- HOME
- MEDITERRANEAN
BAREBOAT YACHT CHARTER: Explore one of these glorious holiday destinations in your own sailing yacht.
FLOTILLA SAILING HOLIDAYS: Sail your own yacht with the added support of a lead boat crew.
LEARN TO SAIL HOLIDAYS: Start from scratch or brush up your skills.
MOTORYACHT CHARTER: Do you prefer power to sail?
CREWED YACHTS: Relax, let the crew do the work.
SAIL AND STAY HOLIDAYS: Why not add a few days ashore in a hotel?
- WORLDWIDE
BAREBOAT YACHT CHARTER: Sail your yacht in any one of our glorious holiday destinations and explore at your own pace.
MOTORYACHT CHARTER: Do you prefer power to sail?
CREWED YACHTS: Relax, let the crew do the work.
SAIL AND STAY HOLIDAYS: Why not add a few days ashore in a hotel?
- PLAN YOUR TRIP
AIRPORT PARKING & HOTELS: Save up to 60% when you book airport parking & hotels in advance.
BOOKING CONDITIONS: Check our Booking Conditions.
CAR RENTAL: Rent a car instead of an airport transfer or if you add a week ashore.
CRUISING GUIDES: Start planning before you travel with a cruising guide or chart to your sailing destination.
PASSPORTS & VISAS: Check the passport & visa requirements of your sailing destination.
SAILING LOGS: Read our reports on sailing holidays we've been on.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: Don't travel without adequate insurance. We offer single trip or Annual multi-trip travel insurance.
TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN: Read our handy hints on taking small children on a sailing holiday.
USEFUL LINKS: Check these websites for more information on your sailing destination.
WHAT'S ONBOARD: Standard inventory for all charter yachts.
- FAQs
- CONTACT US
CONTACT US: Check our details and opening hours.
REQUEST A BROCHURE: Order our latest brochure.
WHO WE ARE: Meet the Nautilus team.
WHY BOOK WITH US: How do you benefit?
- YACHT OWNERSHIP
Are you thinking of buying a new yacht and putting her with a charter fleet? Speak to us about the best deal for you. Nautilus Yachting has been arranging sailing holidays throughout the Mediterranean & Caribbean since 1992 so we are ideally qualified to advise you on yacht charter management. Find out more
Yacht Charter in Sicily
Dramatic sailing 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. Pay a visit to Stromboli, the island Dolce and 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 has mud baths and a volcano that belches sulphurous smoke.
Although there are no really secure marinas, there are sufficient harbours and anchorages sheltered from the prevailing summer winds to make it well worthwhile sailing around this magnificent archipelago. Food is excellent and local people are very hospitable.
Sailing in Sicily
Start your yacht charter in Sicily from Sant'Agata di Militello, 160km east of Palermo, which gives easy access to the stunning sailing area among the volcanic Aeolian islands. The harbours and anchorages on the islands formed by volcanic peaks provide shelter from the north-westerlies. Marinas can be expensive so budget for Euro150 in the most popular marinas or anchor in the bay.
Yacht charter is also based at Marsala, a pleasant relaxed harbour on the west coast, from where you can sail to the Egadi Islands, just 25nm offshore and visit the three principal islands, Favignana, Marettimo and Levanzo.
DAY 1 : Embark at Sant’Agata di Militello on the north coast, an ideal starting point for sailing to the Aeolian islands.
DAY 2 : Vulcano (26nm). 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 : Return to Sant’Agata di Militello (29nm).
Sailing conditions
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. Experience level 2.
Yacht charter in Italy - Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany, Agropoli & Grado
From one of the largest fleets of bareboat charter yachts in the Mediterranean, these yachts are based at 5 bases round Italy. Yachts in Sicily are based at Sant'Agata di Militello and Marsala and can start and finish any day of the week, giving you total flexibility over your holiday dates. Not all yacht models are available in every base in Italy. We can also offer yachts from other fleets so please ask.
Click on the yacht names below to view yacht layout & specification
2 cabin
3 cabin
4+ cabin
Catamarans
Check availability of Kiriacoulis yachts in Italy online
Yacht charter rates are shown WITHOUT flights giving you the flexibility to book your own flights.
If you want a flight-inclusive holiday Nautilus Yachting is a fully bonded ATOL tour operator and can book flights from the UK to fit your sailing holiday. Choose from a wide choice of airlines - we are not tied to any particular airline. All flight-inclusive holidays are fully bonded for your financial protection under our ATOL 3016. Airport transfers can also be pre-arranged.
FLIGHTS TO PALERMO:
easy Jet 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. Transfer time to Sant'Agata 3 hours by train.
Whether you are an experienced sailor or setting foot on a yacht for the first time, we can offer you a holiday afloat to suit you. We have given all the sailing areas a level with 'Experience Level 1' suitable for less experienced crews and 'Experience Level 3' for the experts.
This takes into account the wind strength, tidal range and currents, distances between stops and ease of mooring. Of course even experts may choose to sail in Level 1 areas as they still offer stunning scenery and great sailing.
Experience Level 1: Malta
Generally light winds Force 2-4, line of sight navigation, shorter sailing distances under 20nm. You will be Day Skipper standard having sailed at least 1 week or 100nm as skipper
Experience Level 2: Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany, Naples & Grado
Stronger winds up to Force 3-5 with some longer passages up to 30nm. You will be Day Skipper standard having sailed at least 2 weeks or 200nm as skipper
Experience Level 3:
Stronger winds up to Force 4-7 which can lead to bigger seas on long passages between the islands. You will be Coastal Skipper
standard with experience to a higher level having sailed at least 4 weeks or 400nm as skipper.
To charter a yacht bareboat or on flotilla you should be Day Skipper standard and be assisted by at least one competent crew.
At present you need an RYA Day Skipper qualification or RYA International Certificate of Competence (ICC) for charters in Croatia, Montenegro, Mallorca, Tenerife and Malta.
The RYA ICC will be ever more required by overseas port authorities but if you have skipper experience it is easily obtained in a day from RYA sailing schools in the UK such as Hamilton Sailing or Brixham Sea School
Lipari, dominated by the rock on which the old town stands, is at the heart of the archipelago. A volcanological tour is a must, amid flows of obsidian and white expanses of pumice. The views of Stromboli and Vulcano are outstanding but the old part of the town is itself worth the visit, with flower filled streets and excellent restaurants.
Palermo is a must-see city with lots to do in a weekend. Visit the spooky catacombs of the Capu, the Art Gallery, the 15th century church of La Gancia, the beautiful villas of Malfitano and Bonanno, but do make time for a stop at Antico Caffe Spiannato, the celebrated cafe and pastry-maker established in 1860.
Eating out is a passion in Sicily. The local dishes mix Arab and Greek flavours with fresh fish and seafood. Local specialities include ‘pasta al forno’ - stuffed with everything the chef likes, grilled swordfish flavoured with lemon and oregano and ‘sarde a beccafico’ - stuffed sardine rolls. Meat is breaded, pan fried or grilled and served with local aubergines, tomatoes and peppers. But leave room for the amazing ice cream!
