Captain Ron's cruising notebook
Approach notes, berthing and anchoring detail, depths, VHF channels, shelter, fuel, and where to eat when the boat is sorted. Written aboard, from Croatia down to Malta and west along Sicily. Where we have not been, it says so.
Current stop · August 2026
The right hole on Sicily's south coast when it goes north-westerly. Approach to Porto di Sciacca, Circolo Nautico il Corallo on VHF 13 — not the CB channel 14 the old pilots still print — no guaranteed shore power, fishing-fleet timings, and what to eat when you are tied up.
Read Sciacca guideThe practical landfall on a coast with very few doors. Marina di Cala del Sole, anchoring in the roads on sand, the south-Sicily lee-shore rule, and the bolt-hole spacing between Licata, Porto Empedocle, Sciacca and Mazara.
Read Licata guideApproach, depths, shelter directions, the Corallo pontoon past the fuel dock, and the 13:00–18:00 window when the trawlers all come home at once.
Read Sciacca guideBerthing at Marina di Valletta, Pieta: VHF 13, the Manoel Island shelter, Gregale, ferry traffic, Msida fuel, and what living aboard through a Maltese summer actually costs you in sleep.
Read Marsamxett guideAnchoring at the Blue Lagoon: eco-moorings and Posidonia rules, day-tripper and ferry traffic, the North and South Comino Channels, and where the quiet overnight actually is.
Read Comino guideAnchoring at Ramla l-Hamra, holding, depth and exposure, the approach to Mgarr and its ferry fairway, and where to run when the north gets ideas.
Read Gozo guideA week at anchor in Porto Grande. The approach past Capo Murro di Porco, holding and swell, berthing at Ortigia, dinghy landing, and the Portopalo corner warning for anyone leaving southbound.
Read Siracusa guideA proper working port with a volcano behind it. Four yacht clubs and Blu Marina, depths, what a strong south-easterly does to it, Capitaneria contacts, fuel, the fish market and the trains.
Read Catania guidePorto dell'Etna: the adult berth below the volcano. VHF 74, 370 berths, fuel until sunset, mooring help around the clock, and a short evening hop from Taormina once the thunder settles.
Read Riposto guideThe prettiest open roadstead that owes you absolutely nothing. Holding, depths, swing room, wind exposure, the Capo Taormina buoys, dinghy landing, and the bolt-holes for when it turns.
Read Taormina guideOpen-roadstead beach anchorage, sand holding, dinghy landing caution, the train station, the Archeoderi synagogue site, Bova village above, and real marina fallbacks for when the swell wraps in.
Read Bova Marina guideA useful Ionian stop with old Greek swagger and one draft warning that has teeth. Porto Vecchio depths, Yachting Kroton Club, the Lega Navale fallback, the old town, and Capo Colonna.
Read Crotone guideAnchor down at the end of Italy's heel. Lighthouse, caves, the marina fallback, supermarket run, anchorage notes, and full end-of-a-coast recovery mode.
Read Leuca guideA working ferry port with a very good berth hidden inside it. Marina di Brindisi on VHF 08, Brindisi VTS and the commercial harbour, anchorage notes, chandlery, provisioning and the old town.
Read Brindisi guideThe Gargano landfall at the end of a 62-mile Adriatic crossing. Marina di Vieste approach, VHF 06, depths, wind exposure, fuel, provisioning, laundry, the old town and the sea caves.
Read Vieste guideThe last address in Croatia. Nature-park buoy fields and ticket prices, the INA fuel berth, Skrivena Luka and Velo Lago shelter, harbourmaster contacts, and the 62-mile crossing to Vieste.
Read Lastovo guideOne island, two harbours, opposite weather — and no marina on either. Town riva laid moorings and depths, port tariffs, the approach, fuel, the island's fresh-water limits, and Komiza's west-wind problem.
Read Vis guideWe took the quiet north coast, not the Hvar Town catwalk. The Vrboska anchorage and ACI marina, the Hvar Town buoy field and its anchoring ban, Jelsa and Stari Grad shelter, Pakleni, and where to run in a jugo.
Read Hvar guideHarbour berths and numbers, the marine park zones, seasonal buoy fields, anchorages sorted by wind, the maestrale rule, and why a 14 m boat is not a natante. Desk research — we have not been yet.
Read Favignana guideThe mainland escape from the Egadi: VHF channels, transit rules, depths, an 80-tonne crane and two travel lifts, and which of the two to run to when the maestrale fills in. Desk research — not visited.
Read Trapani & Marsala guide