Want to explore the beautiful Aeolian Islands? So, here is our mini-guide to a boat rental in the Aeolian Islands!

In the Tyrrhenian Sea, 17 islands, islets, and rocks form the Aeolian archipelago in the north of Sicily. Only 7 of these volcanic islands are inhabited. They are called Lipari, Salina, Vulcano, Stromboli, Panarea, Alicudi and Filicudi.

To visit them, what could be better than an island-to-island cruise for a weekend or more to visit them? Are you ready for adventure? To help you get Whatibe has prepared a special boat rental guide in the Aeolian Islands.

So, let’s raise the anchor?

Ideas for boat itineraries from the Aeolian Islands

Among the many sailing itineraries in the Aeolian Islands, we have selected three cruise ideas to discover for a weekend over a week or two.

Salina and Vulcano for a weekend

From Lipari, head to Vulcano, the southernmost island of the Aeolian Archipelago. Separated by an inlet, the two islands are close.

You will drop anchor in Porto di Ponente before hiking to the Gran Cratere in the heart of the Vulcano Island Nature Reserve. On the program: discovery of the underwater caves of Capo Rosso and Capo Testa Grossa, sulfur mud baths, and black sand beaches.

For your second day of sailing, sail to Salina, the largest island in the archipelago after Lipari. A must on the cruise: the vineyards of Malvoisie on the terrace, the monumental cliffs of Pollara, and the arch of Percioto.

7 Aeolian Islands in one week

Lipari, Panarea, Stromboli, Salina, Filicudi, Alicudi, Vulcano: every day his island! For this week-long cruise, the itinerary takes you to the seven main islands of the Aeolian Archipelago. 

Among the wonders listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you should not miss:

● Monte Pelato and the beaches of Marina Lunga, Portinente, Canneto, Acqua Calda and Valle Muria in Lipari;

● the cove of Cala Junco, the village of Punta Milazzese and the seabed of the island of Basiluzzo in Panarea;

● the ascent of the volcano and the “Sciara del Fuoco” in Stromboli;

● Monte Fossa delle Felci and the nature reserve of the two mountains in Salina;

● Faraglioni La Canna, Montenassari, Giafante and the cave “del bue Marino” in Filicudi;

● the Perciato Bridge, the Acqua Cave and the Tip of the Gallera in Alicudi;

● the peninsula of Vulcanello, the Grotta del Cavallo and the Venus pool in Vulcano.

The Aeolian Islands and Sicilian coasts: a two-week cruise

Vulcano is only 20 miles from Portorosa or Milazzo. So why not extend the cruise by a week by taking off towards the Sicilian coast? 

The odyssey takes you to the island of 3 seas: the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. The route passes through Catania, Agrigento, Trapani, and Palermo.

Some highlights during the stopovers:

● the Strait of Messina;

● Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe 35 km from Catania;

● the faunal oasis nature reserve of Vendicari south of Syracuse;

● the valley of the temples of Agrigento;

● the carved cliffs of the Scala dei Turchi 15 km from Agrigento;

● the seabed of Scopello;

● the Zingaro Reserve and San Vito Lo Capo Beach;

● the Capo Gallo Nature Reserve and the Queen’s Cave.

What types of boats to rent in the Aeolian Islands?

You will find different models of boats for rent in the Aeolian Islands. For an excursion of one or more days, it is possible to opt for:

● A motorboat;

● A sailboat;

● A catamaran;

● A schooner;

● A semi-rigid;

● A yacht.

What is the price of a boat rental in the Aeolian Islands?

The boat rental price in the Aeolian Islands varies depending on the type of boat and the season. In summer, the rates for a day oscillate between:

● €100 and €2,500 for a motorboat with a captain (or €100 to €1,000 for a motorboat without a captain);

● €500 and €2,600 for a sailboat with a captain (or €340 to €800 for a sailboat without a captain);

● €1,000 and €3,100 for a catamaran with a captain (or €1,000 to €1,200 for a catamaran without a captain);

● €80 and €2,000 for a semi-rigid with or without a captain;

● €3,800 and €8,000 for a yacht.

 Good to know:

● These prices do not take into account fuel;

● All boat rentals include mandatory life-saving equipment: buoys, life jackets for children and adults, as well as a fire extinguisher.

How to rent a boat in the Aeolian Islands?

You can rent a boat in the Aeolian Islands directly on site. For your convenience, do not hesitate to make an online reservation. 

You can take the time to compare the different boats and select the offer best suited to your desires, your budget, and the number of passengers.

To benefit from a wide selection of boats for rent in the Aeolian Islands, opt for a dedicated site like Samboat. You will be in touch with professionals or individuals offering their boats for rent on this kind of application. You can choose between several hundred boats in your navigation area.

You will also have the opportunity to hire the services of a skipper to enjoy the joys of sailing without holding a boat license. Some offers also allow you to rent additional equipment for water skiing, wakeboarding, buoys …

Do I need a permit to sail in the Aeolian Islands?

Boat rental in the Aeolian Islands is open to all; however, a boat license is mandatory to sail on a sailboat beyond 6 miles from a shelter or on a boat whose engine exceeds 20 horsepower. To take to the sea in all serenity, opt for renting a boat with a skipper!

Tips for sailing in the Aeolian Islands

For boat rental in the Aeolian Islands, you have the choice between several departure bases:

● Porto di Santa Marina on the island of Salina;

● Porto di Levante on the island of Vulcano;

● Baia Levante Marina on the island of Stromboli;

● Porto di San Pietro and Ditella on the island of Panarea;

● Alicudi ;

● Filicudi.

Your search for boat rentals for the Aeolian Islands can also be directed to the following Sicilian ports:

● Messina ;

● Monforte Marina ;

● Milazzo ;

● Marina Di Portorosa – Furnari;

● Patti ;

● Capo d’Orlando Marina.

When is the best time to sail in the Aeolian Islands?

The best times to sail and rent a boat in the Aeolian Islands are spring, summer, renting, and early autumn, from May to late September.

Choose the months of June and September to escape the crowds and enjoy warm water!

So, rent a boat in the Aeolian Islands… Are you tempted?