Vieste — Gargano Peninsula
Porto di Vieste · Vieste bay anchorage
41°52.9'N 16°10.7'E
Depth
3–8m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Excellent holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m on excellent sand in 3–6m. Vieste is the primary sailing hub for the Gargano coast and the gateway to the Tremiti Islands (15nm N). Monitor Adriatic weather carefully — the transition from Scirocco (SE) to Tramontana (N) can be rapid and violent on the Italian Adriatic coast.
About This Anchorage
Vieste is the most dramatically situated town on the Gargano peninsula — the 'spur' of Italy's boot — built on a narrow white limestone promontory with the medieval town perched on the rock and two bays (S and N) giving shelter from different wind directions. The Gargano is Italy's wildest national park — the Foresta Umbra (dense oak forest on the Gargano plateau, unique in the treeless Puglia landscape) and the extraordinary coastal sea stacks (faraglioni) and sea caves make it exceptional. Vieste is the ferry departure point for the Tremiti Islands.
Protected From
N · NW · W
Exposed To
E · NE · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free to anchor. Vieste marina berths at commercial rate.
- Maximum stay
- 5 days
- Permit required
- No
- Permit details
- No AMP permit. Standard Italian maritime rules. Capitaneria di Porto Manfredonia Ch 16.
Restrictions: No anchoring on Posidonia. Keep clear of the ferry lane to the Tremiti Islands. Speed limit 5 kn in harbour area.
Hazards
- !Bora (NE): The Adriatic Bora can reach Vieste with significant force — the S bay provides some shelter from N/NW but not from NE; in severe Bora, the marina is the only safe option
- !Scirocco (SE): Directs swell into the S bay — in Scirocco above F4, move to the N bay (more protected from SE) or enter the marina
- !Gargano coastal rocks: The Gargano coastline has numerous offshore rocks and sea stacks — navigate carefully with large-scale charts; do not pass between the stacks at night
- !Tremiti Island passage: The 15nm N passage to the Tremiti requires a settled forecast — Adriatic sea conditions deteriorate rapidly in wind above F4
Skipper's Tips
- →The Gargano sea stacks (faraglioni) along the coast between Vieste and Mattinata are spectacular — the Pizzomunno faraglione (a single 25m white rock pinnacle directly S of Vieste) is particularly dramatic at sunset
- →The Foresta Umbra (ancient beech and oak forest on the Gargano plateau, 5km inland) is completely different from the coastal landscape — a full-day excursion by hire car reveals deer, wild boar, and extraordinary tree-cathedral scenery
- →The Grotta della Campana (sea cave accessible from the S bay by dinghy in calm conditions) has remarkable geological formations
- →Vieste is the best provisioning stop for the Tremiti crossing — fill fuel, water, and provisions before departing; the Tremiti have limited facilities
Facilities
Excellent restaurants in Vieste's old town — try the local specialties: troccoli pasta with swordfish ragù and the Gargano honey and olive oil. The daily fish market by the harbour is outstanding.
Nearest provisions: Vieste town centre (0.3nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, July, August, September, October
Best May–October. The Gargano coast is Puglia's most scenic but the Adriatic weather is less predictable than the Tyrrhenian — always have a weather window before departing toward the Tremiti.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 90m
The Adriatic Bora arrives fast. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position all night — alerting you the moment your anchor starts to drag.
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