Messina Italy, July 2017.

We would not recommend Marina Nettuno in the Messina Strait. We paid 110 euros for a 43ft sailing vessel for one night. This marina is not protected from ferries passing by. Staff is friendly though and the facilities are fine.

Cheers, Sailinglyra.com

The cruise ship Carnival Vista damaged piers and yachts at Messina Marina.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BlUOfynknc

We set sail from Milazzo Sicily transiting south through the straits in reasonable weather. We called up VTS radio to advise of our entry on approach but received no reply. We had a pleasant voyage as far as the south end of the TSS.

We were sailing along on passage to Roccella Ionica on the south coast of Italy, it was 21.00, the night was dark and visibility poor. We were north of Capo Spartivento when we heard the sound of powerful engines coming from behind. We could see no lights. As this vessel closed on us within a few meters we were becoming very concerned, then all of a sudden we were lit up by a powerful searchlight. We were studied for about ten minutes, no radio contact, no requests to board us, then the light went out and the vessel took off at high speed into the dark with no navigation lights on. We assumed it was the guardia costiera?

We arrived at the port of Ionica at 03.30 and grounded on the bar at the entrance to the port, we draw 2.2M. We rocked DeDanann off the bar and dropped the hook in 5M of water outside the port. Then, as before, we heard powerful engines coming from seaward, no lights showing, and again we were lit up and studied by the guardia costiera. They then took off into the dark as before.

Whilst it is reassuring to know this coast is being patrolled, it is un-nerving when they come upon you out of nowhere.