Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
Two weeks from Portorosa: a slow first week through all seven Aeolian Islands, including Alicudi, and a second week along Sicily's north coast to Milazzo, Capo d'Orlando and Cefalù. About 265 nautical miles at a relaxed pace.
PASSAGE PROFILE
About 255 to 275 nautical miles over 14 days; the longest legs are Capo d'Orlando to Cefalù and back (about 28 nm each), most days are 10 to 20 nm.
YACHT TYPE
Sailing yacht 42 to 52 ft or catamaran 40 to 46 ft; two weeks suits a family or two couples with a skipper, or an experienced bareboat crew.
Two weeks from Portorosa: the islands, then the coast
A one-week charter sees five of the Aeolians in a loop. Two weeks lets you take them slowly, add Alicudi and a second night where you like it, and spend the second week on the Sicilian coast between Milazzo and Cefalù, where the marinas are good, the towns are Norman and the sailing is easy. Legs assume 5 to 6 knots; expect calm mornings and a westerly sea breeze after noon.
Saturday: Portorosa to Vulcano | about 17 nm
Out to Vulcano's Porto di Levante: moorings, mud baths, the crater walk in the evening light.
Sunday: Vulcano to Lipari | about 3 nm
The short hop to Lipari's Marina Lunga. Castle, museum, Marina Corta, the supermarket. A slow day to settle in.
Monday: Lipari to Salina, Santa Marina | about 12 nm
North to the marina at Santa Marina Salina, with a swim at the Pollara bay on the way if the sea is calm. Malvasia tasting in Malfa in the evening.
Tuesday: Salina to Filicudi, Pecorini a Mare | about 18 nm
West to the quiet island: moorings at Pecorini, the Bue Marino cave by dinghy, dinner on the beach.
Wednesday: Filicudi to Alicudi | about 10 nm
The westernmost island, no roads, mules for luggage, a few moorings off the port and a bar. The Aeolians as they were fifty years ago. Anchoring is in deep water; take a mooring.
Thursday: Alicudi to Salina, Rinella | about 25 nm
Back east along the south of Filicudi to Rinella on Salina's south coast: moorings, a black beach, a village. The longest leg of the first week, downwind in the afternoon breeze.
Friday: Salina to Panarea | about 12 nm
East to Panarea's moorings off San Pietro, the islets of Basiluzzo and the coves of Cala Junco and Cala Zimmari. Evening in the whitewashed lanes.
Saturday: Panarea to Stromboli and back | about 24 nm
The volcano day: sail to Stromboli, swim off the black beaches, then position off the Sciara del Fuoco at dusk for the eruptions and return to Panarea's moorings after dark, or anchor off Scari in settled weather.
Sunday: Panarea to Lipari, Pignataro | about 13 nm
South to Lipari for fuel, water and provisions, and the second town evening. Half-way point of the charter.
Monday: Lipari to Milazzo | about 17 nm
To the mainland: Milazzo, the ferry port for the islands, with a marina under the castle and the Capo Milazzo marine reserve at the tip of the peninsula, where the swim stop is. Norman castle, old town, good restaurants.
Tuesday: Milazzo to Capo d'Orlando | about 25 nm
West along the coast past Portorosa and Tindari (the sanctuary on the cliff and the lagoon of Marinello below it, an anchorage in calm weather) to Marina di Capo d'Orlando, a modern marina at the foot of the town.
Wednesday: Capo d'Orlando to Cefalù | about 28 nm
The long coastal leg to Cefalù, the Norman town under its rock, with the cathedral (UNESCO) and a beach in the middle of town. The harbour is small; berth on the quay by arrangement or anchor off the beach in settled weather. The most photographed evening of the trip.
Thursday: Cefalù to Capo d'Orlando or Brolo | about 28 nm
Back east with the afternoon westerly behind you. Capo d'Orlando's marina again, or Brolo's small harbour 8 nm before it for a change.
Friday: Capo d'Orlando to Portorosa | about 15 nm
Along the gulf to the base for the afternoon check-in and fuel. A last swim at Marinello on the way.
Variations
With settled weather, the second week can run east instead: Milazzo, then through the Strait of Messina to Taormina (Giardini Naxos), about 45 nm with strong currents and traffic, skipper recommended. In northerly swell, stay in the islands for both weeks and add second nights on Salina, Panarea and Lipari. Bases and availability on our Sicily charter page.
Questions about the two-week Sicily itinerary
Why go back to the mainland for the second week?
Because the islands have five real stops and the moorings get repetitive; the coast adds marinas, Norman towns and easy days. Crews who prefer islands only can spend the second week on second nights instead.
Is Alicudi worth it?
For a two-week crew, yes: it is the one island that has not changed, and the 10 nm from Filicudi are the easiest leg of the week. There are only a few moorings, so arrive early.
How exposed is the north coast?
To northerly swell after a mistral in the Tyrrhenian; the marinas are safe, the anchorages are not. Watch the forecast and use Capo d'Orlando and Milazzo as the bad-weather stops.
What does Seeksail need to advise us?
Dates, cabins, licence held, skipper or not, and whether Cefalù or Taormina appeals more. We shortlist three yachts at Portorosa with a recommendation and two-week pricing.
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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