Syracuse — Porto Grande (Ortigia)
Siracusa Porto Grande · Syracuse Great Harbour · Ortigia anchorage
37°03.9'N 15°17.4'E
Depth
5–15m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Good holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m in the Porto Grande anchorage in 5–12m. The harbour is very well protected — the only potential issue is a severe Scirocco/Levante from SE which can push swell through the wide harbour entrance, though the harbour is large enough to dampen most swell. The Scoglio dei Cani (rocks 300m E of Ortigia) must be given a clear berth in the approach from N.
About This Anchorage
Syracuse (Siracusa) is one of the greatest cities of antiquity — founded by Corinthian colonists in 734 BC, it became the largest Greek city in the Mediterranean and the rival of Athens. The island of Ortigia connected to the mainland by two bridges is the historic heart — the Piazza del Duomo (built over a Greek Doric temple, now the Cathedral), the Fonte Aretusa freshwater spring on the harbour edge, and the Ear of Dionysius (a limestone quarry cave with remarkable acoustics) are extraordinary. The Porto Grande (Great Harbour) was the site of the catastrophic defeat of the Athenian fleet in 413 BC. For sailors, Syracuse is one of the finest Mediterranean historic ports — the anchorage in the Porto Grande is within walking distance of world-class archaeological sites.
Protected From
all directions
Exposed To
SE (harbour entrance)
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free to anchor in the Porto Grande. Marina berths at commercial rate.
- Maximum stay
- 7 days
- Permit required
- No
- Permit details
- No AMP permit. Standard Italian maritime rules. Porto Grande is a working commercial and pleasure harbour. Call Capitaneria di Porto Siracusa on Ch 16 for current instructions.
Restrictions: No anchoring on Posidonia. The approach from the N: give Scoglio dei Cani rocks (300m E of Ortigia) a clear berth. From S: give Punta del Castello (SE tip of Ortigia) minimum 100m clearance. No anchoring in the main commercial port area. Archaeological site: no anchor drops in marked underwater heritage zones.
Hazards
- !Scoglio dei Cani: Rocks 300m E of Ortigia's N tip — the approach from the N must give a clear berth; give at least 400m clearance
- !Punta del Castello shoals: The SE tip of Ortigia has rocks and shoals extending 100m E and S — approach only from the W
- !Scirocco from SE: The wide harbour entrance faces SE — a sustained Scirocco can create uncomfortable swell in the anchorage; the harbour is large enough to absorb most swell but in severe Scirocco (F7+) conditions are poor
- !Commercial port traffic: Sicily's eastern coast has significant commercial shipping (Augusta petrochemical port, 16nm N) — maintain VHF watch on Ch 16 when transiting the coastal approaches
Skipper's Tips
- →The Museo Archeologico Regionale Paolo Orsi is one of the finest Greek archaeology museums in the world — allow a full day; the collection includes Venus Landolina, the Landolina Venus
- →The Ear of Dionysius (Orecchio di Dionisio) in the Latomie del Paradiso quarry has a whisper-to-shout acoustic effect that has fascinated visitors since Caravaggio's visit in 1608
- →The Ortigia morning market (everyday, 07:00–13:00) on Via Trento e Trieste is one of Sicily's finest — fresh swordfish, red tuna, sea urchins (ricci) and extraordinary Sicilian street food
- →Time your visit for the Feast of Santa Lucia (December 13) if sailing in autumn — the largest religious procession in Sicily fills the harbour with lights and boats
Facilities
World-class restaurants in Ortigia — the Ristorante Archimede is a Syracuse institution (founded 1938). The daily market on Via Trento e Trieste has the finest fresh Sicilian produce and seafood in SE Sicily.
Nearest provisions: Ortigia market / Siracusa town centre (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
April, May, June, September, October, November
Year-round accessible as a major port. Best sailing April–June and September–November when Scirocco risk is lower (though Scirocco can occur in any season). July–August is peak tourist season but the Porto Grande has space for yachts year-round.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 90m
Scirocco and Tramontana can make Sicilian anchorages untenable in hours. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously — so you sleep safely.
Download Free for iOS