Santa Maria de Leuca
From CruisersWiki
Santa Marina di Leuca, Italy
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| 39°47.6′N, 18°21.5′E |
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| [ Photo gallery] |
| [ Local chartlet] |
The harbour of Santa Maria di Leuca lies at the extreme southern tip of the ‘heel’ of the Italian peninsula, where the Ionian and Adriatic seas meet. It is a popular port of call for yachts transiting the Golfo di Taranto en route to Greece or Sicily. Apart from its position as the ‘gateway to Italy’ from S and E, the town is also famous for its lighthouse, one of the tallest in Italy, and its Basilica De Finibus Terrae (land's end), built in the 18th century to commemorate the arrival of St Peter here on his way to preach in Rome around 60 AD. The area around Santa Maria di Leuca is riddled with limestone caves, in some of which prehistoric remains have been found.
Charts
British Admiralty 187, 188
Italian charts 919, 920, 28
Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Local Weather
During the summer the prevailing winds in the Ionian are light to moderate SW or SE seabreezes. In spring and autumn northerly winds are more frequent and can quickly rise to near gale force, especially in the lee of high mountain ranges. Winds in summer are generally light from the Straits of Messina until reaching the Golfo di Squillace between Rocella Ionica and Le Castella. With anything W in the wind, it tends to funnel down here over the mountains of southern Calabria, bringing strong gusts and raising an uncomfortable sea. The conditions to avoid, however, when cruising this part of the Ionian coast are strong southerlies. The harbours here are few and far between and none of them are really safe to enter in such conditions. Further east in the Gulf of Taranto local seabreezes predominate during the summer, although a light to moderate northerly is not uncommon. With strong southerlies, a heavy and uncomfortable swell develops across the whole gulf. Sources for weather information:
- There is a continuous (computerised 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 Roma, Cagliari (Sardinia) and Augusta (Sicily).
In the approach from N, beware of the dangerous reef of Secche di Ugento, which extends 1.5 miles offshore between Torre San Giovanni and Torre Pali. A yacht heading along this coast should keep at least two miles offshore. In the approach to the harbour of Santa Maria di Leuca the lighthouse on Capo Santa Maria di Leuca immediately E of the harbour, one of the largest in Italy, is conspicuous. Closer in, the breakwaters of the harbour are clearly identifiable. The harbour is entered from WSW, staying in the centre of the channel to avoid reported shoals on either side.
Check-in facilities (for Customs and Immigration)
Contact the harbour authorities on VHF channel 12 prior to entry. To port on entering the harbour are a series of pontoons providing a total of 700 berths, of which 252 are allocated to leisure craft and 32 for yachts in transit. The berths are managed by the company Porto Turistico Marina di Leuca. Maximum length on the pontoons 40 metres. Depths at the pontoons range from 2.0 metres inshore to 7.5 metres at the outer end. Laid moorings at all berths. Water and electricity on the pontoons. Toilets and showers. Shelter is good here in most conditions, although strong SW winds send in a swell which can become dangerous.
Offshore Islands and Groups
None.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Anchorages
None.
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
Submit addresses and contact details of marine related businesses that are of interest to cruisers.
Repairs/Yards
- Slipway. Travel lift (100 T). Mobile crane (20 T). Hard standing. Engine, electrical and electronic repairs. Wood and fiberglass hull repairs. Sail repairs. Divers.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
Fuel station on the quay (0800 - 2000). Water and electricity on the pontoons.
Tourism and Things to do Ashore
Tourism
The town’s main claim to fame is the brief stay of St Peter here on his way to Rome around 60 AD. Later in the 1st century AD, a group of monks founded a small church here, replaced in the 18 century with a large basilica now accessed via 184 steps up from the harbour. Also near the site is a Corinthian column erected in 1939 to commemorate the completion of the Apulian Aqueduct. Inland from the harbour are some smart (if rather faded) villas built in the 19th century.
Grocery & Supply Stores
- Provisions shops in the town.
Eateries
- Several restaurants and pizzerias in the town.
Internet/WiFi
None.
Laundry
None.
Motorbike & Car Rentals
- Rental outlets in the town.
Garbage Disposal
Bins in the marina.
Transportation
Transportation (local and/or international)
- Buses to Taranto and Brindisi.
- Local and international flights from Brindisi (88 km) and Bari (200 km) airports.
- Train station with connections to Lecce and beyond.
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
Links to relevant websites.
References & Publications
Publications, Guides, etc.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- May 2004 --Athene of Lymington 18:48, 22 December 2010 (UTC)
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
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| HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Mediterranean | Italy | Taranto | |
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