Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea
A Sicilian charter means the Aeolian Islands: seven volcanic islands within 15 to 35 NM of the Portorosa and Capo d'Orlando bases, Stromboli erupting after dark, and food that justifies every port stop.
YACHT TYPES
Sailing yachts 40 to 50 ft and catamarans 40 to 46 ft; skippered weeks are common because of the anchoring.
A typical Aeolian week from Portorosa
The islands lie in an arc north of the base; the usual loop goes anticlockwise and keeps Stromboli for the middle of the week.
Day 1, Portorosa to Vulcano (15 NM). Porto di Levante and the mud baths; the sulphur smell is part of the experience.
Day 2, to Lipari (3 NM) and on to Salina (10 NM). Lipari town for the castle and the shops, then Santa Marina or Rinella on Salina for the evening; Salina is the greenest island and the best for capers and Malvasia.
Day 3, to Panarea (15 NM). Anchor at Cala Junco or pick up a buoy off San Pietro; the village is car-free and expensive, the swimming is the best of the week.
Day 4, to Stromboli (12 NM). Anchor off Scari or Ginostra, then motor round to the Sciara del Fuoco after dark to watch the eruptions from the water.
Day 5, to Filicudi or back to Lipari (25 to 30 NM). Filicudi for the quietest anchorage and the Grotta del Bue Marino; Lipari if the forecast is uncertain.
Day 6, to Portorosa (20 to 35 NM). An early start and a lunch stop at Vulcano's Gelso.
The 14-day version adds Alicudi, Cefalù and the Milazzo coast; see our Sicily itineraries for the legs and distances.
Practical points for a Sicily charter
Licences
Italy accepts foreign national licences and the ICC for bareboat; the operator checks them at the base and asks for a sailing CV for larger yachts. VHF operation needs a certificate aboard.
Wind and sea
No dominant summer wind: sea breezes of 8 to 15 knots most afternoons, calm spells that mean motoring, and occasional northwesterlies that bring swell into the north-facing anchorages. Anchorages are deep, 10 to 20 m, so the yacht needs plenty of chain and the crew needs to be comfortable anchoring.
Berths, buoys and costs
Marinas exist at Lipari, Vulcano, Salina and Portorosa only, and fill in July and August. Elsewhere you anchor or take a buoy, with Panarea's buoys the most expensive in the islands. Budget for fuel, buoys, the deposit or damage waiver, and eating out, which is the point of the week.
Getting there
Catania airport is about 1 hour 45 from Portorosa, Palermo about 2 hours; both have year-round international flights. Provision at Furnari or Milazzo before departure; island shops are small.
Is Sicily suitable for a first charter?
With a skipper, yes. Bareboat, it suits crews who have anchored in deep water before and can manage a 30 NM leg.
Can we see the Stromboli eruption from the boat?
Most nights, from the northwest side after dark; the activity varies and the skipper keeps the distance the authorities require.
How busy is August?
Very: berths are gone by midday and buoys are priced accordingly. September has the same water and half the boats.
What does Seeksail need to advise us?
Dates, cabins, anchoring experience, skipper or not, and how much you want to eat ashore. We answer with three yachts from Portorosa or Capo d'Orlando and a recommendation.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE
More destination-specific guides are being prepared.
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