Boat Hire Portorosa with or without a skipper

From Portorosa marina, on the north coast of Sicily, Vulcano is just 20 nautical miles away: half a day's sailing is enough to reach the Aeolian Islands. Between Cape Tindari and the Milazzo peninsula, more than 150 sailing yachts are available for hire within a 50 km radius, from €1,200 per week. You board on Sicily itself, do your provisioning on site and set a course for seven volcanic islands listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Why choose sailing yacht hire in Portorosa?

Portorosa marina is built around an estuary-shaped cove, divided into canals and protected by two breakwaters. Several charter companies have set up their base here: the fleet is mainly made up of sailing yachts built between 2017 and 2026.

• A convenient base for boarding: free parking at the marina, shops and restaurants on site, mooring assistance by VHF (channel 9). Boarding here is easier than in Lipari or Vulcano at the height of summer.
• The Aeolian Islands close by: Vulcano is 20 nautical miles away and Lipari 5 nautical miles from Vulcano. A week's sailing covers 100 to 130 nautical miles to tour the five main islands.
• The Sicilian coast within easy reach: a few miles to the west, Cape Tindari, its sanctuary and the Marinello lagoons can be visited on the first or last evening of your cruise.

How much does sailing yacht hire in Portorosa cost?

The budget for a week departing from Portorosa depends above all on the option you choose. The table below gives entry-level prices; they then rise according to the season, the size, the model and the year the boat was built.

Source: Filovent, prices observed for departures from Portorosa in October 2026, average skipper rate in the Mediterranean.

For skippered hire, also budget for the skipper's meals: they either share your meals on board or receive an allowance of around €20 per meal.

The price includes: hire of the boat and its basic equipment (sails, tender, crockery, safety equipment).

The price does not include: the skipper and hostess, insurance, the compulsory end-of-charter package (final cleaning, gas and bed linen, from €180 to €300 depending on the boat), fuel, harbour fees in the Aeolian Islands, extras (outboard engine, paddleboard, wifi) and provisioning.

We recommend taking out our cancellation insurance: it covers the whole crew, whereas individual insurance or the cover provided by your bank card only protects the cardholder. Damage waiver (deposit insurance) is also strongly recommended, and compulsory if you hire with a skipper: it allows you to recover most of your security deposit in the event of damage while sailing.

Which sailing yacht should you hire in Portorosa?

The fleet in Portorosa and the neighbouring ports (Capo d'Orlando, Milazzo) is mainly made up of monohulls from 9.5 to 16.5 metres. Your choice of boat depends mostly on the size of your crew:

• 2-cabin sailing yacht: 9.5 to 11 metres, 4 to 6 berths. For a couple or two couples of friends, it slips more easily into the small harbours of the Aeolian Islands in summer.
• 3-cabin sailing yacht: 10.5 to 13 metres, 6 to 8 berths. This is the most common size in Portorosa, suited to a family or a group of 4 to 6 people.
• 4-cabin sailing yacht: 13 to 15 metres, 10 berths. It allows 8 people to sail while keeping a double cabin for each couple.
• 5- and 6-cabin sailing yacht: 14.5 to 16.5 metres, 11 to 13 berths, for groups of 10 to 12 people.

Catamaran hire in Portorosa

Catamaran hire in Sicily is available in Portorosa and Capo d'Orlando, on models from 38 to 55 feet, from €3,500 per week. Wider and more stable at anchor than a monohull, a catamaran offers more space on board for families and large crews.

Sailing yacht hire with or without a skipper in Portorosa

In Portorosa, you can hire a bareboat sailing yacht if one member of the crew holds a licence, or a skippered yacht with a professional skipper from €350 per day:

• Bareboat hire: one member of your crew is the skipper and holds the required licence. You are free to plan your own itinerary between the islands.
• Skippered boat hire: a professional skipper handles the sailing and chooses the anchorages and stopovers according to the day's weather. Charter companies in Portorosa do not generally provide a skipper: our concierge service finds you an independent professional skipper and sends you their sailing CV before you book. A hostess can also be requested, subject to availability.

Which licence do you need for bareboat sailing yacht hire in Sicily?

To hire a bareboat sailing yacht in Italy, the skipper must hold a coastal boating licence or an ICC (International Certificate of Competence). Charter companies generally require a VHF certificate (the CRR in France) as well as a sailing CV showing your experience. The French coastal licence allows you to sail up to 6 nautical miles from a shelter: some crossings to the most distant islands may exceed this limit. Your Filovent adviser checks with you that your licence covers the planned itinerary before you book.

Where can you sail from Portorosa?

From Portorosa, the seven Aeolian Islands follow one another on passages of 5 to 30 nautical miles:

For a more relaxed week, the north coast of Sicily also offers stopovers to the west, as far as Capo d'Orlando (33 km from Portorosa) and Cefalù. Other departure ports are available with sailing yacht hire in Sicily.

When should you hire a sailing yacht in Portorosa?

The sailing season runs from April to October. The best months are June and September: the water is above 23 °C and the harbours of the Aeolian Islands are much less crowded than in July and August.

Source: Partir.com, averages recorded in Palermo in recent years.

What are the winds like in the Aeolian Islands in summer?

In summer, the prevailing wind is the mistral (maestrale), a north-westerly wind that often picks up in the afternoon and can build up the sea in the channel between Sicily and the archipelago. The sirocco, hot and humid, blows from the south-east and makes some anchorages uncomfortable. Crossings to the islands should therefore be planned according to the day's weather, preferably in the morning.

As the Aeolian Islands are volcanic in origin, the seabed drops away very quickly close to the shore: carry enough chain and choose your anchorage with care. In July and August, berths in the harbours of Lipari, Salina or Vulcano are in high demand: it is best to book them in advance.

At Stromboli, sailing is prohibited within 2 nautical miles of the Sciara del Fuoco, the slope down which the lava flows run. The rules for approaching and accessing the volcano may change depending on its activity: check the harbour master's notices before you go.

Frequently asked questions about sailing yacht hire in Portorosa

What day do you board in Portorosa?

Sailing yacht hire in Portorosa generally runs from Saturday to Saturday, for a minimum of one week. Boarding and disembarkation times are set by the charter company and specified in your contract.

How much is the security deposit?

Expect a security deposit of between €2,000 and €3,000 for a 10 to 14 metre sailing yacht in Portorosa. It is paid to the charter company on the day of boarding and returned no later than one month after the boat is returned, provided it is in good condition. Damage waiver (deposit insurance) allows you to recover most of it in the event of damage.

How do you get to Portorosa?

The most convenient airports are Catania (around 150 km) and Palermo (around 210 km), both served by direct flights from France. Allow around 2 hours by road from Catania and a little longer from Palermo. Reggio Calabria airport is closer (60 km), but involves crossing the Strait of Messina by ferry.

Can you see Stromboli's eruptions from the boat?

Yes, it is one of the highlights of a cruise in the Aeolian Islands. The spectacle is most impressive at nightfall, while staying outside the prohibited zone off the Sciara del Fuoco.

How do I book my sailing yacht in Portorosa?

Once we have received your request, a Filovent adviser will call you to understand your sailing plans, then send you a selection of sailing yachts by email. Once you have chosen your boat, you confirm the hire from your customer account:

• Deposit: 50% of the price on booking, depending on the charter company's terms.
• Balance: payable between 12 and 6 weeks before boarding.
• Cancellation: more than 90 days before departure, the deposit is retained; less than 90 days before, the full price is due. Cancellation insurance reimburses you in the event of a covered unforeseen circumstance.

If you are still unsure about your departure port, compare our sailing yacht hire in Italy offers or set off directly from the archipelago with sailing yacht hire in the Aeolian Islands.

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