Yacht charter Portorosa

   By Lila Kergall 

June 21, 2022

Map of sailing areas in Sicily (clickable)

Summary

1. Practical information for your yacht charter from Portorosa
2. Where to sail from Portorosa?
3. The most beautiful anchorages when departing from Portorosa
4. What sailing itinerary should you follow?
5. What are the weather conditions?

"During our cruise, we discovered the Aeolian Islands, the landscapes are very beautiful. Our favorite was Vulcano, but each one has its own character! à terre, nous en profitons pour visiter les villes et découvrir les centres historiques. De retour sur le bateau, c&rsquowas the opportunity to go diving," William Fouquet, a Filovent customer, tells me, happy to share his cruise experience after a two-week cruise in the Aeolian Islands in July 2019.

"We really appreciated the Sicilians' hospitality! There is a real attachment to France and French culture there. You have to let yourself be guided by the recommendations of the locals, and if you speak a little Italian, it's even better!" These are the words of Daniel Gennaro, who went on a cruise with Filovent to the Aeolian Islands archipelago in May 2022.

The

1. Practical information for your yacht charter in Portorosa

Renting a boat in Portorosa: with or without a skipper?

In Sicily, and more generally in Italy, the navigation regulations are relatively simple. If you go further than 6 miles from shelter, you must have a boat license. On the other hand, this is not compulsory whether you have a sailboat or a motorboat. To take full advantage of a yacht charter, you can also take the skipper option and let a professional captain your boat!

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

Here is a table showing the average prices for yacht charters from Portorosa for one week. These prices are a rough dead reckoning and may vary depending on the season, the model and the age of the boat.

Your starting point

Located in the north-east of Sicily, Portorosa was once the scene of many battles! The fortress that dominates the heart of the city bears witness to this. Portorosa is a pleasant seaside resort where life is good. The Portorosa marina has been flying the blue flag, synonymous with respect for the environment, since 1993. It is very modern and offers numerous services such as water, electricity, a laundrette and supermarkets nearby… With a capacity of more than 700 boats, Portorosa is the ideal point of departure for a cruise to Sicily!

The easiest, most common and fastest way to get to the marina di Portorosa is by plane. From France, many airports offer flights to Palermo airport, with or without stopover(s), located about 200 kilometers from Portorosa. "Landing in Palermo is the perfect opportunity to stay overnight and discover this superb city full of life!" advises William.

Once you arrive at Palermo airport, you have two options for getting to the marina di Portorosa: bus or taxi. The fastest is still the taxi, which will drop you off at the marina or in the city center if you want to visit Portorosa before boarding your boat. The journey takes two hours. During this time, enjoy the scenery as you travel along the Sicilian coast!

Our main partners on site

• Dream Yacht Charter is one of our main partners offering yacht charters from Portorosa, so you can discover the Sicilian coast by sail. Our Filovent customers who went with Dream Yacht Charter were satisfied with their services, as they gave them an average satisfaction rating of 16/20. This was the case for Olivier, who went sailing in the region with Dream Yacht Charter in April 2022: "The team was great! The organization and service were impeccable with the rental company in Portorosa."

• Sunsail Mariner is also one of our partners at the Portorosa marina base. Filovent customers who have placed their trust in Sunsail have been more than satisfied with their cruise, as they have given this rental company an average satisfaction rating of 18.5/20!

• Seafolk Travel is a yacht charter company based in Sicily. You can choose to set sail with Seafolk from Portorosa, as some Filovent customers have done. Their average satisfaction rating is 15/20.

• Spartivento is a second Italian partner offering yacht charter in Sicily and other Italian regions. Filovent customers who left Portorosa with Spartivento gave them an average satisfaction score of 16/20.

2. Where can you sail from Portorosa?

A yacht charter from Portorosa is the perfect opportunity to set off and discover the Aeolian Islands. This breathtaking archipelago is made up of 17 islands, only 7 of which are inhabited. The crystal-clear water is a delight for fishermen and divers! Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Stromboli, Filicudi and Alicudi are all volcanic islands. Only the islands of Vulcano and Stromboli have a still active volcano. It should be noted that the Aeolian Islands have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since the early 2000s.

William Fouquet tells me about his sailing itinerary: "As we had rented the boat for two weeks, we were able to make a big loop! We set sail for the Aeolian Islands and then headed for Tropea, located on the east coast of Calabria in southern Italy. We then went down to Scilla, one of our most beautiful anchorages, at the entrance to the Strait of Messina. Finally, we went down to Syracuse in the south of Sicily . It's a fantastic city! We finally went back up to the base along the west coast of Sicily, passing through Taormina. We sailed a lot, it was a real pleasure and the scenery was superb!" he said.

Vulcano

Do as William and his family did during your stopover on the island of Vulcano: climb the Vulcano volcano! The path is well marked and the climb is not as difficult as you might think. At the end of an hour's walk, you will arrive at the crater, where you will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the whole island! Take advantage of this stopover in Vulcano to discover the hot mud baths of Lake Fanghi. For those who love to relax and are looking for peace and quiet, you can enjoy the island's many white or black sand beaches. The beach of Porto di Ponente is the most famous on the island, thanks to the sea in which there are thermal springs with recognized therapeutic benefits. "The island of Vulcano is quite calm and friendly, there aren't too many tourists and it's pleasant!" William tells me .

Lipari

"We moored at the port of Lipari and visited the town, which is very nice! Right next to the port, there is a fishmonger where you can buy fish that was caught the day before, it's excellent," Daniel recommends.

Located about 20 nautical miles north of Portorosa and only 800 meters from Vulcano, Lipari is the largest island in the Aeolian Islands archipelago. The beauty of its villages and beaches attracts a large number of tourists every year! Some coves are renowned for their turquoise and translucent waters, such as the beaches of Spiagge Bianche and Porticello in the northeast of the island. For more privacy, head to Spiaggia Valle Muria or Punta del Cogno Lungo, coves surrounded by cliffs that are more difficult to reach by land. Finally, take the time to visit the authentic Sicilian villages of Lipari and Canneto!

When he told me about his catamaran cruise in the Aeolian Islands, Olivier told me about his favorite island, Lipari: "Lipari was really very nice and the people are charming. There is a real town around the port and we rented a car to tour the island. We saw some exceptional points of view. On the island, we also visited the ruins of very ancient archaeological sites and sublime churches in which we were able to attend liturgical chants."

Salina

The island of Salina is the second largest island in the Aeolian archipelago. Formerly called Didyme because of its two twin volcanoes, its new name comes from the "saliform" plants found on the island. The island has two volcanoes: the Fossa del Felci, which is 962 meters high and the highest point of the Aeolian Islands, and Mount dei Porri, which is over 860 meters high. These two volcanoes are said to be twins, as they are separated by the Valdichiesa pass. During your visit to the island, we recommend that you visit the beautiful church of Santa Maria, the colors inside are sublime.

Panarea

On your way to Stromboli, you will see the smallest island in the archipelago, Panarea. The main access to the island is on the east coast, at San Pietro. The small coves of Zimmari and Junco generally attract pleasure boaters for their charm and wild character! Although the Italians don't really bother about it, some areas around the island are off-limits for anchorage and I advise you to find out about this in advance. Take the time to sail to the small, rocky and uninhabited islets of Lisca Bianca and Basiluzzio, where peace and serenity await you.

Stromboli

"We were delighted to see several volcanoes erupt during our stay. When we arrived, Etna was erupting, and we also saw the spectacle of the Stromboli volcano!" Daniel told me, when he was telling me about his stay in the Aeolian Islands.

If you see black sand beaches and white houses, there's no doubt about it, you've arrived in Stromboli! Unlike Vulcano, climbing the Stromboli volcano is not the easiest of tasks. The more athletic will still be able to claim to climb it, but it will take more than 5 hours of walking. Don't pitch in alone, it is imperative to be accompanied by a specialized guide! Active for more than 2,400 years, the nightly spectacle offered by this volcano is simply impressive. 

"During our stopover in Stromboli, we went to the Osservatorio, an extraordinary restaurant where you can watch the volcano erupt at night while eating a good pizza! It's a unique experience. There are very few places in the world where you can dine while watching such a spectacle," Daniel tells me . He went sailing with Filovent in May 2022.

Filicudi and Alicudi

These two islands located in the western part of the archipelago are the least touched by mass tourism. Filicudi is known for its many caves that you can visit by doing cabotage around the island, such as the mystical Bue Marino cave. Alicudi, even smaller, immerses you in a world apart, with only one small authentic village inhabiting the island. The landscape is worth the detour, but note that there is less protection around this island with its gentle coastline.

3. The most beautiful anchorages from Portorosa

Punta Crepazza - Lipari

Punta Crepazza is a calm anchorage on the island of Lipari, protected from north-westerly and easterly winds. The cove is renowned for its white cliffs overlooking a small sandy beach accessible by dinghy. You can drop anchor in the sandy seabed, which makes the water a magnificent color! It is also possible to take a dinghy to the northwest of the anchorage to discoverthe Arco degli Angeli, a natural arch formed in the rock.

The cove is more easily accessible by sea than by land, so it is spared from mass tourism. I would still suggest going there in the morning or staying at the anchorage for the night if the wind is not too strong, to avoid the crowds of tourist boats. You can enjoy a view of the island of Vulcano at sunset!

Porticello - Lipari

"We anchored our boat in front of the old pumice factory for lunch. We met some fishermen who came up to us in their boat to offer us fish, even the boat!" Olivier told me, who had gone sailing in the Aeolian Islands with his family.

Porticello is an enchanting anchorage in sandy waters that is well protected on the windward side. This stopover was recommended to me by the manager of the base of our local partner, Dream Yacht Charter. Anchor in complete tranquility in the crystal-clear waters and admire the imposing rocky coastline, home to an old abandoned pumice factory. Be warned, this particular landscape attracts many tourists and pleasure boaters during the day.

Porto di Ponente - Vulcano

"We had magnificent sunsets over the islands of Alicudi and Filicudi when we anchored in the bay of sunset at Vulcano. The water is magnificent there," explains Daniel Gennaro.

This anchorage at the foot of the Vulcano volcano is indeed renowned for its sunsets and its point of view on the smallest of the Aeolian islands. Note that it is not well protected from northwesterly winds, so I suggest you take wind conditions into account before you go there! Finally, this anchorage is also ideal for climbing the volcano, as Daniel did with his friends: "We climbed Vulcano, with a superb view at the end of the islands of Lipari, Stromboli in the background, Filicudi and Alicudi. It's a rather interesting walk around an extinct volcano where there are still sulphur fumes."

Spiaggia di Pollara - Salina

This cove is one of the most beautiful on the Aeolian Islands. It is famous for its rock in the shape of a natural arch, which can only be seen from the sea. on land, you can go down to see the House of the Postman, which has not moved, 20 years after the filming of the movie "The Postman". The spot is also known for its breathtaking view of the sunset, but unfortunately it is not recommended to spend the night there in a boat, except in very calm weather. The bay is only protected from east and northeast winds.

Cala Junco - Panarea

An anchored boat in the turquoise waters of the spectacular Cala Junco cove on the island of Panarea. The small beach is well protected by two large rock walls, the shape of which resembles a natural amphitheater. Swim out to the pebble beach and climb the stone steps to the remains of a prehistoric village! The anchorage becomes quieter at the end of the day.

4. Which sailing itinerary should you follow?

One-week sailing itinerary in the Aeolian Islands, departing from Portorosa

The detailed itinerary below is a suggested route. When you set off from Portorosa, you will need to take the wind conditions into account when planning your trip. "It is Aeolus (the god of the wind) who will suggest the best sailing itinerary for you to discover the Aeolian Islands archipelago," explains the base manager of Dream Yacht Charter in Portorosa.

Before or after your cruise, I invite you to take the time to visit Cefalù, a pretty coastal town in the north of Sicily, as well as Palermo, its beautiful capital. "We went to Cefalù in the evening, we had a very nice hotel. It's very cute and picturesque, it's a medieval city that I recommend if you have a moment before or after the cruise," advises Olivier.

Total distance traveled: 102 nautical miles

• Day 1: Portorosa → Lipari (22 nautical miles ~ 4 hours)
• Day 2: Lipari → Zimmari, Panarea (12 nautical miles ~ 2 hours)
• Day 3: Zimmari, Panarea → Stromboli (14 nautical miles ~ 3 hours)
• Day 4: Stromboli → Pollara, Salina (22 nautical miles ~ 4 hours)
• Day 5: Pollara, Salina -> Porto di Levante, Vulcano (12 nautical miles ~ 3 hours)
• Day 6: Porto di Levante, Vulcano → Portorosa (20 nautical miles ~ 4 hours)

Map of a one-week itinerary to discover the Aeolian Islands (clickable)

DAY 1: Discover Lipari by scooter!

Portorosa → Lipari (22 miles ~ 4 hours)

After our first refueling at Tonnarella, we board our sailboat at the marina di Portorosa and set sail for the Aeolian Islands. On the advice of the base manager, we book a place at the Marina Lipari Service, which we reach after a crossing of about 4 hours. During the crossing, we enjoy a splendid view of the island of Vulcano and have lunch on the boat. Once ashore, we rent scooters for the afternoon to explore Lipari. After a 25-minute drive through the pretty Italian villages, we reach the village of Quattropani, in the northwest of the island. We visit its famous church, which offers a breathtaking view of the islands of Salina, Filicudi and Alicudi.

On the way back to Lipari, we stop atthe Lipari geophysical observatory, another spectacular point of view located at the southern tip of the island. We marvel at the panorama and the view of the island of Vulcano as the sun sets… An unforgettable moment! In the evening, we enjoy a pleasant stroll through the lively center of Lipari and have dinner next to the harbor at the restaurant Osteria San Bartolo. The welcome is extremely warm, the prices are reasonable and we enjoy excellent Italian and Mediterranean cuisine!

DAY 2: Swimming in the turquoise waters of Porticello and Panarea

Lipari → Porticello → Panarea (12 nautical miles ~ 2 hours)

On this second day of the cruise, we set off early for the anchorage at Porticello. After just an hour's sailing, we see the old historic pumice quarry and drop anchor right in front of it, on the sandy seabed. With the sun shining, the color of the water is surprising, and the contrast with the white rock is amazing! After a pleasant swim in the translucent sea, we have lunch on the boat and enjoy the unique setting of this place. The abandoned factory on the coast resembles the ruins of an ancient civilization.

Seeing many boats arriving, we decide to weigh anchor and resume our sailing itinerary in the direction of the small island of Panarea. We choose Zimmari Bay , protected from the northwesterly winds, to spend the night. We spend this second evening on the boat and enjoy the tranquility of this anchorage at sunset, over a superb aperitif!

DAY 3: The spectacle of the Stromboli volcano

Panarea → Basiluzzo → Stromboli (14 nautical miles ~ 3 hours)

This morning, we rediscover the beauty of Zimmari cove and opt for an early morning swim. To the east of the cove, we discover wonderful natural caves that are accessible by swimming. We then set course for the uninhabited islet of Basiluzzo, 3 nautical miles from Panarea, and drop anchor in a sandbar between the grass and the rocks. We have lunch on the side of the boat. Here again, there are numerous natural caves and the waters are very clear, it's a real joy!

after this stopover, we continue on to Stromboli, an island renowned for its active volcano. We enjoy one of the most beautiful sailing experiences of the trip, with the Stromboli volcano and its clouds of smoke on the horizon. As the seabed is very uneven around the island, we decide to book a buoy at the Marina del Gabianno, where we can get water and electricity. We take the dinghy to the black sand beach and explore the narrow streets and white houses of the town. The contrast between the light of the houses and the darkness of the sand on the island is astonishing! In the evening, we dine at the Osservatorio restaurant, which we reach after a 30-minute walk. It is renowned for its extraordinary setting, offering an unparalleled view of the volcano. Once night has fallen, we are extremely lucky to witness the spectacle of the Stromboli volcano and admire the lava blocks rising into the air.

DAY 4: On the road of Il Postino!

Stromboli → Cala Junco, Panarea → Pollara, Salina (22 nautical miles ~ 4 hours)

This morning, we stock up on provisions in the village of Stromboli before setting off for the island of Salina. After two hours of sailing, we make a stop in a cove south of Panarea, Cala Junco, one of the most beautiful stops of the trip. On the program: lunch on the boat, swimming and discovering fish and coral. We reach the small beach and take some stairs leading us to the ruins of a prehistoric village, what a discovery!

We then reach the island of Salina in two hours. As the wind calms down, we choose to anchor in Pollara Bay, one of the most beautiful anchorages in the Aeolian Islands (this anchorage is not recommended in strong westerly winds). We attach ourselves to a buoy and then head for the coast in the dinghy. We take the stairs to climb to the top of the cliff, where the house of Neruda from the film "Il Postino" with Massimo Troisi and Philippe Noiret is located. After this little escapade, the evening passes quietly on the boat, in this idyllic bay. It is May, and there are only two boats at anchor. From here the sunset is magnificent!

DAY 5: Climb Vulcano!

Pollara, Salina → Porto di Levante Levante, Vulcano (12 nautical miles ~ 3 hours)

For our second to last day, we decide to reach Vulcano early to climb its volcano! After three short hours of sailing, we arrive at the Marina of Baia Levante. From a height of about 500 meters, the crater of the Vulcano volcano can be reached by a fairly practicable path, although it requires a few jumps. After an hour's climb, we reach the summit and enjoy the view of the neighboring islands and part of Vulcano. We smell sulfur, not very pleasant but bearable, and see fumaroles coming out of the volcano in some places. The descent is uneventful and we decide to go to the famous Laghetto di Fanghi hot mud baths. After this intense day of physical activity, we decide to return to our boat at the marina for dinner.

DAY 6: From Vulcano to Portorosa

Baia Levante, Vulcano → Cala di Capo Secco, Vulcano → Portorosa (20 nautical miles - 4 hours)

On this last day of the cruise, we decide to go to Cala di Capo Secco, a beautiful cove on the west coast of Vulcano. We water-jet-power our motorized craft to a depth of about 15 meters on sandy and rocky seabed. This stopover was recommended to us by a member of the staff at the Porto di Levante marina to visit the Grotta del Cavallo. We really appreciated the wild charm of this anchorage, which we highly recommend! After enjoying this last anchorage in the Aeolian Islands, we return to our boat to make the final sail to the marina di Portorosa. Upon arrival, we fill up with fuel and spend the last night in port.

5. What are the weather conditions?

Portorosa enjoys the pleasant Mediterranean climate that Sicily offers all year round. Filovent advises you to leave between the months of April and November, so you will have plenty of time to discover this sublime place. During July and August, temperatures can rise to 32°C!

The Aeolian Islands are named after Aeolus, the god of the wind. So your sailing in the area will be governed by Aeolus! "The Aeolian Islands are all or nothing in terms of wind. When the wind blows, it's the equivalent of the Strait of Bonifacio!" explains Olivier, who sailed from Portorosa with Filovent.

"In Sicily, the sailing conditions are good. Even if the Mistral, a north wind, is blowing a lot, it is still pleasant to sail," adds William. You may also face the Sirocco, a warm wind from the south that frequently blows in this region.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Daniel Gennaro, Olivier and William Fouquet for their testimonials and photos, which beautifully illustrate my article. Many thanks also to our local partner Dream Yacht Charter for their valuable advice!