Ports Dossier 2015 – Discovering the Central Tyrrhenian and Sardinia

Continued with the second installment, dedicated to the central Tyrrhenian Sea and Sardinia, our voyage of discovery of the main marinas and equipped ports of the Italian coast: we will start with an overview of the mooring situation (complete with indicative prices), then we will indicate an ideal itinerary and finally we will propose the “big list” of marinas in the analyzed area.

NAVY ANALYSIS
With as many as 48 marinas and about 41 thousand berths available for boaters, the area we have defined as the Central Tyrrhenian Sea, which also includes Sardinia, is a magnificent destination for those who like to take their boating vacations. In addition to the Roman coastline and the Eternal City itself, those who decide to leave their boat here have a wide range of must-see tourist destinations. Such as even the lonely but beautiful Pontine Islands. And while continental marinas are appealing mainly to boaters from central Italian cities, Rome above all, particular is the case with Sardinia. Here in fact, taking advantage of the ever-expanding network of low-cost air connections in fact, even boat owners who live year-round far away from the Sardinian island have the opportunity to leave their boat. Of course the expenses would increase in theory, although then going through the the annual rental rates of the various marinas we see that those in Sardinia have lower costs on average and that is, between a minimum of 3 thousand and a maximum of 6 thousand euros for a twelve-meter. How is this possible? Simple, it is a matter of averaging the cost of a berth in the high season (considerable) and the rates in the winter months (very advantageous).

THE ITINERARIES.
Discovering the lands of Latium
It starts from the coast of Tuscia Etrusca, an area that borders Tuscany and belonged to the ancient Etruscan people: home to the beautiful beaches of Graticciate and Murelle and inland the Etruscan necropolis of Vulci. Fort Michelangelo, a majestic bastion erected in the 1500s to guard the harbor, is the symbol of Civitavecchia and was completed by the genius of Michelangelo himself. Further south, the seaside resorts of Ladispoli, Fregene and Lido di Ostia introduce the stretch of coastline that for centuries has been the sea outlet of Rome, which is also easily accessible by land, and in which there are unique archaeological settlements, such as the remains of the 4th B.C. city of Ostia Antica. Also ancient is Anzio, one of the safest natural harbors on the entire Latium coast, while touristy is Sabaudia, a town built in 1933 on a peninsula set between the two arms of the lake of the same name. Just south of its center are the beautiful sand dunes, up to 27 meters high, that make Sabaudia beach truly special. This is where the protected area of the Circeo National Park begins (www.parcocirceo.it), a symbolic place of the Latium coastline that develops around the promontory of Mount Circeo. Closing the Latium coastline to the south is Sperlonga, gathered around a limestone promontory and surrounded by fascinating beaches, and the Gulf of Gaeta: home to Gaeta itself, a city of Roman origin with numerous historical monuments, such as the Castle and the Grotta del Turco.

Among the Pontine Islands
Positioned in the middle of the Tyrrhenian Sea in front of the coasts of Gaeta and Circeo, the islands are grouped in two: to the north Ponza, Palmarola and Zannone, and to the south Ventotene and Santo Stefano. Ponza is best known for small beaches surrounded by high cliffs such as Chiaia di Luna. Ventotene, on the other hand, is loved not only for its blue sea and volcanic coastline but also for the many Roman ruins of villas and aqueducts and especially the ancient harbor.

Sardinia, many destinations in one
Queen of the Mediterranean Sea, a sea of which it is the second largest island after Sicily, it offers a necklace of beaches and bays along 1,850 kilometers of coastline. Not to mention that it is surrounded by many other small islands, including Asinara, San Pietro and the La Maddalena Archipelago: this, which is also protected by a nature reserve, is one of the most magical places and includes true pearls such as Budelli, Razzoli, Santa Maria and Spargi. To which are added the larger but no less beautiful Caprera: Among the unique bays are Cala Lunga in Razzoli, Spiaggia Rosa in Budelli, Cala Corsara in Spargi, and Cala Coticcio in Caprera. The house with Garibaldi’s memorabilia is also located on the island.

For many, however, Sardinia begins and ends in its northeast, that wonderful corner of the island made famous by the Costa Smeralda’s fame, the splendid coastline between Poltu Quatu and Cala Razza di Juncu. A reputation deserved by landscapes of great beauty, where granite and scrubland vie for space, leaving it occasionally to a few splendid coves of fine sand. But that’s not all: also worth visiting is Tavolara Island with the splendid Cala Spalmatore and the limestone rampart that dominates it. Curious of course is instead Porto Cervo, the kingdom of VIPs and the beautiful world, where people go to see and be seen in the famous little square. Just outside Arzachena, Li Lolghi and Lu Coddhu ‘Ecchju, on the other hand, are the Tombs of the Giants among the largest and best-preserved nuragic tombs on the island. The west coast of Sardinia is the least frequented by boaters. If up to the end of the Gulf of Asinara are well-known localities such as Castelsardo, with its pastel-colored houses perched on a rocky outcrop, and Stintino, past the Island of Asinara (worth seeing for its Natural Park and transparent waters) one enters a magical and lonely realm. Where the “Catalan” Alghero and the Caves of Neptune, among the most spectacular in the Mediterranean, stand out. And still further south here you can discover the solitary beauty of the Sinis Peninsula and the overlooking Mal di Ventre Island, belonging to another Marine Reserve. And again, in the northern part of the Gulf of Oristano, one can admire, on the seashore, the Phoenician ruins of Tharros, which at sunrise and sunset offer magnificent scenery. Even less frequented is the Iglesiente region, with the famous dunes of Piscinas as high as twenty meters. Along the southeast coast are other spectacular scenery: first and foremost Carloforte lively village on the Island of San Pietro, famous for the goodness of its tuna. Then Nora, site of spectacular ruins of an ancient Phoenician city that can be admired from the boat. And Cagliari, with the fortress of Su Casteddu. Also, the Sea Ox Cave in Cala Gonone, a kilometer-long journey underground among small lakes and granite.

THE “LIST” OF MAJOR MARINAS AND EQUIPPED PORTS

Marina Riva di Traiano www.rivaditraiano.com

Marina di Santa Marinella www.marinadisantamarinella.com

Fiumara Grande Porto Romano www.portoromano.com

Tourist Port of Rome www.portoturisticodiroma.net

Neptune Marina www.nettunomarina.com

Marina di Gaeta www.basenautica.com

Formia Porto di Levante www.portodilevanteformia.it

Marina Porto Massimo www.marinadiportomassimo.it

Marina di Porto Rotondo www.marinadiportorotondo.it

Marina di Porto Cervo www.marinadiportocervo.it

Marina Sant’Elmo Alghero www.marinadisantelmo.it

Marina di Torregrande www.marineoristanesi.it

Marina del Sole Cagliari www.marinasole-santelmo.com

Marina di Capitana www.marinadicapitana.it

Marina di Villasimius www.marinadivillasimius.it

EXPLORE OUR PORTS 2015 DOSSIER