Vibo Valentia
From CruisersWiki
Vibo Valentia
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The harbour and town of Vibo Valentia lie on the Calabrian coast of Italy, along the ‘instep’ of the peninsula, around 45 miles NE of the Straits of Messina. Together with Tropea, it offers a useful port of call and replenishment stop for yachts sailing to or from the Straits of Messina or heading over to the Aeolian Islands. Vibo Valentia also has the best organized 'marina' operation that southbound yachts will encounter after leaving the Bay of Naples. Founded around 600 BC as the Greek colony of Hipponion, the town became a Roman colony in 194 BC, when it received its new name of Vibo Valentia. The castle which looms over the town was constructed by the Normans, using materials scavenged from ruined Greek temples on the site. Remains of the ancient Hellenic walls of the town and foundations of the defensive towers can still be seen today. Visiting yachtsmen will relish the excellent shelter provided in the town’s harbour and its well-organized berthing facilities.
Charts
- British Admiralty
- 1976
- Italian
- 915
- 12
- 134
Weather
Winds along the Calabrian Coast of Italy are generally light in the summer months. The most notable feature is a SW sea breeze that kicks in in late morning and blows at little more than Force 2 - 4 until the evening. Thundery conditions are not infrequent during early Spring and Autumn, and associated winds can sometimes reach gale force and kick up a substantial sea. In winter, gales can blow from both NW and S and entry to and exit from some of the harbours along the coast can become hazardous.
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 La Garde (Toulon), Roma and Cagliari (Sardinia)
Passages
See Mediterranean.
Communication
Add here VHF channel for the coastguard, harbor masters. etc.
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
There are no dangers in the approach to Vibo Valentia. The chimneys and oil storage tanks of the commercial docks and the castle on the hill overlooking the harbour are visible from some distance off. The harbour is entered from ENE. Shelter is good here in most conditions, although a surge develops in strong N/NW winds.
Berthing
There are several pontoons in the SE part of the harbour where a yacht may berth. in 3 marinas. Stella del Sud, Marina Carmelo and Marina Azzurra are the main operators. The pontoon of Stella del Sud has a good reputation with visiting yachtsmen. It is the S-shaped one to the W of the double-E shaped pontoons of Carmelo. In total there are 450 berths on the various pontoons for yachts up to 55 metres. All berths on laid moorings. Depths at the pontoons range from 2.0 to 7.0 metres. Water and electricity on all pontoons. Toilets and showers at Stella del Sud and Carmelo. Washing machine at Stella del Sud. Larger yachts may also berth alongside on the commercial quays (with the permission of the harbourmaster) when there are no merchant vessels due in port.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Marina Stella del Sud
Family run full service marina.Unlimited supply of electric current into voltage; 220v or 380v and fresh water 24h-24h Showers, toilets, WiFi, Laundromat, Laundry service with delivery on board. Crane Service, towing and launching, repairs.
- [email protected]; Tel: +39 (0963) 573 202; Fax: +39 (0963) 573 202 ; Mobile: +39 (338) 346 8280; VHF channels 10 & 16
- Address: Via Emilia, 89900 Vibo Marina, Italy
Marina Carmelo
Full, service marina. Showers and WC, drinking water, 220 and 380V electricit, TV Sockets. Technical interventions of all kinds.
- [email protected]; Tel: +39 (0963) 572 630; Fax: +30 (0963) 575 539; Mobile: +39 (333) 25 28 806; VHF channels 12 & 16
- Address: Via Emilia, 64, 89900 Vibo Valentia Marina, Italy
Pontile Marina Azzurra
Water, electricity, WiFi, car rentals.
- [email protected]; Tel/fax: +39 () 572 784; Mobile: +39 (338) 337 9448; VHF channel XX
- Address: Via Emilia, 73, 89900 Vibo Valentia VV, Italy
Anchorages
None.
Amenities
Facilities | |
---|---|
Water | Water points on the pontoons |
Electricity | Electricity points on the pontoons |
Toilets | In Marina Stella del Sud and Marina Carmelo |
Showers | In Marina Stella del Sud and Marina Carmelo |
Laundry | In Marina Stella del Sud |
Garbage | Bins at all pontoons |
Supplies | |
Fuel | Fuel station on the quay (24 hrs in summer) |
Bottled gas | ? |
Chandlers | ? |
Services | |
Repairs | Slipway. Mobile crane (40T). Engine, electrical and electronic repairs. Hull repairs (all types). Hard standing. Divers |
Internet | WiFi in Marina Stella del Sud and Marina Azzurra |
Mobile connectivity | ? |
Vehicle rentals |
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Provisioning
- Some shops around the harbour; more up in the town (15 minutes walk uphill)
- Sisa supermarket one kilometer away
Eating out
- Restaurants and pizzerias near the harbour
- Maria Rosa restaurant is good
Transportation
- E45 autostrada passes within two miles of town
- Trains to Rome, Naples and Reggio di Calabria
- International Airport Lamezia Terme (30 min by taxi)
Tourism
The climb up to the castle is suitably bracing; the castle contains a museum. Some 350 metres of the walls of ancient Hipponion remain, along with the foundations of several defensive towers. The cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore e San Leoluca was constructed in the 9th century on the ruins of a Byzantine basilica. Inside is a 18th century marble high altar with a 16th century sculpture of "Madonna della Neve" and a Renaissance triptych.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
- Vibo Valentia at the Wikipedia
- Vibo Valentia at the Wikivoyage
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 Vibo Valentia and this page's details validated:
- August 2003--Athene of Lymington 16:17, 18 December 2010 (UTC)
- July 2017--Troldand
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 |