On our way to Crotone from Roccella de Ionica (Italy-south), we decided, due to much more wind than forecasted, to visit Le Castella  (GPS: 38N 54.673 & 017E 01.614).

Some things mentioned in the Mediterranean Almanac are no longer correct.

There is no longer a sluice/opening in the eastern part of the yacht basin, the depth at the places where we moved was all the time more than 3 meters. It was closed more than 8 years ago, due to the harbour personnel.

For the payment,  they use the width of the ship. We had to pay 50 € / night for a 3.95 wide boat. This scale runs from 3.61 up to 4.5 meters regardless of the length.

There is one place for a 17-meter boat, it is the former day trip boat place, you have to go alongside.

The harbour is created for small fishing boats up to 10 meters.

Water and electricity were at 30 meters distance. There are a guard / Marinero and security cameras.

At night it looks the same as day, so much lights they put on, sitting in the cockpit one can read a newspaper.

Good supermarket at 200 meters.  Small chandlery at 50 meters.

There is is a kind of holliday resort at 1,5 km to the north-west, the village itself consists of very poor looking houses and a lot of unfinished small apartment blocks.

The harbour looks well maintained, it is run by the local government.

There is nothing to see here, but an old castle at the entrance of the harbour.

But in bad weather, it is a welcome refuge.

We had no problems with entering the entrance with wind force 6 from 70 degrees.

A small day tripper boat went out at the same time.

Peter Ter Haar

Yacht Funny Girl

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Le Castella