This Italian beauty will leave you wanting more. There is simply not enough time in a sailing yacht charter to explore all the fantastic sailing grounds and go see all the impressive historical sites that Sicily has to offer. So let us introduce you to some of them and tell you more about boat rental in Sicily in detail.
What makes sailing holidays in Sicily so popular?
Sicily is the largest Mediterranean island. Together with the surrounding smaller islands, it makes up the Region of Sicily, which is the largest autonomous region in Italy. With its favorable central location, it serves as a good transit station between the eastern and western Mediterranean. The large indented shoreline is well suited for safe anchoring and the prevailing northwesterly winds are ideal for sailing. In addition, you will find excellent facilities for navigation and many ports, as well as mooring possibilities.
The island is easily accessible thanks to its 3 airports in Trapani, Palermo and Catania. The main ports are Trapani, Palermo, Messina and Catania, which are at the same time the capitals of their provinces. Messina is the busiest because of the ferry connections to the Italian mainland and other places in Sicily, and because it is a stop for Mediterranean cruises. The distance to the Italian mainland from Messina is only 5 km. Traveling there by ferry from Civitavecchia, the closest port to Rome, can be much cheaper than flying there. The Calabria region, which forms the southern tip of Italy, can also easily serve as a starting point for a yacht charter in the Aeolians. It has its three main airports in Reggio, in Lamezia Terme and in Crotone.
Sicily benefits from a mild climate, without major tides, a rich culture and history, as well as excellent seafood and cuisine. The spectacular rocky landscape due to the volcanic origin of the island is something to behold. There are fertile mountains, beautiful aquamarine waters, and many hidden coves to anchor peacefully.
In addition to all that, Sicily has impressive natural attractions such as Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, or the Stromboli volcano in the Aeolian Islands, as well as numerous ancient historical sites.
Some relevant information for a bareboat charter in Sicily:
Location: southern tip of the Italian continent
Capital: Palermo
Total coastline length: 1,483.9 km (including smaller islands)
Total area: 25,711 km²
Highest point: Mount Etna, 3,329 m
Main airports: Trapani; Palermo; Catania
Population: ca. 5,100,000
Country code: +39
Climate: Mild, Mediterranean
What main charter destinations are there in Sicily?
The main rental bases are in Marsala, Trapani, Terrasini, Palermo, Sant`Agata di Militello and Portorosa. Terrasini is very convenient to reach as it is located just 10 km west of Palermo airport. All those ports, however, are only 2 hours or less from an airport. They are concentrated in the north as it is very popular for charterers to go to the Aeolian Islands from there. It is also possible to rent a yacht from Reggio Calabria on the mainland and cross the Strait of Messina to go to the Aeolian Islands. The Strait of Messina has a traffic separation system and for pleasure boats it is mandatory to notify the Coast Guard before the crossing.
The western corner of Sicily has a rugged coastline with many coves, beaches and anchorages.
From Trapani head to the three Egadi Islands, which are a nature reserve with mooring buoys and anchorages. Fees apply and the rangers who come to the boat will pick them up and tell you which places to visit.
In a stretch of approximately 10 NM between Trapani and Palermo on the north coast are the charming port cities of San Vito lo Capo, Castellammare del Golfo, Balestrate and Terrasini. They all have pontoons to tie up. Also on the north coast is Palermo. Better than going to its main port, slightly unpleasant and smelly, would be to use the Marina Villa Igiea with 379 berths for boats up to 65 m or the Marina Arenalla with 200 berths for yachts up to 30 m. Continue along the north coast and see the medieval city of Cefalu and the protected port city of Portarosa with good facilities, resorts and restaurants.
Sail through the beautiful Aeolian Islands. They have a picturesque and wonderfully rugged coastline. The anchorages are quite exposed, so it is safer to go to port at night. There is a beautiful and touristic Lipari. Then Stromboli that erupts every 20 minutes releasing ash and lava into the air, which is spectacular at night. Vulcano Island is a fascinating charter destination. You can climb to the edge of the crater and smell the sulfuric acid fumes. Alikudi, Filikudi, Panarea and Salina are the smallest islands.
Cruise the popular east coast. From Messina, cover the approx. 25 NM to Taormina. Cruise along the steep cliffs with sandy coves and beaches and around the small Isola Bella, a nature reserve connected to Sicily via a sandbar. About 10 NM further south is the small town of Riposto where you can stock up on the excellent food market. Approximately 20 NM further south you reach Catania and it is about 30 NM further to Syracuse. This ancient city has a very good marina from where you can walk directly to the lively historic center.
Noteworthy port cities in the south are Sciacca, Licata with its highly protected marina and the spa town of Ragusa with a 800-berth marina for yachts up to 20m.
What important weather systems exist for navigating in Sicily?
Sicily has mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Catania, on the east coast, has the highest average hours of sunshine in all of Europe at 2,492 per year. This comes down to a pleasant 6.8 hours per day. On the island as a whole, July breaks the record with a whopping 14 hours of sunshine a day.
While the Sirocco brings warm air from Africa, the Mistral moderates and cools the summer heat. Northwest winds prevail with a force of 3 to 4.
There are tidal currents in the Strait of Messina, but they are quite weekly compared to those of the Atlantic or other oceans.
Summary of the weather conditions for sailing on a charter boat in Sicily:
Months with the highest average temperature: July, August, 26 °
Months with the lowest average temperature: January / February, 12 °
Month with the highest average rainfall: December, 79 mm
Months with lowest average rainfall: June / July, 10 mm
Average wind speed from May to October: 8 – 12 knots
Month with the highest average water temperature: August, 27 °
Months with the lowest average water temperature: February / March, 15 °
Main Season: Mid April – October
How much does a yacht charter cost in Sicily and what are the different types of charter?
You can rent a 12 m sailboat, for example, from around € 2,000 onwards. Prices go up depending on the size, model and equipment of the yacht. The one-day charter is available, mainly in the form of motorboat rental. You can also choose between a catamaran rental and a sailboat or motor yacht. Then there’s a bareboat or skipper yacht charter and you can opt for a crewed charter that includes a chef, as well as hostesses and sailors on deck. The latter will undoubtedly be the case for large luxury yachts. In Italy, it is often common to hire an inflatable boat to explore the area or just go on a pleasant excursion on the water. And flotilla vacations are a very popular type of rental for family boat vacations.
What activities besides sailing are there in a bareboat charter in Sicily?
If you like racing, watch the demanding and challenging “Middle Sea Race” in October, a round-the-island regatta that begins in Malta and then circumnavigates Sicily.
Visit Cefalu, a beautiful medieval city on the north coast with an impressive Duomo dating back to 1131.
In Catania, you can admire two Roman amphitheaters. Also check out the open air market that sells amazing fish and the Piazza del Duomo with its impressive cathedral.
A must-see is the Aeolian Islands, an immensely beautiful archipelago and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are active volcanoes and picturesque towns like Lipari with many dive companies and charming boutiques and restaurants.
In the hilltop town of Taormina near Mount Etna, visit the famous Teatro Antico, an ancient Greco-Roman theater still in use today. Stroll the pretty cobbled streets and enjoy the magnificent views from the top of the cliff.
Take a tour of Mount Etna on the east coast between Messina and Catania. It covers an area of 1,190 km² and is permanently active.
Syracuse is an ancient historical city with massive fortifications. It has slightly faded charm, good shopping, and a large Baroque cathedral incorporating parts of a Greek temple built around 500 BC. The nearby Necropolis of Pantalica dating from 700 to 1300 BC houses thousands of rock-cut tombs and is a spectacular sight.
In the Valley of the Temples, an archaeological site in Agrigento on the south coast, is the impressive Ancient Greek Temple of Concordia, illuminated at night, as well as six other temples. It is one of the main attractions of Sicily.
Visit the impressive Ragusa with many historical sights, churches and amazing architecture.
To soak up the pure and unspoiled nature, head to the Sila National Park in Calabria, which is said to have the cleanest air in Europe.
Take a look at the nightlife, namely Palermo’s Kursaal Kalhesa bar in a restored aristocratic palazzo and the Caffe Internazionale. In Taormina, experience it at the Daiquiri Lounge or at the Morgana Lounge Bar.
Try water sports like diving, snorkeling, fishing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and many more.
Sample tasty and healthy cuisine that incorporates a wide variety of vegetables and seafood. There are also some very famous sweet dishes, such as ice cream and many pastry specialties, so go ahead and enjoy it!