Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
One week around the seven Aeolian Islands from the Sicilian mainland: Vulcano's mud baths, Panarea's coves, Stromboli erupting at dusk, Salina's Malvasia, Filicudi's quiet and Lipari's town. About 135 nautical miles, mostly under 25 a day.
PASSAGE PROFILE
About 130 to 140 nautical miles for the week; Filicudi to Lipari (about 25 nm) and Stromboli to Salina (about 22 nm) are the longest legs, the others 12 to 20 nm.
YACHT TYPE
Sailing yacht 40 to 50 ft or catamaran 40 to 45 ft; bareboat with a licence and VHF certificate, or skippered.
The Aeolian loop from Portorosa
Marina Portorosa, at Furnari on the Gulf of Patti, is the main charter base for the Aeolians: 20 nm from Vulcano and 45 minutes from Catania's motorway, an hour and a half from Catania airport. The islands are volcanic and steep, with deep water close to shore, few natural harbours and buoy fields run by cooperatives in most bays. Legs assume 5 to 6 knots; the summer wind is a light westerly or north-westerly sea breeze, with calms in the morning, so the engine is used more than in Croatia.
Saturday: Portorosa to Vulcano, Porto di Levante | about 17 nm
Straight out to the nearest island. Porto di Levante on Vulcano's north-east side has moorings and a quay, sulphur in the air, the mud baths behind the beach and the crater walk (two hours, start early or late). Porto di Ponente, across the isthmus, is the black-sand beach and the sunset anchorage.
Sunday: Vulcano to Lipari and on to Panarea | about 15 nm
Three miles to Lipari for the morning: Marina Corta, the castle and the archaeological museum, provisioning at the supermarket above the port. Then 12 nm north-east to Panarea, the smallest and most fashionable island. Moorings off San Pietro, or anchor at Cala Junco on the south side; the islets of Basiluzzo and Dattilo are the swim.
Monday: Panarea to Stromboli | about 12 nm
Sail to the volcano and time the arrival for the evening: from the sea off the Sciara del Fuoco, the lava slope on the north-west, the eruptions show every 15 to 20 minutes after dark. Stromboli has no harbour; anchor off Scari or Ficogrande in settled weather (rolly), or motor back to Panarea's moorings after the show, about two hours. Ginostra, the hamlet on the west side, has a few moorings for the adventurous.
Tuesday: Stromboli or Panarea to Salina, Santa Marina | about 22 nm
South-west to Salina, the greenest island, with two extinct cones and the Malvasia vineyards. Marina di Santa Marina Salina has berths with water and power, the only proper marina in the archipelago after Lipari. Rinella on the south coast is the mooring alternative; Pollara, the bay under the crater on the west, is the afternoon swim and the sunset.
Wednesday: Salina to Filicudi, Pecorini a Mare | about 18 nm
West to Filicudi, quiet and steep, with the prehistoric village on Capo Graziano and the sea stack of La Canna off the west coast. Moorings at Pecorini a Mare (two restaurants, one bar) or Filicudi Porto. Snorkel the Grotta del Bue Marino by dinghy.
Thursday: Filicudi to Lipari, Pignataro | about 25 nm
The long leg east, back to Lipari's Marina Lunga and the Pignataro port, with berths and fuel. The pumice quarries and the white beach on the east coast are the lunch stop on the way. Evening in town, the liveliest of the week.
Friday: Lipari to Portorosa | about 22 nm
South past Vulcano to the mainland and the marina for the afternoon check-in and fuel. The sea breeze is on the beam.
Variations
Add Alicudi (10 nm west of Filicudi, no roads, no cars) by shortening Salina to a lunch stop. In a westerly swell, reverse the loop and do Filicudi first while the east is sheltered. Bases and availability on our Sicily charter page.
Questions about the Aeolian itinerary
Are there enough harbours?
Lipari, Santa Marina Salina and Portorosa are the only marinas; the rest is moorings run by cooperatives, paid per night and bookable by phone in August. A skipper who knows the buoy operators saves time.
Will we see Stromboli erupt?
Almost always: the volcano has been active continuously for centuries, and after dark the glow is visible from the sea. The guided summit climb depends on the current alert level and is booked on the island.
How much motoring is there?
More than in Croatia or Greece: mornings are often calm and the breeze arrives after noon. Budget for fuel and plan the longer legs for the afternoon.
What does Seeksail need to advise us?
Dates, cabins, licence held, skipper or not, and whether Stromboli at night is a must. We shortlist three yachts at Portorosa with a recommendation.
Tell us your dates, group and route priorities. A Seeksail adviser will review your request and help identify suitable yachts, normally within one business day.
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