Ventotene — Porto Romano
Porto Vecchio Ventotene · Porto Romano Ventotene · Ancient Roman harbour
40°47.8'N 13°26.1'E
Depth
2–3m
Bottom
rock
Alarm Radius
30m
Holding
Poor holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
30m
30m inside Porto Romano — the harbour is fully enclosed and requires almost no alarm radius inside. The 30m is to detect any slippage on the dock lines rather than anchor dragging. CRITICAL: the entrance is 30m wide and 1.6m deep — any error in entry means grounding on the rock-cut walls; enter only in daylight, at dead slow speed with a bow watch. Maximum LOA 12m, draft 1.80m.
About This Anchorage
Ventotene is historically one of the most significant small islands in the Mediterranean — the island where Augustus exiled his daughter Julia (for moral impropriety, 2 BC), where Caligula exiled his sisters, and where Mussolini was imprisoned in 1943. The Porto Romano is a 2,000-year-old rock-cut harbour — the Romans cut into the volcanic tuff to create a completely enclosed harbour; it is one of the best-preserved ancient harbour works in the world. The harbour is still in use by small boats. The famous Ventotene Manifesto (1941), written by Altiero Spinelli and Ernesto Rossi while imprisoned here by Mussolini, was foundational to the European Union concept. The island is a migrating bird observation point of European significance (hundreds of species pass through each spring and autumn).
Protected From
all directions (inside harbour)
Exposed To
NE entrance
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Porto Romano: quay mooring fee (contact harbour authority). Porto Nuovo di Ventotene (main modern harbour): marina berths available.
- Maximum stay
- 5 days
- Permit required
- No
- Permit details
- No AMP permit currently required. Standard Italian maritime rules. WARNING: Secca delle Sconciglie (700m W of Porto Nuovo exit) — this dangerous shoal must be identified on the chart before departing W toward Ponza. Porto Romano: contact harbour authority (Comune di Ventotene) for berthing fee and availability.
Restrictions: Porto Romano: maximum LOA 12m, maximum draft 1.80m. STRICTLY do not enter with a vessel exceeding these limits. Entrance is one-way — VHF coordination required with other users. Secca delle Sconciglie: hazardous shoal 700m W of Porto Nuovo exit; marked on charts; give 500m minimum clearance.
Hazards
- !Porto Romano entrance: The 30m-wide, 1.6m-deep entrance to the ancient harbour is the primary hazard — grounding risk in any vessel exceeding draft 1.80m or LOA 12m; enter at 1 kn max with a bow watch
- !Secca delle Sconciglie (CRITICAL HAZARD): A shoal 700m from the Porto Nuovo exit when proceeding W — not always buoyed in all conditions; identify the position on the chart and give minimum 500m clearance; in rough conditions it breaks
- !Rock bottom (S coast): The beach area on the S coast has predominantly rocky bottom with only limited sand; poor holding for anchoring
- !Limited escape options: In deteriorating weather, Porto Romano is too small for most yachts and Porto Nuovo may be crowded — always have a departure plan ready
Skipper's Tips
- →Porto Romano can be entered by vessels up to 12m LOA and 1.80m draft — measure carefully; the experience of mooring in a 2,000-year-old rock-cut harbour is completely unique
- →The Ventotene Manifesto exhibition at the SERD library (near the main square) documents the island's remarkable role in European federalist thought — genuinely important European history
- →The migratory bird season (September–October for autumn passage, March–May for spring) is spectacular from Ventotene — dozens of warbler, flycatcher, and raptor species concentrate on the island; the local birdwatching association (CSRV) sometimes has guided walks
- →The Roman emperor Augustus's imperial prison complex (where Julia was exiled) is visible as rock-cut chambers in the cliff near the N end of the island — accessible by walking path from the village
Facilities
Good restaurants in Ventotene village. The island produces an excellent local white wine (Ventotene DOC) and olive oil. Porto Nuovo (modern harbour) has full marina facilities.
Nearest provisions: Ventotene village / Porto Nuovo (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, September, October
Best May–June and September–October. September–October is the peak bird migration season — an extraordinary combination of sailing and birdwatching. July–August: the island is busy but much less so than Ponza.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
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