Yacht charter Capo d'Orlando

  By Anna SORESSI   

December 15, 2021

Reading time: 6 minutes

Contents

• 1- Practical information for your yacht charter in Capo d'Orlando

2- What is there to do in Capo d'Orlando?

• 3- What are the main anchorages that can be reached by boat from Capo d'Orlando?

• 4- What sailing itinerary will you follow during your cruise?

• 5- What are the weather conditions?

Located in the province of Messina and overlooking the northern coast of Sicily, Capo d'Orlando is now recognized as one of the most famous tourist centers on the island. A former fishing village that has only been independent since 1925, Capo d'Orlando is the birthplace of Sapore di sale (Taste of Salt), a famous song by singer-songwriter Gino Paoli, as well as Il Gattopardo (The Leopard), an illustrious novel, then film, by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa.

1- Practical information for your yacht charter in Capo d'Orlando

Average prices according to the season and the size of the boat

The table below gives you an idea of the average prices for yacht charters. These prices may vary depending on the season, availability, model, age of the boat, etc.

Our main partners on site

Here is a list of our main partners offering yacht charters in Capo d'Orlando:

• Kiriacoulis was founded in 1986 in Athens and now offers its services in many Mediterranean marinas and beyond. In Sicily, you can rent with Kiriacoulis in Capo d'Orlando, Marsala and Palermo. This charter company mainly offers catamarans (Lagoon, Elba, Bali, etc.) and monohulls (Dufour, Oceanis, Sun Loft, etc.). Competitive in terms of price, Kiriacoulis allows you to organize your arrival and departure on the day of your choice while offering a certain flexibility in terms of the duration of your charter (possibility of a 10-day charter, for example).
• Spartivento has more than 20 years' experience in yacht charter and has the largest charter fleet in southern Italy. This yacht charter company has the latest models of sailboats and catamarans from the most exclusive European shipyards such as Beneteau, Jeanneau and Lagoon, giving its customers a wide range of choice.
• Parallelo 38 Charter specializes in cruises in the Aeolian archipelago. Its fleet consists mainly of boats from the excellent Dufour-Yachts and Fountaine-Pajot shipyards.

How do I get to Capo d'Orlando?

If you have decided to rent a boat in Capo d'Orlando, there are several options for reaching this base. By car, take the Autostrada del Sole motorway to Villa San Giovanni, where you can take the ferry to Messina. Once you have disembarked, you will need to take the A20 highway and take the Brolo-Capo d'Orlando Est exit, which will take you about an hour and a half to reach.

By train, you can take a direct train to Furnari or Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto station from Turin, Milan, Bologna or Rome. Once in Messina, you can either take another train or rent a car and follow the directions above to the highway.

By plane, the easiest way to get to Capo d'Orlando is to land at Catania's Fontanarossa Airport. Once you've landed, it's worth renting a car and you'll be in Capo d'Orlando in about two hours. If you need an organized transfer from the airport, Filovent can ask the charter company if a transfer to the base is possible, although not all companies offer this service. You can also take a taxi from the airport, but the cost will certainly be high. There are also trains and buses that leave from the airport, but unfortunately they all stop in Messina, which adds several hours to the journey.

2- What is there to do in Capo d'Orlando?

A charming marina with a typically Sicilian atmosphere, relaxed and welcoming, Capo d'Orlando stands on a rocky promontory overlooking the Aeolian archipelago, making it the ideal starting point for your cruise to these islands. This privileged position has made Capo d'Orlando a legendary strategic point of interest since ancient times. Originally a Spartan colony, the city was founded, according to legend, by Agatirso, son of the god of the winds Aeolus, as recounted in the Aeneid. The current name, however, dates back to a medieval legend according to which the city was renamed in honor of a stopover that the mythical paladin Orlando made during a crusade to the Holy Land.

Now a popular tourist destination, Capo d'Orlando has a charming seafront and a historic center rich in history and culture. Its port offers various yacht charter options for visiting the Aeolian Islands, while the town's hinterland is home to Nebrodi Park, a place rich in nature trails and magnificent views.

If you are interested in the historical and mythical tradition of the city, you cannot miss a visit to the bastion castle, built in the 14th century, and the Villa Piccolo, dating from the 19th century, an important museum that preserves ancient paintings, watercolors, ceramics and photographs. For nature lovers, on the other hand, we recommend an excursion to the Nebrodi nature park with its picturesque views: there are trails for all levels! If you are looking for a little relaxation, the Bagnoli thermal baths are just what you need: don't miss them!

3- What are the main anchorages that can be reached by boat from Capo d'Orlando?

As we said, renting a boat in Capo d'Orlando is the best way to discover the Aeolian Islands. The volcanic archipelago consists of 7 islands, including two active volcanoes, Vulcano and Stromboli, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Due to the volcanic nature of the region, bays are rare and the seabed is very deep. Caution is therefore advised when navigating, especially in strong winds, which are frequent in the region. Given the popularity of the destination with sailors, "in high season, it can be very difficult to moor in the port," emphasizes Carlo, a Filovent customer, "and you have to be careful when you drop anchor in the harbor, because a 50-meter chain is not always enough."

Vulcano

When you rent a boat in Capo d'Orlando, the first island you will encounter on your cruise in the Aeolian Islands will certainly be Vulcano. From a distance, as you approach the island, you will notice bright colors ranging from ocher to yellow, from red to bronze, sparkling on the horizon, and a very intense smell: these are the sulfur emissions that characterize the small volcanic island. Although the last eruption took place in 1890, volcanic phenomena are very frequent on the island: from water-jet-powered motorized craft rising from the surface of the earth to underwater phenomena, including thermal phenomena.

A little jewel of the Mediterranean, Vulcano represents a perfect balance between nature and human settlement: over the centuries, human intervention has been limited to "modeling" what nature has offered. Francesco, a Filovent customer, recommends a walk to the Fossa crater, at the top of the imposing volcano that dominates the region, to enjoy "a breathtaking view of the entire archipelago".

To visit the town of Vulcano, simply moor at Port Levante, a well-equipped tourist port located in the main access bay to the island. There you will find the "mare caldo" (warm sea), or excellent thermal baths for regenerating mud baths. It is possible to moor at the jetties of Marina Vulcanello or Baia di Levante, to the north and south of the bay respectively, which provide buoy fields. Especially in high season, we recommend booking a buoy or mooring well in advance. The waters of the Levante bay are shallow, which is also perfect for anchoring at night. The Baia di Ponente (western bay) also offers breathtaking views and a seabed that does not exceed 14 meters in depth. However, this bay is also particularly exposed to the winds, so you should always keep an eye on the weather.

Lipari

If you rent a boat in Capo d'Orlando, you can't miss Lipari, guardian of the history of the Aeolian archipelago. The gentleness of its landscapes has earned it the name "Meligunis" "gentle", as the Greeks called it in ancient times. This gentle island still boasts breathtaking natural beauty, a unique cultural heritage and an extraordinary variety of hiking trails.

The most photographed sea in Lipari is undoubtedly that of the white beach at the foot of the pumice stone quarries, which offers beautiful landscapes and Caribbean-style swimming. On the northeast coast of the island is also Punta Castagna, perfect for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts, and Gabbiano beach, an enchanting cove accessible only by sea and a paradise for sailors. Further north, Carlo was surprised by Acquacalda Bay with its "crystal clear waters and magnificent views of the neighboring town of Salina." Francesco, on the other hand, advises against swimming in the sandy triangle of Marina Corta, due to the bustle of the boats, and Canneto beach, the busiest in Lipari, "impassable by sea in high season."

A visit to the town of Lipari has to start in the small square of Marina Corta, where generations of fishermen have moored their boats in the shadow of the little church of Purgatory. Today, especially in high season, the boats become taxis to the beaches, the fishermen become expert skippers and "Cicerones" (guides) for tourists and vacationers. Francesco was very happy to have chosen a cruise with a skipper and to have spent "a definitely relaxing vacation thanks to the experience of our skipper".

The acropolis and castle of Lipari, which can also be seen from the sea, are an extraordinary example of historical stratification: they contain monuments and objects dating from the Neolithic to the 19th century, including Greek and Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman, Swabian, Aragonese and Spanish rule. In short, a veritable open-air history book.

For boat lovers, we recommend trying scekking, a hike with the donkey "scecco" in Sicilian. The donkeys are used on different sailing itineraries, including one that touches the seabed of Mount Guardia and Mount Gallina, with views of the west of the island and its steep cliffs, up to the Fossa del Monte.

Panarea

Only 10 nautical miles from Lipari, you will find Panarea, famous above all for its nightlife with its wide variety of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. The heart of the nightlife is undoubtedly the small port of San Pietro, as Carlo confirms: "the bars in the port that offer aperitifs with a view of Stromboli are really very atmospheric". But that's not all, Panarea offers entertainment and culture, a perfect balance between social life and unspoiled nature, for moments of true relaxation with its beaches and clear waters.

Francesco recommends Cala Zimmari, the only real sandy beach on the island, also called the "red beach" because of the reddish color of the sand, characterized by "crystal clear water with colorful reflections". Zimmari Bay is well protected from the winds, which are frequent in the Aeolian Islands, and its gently sloping seabed makes it a perfect anchorage, even at night. If, on the other hand, you prefer to moor your yacht charter in the harbor, Cala Zimmari is easily accessible from San Pietro with a walk of about 20 minutes.

Another recommended anchorage is Cala Milazzese, in the south of the island, which has a sandy bottom. This anchorage is very well known and appreciated, especially by pleasure boaters, and in high season it can be very busy and noisy. We therefore recommend that you arrive in the morning if you want to find a place. If you decide to go ashore, you will find a very small sandy beach, which is usually very busy. From the beach, there is a path that leads to San Pietro and another one that will take you to Punta Milazzese in about ten minutes. On its summit is an interesting archaeological site dating from 1500 BC.

Stromboli

The entire island of Stromboli, the northernmost of the Aeolian Islands, is a volcano, the most active in Europe, with eruptions every ten minutes on average. So while the island tends to be rather inhospitable, it is the volcano that gives Stromboli its charm. Its charm is so unique that an author of Jules Verne's caliber set the end of his literary masterpiece "Journey to the Center of the Earth" on Stromboli.

San Vincenzo, better known as Stromboli, is the island's main town. It can be reached on foot by mooring in front of Ficogrande beach, as the seabed is shallow there. Other recommended beaches are Scari and Piscità. Excursions to the summit of the volcano are also organized from Stromboli. The picturesque village of Ginostra is only accessible by boat. It has been listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the smallest port in the world and has only recently been equipped with a jetty for mooring boats.

Stromboli is a rather inhospitable island, even when it comes to dropping anchor, "which is rather precarious," Francesco told us. The seabed is high and rocky and there are no sheltered coves. It is therefore not advisable to leave your boat unattended at the anchorage. However, diving from your sailboat with the volcano in the background is certainly a unique experience. Don't miss the"Sciara del Fuoco", the area where the lava flows of the Stromboli volcano still pass. The relative "tranquility" of the eruptions allows locals and tourists to see them up close while keeping a safe distance. You can admire this spectacle at any time of the day or night, but it is especially at night that it acquires its maximum charm. At night, in fact, there is no street lighting on the island to allow you to admire the starry sky and the explosions of the volcano. The best way to enjoy the spectacle is of course from your sailboat!

Salina

About 20 nautical miles from Stromboli, you will find Salina, the second largest island in the archipelago and the most lush, thanks to the many freshwater springs that have made it the home of the famous Malvasia, a must-try!

The island has two ports, Santa Marina, the main town on the island and the largest tourist port in the Aeolian Islands, and the small port of Rinella, which has a well-equipped buoy field. About 2 km from Santa Marina, you can also easily reach the hamlet of Lingua, with its brackish lake from which the island takes its name. Malfa is the central municipality of the island, the most populated and the agricultural heart of the entire archipelago. From Malfa, it is possible to reach the small village of Pollara. Pollara Bay is one of the best anchorages on the island thanks to its sandy and shallow waters. It is also one of the most evocative anchorages "with its crystal clear waters", says Carlo. It is no coincidence that Massimo Troisi shot some scenes of his last film The Postman (Il Postino in Italian) here in 1994. Another anchorage not to be missed is that of Punta Perciato, with its striking volcanic rock arch. It is also the best place to admire the sunset from your charter boat: the sun takes on a fiery red color and sets on the horizon next to the islands of Filicudi and Alicudi.

For enthusiasts, Salina also offers several sailing itineraries. From the small village of Leni, immersed in the green of the Malvasia vineyards, several paths lead to the summit of Monte Fossa. We highly recommend a visit to the "Balate", a volcanic rock accessible by a path of about 150 steps, which is about a 15-minute walk from the village of Pollara. In Valdichiesa, there is also the sanctuary of the Madonna del Terzito, which has become a place of pilgrimage for the island's inhabitants. The sanctuary owes its name to the "legend" that the Madonna appeared there three times.

Fulicudi and Alicudi

Filicudi and Alicudi, being the most remote islands of the archipelago, are as little touched by mass tourism as the other islands and are therefore ideal for relaxed sailing amidst nature.

The only inhabited centers on Filicudi are the ports of Filicudi and Pecorini a Mare. The former offers a well-protected bay where you can safely drop anchor. Filicudi has a particularly jagged coastline, high cliffs and a number of interesting caves, the most famous of which are San Bartolomeo, Maccatore and the Grotta del Bue Marino. The latter is located on the west side of the island and, with the necessary precautions, it is possible to drop anchor there during the day. Needless to say, the seabed offers a fabulous setting for snorkeling enthusiasts! Generally speaking, however, the seabed around the coast is very deep, and there are therefore no particularly safe anchorages or ports.

Alicudi is about 8 miles from Filicudi. Its coastline is not indented, there are no protected bays and the seabed is very deep even around the coast. We therefore recommend that you only visit this area if you have made sure that the weather conditions are favorable. It is also a good idea to stock up on supplies before reaching this island, as it has only minimal services. To go ashore, the best anchorage is at the buoys located in front of Alicudi, the only inhabited center in the area. In Alicudi, time seems to have stood still, making the island the ideal place for those who want to relax away from prying eyes.

4- What sailing itinerary will you follow?

Our clients Francesco and Carlo have suggested 2 interesting sailing itineraries for a one-week cruise in the Aeolian Islands, departing from Capo d'Orlando.

Sailing itinerary 1 (one week) - Total distance traveled: 100 miles

This sailing itinerary was followed by Francesco

• Day 1: Capo d'Orlando → Lipari (20 miles - 3 hours sailing)
• Day 2: Lipari → Salina (5 miles - 1 hour sailing)
• Day 3: Salina → Panarea (11 miles - 2 hours sailing)
• Day 4: Panarea → Stromboli - Lipari (35 miles - 6 hours sailing)
• Day 5: Lipari → Vulcano (5 miles - 1 hour sailing)
• Day 6: Vulcano → Capo d'Orlando (20 miles - 3 hours sailing)

Sailing itinerary 2 (one week) - Total distance traveled: 90 nautical miles

This sailing itinerary was followed by Carlo when he was sailing with his wife on an Oceanis 41.1.

• Day 1: Capo d'Orlando → Lipari (18 miles - 3 hours sailing)
• Day 2: Lipari → Panarea (10 miles - 2 hours sailing)
• Day 3: Panarea → Salina (11 miles - 2 hours sailing)
• Day 4: Salina → Filicudi (12 miles - 2 hours sailing)
• Day 5: Filicudi → Vulcano (20 miles - 3 hours sailing)
• Day 6: Vulcano → Capo d'Orlando (20 miles - 3 hours sailing)

5- What are the weather conditions?

By opting for a yacht charter in Capo d'Orlando, you will be in a strategic position to take to the sea and discover the north coast of Sicily, taking advantage of the wonderful weather conditions that characterize the region. The climate is subtropical Mediterranean, with summers that, although hot and humid, benefit from a constant sea breeze.

The prevailing winds in the Aeolian archipelago are generally north-easterly, such as the Grecale, which is frequent in summer. In winter, on the other hand, the Libeccio and Ponente winds blow from the south-west and the west respectively. As has already been emphasized several times, the seabed of the Aeolian Islands is very deep and the bays are poorly protected, so it is important to check the sea and wind conditions before setting sail for the next island. So what are you waiting for? Rent a boat in Capo d'Orlando and discover the marvelous Aeolian Islands!

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Carlo Catalano and Francesco (who prefers to remain anonymous) for their testimonies and their photos, which perfectly illustrate this article.