Sailing Sicily - a Truly Unique Experience
Sailing around Sicily (Italian: Sicilia) is definitely a unique experience for its beautiful landscape, diversity of coastline, amazing volcanoes, rich and unique culture, delicious cuisine, important archaeological and ancient sites, with seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites and warm Mediterranean climate.
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean sea and an autonomous region of Italy situated south of the Italian Peninsula, from which it is separated by the narrow Strait of Messina and surrounded by Regione Siciliana - a group of smaller islands ideal to sail to. Sicily is bordered by the sea with the closest Italian regions of Calabria, Campania and Sardinia. Total coast length is estimated at 1484 km. The autonomous region of Sicily includes several neighbouring islands of interest to sailors: the Aegadian Islands, the Aeolian Islands, Pantelleria and Lampedusa.
On the coast, the typical Sicilian Mediterranean climate is affected by the African currents causing very hot summers - ideal for spending vacations on the yacht. The Saharan wind sirocco is a usual occurence, especially in the Summer.
Explore the Coast of Volcanoes on Your Yacht Charter Holiday
Sicily and its surrounding islands have several active volcanoes, some of which you can see from your boat. Mount Etna, regarded as a cultural symbol and icon of Sicily, is the largest active volcano in Europe, and one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
Northeast of Sicily, the Aeolian Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea form a volcanic complex, and include Stromboli. The three volcanoes of Vulcano, Vulcanello and Lipari are also active. South of Sicily, you can also sail a boat to the underwater volcano of Ferdinandea, a part of the larger Empedocles volcano, located between the coast of Agrigento and the island of Pantelleria, where there is another dormant volcano.
Board a Yacht and Enjoy Sicilian Natural Beauties
The Zingaro Natural Reserve is the best place where you can see beautiful and unspoiled coastal wilderness in Sicily and the nearby waters are home to varieties of birds and marine life, such as flamingos and fin whales.
A variety of sailing yachts, motor yachts and catamarans dock on a regular basis in the touristic ports and marinas along the Sicilian coast. The main Sicilian ports are in Marina di Ragusa, Riposto, Portorosa, Syracuse, Cefalù and Sciacca. Rent a boat with or without crew in Marsala, Palermo, Funari, Capo d'Orlando, Trapani and other charter bases and explore beautiful coastline along Sicily and its surrounding islands.
There are also 218 old watchtowers along the coast - the Coastal towers in Sicily (Torri costiere della Sicilia) - dating back to 1313 and defending the island from many attacks over the history.
„To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is to not have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything.“ (Goethe)
