Located in the center of the Gulf of Taranto, the Sibari Marina is the ideal starting point for trips to the Adriatic, Sicily, Malta, Greece, or Turkey. The marina, consisting of several peninsulas extending over a body of water covering 430,000 square meters, has a total of 15 piers and can accommodate 2,800 boats at an average water depth of just under three meters. In addition to standard services, the facility offers shipyard assistance in the area near the gas station, where a mobile crane with a capacity of up to 15 metric tons and a 50-metric-ton travel lift are in operation.
Before landing at the marina, you must contact the control tower, or use the tower itself as a landmark to locate the entrance channel. The resort is located in a coastal lagoon, the Sibari Lakes, which flows into the sea through the Strombi Channel, northwest of the mouth of the Crati River. The canal entrance is protected by two jetties clearly marked at the head, and the start of the access channel is indicated by two lighted buoys. Upon entry, it is advisable to follow the control tower’s instructions and proceed cautiously upstream for about 500 meters, entering on the left through a Vincentian gate. Entry is not recommended in strong winds from the northeast to southeast. The port of Schiavonea is very useful as a shelter and waiting port.
The Sibari Lakes feature a beach about 2.5 km long, which can be reached via the docks by private boat or ferry, or by land via a shuttle bus or on foot along a path through a pine forest. From June 1 through September 30, all beach resorts are open.
Sybaris, founded in the 8th century B.C., was the oldest colony in the Magna Greece. Today, Sibari is a hamlet of Cassano all’Ionio and is located on the same site as the ancient town. Now a famous seaside resort, it still preserves the ruins of the ancient town thanks to archaeological excavations and a museum. The archaeological site of Sibari, Sybaris, is located south of the town. Sibari is also an important agricultural center thanks to the cultivation of rice, citrus fruits, and peaches.
The main ingredient of all the dishes is the fish, but the Sybarite cuisine also offers fresh, homemade pasta served with delicate sauces, tagliatelle with chickpeas, and homemade bread baked in a wood-fired oven. Typical desserts include cicerata, giurgiulena, turdilli, cannaricolli, vecchierelle, and bocconotti.
