Français 
Deutsch 
Español 
Italiano 
By Anaïs BEDE 
By Anaïs BEDE
21 July 2021
Reading time: 7 minutes
In a nutshell
The unmissable : The Stromboli is to be done at all costs! If you have more time, stop in Palermo and Cefalù on the Northern coast of Sicily.
Good addresses: To discover the Italian culinary wealth, go to "Al Pinturicchio" in Tropea, or to "The King of the Fish" in Vulcano.
Discoveries : The Basiluzzo next to Panarea, the port of Scilla, and the island of Strombolicchio.
Special features : The waters are dark and the beaches are rocky; this is what gives Sicily its unique charm!
Contents
- Practical information for your boat rental in Sicily
- Where to sail in Sicily?
- The most beautiful anchorages and ports in Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
- Which itineraries to follow for your cruise?
- How to get to the departure base?
Sicily never ceases to amaze all those who visit it. This is what Antoine, a Filovent customer, told me when he sent me a few lines from his logbook about his visit to Stromboli: "I'm leaving with Pauline at 4: 15 am to arrive on the slopes of Stromboli at sunrise. We left the shore in a dinghy with our headlamps and landed on the beach in front of the anchorage. We cross the village, follow the coastline and once we arrive on the other side of the island, we start to climb towards the observatory of Stromboli. When we get there the volcano is smoking, then suddenly luck smiles on us; there's an explosion and the crater is ablaze, it's incredible! On the way back, we can admire the sunrise on the small island of Strombolicchio. It was truly a moment of grace given to us..." So don't wait any longer and set sail for the Aeolian Islands with your boat rental in Sicily!
Boats of our two protagonists for their cruise in Sicily: a lagoon 380 on the left (photo by Michel Rambaud) and an Oceanis 41.1 on the right (photo by Antoine Pluvinage)
1. Practical information for your boat rental in Sicily
The different starting bases
There are several departure bases in Sicily: Marsala, Trapani, Palermo, Capo d'Orlando, Portorosa, Milazzo and Siracusa.
For a cruise in the Egadi Islands, we advise you to start from Trapani, especially for its proximity to the airport.
For a cruise in the Aeolian Islands, most charter companies suggest you start from Capo d'Orlando or Portorosa.
Finally, if you want to sail for two weeks and discover both the Egadi Islands and the Aeolian Islands, we recommend that you leave from Palermo. Its proximity to the airport makes it an ideal base to start your cruise.
Average rates depending on the season and the size of the boat
The table below gives you an order of magnitude of the average prices of the boats. These prices can change according to the season, the availability, the model, the age of the boat...
| Type of boat | High Season July and August | Mid-Season May, June and September | Low Season April and October |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mono-hull (2 cabins) | €1,600 | €1,400 | €1,200 |
| Mono-hull (3 cabins) | €2,000 | €1,800 | €1,600 |
| Mono-hull (4 cabins) | €3,000 | €2,700 | €2,300 |
| Catamaran (between 30 and 40 feet) | €5,000 | €4,250 | €3,500 |
| Catamaran (between 40 and 50 feet) | €6,000 | €5,000 | €4,000 |
Which licence is required?
In order to sail in Italy, the skipper must hold one of the following documents: the pleasure craft licence, the ICC or the IPC which are international certificates of competence.
Of course, if your charter already includes a skipper, you don't need a licence.
Our main partners on site
Here is the list of our main partners who rent boats from some departure bases in Sicily:
- Sailing Sicily, specialising in yacht rentals in Italy, was founded in 2003 in Palermo. From Marsala, Palermo or Portorosa, this rental company offers catamarans (Bali, Lagoon) and sailing boats (Bavaria, Sun Odyssey, Oceanis);
- Kiriacoulis was founded in 1986 and is based in Athens. This rental company is competitive in terms of price per rental, it allows you to start your rental on a Sunday and is flexible in terms of rental duration (the option to rent for 10 days, for example). Departing from Capo d'Orlando and Palermo, this rental company offers catamarans (Bali, Lagoon, Helia) and sailing boats (Bavaria, Sun Odyssey)
- Dream Yacht Charter was founded in 2000 in Seychelles. Departing from Portorosa, this rental company offers mono-hulls (Dufour, Oceanis, Sun Odyssey), and catamarans (Bali, Lagoon).
2. Where to sail in Sicily?
The Aeolian Islands
Vulcano
Vulcano is an extinct volcano consisting of several craters. Even though the last eruption was in 1888, the volcano still shows signs of its activity on a daily basis, which is of interest to visitors.
Michel, a Filovent customer, said "You can climb the volcano and see the sulphur fumes. On the beaches, you can take warm water baths. I recommend the one right next to the harbour, a five-minute walk."
As far as restaurants go, we recommend going to "The King of the Fish" and ordering the tuna. Michel tested it and he loved it!
Lipari
Lipari is the most important and extensive island in the Aeolian archipelago. An essential stopover on a Sicily yacht charter, you can admire the magnificent view of the old town from the San Bartolomeo Cathedral , located on the East side of Lipari. To discover typical Sicilian rocky beaches, we recommend stopping at Canneto located to the East, and Porticello or Acquacalda , to the North of the island.
Stromboli
You can't miss Stromboli if you're in Sicily! The hot tip shared by Michel and Antoine is to go up by cart or on foot to the restaurant "Osservatorio". Located at the foot of the volcano, from this restaurant you will be able to admire the lava flows and the smoke emanating from the crater. For Michel, "taking the carts through the streets of Stromboli that are 1 metre wide, it was great funny and very typical."
A little tip from Antoine: from Stromboli or the restaurant "Osservatorio", admire the sunrise or sunset on the island of Strombolicchio located to the East. Wonder is guaranteed!
To discover most of the beautiful islands in the Aeolian archipelago, we advise you to complete the route taken by Antoine who is a skipper. He and his crew left from Capo d'Orlando to go to Vulcano, Lipari, Stromboli, Tropea, to the small port of Scilla, Cefalù, Palermo where they stayed 2 days to visit, and then returned to the departure base of Capo d'Orlando. This is an itinerary for 2 weeks of sailing, suitable for an experienced crew that enables you to see both the Aeolian Islands and to explore the Northern coast of Sicily. You will realise that this schedule is very complete and will enable you to discover in depth the treasures of Sicily with your boat rental.
Salina
Salina is the second largest island in the Aeolian archipelago and the least known. It's a destination to keep in mind if you are looking for an alternative to the crowds in Lipari for example. On site, for a complete change of scenery, we advise you to go to the small cove below Malfa, North of Salina. The water is clear and the beach is made of volcanic rocks, you won't find a more Sicilian landscape than this cove!
Filicudi
This island is unlike any other. More wild and green, its pebble beaches and its paths in the middle of the prickly pear trees, a variety of cactus, will satisfy your adventurous side and delight your eyes with magnificent views of the peaks.
Alicudi
Calling at Alicudi with your boat rental in Italy, guarantees a day spent cut off from the world and the crowds of tourists. You won't find much to visit but we still advise you to climb the many stairs of the island to enjoy splendid views. Alicudi is the westernmost island in the Aeolian archipelago, so you will have a breathtaking view from the heights over its neighbouring islands.
The Egadi Islands
Although the Aeolian Islands often steal the show, the Egadi Islands have undeniable assets that are worth a visit! Whether they are Marettimo, Levanzo, or Favignana, they all have lovely white sandy beaches, beautiful bays and turquoise waters. This is in stark contrast to the rocky beaches of the Aeolian Islands. Eric Cousam, who went on a cruise to Sicily in the summer of 2020, told us what he thought about these islands, and said his favourite is "Marettimo, the most remote of the Egadi islands. That's probably why it's less crowded and wilder. Since the Egadi islands belong to a national park, the area is protected and the anchorages are beautiful," he added.
To visit on the Sicilian coast and its surroundings
Tropea
Tropea, located on the East coast of Calabria, is the small seaside town par excellence where you will want to walk among the monuments and the famous sanctuary of Santa Maria, before going for a swim in the turquoise waters. The favourite address of our Filovent customers is the restaurant "Al Pinturicchio" known for its excellent fish dishes.
Palermo
There is no shortage of places to visit in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. Between the museums, the palace of Palermo, the church of St. John of the Hermits, the botanical garden, and the Massimo Vittorio Emanuele theatre, there is really something for everyone! Along with cultural visits, you can finish your day well by going to Mondello beach which is 30 minutes by car from Palermo.
Cefalù
Discovering Cefalù is the favourite of our Filovent customers! Located on the Northern coast between Palermo and Capo d'Orlando, the fomer fishing port will amaze you with its postcard-like scenery. For Antony, Cefalù "is a special place, a must do". He recommends visiting the 13th century Arab-Norman inspired cathedral.
3. The most beautiful anchorages and ports in Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
Although we advise you to explore the riches of Sicily on your own, here are some examples of the best anchorages in the Aeolian Islands with your boat :
Anchorage in front of the Arch of Salina
With your boat rental in Sicily, you can anchor North-West of Salina to enjoy the view of the Anse di Pollara.
Anchorage in Panarea
For Angela Zulo, who works for our partner Levante Yachts operating from Fermo, one of the most beautiful anchorages in Sicily is in Panarea. It's from there, she says, that you can best admire the sunset from the deck of your boat. In particular, she advises anchoring near Basiluzzo, a small archipelagoNorth-East of Panarea.
Leaving with your boat rental in Sicily and the Aeolian Islands is also an opportunity to discover small typical ports.
Antoine's favourite is the port of Scilla in the South-West of Italy.
The port of Scilla and its city
Imbued with the Greek myth of the sea monster bearing the same name, Scilla will charm you with its typically Italian narrow streets. As for its port, it has the particularity of being specialised in swordfish fishing.
4. Which itineraries to follow for your cruise?
The following itineraries are proposed by our partner Sailing Sicily.
Itinerary 1, for one week - Total distance covered: 100 nautical miles
- Day 1: Portorosa or Capo d'Orlando → Lipari (16 nautical miles)
- Day 2: Lipari → Panarea (12 nautical miles)
- Day 3: Panarea → Stromboli (14 nautical miles)
- Day 4: Stromboli → Salina (22 nautical miles)
- Day 5: Salina → Filicudi (14 nautical miles)
- Day 6: Filicudi → portorosa or Capo d'Orlando (22 nautical miles)
Itinerary 2, for two weeks - Total distance covered: 100 nautical miles
- Day 1: Palermo → Cefalù (31 nautical miles)
- Day 2: Cefalù → Vulcano (45 nautical miles)
- Day 3: Vulcano → Lipari (3 nautical miles)
- Day 4: Lipari → Salina (9 nautical miles)
- Day 5: Salina → Stromboli, then Filicudi (31 nautical miles)
- Day 6: Filicudi → Alicudi, then Ustica (34 nautical miles)
- Day 7: Ustica
- Day 8: Ustica → Favignana (25 nautical miles)
- Day 9: Favignana
- Day 10: Favignana → Marettimo (11 nautical miles)
- Day 11: Marettimo → Levanzo (13 nautical miles)
- Day 12: Levanzo → San Vito Lo Capo (23 nautical miles)
- Day 13: San Vito Lo Capo → Mondello (34 nautical miles)
- Day 14: Mondello → Palermo (8 nautical miles)
5. How to get to the departure base?
Once out of Trapani or Palermo airport, if you are going to the ÎEgadi Islands or Catania, if you are going to the ÎAeolian Islands, all you need to do is return to your departure base. The transfer, although a little more expensive, is a solution that you should seriously consider because it allows you to be picked up directly from the airport. Michel greatly appreciated this option: "The Catania-Portorosa shuttle, organised by the boat rental company, was very convenient. It cost us €250 for 8 people. I really recommend doing that." Another solution that is more economical but requires advance organisation on your part is to take the bus. The buses reach the main cities of Sicily efficiently and quickly, and therefore also the departure bases.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Michel Rambaud and Antoine Pluvinage for their testimonies and their photos which perfectly illustrate this article. I also thank Eleonora from Sailing Sicily for her valuable information about Sicily.
Good to know
| Number of available boats | 1,679 |
|---|---|
| Services types | Skipper, Hostess, Chef, Sailor, Engineer, Steward / Chef, Sailor / Chef, Mechanic, Masseuse |
| Average price per week | 16,825€ |
| Minimum price per week | 540€ |
| Maximum price per week | 2,700,000€ |
