portorosa sicily

I was in it about 3 weeks ago . One of the best marinas in the area . You moor between poles which are different widths and hence prices . please note that they will charge you for width if you have a cat ie if you are 4 .5 metres wide then that is the same price as a berth occupied by a 15 metre yacht -40 euros a night in low season 85 in high , for year for same size of boat Euros 5500. 2 chandlers , only one restaurant working , toilets to small for size of establishment. Security good however . There is also a cantiere Navale at the entrance different company though . and store on Hard if you talk to the manager . Local bus takes youaround the estate and to the beach every 20 minutes . Can also hire a car on site . One girl in office speaks good English . Weather forecst printed at 915 am every morning .
 
Spent a couple of nights there (25-27 April) on arrival from Vulcano this year.

Mooring a bit of a nightmare - the poles through which I was led had several trailing underwater ropes, one of which got round the prop and the berthing was designed for a far larger boat than mine.

The marina is virtually deserted during the week, but fills up over weekends.

Shopping is very limited and fairly expensive, the shower/toilet facilities very limited and, fortunately, virtually unused because they're so difficult to find.
I say "fortunately" because there are about 20 seats for 4000 boats.

I actually cycled into Falcone to do my shopping. It's worth visiting Tindari for the Greek amphitheatre and ruins and the glorious example of 19th century tastelessness which is the shrine of the real and original Black Madonna (all others are pale imitations).

I tied up alongside a very friendly Swiss - he'd been sailing round the world and written a couple of books on the subject - suspect he'd also been involved in moving substances, people and arms around - but a very congenial and urbane person, who'd forgotten most of his English as a result of 18 months in the marina.

he spoke very highly of the Cantiere navale on the W bank at the entrance (separate to the marina management).

Apparently the marina is constantly changing hands (about 5 times since being built). Berthing charges for the period I was there were very reasonable (€15/night for 10m), but apparently varies wildly depending on the current management. He was quite surprised by the price which was obtained by some inspired haggling by me with the boss, whilst the one English-speaking girl looked on in amusement.

Whilst I was there it blew a sirrocco - usual problems of moving large chunks of African laterite off the boat, but water and electricity worked fine and the surroundings were truly palatial.

Very sheltered, there's a slight freshwater current moving through the marina (or there was in April). Several excellent sandy beaches, all round Tindari Bay but lots of maison secondaire development.

I'd reckon it great out-of-season but pretty grotty and ramshackle in season.
 
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