Trapani

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Trapani, Sicily, Italy (Port of entry)

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	38°00.40′N, 12°30.05′E
	Photo gallery
	Local chartlet
Trapani, view from Erice - Click for larger view

Trapani is a small harbour 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.

Local Weather

The prevailing wind on the west coast of Sicily during the summer is a NW seabreeze, 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).

Charts

British Admiralty

2122 - Bizerte to Capo San Marco

Italian

916

Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Approach and Navigation

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 give 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.

Berthing Options

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.

NB: 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

Lega Navale Trapani

Lega Navale Trapani/wiki/Trapani#Lega_Navale_Trapani

berth Lega Navale Trapani [[Trapani#Lega Navale Trapani|Lega Navale Trapani]]

A Lega Navale yacht club (Tel.: 0923.547467, Fax: 0923.547467, E-mail) 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.

The area of Boat Service Trapani - Click for larger view

Boat Service Trapani

Boat Service Trapani/wiki/Trapani#Boat_Service_Trapani

berth Boat Service Trapani [[Trapani#Boat Service Trapani|Boat Service Trapani]]

Boat Service Trapani (phone: +39 923.29240 - 28223, there is also a contact form at their site) 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.

Marina Levante

Marina Levante/wiki/Trapani#Marina_Levante

berth Marina Levante [[Trapani#Marina Levante|Marina Levante]]

Marina Levante (aka Cantiere Levante, phone: 0923-25399, Email) 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.

Columbus yachting

Columbus yachting/wiki/Trapani#Columbus_yachting

berth Columbus yachting [[Trapani#Columbus yachting|Columbus yachting]]

Columbus yachting (Tel.- Fax +39 0923.28341, Email, Email, "Gianpaolo" +39 393.9477497) 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.

Vento di Maestrale

Vento di Maestrale/wiki/Trapani#Vento_di_Maestrale

berth Vento di Maestrale [[Trapani#Vento di Maestrale|Vento di Maestrale]]

Vento di Maestrale (Tel : +39 0923 26874, Mobile: +39 349 6272840, Email) is at another pontoon W of the Columbus yachting.

Anchorages

Anchorage in harbour/wiki/Trapani#Anchorage_in_harbouranchorage Anchorage in harbour [[Trapani#Anchorage in harbour|Anchorage in harbour]] , again in theory it is necessary to have VTS permission before anchoring. This is open to the NW (the marina developments shown in the 6th Edition, Italian Waters Pilot have not happened) and the S. It is possible to go ashore just W of the Guardia Costiera enclosure where there is a slip and small quay with mooring rings.

Offshore Islands and Groups

See Isole Egadi.

Marine Services

Marine Stores

There is a 'Nautico' store along the Viale Regina Elena with a good basic stock, it seems geared more to the local fishing boats than yachts however. There is also a fishing tackle store which stocks a small range of chandlery on a street running between Vis Cristoforo Colombo and Via Carolina, just N of the fish market. Camping Gaz is available from a small hardware store on Via Carolina on the corner opposite a small supermarket.

Repairs/Yards

• Numerous workshops adjacent to Trapani Boat Services can undertake most kinds of repairs. Make sure you get an estimate first!
• Trapani Boat Services can undertake most kinds of repairs. Make sure you get an estimate first! Slipway and travel lift (250 T). Mobile crane (80T). Outdoor storage. Engine, electrical and electronic equipment repairs. Wood and fiberglass repairs. Divers.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

a station on the N quay in the inner harbour (0700 - 1900)

another station also in far corner of fishing boat harbour

also see #Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Water

see #Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Electricity

see #Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Things to do Ashore

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.

Chiesa del Purgatorio, Trapani

View from Erice

Norman castle, Erice

Norman church, Erice

Grocery & Supply Stores

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.

Eateries

• 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

Internet/WiFi

Internet point near the stazione marittima.

Laundry

Reportedly there is one at the Marina Levante.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Several outlets in the town.

Garbage Disposal

Bins at Trapani Boat Services and in streets.

Transportation

• Buses and trains to Palermo
• A direct bus to Palermo airport
• Regular ferries to Isole Egadi
• Ferries to Sardinia

Routes/Passages To/From

Popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Cruiser's Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

• Trapani
• 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 & Publications

See Italy.

Personal Notes

Personal experiences?

• We were in Trapani in May during a NW gale and experienced a marrobio, with a rapid tidal cycling of around half a metre every five to ten minutes and our passerelle going up and down like a yo-yo --Athene of Lymington 12:55, 9 November 2010 (UTC)
• Boat Service Trapani could be a quiet place in season, but in October they were very busy, so during a working day it could pretty noisy there --Vadp 17:00, 13 February 2015 (GMT)
• If I understand correctly there is yet another plan for building a marina there [1]. It supposed to be built behind the E side of the T-shaped mole, located near the building of Capitaneria di Porto --Vadp 17:11, 13 February 2015 (GMT)

Last Visited

Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & 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)

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