Italy – Ligurian Sea - 2000

Pilot: Italian Waters Pilot by Rod Heikell. Fifth Edition. Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson.

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Portosole, San Remo Riviera Ponente

Lat

43° 48' 9 N

Long

007° 47'.3 E

Information Date:

April, 2000

Pilot Page Number:

38

Cost per night:

53,150 L

We arrived in San Remo on a Saturday and walked into the town. It was absolutely horrendous with so many people that it was impossible to make our way through the streets. We gave up and went back to Retreat. We learnt later that it was market day and that tourists and locals had been bussed in from miles around. On Sunday and Monday it was much quieter and we were able to find a reasonable supermarket and a new engine-starting battery. We could not find the flower market mentioned in the pilot nor did the Tourist Office know anything about a cable car up Mount Bignone. The old town was very interesting to walk around.

Alassio Riviera Ponente

Lat

44° 01' 1 N

Long

008° 11' 7 E

Information Date:

April, 2000

Pilot Page Number:

46

Cost per night:

25,500 L

A very well protected, reasonably priced marina.

Varezze Riviera Ponente

Lat

44° 21' 1 N

Long

008° 34'.1 E

Information Date:

April, 2000

Pilot Page Number:

51

Cost per night:

Free

A small harbour on the edge of a large tourist resort. We were directed to an un-serviced pontoon where the first two nights were free. The walk into the town was long and unpleasant involving a difficult section along a busy road with no pavements. However, the harbour was pleasant enough although access to the berths was rather tight.

Chiavari Riviera Levante

Lat

44° 18' 6 N

Long

009° 19'.1 E

Information Date:

May, 2000

Pilot Page Number:

65

Cost per night:

60,000 L

This large marina has recently been re-furbished with smart new quays and service points. The showers are run as an independent business and are, therefore, not included in the overnight charge. The old town is very interesting with colonnaded streets though we failed to find a decent supermarket. The section of the coast known as the ‘Cinque Terre’ to the south of Chiavari is very interesting.

Seno delle Grazie Riviera Levante

Lat

44° 04' 1 N

Long

009° 50'.6 E

Information Date:

May, 2000

Pilot Page Number:

74

Cost per night:

nil

We spent a peaceful night at anchor in Seno delle Grazie in 8 metres on 30 metres chain just outside the permanent moorings. The bottom was good holding in thick mud.

Viareggio Tuscany

Lat

43° 51' 7 N

Long

010° 14'.1 E

Information Date:

May, 2000

Pilot Page Number:

101

Cost per night:

40,800 L

We were allocated a berth in the Darsena della Madonnia which was secure enough in the light winds we experienced at the time. A few boats were moored to the wall in the Canale Burlamacca which, we understand is free. However, they looked very uncomfortable and subject to both wash and swell. We would not recommend this option. We took the bus from Viareggio to Pisa, a very worthwhile trip. We found a large supermarket east of the railway but it was a very long walk from the harbour. Follow the Canale Burlamacca inland to the railway, cross the railway bridge and the supermarket is on your left.

Neither of our two GPS receivers could get a fix inside the harbour. Furthermore, as we left, our autopilot made a sudden 90 degree turn towards the harbour wall. There would appear to be some odd things in the ether at Viareggio!