Roccella Ionica - General Info
Description:
A useful port of call on the eastern shore of the “toe” of Italy and one that is starting to become popular with liveaboards over the winter period. The marina is approx. 1 km from Roccella town (accessed by a bicycle path along a white sandy beach), and 2 km from Caulonia on the other side. Both towns have nice markets, Caulonia on Saturday and Roccella on Tuesday. Roccella Ionica is one of only eight Italian municipalities that has received the awards of the “Five Sails” and the “European Blue Flag”. The Medieval Caraffa Castle overlooks the town. Repair facilities here are, however, very limited.
Entrance Notes and Cautions:
It is important to contact the marina before entering on VHF Ch. 14. Whilst the entrance here is regularly dredged to 3m. it does have a tendency to silt up (in particular over the winter). The channel moves constantly and entry in winds of above force 6/7 or swell of more than 1.0 metre is not recommended. Depth at the entrance is maintained at 3.5m – keeping close to the port side of the entrance.
Position:
38° 19.43’N, 16° 25.75’E (marina entrance)
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Related to following destinations: Italy, Roccella Ionica, South Coast (Ionian Sea)
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Roccella Marina. Excellent service, finger pontoons, Coast Guard on site. Very reasonably priced. 2019 for 13 m sailboat, 65 euro first night, 55 second night and 45 for subsequent nights. DIY laundry,
July 2019
Just as all others here say, very friendly and helpful staff. The Mooring Men are sometimes very busy speeding around the marina to assist arriving guests. Francesco and Alessandra at the office are going out of their way to help out. Rates are good, so good we decided to make it our homeport for 2019/20. Our draft is 2,6meters and staying in the middle of the channel will get you in and out. Dredging will begin in spring. Also a Travellift is in the planing for next year. The fishing harbor, west side of marina, is lively on odd hours but not very noisy. Does not bother us although next to our mooring. The only thing missing is a chandler, but getting stuff via web is doable. Bit of a walk to showers and washing machine and are due for modernisation. The countryside is fabulous, reeking of medieval and ancient architecture and food is very reasonably priced both in restaurants and markets. This whole area or region has an understated charm about it. Plethora of beaches beginning by the marina. A km or two walk into town. Both cars, bikes and electric bikes may be rented. Top notch Gelato in the little coffeshop/convenience store. Mike & Bi on Artemis – Beneteau 57
Roccella Ionica, is highly recommended for a stop over under the foot of Italy. The information given in Rod Heikells ITALIAN WATERS PILOT is outdated. Minimum depth encountered was 3.5 meters. The staff here are EXCELLENT, by far the best I have ever encountered anywhere. Price was 65 euro for a 13.6 mono. Did I mention that the staff are friendly, helpful and go out of their was to help where-ever possible. Self-service laundry, bike hire etc, etc etc.
Wintering in Roccella Ionica. We spent the winter of 2017-18 (Oct-Apr) here and can’t sing their praises enough. The marina may not be the prettiest around but it is definitely value for money; they have raised their prices this year but are still, I believe, the cheapest in Italy. The marina is quite isolated. It is a 30-minute walk from town, which is quiet, and if you want to do a big shop or need hardware stores you’ll need a car, the nearest car hire is at Lamezia Terme airport.
If you want kicking nightlife, go elsewhere. The marina is surprisingly well sheltered from the prevailing SW winds that topped 60 kts on a couple of occasions this winter and when the winds pick up the marina staff are very attentive. Facilities are limited, the pizzeria and mini market appear to close for the winter, but there is a dedicated Club House for the sole use of the winter liveaboards and there are occasionally pedal cycles to borrow to get into town.
There are also plans (I stress plans) to provide additional facilities, such as winter storage huts for sails etc and an electric car and or mini bus for transport into town and beyond. The only draw back is that there is little in the way of security and a number of thefts of pedal cycles have occurred. On one occasion Marina Staff out in town saw one stolen bike and retrieved it from the kids riding it and returned it to its owner. (Padlocks are always a good idea)
Having said all this I wish to flag up the biggest selling point of the marina; the Staff. They are brilliant.
Francesco and Alessandra are the nicest, most helpful people we have ever encountered in marina management, anywhere. Very customer focused and can’t do enough to help.
As a wintering location, Roccella is ideal. Inexpensive, protected and a good location on the way to or from Greece or the Adriatic and Albania is within easy reach for non EU visitors needing to leave the EU temporarily. We’re returning for 2018-19 as are a number of others. Well worth considering.
September 15th, 2017
According to the Marina Office, the entry channel is regularly dredged to 3.5-4m.
When we entered yesterday, Sept. 14th, 2017, with 2.1m draft, the lowest value on our depth sounder was 3.9m.
Editor’s Note: This lost comment was recovered from the system but the poster’s name was lost.
Roccella Ionica – August 2017, my second visit to Porto Delle Grazie – Marina di Roccella. Very nice marina, very well managed, fantastic service. The marina manager Mr Franchesco is always very very helpful. It is a real pleasure to visit there. Despite what is written in the Rob Heikell pilot book, they have dredged the channel entrance to the marina and you can just go in and out using the middle of the channel (this might change in time). The pizza is still there – just fantastic!!!
We recently spent six days in Roccella Ionica and found the Porto Delle Grazie marina perfect for a restful stay. The restaurant is quite good and very reasonable, mooring fees were a relief, and the staff, including Alessandra and Francesco, were friendly and very responsive. They are problem-solvers and perhaps the most attractive feature of the marina. Additional businesses at the marina now include a small “mini-market” with essential groceries and beverages. It’s a very pleasant place.
We spent the winter 16/17 here – well sheltered, very helpful and friendly staff, excellent winter rates, free bikes to go to town. Great markets close by (Saturday and Tuesday). The entrance is regularly dredged now to approx. 3m, however best to call on radio channel 14 to get guidance. Would certainly stay there again, best rates in the Med! 1100 Euros for a winter package for a 53-foot boat including vat, water and electricity!
Posted by Kevin Chilvers elsewhere on the site:
We are in Roccella Ionica on the boot of Italy for the winter. Quiet well-sheltered marina with friendly staff. Town a 30 min walk along a flat paved path (or free bike hire from the marina). Easy access to airports via regular train and bus services. Also allows easy touring. 900 Euros / 6mths – 11m yacht.
Roccella and its port have always been one of our favourites in the Med. We have spent the past winter here and have thoroughly enjoyed being here. We lacked for nothing. The plan is to return here again this winter. The liveaboard community this year was very small, but we expect it only to grow. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful, and the marina is actively soliciting winter liveaboards.
When entering, we strongly advise calling in on 14/16 to get assistance to pass through the harbour opening. It does have a tendency to silt up, but it will be dredged to a depth of 3.5m and maintained at that depth.
Messina Straits, Italy – October 2014
Reported by SY DeDanann
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.
Now renamed Porto Delle Grazie Roccella Jonica marina Tel. +39 0964 85847 e.mail: info@portodellegrazie.it and charging fees comparable with nearby marinas eg Euros 80 for a 16.5m yacht. Water & Electricity included. Toilet block very far from the pontoon. Wifi at the office only. I believe it is still possible to moor on the quay which is controlled by the Coastia Guardia. Dept at the entrance is 3.5m keeping close the port side of the entrance. Call on channel 16 or 14. Pizza restaurant still there offering 1 or 1/2m pizzas at a good value