Sicily and the Aeolian Islands by yacht
Seven volcanic islands north of Sicily, each different: Lipari's town, Salina's vineyards, Panarea's summer crowd and Stromboli erupting after dark. June and September are the best months. It suits couples and honeymoons most.
This is the quietest of Italy's charter coasts in feel, and the most unusual. There are seven volcanic islands north of Sicily, each different from the next. Lipari is the busy town. Vulcano has warm, sulphurous water. Salina has vineyards and capers, Panarea white houses and a summer crowd, and Stromboli is an active volcano you can watch from the sea at night. Filicudi and Alicudi are far quieter. Sicily itself adds Taormina, Ortigia and the Egadi islands for a second week.
Why go, and whom it suits
Couples and honeymoons
A strong fit. The islands are small and unhurried, and Salina's food and wine are reason enough. A night at anchor off Stromboli is one of the most unusual evenings the Mediterranean has.
Friends and celebrations
Panarea in July and August is the social island of the group. For friends who like walking, food and something new, the whole group works well.
Families
It works best with children old enough to enjoy volcanoes, black-sand beaches and tender trips. The swimming is mostly off rocks and from the yacht, not off long sandy beaches.
Less good for: anyone wanting sandy beaches every day (Sardinia has them), or a very polished harbour scene (Panarea aside).
What's there
Milazzo and Portorosa
On the Sicilian coast, the usual start. From there, Vulcano is the nearest of the islands.
Vulcano
Mud baths and warm water at the Baia di Levante, and the crater walk above.
Lipari
The largest island, with the castle, the old town and the museum. Busy, and the place to shop and stock up.
Salina
Two green volcanic peaks, the bay at Pollara, vineyards for Malvasia, and capers.
Panarea
The smallest inhabited island, with the rocks and islets to its east for swimming. Lively in summer.
Stromboli
An active volcano. Its eruptions are often visible after dark from a boat off the Sciara del Fuoco. Whether walkers can reach the summit depends on its activity and the rules in force at the time.
Filicudi and Alicudi
The western, quiet end: few cars, or none, and very few boats.
Sicily beyond
Taormina, Syracuse's Ortigia, the Egadi islands (Favignana) off the west coast, and Palermo. Each is better as its own week.
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When to go
June and September: the best months. The sea is warm and the islands calm.
July and August: hot and fullest, Panarea especially.
May and October: pleasant and quieter, the sea cooler.
The islands are open water, and a strong wind from one side sends the yacht to the other side of an island for shelter. Some anchorages are exposed. The captain picks the stops day by day.
Cost
The charter fee is each yacht's own weekly rate, shown "from" on her page.
- VAT is added at Italy's standard rate, 22%, and the charter contract states the VAT charged on your charter.
- APA: budget up to 40% of the charter fee; whatever is not spent is returned to you.
- One-way weeks from Naples or the Amalfi Coast to the Aeolians can add a delivery fee.
For the whole picture, see what a crewed charter costs, line by line.
A sample week
- Day 1 — Milazzo to Vulcano. Board on the Sicilian coast and cross to Vulcano, with a swim in the warm water at the Baia di Levante.
- Day 2 — Lipari. Over to Lipari, a short hop: the castle, the old town, and dinner ashore.
- Day 3 — Salina. The bay at Pollara for a swim, a vineyard visit inland, and the evening at Santa Marina Salina.
- Day 4 — Filicudi and Alicudi. West to the quiet islands: a sea cave at Filicudi, and lunch on board off Alicudi.
- Day 5 — Panarea. Back east: swimming among the islets, and Panarea's lanes in the evening.
- Day 6 — Stromboli. A short run to Stromboli, the black beach at Ficogrande, and after dark the volcano from the water.
- Day 7 — Milazzo. Back to the Sicilian coast to disembark, the longest run of the week, then the drive to Catania or Palermo airport.
The yacht and the weather decide the real route. The captain may run the islands in a different order to stay sheltered.
The yachts
Most of the yachts we show in Italy are mid-size and large motor yachts; a few are sailing yachts and catamarans.
Some yachts reach the Aeolians on a one-way week from Naples, which can carry a delivery fee (fuel, crew, berths), stated before you sign. We say which ones cruise here.
The yachts on this site are a selection, not the limit of what we arrange: ask about any yacht, of any size.
Practical questions
Rene GaspersicYour broker
Where does the charter start?
Milazzo or Portorosa in Sicily, or Naples for a one-way week south.
Which airport?
Catania or Palermo, then a drive to Milazzo.
Can we see Stromboli erupt?
Often, from the sea, after dark. It is never guaranteed, and the volcano sets its own schedule.
Can we climb the volcanoes?
Vulcano's crater is a short walk. On Stromboli, what walkers may climb depends on the volcano's activity and the rules in force at the time; the captain finds out before you arrive.
Are the islands busy?
Panarea and Lipari are, in August. Filicudi, Alicudi and Salina stay quieter.
Is it good for children?
For older children, yes. The beaches are mostly pebble or black sand, and the swimming is from the yacht.
Can we add Sicily itself?
Yes. Taormina is near the Strait of Messina, and Ortigia and the Egadi islands are further. They fit best in a second week.
Do we need fixed dates to enquire?
No. A month or a season is enough to start.
Talk to a broker
Tell us roughly when, how many of you there are, and what the week is for: a family summer, a honeymoon, a birthday with friends. Dates and budget can stay loose. We come back with a short list of yachts that fit, say plainly what each one is like, and stay your contact from the first email to the last day on board.
Rene Gaspersic
charter broker
Email info@soretoyachting.com · Phone +44 7342 933198 · WhatsApp +44 7342 933198
What a week costs here
Every quote shows the three lines in full, before you decide.
The weekly rate on each yacht’s page. "From" is her lowest season.
An advance for fuel, food, drinks and berths, spent on your instructions and settled at the end.
Set by the country the charter starts in, added to the fee.
Plan
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands.
Two short steps. Dates and budget can stay loose. We reply personally, by email, phone or WhatsApp.