Find everything you need to prepare for a charter in Portorosa. From important base information to required documents for international travel, you can use this information as your guide before and during your charter. Don't forget to pack a copy to take with you.
Plan
Before you go
Address
Sailitalia srl
Turistica “il gabbiano” – Villaggio Turistico Portorosa
Zona Laguna Azzurra
98054 Furnari (ME), Italy
Tel: +39 0941 874291
Please note that this base is operated by our Franchise partner Sailitalia.
Base hours
Mon–Thu: 10am–1pm and 3.30–7pm
Fri-Sat: 10am–7pm (or until last charter)
Sunday: in case of embarkment
The base is open from mid-March through mid-November.
Language
The official language in Italy is Italian.
What to bring
Passport and visas
Please ensure your passport is valid for the period of travel and for six months after you return. Your passport name must match the name on the flight ticket otherwise you may not be able to travel and insurance may be invalid.
It is the responsibility of each individual to ensure relevant visas are obtained where necessary. Sunsail cannot be held responsible for refusal of entry or travel due to lack of visas. If you are in any doubt please contact your Embassy for full details.
Please note country entry/exit requirements are subject to change. Sunsail is not accountable for any requirements changes.
Sunsail is not accountable for any requirements changes.
Customs + immigration
Before leaving the airport, you will have to clear Immigration and Customs.
Passports are required by all visitors to Italy except for citizens from the following countries, who may enter Italy with a National Identity Card:
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
No Visas are required for stays less than 90 days.
There is no departure tax payable.
Sailing licences
Click here to view the sailing requirements in Italy.
Luggage + packing list
We would highly recommend packing prescription medicine and essential clothing (swimsuit, t-shirt, and shorts) in your hand luggage as occasionally your luggage may arrive at the base after you do.
Please pack using soft-sided bags, as these are easier to store on your yacht.
What's on board
Cool boxes
Cool boxes are available at the base on a first come first served basis at no additional charge. Please sign these out and return them clean and undamaged otherwise they will be charged for replacement. Only one per boat.
Mobile phones
Your mobile phone may work when in Italy, but please check with your service provider for coverage details and call costs. You will need to activate international roaming on your contract.
Music + iPods
All boats are fitted with a radio and CD player. If you wish to listen to your iPod whilst sailing you will need to bring along an iTrip or FM radio transmitter.
Drone
The use of flying drones may be restricted in some areas. For current drone regulations in this destination, please visit https://uavcoach.com/drone-laws-in-italy/
Electricity
The standard voltage on all yachts is 12 volts. Electricity in Italy is 220 Volts and uses the standard European 2 pin plug. In order to use electronic equipment that is 220v you will need an inverter suitable for use in a cigarette lighter.
WiFi
WiFi is available, cost is as follows:
- €80 per week per boat (5GB) - 5 connections
- €100 per week per boat - 10 connections
WiFi is not included in your charter price. Please contact your Vacation Planning Specialist who can add this service to your contract. WiFi must be paid for locally in Euro upon arrival.
back to top
Go
How to get there
Airport
Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) 2 hour transfer to the base.
Transfers
Taxi Transfers can be arranged from:
The transfer time from Catania Airport to the base is approximately 2 hours and the costs are around:
- 1-3 passengers: 230 Euros
- 4-8 passengers: 300 Euros
- 9-14 passengers: 390 Euros
The transfer time from Palermo Airport to the base is approximately 3 hours and the costs are around:
- 1-3passengers: 305 Euros
- 4-8 passengers: 370 Euros
- 9-14 passengers: 450 Euros
Public transport
From Catania airport
By bus from the airport to Messina railway station, and then by train to Barcellona-Castroreale. Finally, by taxi to Portorosa which costs around €40
From Reggio Calabria airport
Buses are timed to coincide with national flights for transfers from Reggio Calabria airport to Messina railway station. From Messina to Portorosa you can catch a train to Barcellona-Castroreale. Finally, by taxi to Portorosa.
From Palermo airport
By taxi, metro, or bus from the airport to Palermo railway station, and then by train to Barcellona-Castroreale. Finally, by taxi to Portorosa.
By shuttle (seasonal service)
There is also a shuttle service here in Portorosa, the bus will take you directly from Portorosa to Catania Airport (or from Catania Airport to Portorosa). Ticket price is euro 30/person. There are 3 buses a day (it will take about 2 hours and 30 minutes).
Transfers are not included in holiday packages. We ask that you send your travel arrangements to us prior to departure so we can assist with transfer details where required. Guests should bring a copy of the charter contract invoice.
Boarding time + checking out
On arrival
Briefing Times: Chart briefings are scheduled between 6 pm and 7 pm local time depending on arrival followed by the boat briefing.
The yacht briefing introduces you to your yacht, its systems and rigging. It is carried out individually for each yacht. It is important that all systems and equipment are fully understood. Briefings are mandatory.
Out of hours
There will be a representative at the base until 11pm who will accompany the client to their boat. The check-in and briefing will be completed the following morning.
On departure
All charterers must return to base by 5pm the night before disembarkation for debriefing and checks. Disembarkation is at 9:00 am the following morning.
Before departing your boat they will need to collect a debrief form from reception.
The debrief form is to let us know if you encountered any problems with the boat or broken anything during the trip, this enables us to rectify problems for the next charter.
In addition to filling in forms we also require you to bag dirty laundry and leave in the cockpit, empty all cupboards and fridges of food and throw away. Return snorkel gear and any lifejackets borrowed from reception and ensure that the boat is handed back to Sunsail in a clean and tidy state. We reserve the right to charge for boats left less than shipshape.
back to top
Sail
About the marina
Marina facilitiesPortorosa Marina facilities include showers and restrooms.
Portorosa Marina is like a small village there are many bars, restaurants, cafes and supermarkets.
Dock facilities
Fuel: Price available at the base.
Sailing licences
Experience level
Sailing experience: Level 2
Experience levels are based on sailing conditions and the length of passages within your chosen sailing area.
Sailing grounds
Skippered charter information
The skipper’s time is booked from 12:00pm to 12:00pm in 24-hour periods. If you have reserved him for the first day of your charter and have a 6:00pm start, he will use this time to ensure he is happy with all aspects of the yacht and will be at the base to meet you upon your arrival. If you have reserved him for a later date on your charter he will start at 12:00pm on that day.
The skipper is responsible for the safety of the yacht at all times. He is not permitted to dive with you, nor leave the vessel overnight. He must conduct a safety brief with you before leaving the dock regardless of the duration of his contract with you.
For “check out charters” (anything less than the full duration of the charter) the check out skipper’s time is booked from 6:00pm to 6:00pm to allow for a meet and greet in the evening and go over basic systems, then a full day with you the next day. This skipper is required to give you a thorough briefing on all aspects of the yacht and dinghy in addition to assisting you with planning an itinerary for the trip and advising you how to contact the base, the return to base procedures and the emergency assistance procedures. It is suggested that you attend the scheduled chart brief that will be supplemented by the skipper during his time with you on the yacht. It is also suggested that you make it clear exactly what you want to cover…anchoring, docking, etc.
The skipper will be required to give you as much information as you require concerning the yacht and its systems, sailing skills and navigation in general.
The skipper fee does not include food or beverages for the skipper and are the responsibility of the client. It is suggested that you discuss this on the first day with the skipper and establish whether you will give the skipper cash for meals, whether you have included him in your provisioning or whether you will accommodate him as part of the group for meals ashore.
The skipper must have his own cabin. We prefer not to put the skipper in the bow due to the shared heads and size of the cabin. If you expect him to stay in the bow, please let us know well in advance so that we can choose the appropriate (small) skipper.
For one-day check out skipper’s it is the client’s responsibility to get the skipper back to the base. If you prefer not to come back to the base you must pay for his expenses (ferry, taxi, etc.) to get him back to the base.
The average tip for a skipper is 15 to 20 percent of the skipper’s fee. This is, of course, at the client’s discretion.
Sailing area restrictions
This information is provided in the chart briefing.
Night sailing
Night sailing is not permitted; you must be moored at least one hour before sunset at all of our locations.
Moorings fees + taxes
Most overnight stops in the area will be at mooring buoys/anchor as opposed to alongside quays. The buoys will cost approximately €50.00 per night – to be paid locally at each anchorage. Marina fees start at approximately €40.00 per night and can be as much as €1600.00 per night, depending on the time of the year and the size of boat.
These are approximate prices only.
Health + safety
Safety
All yachts are equipped with adult life jackets and harnesses. We leave it up to you to decide when personal safety equipment should be worn.
We have a limited supply of children’s life jackets (age 4+ only). If you have your own children’s life jacket we would encourage you to bring it along.
We suggest that children who are not strong swimmers should not be allowed in a dinghy without a life jacket or buoyancy aid and that they should wear a buoyancy aid or harness when on deck.
Children under the age of 16 should not operate an outboard engine and should be supervised at all times when in the dinghy.
Swim Safe
For your safety and for environmental reasons, the feeding of fish is not recommended and may be prohibited in some destinations.
back to top
Eat
Provisioning
Sunsail Provisioning
We offer a wide range of food and drinks packages to suit your party’s needs.
Find out more about our provisioning options.
There are some supermarkets inside the Village of Portorosa, which are open from Monday to Saturday, from 8:30 to 13:00 and from 16:30 to 20:00.
Dining
Tipping
Tipping is standard and expected in all restaurants / bars and for other services undertaken during your holiday. The rule of thumb is generally 10-15% of the amount charged. Some establishments automatically add this onto the bill.
Tip according to quality of service.
Shop
Around the base
Hotels
- Corallo Residence – located inside the village resort and only 500m to the base
- Portorosa Residence – small apartments for rent
- La Camelia – agro-touristic hotel with a restaurant approximately 1km from the Portorosa Village Resort
- Valtur Portorosa – hotel with a full range of high-standard services, including outdoor equipped swimming pool overlooking the Portorosa Marina (outdoor parking and parking garage, several restaurants and bars)
Currency
The euro is the currency used throughout Italy.
Credit card information
MasterCard, Visa and Eurocheque cards are widely accepted throughout Italy.
Traveller’s checks are accepted in major Italian cities and tourist areas, however not in some very small establishments and outdoor markets.
Banks
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 8:30am-1:30pm and 2:30-4:00pm; Closed on Sat & Sun.
ATMs operational 24 hours a day.
back to top
Play
Water toys + sports
Snorkelling
We have a range of snorkeling gear which you may wish to use. We are limited on children’s sizes so if you have your own you may wish to bring them with you.
back to top
For more information on what's included on your yacht, please view the full list here.
Call our experts
Book online today