Sicily and Aeolian Islands

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Kinsale373

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Looks like I'll be in Sicily in the first weeks of next April accompanying my better half on a Bridge Tournament ! I'm just taking a look at the Sailing there and I must say that the North Coast of Sicily and the Aeolian Islands look stunning. I'm just wondering what sort of weather to expect there in the 2nd /3 rd week of April. Portorosa seems to have plenty of Yachts for charter, Around 35ft would suit best as it will probably be just the two of us. The distances seem very managable for Day sailing around the islands with losts of trips < 30Kn between Marinas. Just wondering if any of you have experience of the area and particularly in early April. What are Marina charges like ? Has anyone found a good Charter Company that they would recommend there.

Kinsale 373
 
April weather can be good, can be appalling... luck of the draw. But it’ll be mild in comparison to UK.

Charging will still be at low season rates, so about the same as UK summer rates.

Marinas on Lipari may well not be up and running in April: we last came through the islands in early May and they were only just repositioning the pontoons.

However, you can anchor happily off Volcano whatever the wind, as there are 2 bays on the northern end of the island, one to the west, one east providing shelter in all winds. No charges for anchoring. I’ve sat out a blow there in November: wind blowing straight over bay but protected by the terrain.

No marina on Stromboli and not much shelter either.

Anchoring and marina available on Salina. Not been there myself but report suggest all year round availability and reasonable off season prices.

Hope that helps.
 
Last April included the whole of May. Awful weather. But the same was true of much of Greece, so it was a bit aberrant.

P.S. If you don't know why they're called the Aeolian Islands, you might want to look it up.
 
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Vulcano East anchorage shelves very steeply quite close to the shore, so you need the wind in the right direction, blowing you offshore, and might find your anchor at 8 or ten metres, and your depth sounder showing 50 metres. If the wind changes you can end up either very close to the shore, or aground.

Spent a pleasant week there in July/August 2007.
 
Walking up Vulcano and around the rim of the volcano has been one of the highlights of my Mediterranean cruising life. We anchored in the west bay, which would give good shelter in most winds other than fresh westerlies.
 
vyv_cox said:
Walking up Vulcano and around the rim of the volcano has been one of the highlights of my Mediterranean cruising life. We anchored in the west bay, which would give good shelter in most winds other than fresh westerlies.
Click to expand...

Only thing I’d add to this is to do it early morning before it gets too hot and the crowds arrive. Wear hiking shoes/boots not sandals and take plenty to drink.... Don’t ask how I know to do this.
 
duncan99210 said:
Only thing I’d add to this is to do it early morning before it gets too hot and the crowds arrive. Wear hiking shoes/boots not sandals and take plenty to drink.... Don’t ask how I know to do this.
Click to expand...
I agree. We left the boat at 0700. There was a little kiosk on the path where we were asked to pay €3 to ascend, so take some cash. This was a few years ago, not sure if it is still used. It was genuine, not some con artist.
 
"named after the demigod of the winds Aeolus" ! - I better pay close attention to the Forecast and not mention this to the Crew!
Guys , thanks to everyone for some very useful information. I didn't think about marinas being closed on the islands but it stands to reason , Ill check them out in advance. Yep , were into walking and will bring the right boots. I think weel give it a go ok- worse case a 35 foot boat on the mainland would make a great base for a week .
Happy Christmas to all,

Kinsale 373
 
Great idea.

We didn’t get to Stromboli last year but had a great time at four of the other islands. Best anchorages for us were south east Vulcano and north west Lipari. Lipari town was great to visit but anchorage rolly that night. Filicudi so rolly that we upsticks after dinner and overnighted to Palermo a day earlier than planned.
 
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