.

As you may be aware we are also doing this trip. As a matter of interest, why are you going down the south side of Sicily? I have been thinking of the north and the Aeolians islands.
 
Hi Chris, don't really have an answer to that except for the impression I have got from reading that it may be interesting and less crowded. It is a loose plan after all and it could change in the next 5 minutes!!!
My Italian Waters Pilot is cleverly placed on the boat so I don't have all the info. How are you getting across?
 
Moodyjim said:
Hi Chris, don't really have an answer to that except for the impression I have got from reading that it may be interesting and less crowded. It is a loose plan after all and it could change in the next 5 minutes!!!
My Italian Waters Pilot is cleverly placed on the boat so I don't have all the info. How are you getting across?
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Well, I am not walking......:D!!!

I think we will leave from Catania and probably go to the 2 places en route, then to the islands just short of Corfu if the weather is good.

We have a fairly tight plan as Her indoors is not doing the passage bit - ie from Marseilles to Corfu, so in order to plan crew changes we will be doing 2 weekly cruises with one section of 1 week for my son. so plane has to fall within this scope

May 10th Leave Marseilles
May 25 - Change crew at Sardinia - Olbia
8th June - change crew at Palermo
15th June - change crew at Catania
26 June Change crew at Corfu - her in doors joins.

It is a shame to have to set dates like this, but it is the only way I can achieve getting the boat to Greece and an affordable location to leave her (messolonghi).

We were therefore thinking that we go the following route:
Marseilles along coast till Ile de Heyres then across to Corsica, down west coast (provided no Mistral) on through the straights of Bonaficio to the N E of Sardinia. From there we thought we would double back through the straights ( again provided the mistral ain't blowing) and down the west coast of Sardinia, which I am told is better that the east coast (apart from the NE section.).

Once we get to Palermo we have 1 week between there and Catania - so I was assuming that the Aolean islands would be the best bet - and as you say they may be more crowded - but it is early in the season.

When will you be moving?
 
Moodyjim said:
Have been developing the plan for this year (using Google maps which is a very useful tool on My Maps). All looks good from Port Nap via Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily (anti clockwise round the south) but the "blank" bit is from Sicily across to Corfu or thereabouts. A few pointers would be appreciated as we didn't particularly want long passage legs which the memsahib isn't keen on. Thanks in advance for words of wisdom.
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Did this a couple of years back. its true that harbours are few and far between on Italy's south coast and anchorages virtually non existent.
My route was from Reggio Calabria (straits of Messina) (a dump) round the toe to Rocella Ionica (nice), across the bay of Squillace to La Castella (nice), round the corner to Crotone (dump),across the bay of Taranto to Santa Maria di Leuca (nice) then over to Othoni(nice)and finally Gouvia on Corfu (still there so it must be nice) These were all managable hops of less than 90 miles to keep your memsahib happy, but in any case these are about the shortest available with precious little in between.
Gladly fill in details on any of the above if required.
 
Looks like the end of April now. Similar route and same final destination. I have to work round the need to earn beer tokens, crew for longer passages and somewhere to leave the boat in between legs, pretty much like you I expect.
I have pencilled in Hyeres, Frejus, Corsica west coast, Sardinia east coast,Sicily one way round or the other and then I suppose Crotone and S. Maria di Leuca as you said. A bit of a look round the Ionian before Messy for the winter where I booked a berth.
Hope to see you en route but if not then in Messy!
 
S. Italy & Sicily

Be careful with Roccella Ionica if you have a deep draught. Has a tendency to silt up in winter. Lot depends on when it was last dredged.

We spent 3 days in Crotone (due to weather). Wouldn't describe it as a dump, but 1 or 2 days is probably enough.

Strongly recommend N and E coasts of Sicily (ie clockwise). Much more interesting than the S coast (anti clockwise).

Dave
 
Having done the trip fairly regularly I usually go Siracusa - le Castella - Otranto - Corfu.

I don't use either Santa Maria di Leuca or Crotone as both are uncomfortable and IMHO the towns are dumps.

Le Castella can be a little challenging, the entrance is only 4m wide and the channel 2.5m deep, but it's as safe as houses inside.

Rocella Ionica has silted.

Two-handed, the Otranto stopover could be skipped - I'm single-handed.
 
charles_reed said:
Having done the trip fairly regularly I usually go Siracusa - le Castella - Otranto - Corfu.

I don't use either Santa Maria di Leuca or Crotone as both are uncomfortable and IMHO the towns are dumps.

Le Castella can be a little challenging, the entrance is only 4m wide and the channel 2.5m deep, but it's as safe as houses inside.

Rocella Ionica has silted.

Two-handed, the Otranto stopover could be skipped - I'm single-handed.
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Thanks Charles - seems I highjacked Jims thread!

Any views on which Sardinian coast to do - east or west?
 
If you go to Crotone, head to the commercial harbour, there's a huge sticky anchorage with good shelter. We spent a few days there whilst on the same route a couple of years ago and had the most comfortable night since leaving the marina in Ramsgate!
 
Alyssa said:
Be careful with Roccella Ionica if you have a deep draught. Has a tendency to silt up in winter. Lot depends on when it was last dredged.
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Pilot book warns of Rocella. Entry OK, unless strong onshore winds. When I was there (summer 2008) a pretty large yacht cut in surprisingly close to the breakwater, suggesting that either his keel had fallen off or the dredging had been effective. Rocella is free for first three days, too. Around 200M from there to Corfu.

Beware winds S of Gulf of Taranto: they seem to kick up stronger than forecast (but you get to Greece pdq).
 
It may simply have been a 'rose-tinted glasses' effect due to leaving the west coast of Italy, but we really enjoyed its south coast. Fully agree about Reggio Calabria, definitely a place to be avoided if at all possible, but after that most places were pretty good. About Rocella we were told that coastguard/navy were now using the place as a permanent berth which would ensure that dredging was carried out regularly. Crotone town was good but the berths were very uncomfortable in the afternoons. Our credit card was ripped off at the fuel berth here, so be prepared to pay cash. Santa Maria berths were completely exposed to the afternoon wind when we were there, but it is possible to anchor.
 
Both times I've done it I've gone from NE Sardinia to Ponza and on to either the Aeolian islands or down the west coast of Italy. Then I overnighted from Rocella or Crotone to Corfu.
The gulf of Squillace is useful for overnight breezes on flat water. Gulf of Taranto can be a bit bumpy in fresh northerly but we just kept going, reeling in the miles towards Othoni.
You can read the trips on my blog, Corfu Express or Tornado Alley!
 
I seem to recall that the pilot book refers to some agravated theft in one of the harbours along this coast - can't remember the name but I think it is the first one you come to after the straits.

We made this trip in April last year. We adored the islands to the west of Sicily (Favignana, etc), and spent much longer there than anticipated. We were told we were the first yacht of the season and we were really well looked after.

Also enjoyed the islands north of Sicily - again, we had the place to ourself. Vulcano is fun - climb the volcano and look down through the sulphurous clouds to see your boat is the only one in the anchorage. Couldn't get out to Stromboli because of bad weather coming in.

There is still plenty of bad weather about in April, and we ended up storm bound in Reggio for five days. This forced us to make the crossing to Preveza in one go in order to make our flights home. We were clobbered by some more weather half way across as well. It was quite a hairy trip...
 
Well - all useful info. for us as well as we'll be heading the same way this year to the Ionian from Cagliari in Sardina but in late May via Malta. We may also be wintering in Messalonghi (?). I'm intersted that you have already booked as We've heard good things about the place. Was is easy to book "remotley from the UK ?"

We came down the east Sardinian coast in August/Sept last year via Algehro, the Madalenna's (quite Mad in August), Olbia and to Cagliari. We have yet to vist the area west round the corner but I'm advised that there's not much between the bottom and Alghero and quite unhospitable. We came down the east coast and by mid-Sept most places were very quiet (to the point of being almost closed). The only place with a bit of life was Villasimius.
See our blog - http://www.victoriashadow.co.uk/mb_Caladh_2009_4.htm

May see your there on en-route.
 
Caladh, you can put a deposit down for around 100e at Messy. Looks a good deal to me but there seems to be plenty of other places available in the general area, especially near Preveza if you want to come out of the water. Loose plan now modified to north and east of Sicilly!
 
Hi Moodyjim & memsahib

Interesting to hear of your plans for 2010!

When are you returning perhaps we can discuss routes over another tapas? Is all the work completed on floating palace...........??
 
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