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A dramatic sailing holiday among the volcanic Aeolian Islands off the northeast coast of Sicily.

What a dramatic destination for your sailing holiday! The Aeolian Islands lie 25 miles off the northeast coast of Sicily. This volcanic chain of seven islands is named after the wind god, Aeolus. Some of the islands have a rich history dating back to Ancient Greece, others are sparsely populated.

Today the Aeolian Islands are a favourite destination for Italian celebrities. On your yacht charter holiday be sure to visit Stromboli, the island Dolce & Gabbana call home. As the sun sets, giant flames and molten rock spray from Stromboli’s crater like special effects in a Hollywood blockbuster. Vulcano also has a volcano that belches sulphurous smoke.

This is a popular sailing holiday destination with harbours and anchorages sheltered from the prevailing summer winds. The food is excellent and local people are very hospitable.

Sicily Yacht Charter

  • Overview
    shutterstock_Filicudi_Gallery600x400

    Filicudi Island

    shutterstock_LipariHarbour_Gallery600x400

    Lipari Harbour

    shutterstock_SicilyFood_Gallery600x400

    Enjoy fresh local produce

    shutterstock_Stromboli_Gallery600x400

    Stromboli

    Sailing holidays in Sicily

    • Daily flights to Palermo
    • Enjoy a nightime light display as molten rock sprays from Stromboli
    • Average distances of 23nm/day
    • Level 2 sailing
    • Average summer temperatures of 24-28 degrees
    • Can be affected by the stronger Mistral winds in August
    • Sail through the infamous Aeolian islands with their rich history
    • Marinas can be expensive, some up to €150
    • Anchor in the bays to avoid marina fees if you prefer
    • Flexible start and finish dates possible
  • 1 Wk Itinerary

    Suggested 1 week sailing itinerary from Portorosa

    DAY 1 : Portorosa

    Portorosa is on the north coast, an ideal starting point for sailing to the Aeolian islands.

    DAY 2 : Vulcano (29nm)

    Rugged and barren, with lava eroded into fantastic shapes by the wind. There are therapeutic mud baths ashore.

    DAY 3 : Stromboli (27nm)

    The only active volcano in the area, Stomboli is over 300 feet high and is visible for miles. The spectacular eruptive phenomena which can be admired from the sea! At night the red flow from the lava flow on the northwest coast is most impressive.

    DAY 4 : Filicudi (33nm)

    Unspoilt and undeveloped, with stunning snorkelling and diving.

    DAY 5 : Salina (12nm)

    One of the first national parks that was created in Sicily – it’s a peaceful island with all its original beauty.

    DAY 6 : Lipari (10nm)

    The main and most populated island with a busy harbour. The port is small and busy. An excellent Aeolean museum exhibits remains from prehistoric through Phoenician, Greek, Carthaginian, Roman Byzantine, Norman and Spanish.

    DAY 7 : Portorosa (35nm)

    Sicily 1 week sailing holiday itinerary

  • Sailing Conditions

    Sailing conditions in Sicily

    Sicily has ideal conditions for a sailing holiday. The normal summer winds are from the north-west average Force 4, occasionally from the west. Stronger mistral winds can blow in August, lasting 1-2 days. Summer temperatures average 24-28ºC.

    We have rated this destination a 'Level 2' (levels info) and you will need RYA Day Skipper or ICC qualification for bareboat charters in Sicily.

    You can see all of the bases we offer in Italy along with the level ratings here so that you can find the most suitable destination for you. If you are at all unsure about a destination then please get in touch and our sales team will be more than happy to make their recommendations for you.

  • Getting There

    Getting There

    Flights to Palermo

    EasyJet have flights from Gatwick to Palermo. With daily flights, you can add on a few days for a city break in Palermo before or after your charter.

    Transfers

    The transfer time to Portorosa is approximately 2 hours by car or 3 hours by train.

"Thank you so much for all your help with our Silver Wedding. We had the most amazing time & everything was wonderful."

Turkish Gulet - W.C-S.

Sicily Yacht Charter prices

Fleet 1 from Portorosa Prices shown are in GB£ per yacht for 1 week

2023 Prices Extra 5% OFF for 2 weeks.

2023 GB£ per yachtDufour 360 Liberty(2020)Dufour 382 GL - 3 cab.(2017)Dufour 412 GL(2020)
Dates3 cabins/1WC3 cabins/1WC3 cabins/2WC
13-19 May191019102295
20-26 May205720572467
27 May-02 Jun241924192905
03-09 Jun260026003124
10-16 Jun267626763210
17-23 Jun274827483295
24-30 Jun288128813452
01-07 Jul324332433890
08-14 Jul368636864424
15-21 Jul368636864424
22-28 Jul401440144814
29 Jul-04 Aug463846385567
05-11 Aug463846385567
12-18 Aug463846385567
19-25 Aug361436144338
26 Aug-01 Sep317631763810
02-08 Sep317631763810
09-15 Sep301930193624
16-22 Sep282928293395
23-29 Sep252925293033

Fleet 1 from Portorosa Prices shown are in GB£ per yacht for 1 week

2023 Prices Extra 5% OFF for 2 weeks.

2023 GB£ per yachtDufour 512 GL - 4 cab.(2017)Oceanis 48 - 5 cab.(2018)
Dates4 cabins/3WC5 cabins/3WC
13-19 May37293329
20-26 May40143586
27 May-02 Jun43813910
03-09 Jun45714081
10-16 Jun49004376
17-23 Jun52294667
24-30 Jun54904905
01-07 Jul61675510
08-14 Jul68435952
15-21 Jul68435952
22-28 Jul75906600
29 Jul-04 Aug87867638
05-11 Aug87867638
12-18 Aug87867638
19-25 Aug65385838
26 Aug-01 Sep57385124
02-08 Sep57385124
09-15 Sep54624876
16-22 Sep51194571
23-29 Sep45674076

Fleet 1 from Portorosa Prices shown are in GB£ per yacht for 1 week

2023 Prices Extra 5% OFF for 2 weeks.

2023 GB£ per yachtBali 4.4 - 4 + 2 cab.(2022)Lagoon 40 - 4 + 2 cab(2019)
Dates4 cabins/4WC4 cabins/2WC
13-19 May59004214
20-26 May66484748
27 May-02 Jun76385457
03-09 Jun83485962
10-16 Jun88486319
17-23 Jun99106833
24-30 Jun104057176
01-07 Jul123488514
08-14 Jul135909371
15-21 Jul135909371
22-28 Jul144249948
29 Jul-04 Aug1607611086
05-11 Aug1607611086
12-18 Aug1607611086
19-25 Aug120578314
26 Aug-01 Sep104337195
02-08 Sep104337195
09-15 Sep100386924
16-22 Sep92146581
23-29 Sep63864562

Fleet 1 from Portorosa

FREE outboard on yachts 50'+

YACHT SECURITY:

Refundable deposit €2500 - €9000. Non refundable deposit on request.
COMPULSORY EXTRAS:

End cleaning; Monohulls up to 38' €150, 39'-45' €180, 46'-49' €215, 50' and above €240

End cleaning: Catamarans up to 40' €235, 41'-45' €255, 46'-49' €280 50' and above €310

Starter pack and handling fees; €45
 
Fuel used (fill up on return)
Optional extras (i.e. SUP's etc) available on request.
SKIPPER: €1610/week + food and drink + own cabin. Cats 48' & over €1890 + food and drink + own cabin
 
 
 
 
 

Fleet 2 from Portorosa

YACHT SECURITY:

Refundable deposit €2500- €6000
COMPULSORY EXTRAS:
End cleaning (includes 2 gas cylinders): Monohulls - €140 up to 43', €160 44-51', €180 52' and above. Catamarans - €200-€280.
 
Fuel used (fill up on return)
Optional extras (i.e Outboard, SUP's etc) available on request.

 

 

Prices may be subject to change.

Sailing Qualifications

To skipper a bareboat charter or flotilla yacht, you need to hold a practical sailing certificate equivalent to RYA Day Skipper Practical qualification or RYA International Certificate of Competence (ICC). For charters in Greece, you must now have the ICC certificate. You must also be assisted by at least one competent crew member over the age of 18.

The port authorities in Greece are now insisting on one of the following practical certificates: RYA ICC (International Certificate of Competence), RYA Coastal, RYA Yachtmaster, ASA IPC (International Proficiency Certificate) or the IYT (International Yacht Training) Passport. If you hold an RYA Day Skipper or ASA104 it will no longer be accepted and you need to obtain either an ICC or IPC from the corresponding issuing body (RYA or ASA). If your RYA Coastal/Yachtmaster or ASA105/106 certificate is more than 12 years old and does not have a photo ID, then we would also strongly advise applying for an ICC or IPC. If you are a member of the RYA or ASA, you may qualify for a discount or free certificate, otherwise, you will have to pay. The approximate cost is £50. Please use this link - RYA application for the ICC or ASA application for the IPC.

For charters in Croatia, Malta and the Canaries, at least one member of the crew or the skipper will also need a VHF licence.

RYA qualifications can be obtained by RYA sailing schools in the UK or alternatively choose from one of our overseas centres in Gibraltar, Greece or Turkey.

For Seychelles, the local authorities require an ICC for the skipper of a bareboat or flotilla yacht charter.

For Caribbean and Tropical charters, formal qualifications are not compulsory, however, you should be Day Skipper standard and be assisted by at least one competent crew. A brief sailing resume should be provided to outline your experience.

If you don't hold the relevant qualifications then why not add a skipper?

Sailing Levels

Level 1

Winds force 2-3 (4-11 Knots)combined with generally shorter distances. Good for beginner or intermediate sailors. Line-of-sight navigation but basic knowledge of charts and ability to plot your position required.

Level 2

Winds force 3-5 (7-21 Knots) with approximately 15-20nm per day. Intermediate experience required. Predominately line of sight navigation but an understanding of how to sail in open water.

Level 3

Winds force 4-6 (11-27 Knots) with mileage of approximately 20nm+ per day. Ideal for experienced skippers looking to venture out to new destinations. Day skipper standard but with experienced crew would be recommended.