SAILING HOLIDAYS - 2 WEEKS CHARTER
Aeolian Islands
STROMBOLI
PANAREA
SALINA
LIPARI
VULCANO
FILICUDI
ALICUDI
For a two-week sailing holiday, we offer a sailing boat rental for the Aeolian Islands departing from Procida-Naples. The Aeolian Islands, the Sicilian archipelago consists of seven islands, all beautiful, all to be seen. The Aeolian Islands are emerged peaks of a chain of volcanoes that extends from the north coast of Sicily up to 35 miles from it, in the center of a marine trench that reaches a depth of 3000 meters. Some of these volcanoes are deeply asleep, others still active as Stromboli teaches us. All the Aeolian islands are mountainous, very rugged and often recognizable from afar. A long sailing trip that from Procida - Naples takes us to Stromboli, the first island for those sailing from the north, after about 130 miles of open sea.
This charter to the Aeolian Islands departing from Procida-Naples can include a technical stopover. Be it in Marina di Camerota, or even Acciaroli, Palinuro, Maratea to break the single stage in two of about 70 miles. The sail charter on the Aeolian Islands is dedicated to those who already have some experience of sailing holidays. Sail charter and boat rental as everything requires greater attention. Such as for example the anchorages that for all boats, yacht and sailboats are made more difficult by the different and sudden variations in depth of the seabed. The wind that channels in different points and therefore very variable. Insufficient port structures that make it necessary for all boats, yacht and sailboats to stay at anchor in bay... with related difficulties. But the Aeolian Islands always know how to amaze and fascinate making your sailing holiday pleasant.
STROMBOLI
Stromboli is the first of the Aeolian islands that we cross sailing from our base, Procida. Anticipated only by the islet of Strombolicchio, a mile before. Do not sail so near Strombolicchio, as it is surrounded by rocky shoals. It is an immense spectacle to sail the route following the glow of numerous jets of incandescent lava and lapilli. If you have chosen a night navigation of course. Typical atmosphere of the "Mediterranean island" with narrow alleys, Stromboli is silent and peaceful. The view of the volcano, the "sciara del fuoco" is the centerpiece of the island from both land and sea.
ANCHORAGES OF STROMBOLI
The least uncomfortable approach point is CALA FICOGRANDE in W of Punta Lena or SCARI in E of Punta Lena. The two landing stages of SCARI and FICOGRANDE are exclusively used for the ferry and hydrofoil line service. They connect Stromboli with Milazzo, the closest point on the north coast of Sicily, Stromboli with all the other Aeolian islands and Stromboli with Naples. Here it is therefore impossible to moor. You can stay by anchor not far from the landing stages, only with breeze winds - coming from the NW - and only with good and safe weather forecast.
The anchorage, not far from the shore, is made difficult and insecure by the considerable depth of the seabed. It is a good idea to disembark in turn and never leave the boat unattended. Alternatively, you can take advantage of the mooring service in the buoys field in Ficogrande. Unfortunately Stromboli is an island without any shelter, so any type of wind immediately becomes dangerous. in case of bad weather you have to shelter to the neighboring islands.
PANAREA
Panarea is without doubt the most frivolous of the seven sisters. The Capri of the Aeolian Islands is somewhat defined. Everything is extremely accurate, all details, strictly in Aeolian style. Panarea is quite hospitable for those who arrive here with their boat, yacht or sailboat. It offers good shelterd inlets with winds coming from W and N.
The west coast descends into the sea with steep peaks. While the E side of Panarea offers a gentler coast which at times opens up to offer bays and inlets with good anchorages. The coast of the island of Panarea is not dangerous for all boat, yacht and sailbotas if not very under the coast, while there are numerous shallows and groups of islets, very dangerous, which are located not far from the island of Panarea, especially on the SE - NE side. A sailboat approach is possible in good weather in Basiluzzo, Lisca Bianca, Dattilo and Lisca Nera. Pay a lot of attention to the shallows that surround them..
ANCHORAGES OF PANAREA
The best anchorage of Panarea for all boats, yacht and sailboat is undoubtedly in Cala Milazzese. A safe place with winds from the N and W with excellent sand and poseidonia. Adjacent to Cala Milazzese, and not to be missed, Cala Junco, today a protected area following archaeological finds. Cala della Nave, on the NW side of Panarea, represents for all yachts and sailbotas, the only alternative with winds from the south. It is recognized for the large 40m high rock (La Nave) which protrudes about 100m from the island.
The approach with the sailboats and all type of yacht does not present a danger, only the sandy bottoms dotted with volcanic slabs are very irregular. We recommend to the skipper the use of a gripper. We do not always recommend docking at the Ditella dock. It is a stopover for connections between Panarea and the other Aeolian islands, between Panarea and Naples and between Panarea and Milazzo in Sicily. Moreover, always overcrowded by boats, yacht and sailboats in summer and subjected to the effects of the wave even with winds from W.
PANAREA HAZARDS
at 0.5 miles from the SE side of Panarea we have LE FORMICHE, group of rocks surrounded by low rocky and semi-surfacing unmarked seabed, red sector for those who sail at night. Extremely dangerous for all bato, yacht and sailboat chartering around panarea. to all skippers: pay attention and consult the nautical charts.
SALINA
Salina is the highest of the Aeolian islands, about 960 meters. It is formed by two peaks connected together, and it is also the greenest island. Useful stopover for Filicudi. As Lipari, Salina too offers to all boats, yacht and sailbots a peaceful night in the harbour, if you are lucky and if you are out of high season. It is possible to refuel here, both with fuel and water. It takes its name from the ancient salt pans, now completely abandoned but still visible in Punta Lingua, SE end of Salina.
PORTS AND ANCHORAGES OF SALINA
The ports: S. MARINA DI SALINA - E side- RINELLA – S side -. The first is the most important landing place on the island, in the main town of the island of Salina. It is divided into two docks, one reserved only for yachts, boats and sailboats, no longer than 15 meters, the other adjacent is the North dock, where for all boats is also possible to refuel and supply water. Here there are also the ferries and hydrofoils of the line, which connect Salina with the other Aeolian islands, with Naples, with Milazzo.
The remaining dock is intended for pleasure boats,and charter boats but there is no mooring service. However, since the Aeolian islands are always very crowded, it is likely that the skipper will have to stay by anchor right outside the tourist port on a regular backdrop of 7-15 meters of Poseidonia and rock. Great shelter with winds from W.
RINELLA
S side of Salina, Rinella is instead a natural inlet transformed into a harbour thanks to a brakewater that starts from the shore and stretches towards the west. It is excellent sheltered from the winds of the 1st and 2nd quadrants for alla boats, yacht and sailbotas, but completely exposed to the southern winds. You can moor your sailboat here only if ferries are not expected to arrive. Alternatively, the skipper of sailboats can still stay by anchor near the beach in front of the harbour, just in 4 - 7 meters of water on a seabed of sand and poseidonia.
Always in Salina , do not miss the inlet Pollara , under Punta Perciato at the NW end of Salina. The large Faraglione is surrounded by shoals, access to the bay for all sailbots is exclusively from the north side. Good shelter with NE winds.Punta Lingua, also deserves a stopover, in SE side of Salina. It is a pleasant and quiet bay, and a good shelter from the W winds. The best anchorage is in front of the beach on a very irregular seabed of poseidoia and rock
LIPARI
Lipari is the capital of the Aeolian islands, is the largest, most populated and most equipped island of the archipelago. It was also the first island to be inhabited, in fact the first inhabitants of the Aeolian archipelago settled on the Castle hill, around which the beautiful town of Lipari developed later. Lipari is an extremely pleasant and fascinating stopover with its narrow streets that rise to the castle built in the 16th century. In Lipari there is the main port of all the Aeolian Islands. It also offers many possibilities for anchoring and sheltersfor boats, yachts and sailbotas. The N and E coast of Lipari are safe everywhere, while the W and SW part of Lipari has some rocks and groups of semi-surfacing. Do not miss Canneto, the pumice bay, Acquacalda. Always pay close attention to irregular backdrops.
PORTS AND ANCHORAGES OF LIPARI
The ports of Lipari: PIGNATARO, MARINA LUNGA, SOTTOMONASTERO. One adjacent to the other, clearly always very crowded by boats in the high season. Fully exposed to winds from the 1st and 2nd quadrants. It is nothing more than a large bay, completely open to the SE, with floating structures, a small marina just for few and smallest boats where is possible to stay by anchor (Sottomonastero)
Pignataro: located on the N side of the bay, it is sheltered by a brakewave oriented for WSW. In addition to the private marina, you can find a place alongside the fishing boats. The port is decentralized and 1 km far from the town of Lipari.
Marina Lunga: floating pontes with mooring service, water and light, even they are always full of yachts and sailboats. Remarkable in any case is the undertow and the waves generated by the continuous arrivals of hydrofoils and ferries that connect Lipari with the rest of the Aeolian islands, with Milazzo and with Naples. Given the considerable roll caused by the waves of the hydrofoils it would be preferable to moor the sailboat in the pontoon head, however it is always necessary to pay attention to the masts of the nearby sailboats. Refueling and water are possible in this port.
Sottomonastero: it is the natural continuation of the bay of Marina Lunga, which, after the terminal of the hydrofoils, continues with the dock area and offers to all boats further moorings with mooring, light and water service.
Further anchorages possible to stop in Lipari and treat yourself to an evening on the ground: in the bay in Sottomonastero or in the bay in Marina Corta.
VULCANO
Vulcano is the southernmost island of the entire Aeolian archipelago, it is less than 12 miles from the northern coast of Sicily. It consists of several volcanoes, of which the highest - the Great Crater - dominates the port of Vulcano. The latest eruption completely destroyed the inhabited area, but today volcanic activity is limited to fumaroles, to hot sulphurous sources and underwater bubbles of boiling gas that heat marine waters in some places. Sailing around it, Vulcano offers fantastic views of impervious and multicolored coasts, even the boats, yachts and sailbotats have very few possibilities for a stopover due to the irregular seabed and strong currents of the Vulcano island.
Coming from W or E, Vulcanello seems like an islet between Vulcano and Lipari. In reality it is a sandy isthmus that connects it to Vulcano and from here are born the only safe bays of the island for all boats, yachts, and sailboats: Porto Ponente and Porto Levante. The hot springs and the natural swimming pool of sulphurous near the harbour, represent a curiosity that justifies the stopover, but take care to the strong and unpleasant smells that immersion leaves on the skin and indelibly impregnates all clothing.
PORTS AND ANCHORAGES OF VULCANO
The island of Vulcano has two landing foa all tipe of boats, yachts or sailbotas, Porto di Levante and Porto di Ponente.
Porto di Levante, sheltered by winds from the W, is the main landing place on theVulcano island where arrive the ferries that connect Vulcano with the other Aeolian islands, Milazzo and Naples. For boats, yachts and sailbotas it is possible to moor at the floating pontes or even to give bottom in the part of the bay N of the harbour with sandy seabed of 6 - 10 meters of water.
Porto di Ponente, sheltered by winds from the E, is an inlet with good anchorage but it has a little marina too. Pay attention to the rocky shoals protruding from the N coast and below the coast on the E side of the bay. You will anchor in 6 - 8 meters of water, good keeper, but always irregular.
DANGERS: avoid the passage in the channel between Lipari and Vulcano in bad weather condition, due to the wind and the sea strengthen considerably and create adverse situations.
FILICUDI
Filicudi is located 10 miles away to the west from Salina. It has a conical shape prolonged towards SE (Capo Graziano) which connects to the central side with a low plain (Piana del Porto). The coasts of Filicudi are steep, almost everywhere deserted and difficult to access. They offer no safe anchoring to the sailboats and generally to all botas, as the harbour bay is sheltered only by SW winds. The coasts are surrounded by shallows and dangerous rocks, so pay attention and always consult the nautical charts. From the port proceeding towards S, all boats, yachts and sailbotas have to widen a lot outside Capo Graziano, due to a rocky shoal covered by only 2,5 meters of water in extension towards E of Capo Graziano.
Proceeding towards W, we cross the Pecorini landing, a picturesque village. The place is very characteristic, but all boats, yachts and sailbotas can only stop in good weather, as the seabed increase very abruptly not far from the shore. Going further north, we cross some characteristic rocks as La Canna and Montenassari rocks, surrounded by very dangerous rocks and semi-surfacing, the passage to land is safe for sailboats too. Do not miss the Bue Marino cave
ANCHORAGES OF FILICUDI
The port of Filicudi is the main landing point of the Filicudi island. But this is just a bay, where the ferry and hydrofoil line link Filicudi with the other Aeolian islands, with Milazzo in Sicily and with Naples. Filicudi harbour is in its corner W there is a dock where if they are not waiting for line ferries you can use them for mooring pleasure boats, uachts and sailbotats. The alternative is anchoring your sailboat in the bay on a sandy backdrop in 7-10 meters of water.
Pecorini a Mare , on the S side of Filicudi, is just a stopover for small boats that can be done in good weather condition. all boats, yachts and sailbotas here have not shelters.
DANGERS di Filicudi: to the east of Capo Graziano, rocky shoal with 2.5 meters of water. Rocks below the coast on the SW and NW sides. Rocky and semi-surfacing around La Canna and Montenassari.
ALICUDI
Ten miles farther to the west from Filicudi, we discover the island of Alicudi. Alicudi, a tall and dark regular cone. Some houses scattered on the terraced crops appear on the SE side, while elsewhere the island is deserted. Alicudi does not offer any shelter, extremely dangerous with any type of boats, yachts and sailbotas, and with any type of wind and sea, since everything strengthens in a very short time. The only possibility is to sail towards Lipari or Salina for safe shelters. The only landing point in Alicudi is a small pont on the SE side of the island. You can anchor in front to the beach of Alicudi paying close attention to the depths of the highly irregular seabed.