Vulcano
The first island encountered coming from Milazzo or Portorosa (16mn) and already near the port, one is amazed at the beauty of the place and the acrid smell of sulfur that permeates the air. Famous for mud baths, hot waters, trekking to the top of the Fossa delle Fucine Volcano, now in hibernation but from the numerous Fumaroles that invest the whole island with a strong sulfur smell. The Great Crater is about 290 meters high, from which there is a spectacular view of the entire archipelago. The island sports beautiful black beaches and tiny bays of crystal clear sea enclosed by headlands. The interior of the island is stunning and well worth an all-around visit.
Must-see:
- Porto di Levante: Bay with anchorages, buoys and marina, opposite Vulcan center and the mud baths.
- Baia di Ponente: Anchorage in bay, black sands beach.
- Gelso: Anchorages in front of beautiful black sands beaches surrounded by greenery.
- Grotta del cavallo: Anchorage in left and or right bay of the cave and Venus Pool.
- Gran cratere la fossa: Trekking to the Grand Crater with important fumarolic activity and stupendous views of the archipelago.
- Fanghi: Walk in the village and stop at the sulfur mud pools (they have high therapeutic power) and hot water beach for a swim in the waters tempered by volcano gases erupting from the seabed.
- Vulcanello: Hike to Vulcanello, with panoramic views of Lipari, and observation of the Valley of the Monsters and its strange lava shapes.
Lipari
It is the largest and most populated with a town well equipped to find anything. As many as 12 volcanoes, now extinct, have shaped it over the millennia making it extraordinary. Very entertaining at night. Famous for the Pumice Mountains that occupy a quarter of the island's surface. Lipari is the capital of the Aeolian Islands; it is the largest, most populated and best equipped island in the archipelago. And it was also the first island to be inhabited, in fact the first inhabitants of the archipelago settled on Castle Hill, around which the beautiful town of Lipari later developed. Lipari is an extremely pleasant and charming port of call with its narrow streets leading up to the castle built in the 16th century. Lipari is home to the main port of all the Aeolian islands. It also offers many opportunities for anchorages and sheltering. The N and E coasts are safe everywhere, while the W and SW part has some rocks and groups of semi-outcrops. Don't miss Canneto, the pumice quarry, Acquacalda,Vinci Bay, Vallemura, Porticello. Always pay close attention to the uneven seabed, contact us for safe navigation.
Marina and anchorages of Lipari
The ports of Lipari: PIGNATARO, MARINA LUNGA, SOTTOMONASTERO. One adjacent to the other, clearly always very crowded during peak season. Completely exposed to winds from the 1st and 2nd quadrants. It is nothing more than a large bay, completely open to the SE, housing floating structures, a small marina and dockside anchorages (Sottomonastero) Pignataro: located at the extreme N side of the bay , it is ridged by an elbow arm oriented for WSW In addition to the private marina, one can find room by flanking the fishing boats. Another drawback is that the marina is off-center and out of touch with the town. Marina Lunga: is dotted with floating docks with mooring service, water and electricity, although they are always full. In fact, we recommend booking in advance especially in July and August. Remarkable in any case is the undertow and 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. Because of the considerable rolling caused by hydrofoil waves, it would be preferable to moor at the head of the pier; however, it is always necessary to keep out of phase with the masts of nearby sailboats. Fuel and water refueling is possible in this port. Additional possible anchorages to stop in Lipari and treat yourself to an evening ashore: at Sottomonastero roadstead or Marina Corta roadstead.
Salina
The most popular with naturalists and trekking lovers. It rises from two large volcanoes now extinct, twin mountains, Fossa delle Felci (962 mt.) and Monte dei Porri, covered by a mantle of dense vegetation. Inside the old crater is a beautiful forest of chestnut trees. Salina, a nature reserve! It is the second largest, after Lipari, and is famous for its excellent Malvasia, has seduced several directors who precisely chose it as a location for filming such as the movie "Il Postino." Port and anchorage in Santa Marina, anchorage of pronte Lingua, Port in Rinella, anchorage in the beautiful bay of Pollara.
Ports and moorings in Salina
S. MARINA DI SALINA - slope E - RINELLA - slope S -. The former is the most important landing place on the island, right at the foot of the island's main town of Salina. It is divided into two docks, one reserved only for pleasure boats no longer than 15 meters, the other adjacent is the North dock, where it is also possible to refuel and water. Here there are also stops for scheduled ferries and hydrofoils, which connect Salina with the other Aeolian islands, with Naples, and with Milazzo. The remaining space within the fully docked port is for pleasure boats, but there is no mooring service. Since, moreover, the Aeolian islands are always very crowded, it will be likely to have to drop anchor just outside the marina on regular 7- to 15-meter seabed of poseidonia and rock. Excellent shelter with winds from the W. RINELLA, on the other hand, is a natural inlet transformed into a harbor thanks to a pier that starts from the shore and juts out to the west. It is excellent sheltered from 1st and 2nd quadrant winds, but completely exposed to southerly winds. You can moor there at the dock only if ferries are not scheduled to arrive. Alternatively, it is possible to give anchor in front of the small beach in 4 to 7 mt of water on a sand and seaweed bottom. Do not miss the bight of Pollara , below Punta Perciato at the NW end of Salina. The large Faraglione is surrounded by shoals, access to the bay is exclusively from the North side. good shelter with NE winds. Punta Lingua , also worth a stopover. SE end of Salina, it is a pleasant and quiet port of call, and a good redoubt from W. Winds. The best anchorage is in front of the beach on a very irregular bottom of poseidonea and rock.
Panarea
The smallest of the seven. Ideal landing place for a very pleasant stroll among hibiscus, caper plants and bougainvillea, gazing at the splendid islets that frame it. Basiluzzo, Lisca Bianca, Dattilo, Bottaro, Lisca Nera, and Le formiche, together with Panarea can almost be considered an archipelago unto themselves. Also known for being the refuge of well-known world jet-setters and for its high archaeological value. Camp Buoy Panarea: San Pietro North.
Anchorages of Panarea
The best anchorage in Panarea is undoubtedly in Cala Milazzese, a safe place with N and W winds with excellent sand and poseidonia bottom. Adjacent to Cala Milazzese, and not to be missed, is Cala Junco, now a protected area following archaeological findings. Cala della Nave, on the NW side of Panarea, represents the only alternative with SOUTH winds. It can be recognized by the large 40-meter-high rock (La Nave) that juts out about 100 meters from the island. The approach presents no danger, only the sandy seabed scattered with volcanic slabs is very uneven. The use of a grippiale is recommended. Docking at Ditella pier, a scheduled port of call for connections between Panarea and the other Aeolian islands, between Panarea and Naples and between Panarea and Milazzo in Sicily, is always discouraged. Moreover, it is always overcrowded in summer and subjected to wave effects even with winds from the W. DANGERS OF PANAREA : 0.5 miles of the SE side of Panarea we have THE ANTS, a group of small reefs surrounded by shallow rocky and semi-submerged unmarked reefs, red sector for those sailing at night. Extremely dangerous. Place caution and consult nautical charts.
Stromboli
The only thundering island in the Mediterranean, sister to the wind and fire of Vulcan, to which it is united by "active volcanism" and the prerogative of being a micro-world, an ideal destination for those seeking contact with nature. The youngest of the Aeolian Islands is an island that has been still active for more than 2,000 years. It stands out from the sea like a fiery cone, guiding sailors with its burning plume. On summer nights it is easy to see the Sciara del Fuoco (descent of fire), a valley of dark sand over which erupted and incandescent materials roll down to the sea. San Vincenzo, Piscità, Fico Grande and Scari are its districts where there are very beautiful beaches. Ginostra is the tiny village still far from daily habits, isolated from the rest of the world, a small oasis.
Anchorages at Stromboli
The least inconvenient anchorage point is CALA FICOGRANDE to the W of Punta Lena or SCARI to the E of Punta Lena. The two landings at SCARI and FICOGRANDE, are exclusively used for scheduled ferry and hydrofoil service connecting Stromboli with Milazzo, the nearest point on the north coast of Sicily, Stromboli with all the other Aeolian islands, and Stromboli with Naples. It is therefore impossible to moor here. Instead, it is possible to roadstead a short distance from the landings, exclusively in breezy winds - coming from the NW - and only in declaredly good weather. Anchoring, a short distance from shore, is made difficult and unsafe by the considerable depth of the seabed. It is best to disembark in turn and never leave the boat unattended. Alternatively, it is possible to use the mooring service in the buoy field at Ficogrande. Unfortunately, Stromboli is an island without any shelter, so any kind of wind becomes immediately dangerous. in case of bad weather you can find shelter at the nearby islands. Do not miss the exclusivity of the world's smallest harbor: GINOSTRA, on the SW side of Stromboli.
Filicudi
Three inactive volcanoes shape this island, giving it the shape of a small fish. The rugged and wild surface, together with the rock "La Canna" (a 85-meter-high stacks rising in the middle of the sea like a mystical obelisk) create around the island a magical aura that envelops it and makes it the home of numerous legends. Famous is the "Grotta del Bue Marino"
Filicudi anchorages
The main landing point on the island of Filicudi is the Port of Filicudi. But this is only a bay, where the port of call of ferries and hydrofoils connecting Filicudi with the other islands of the Aeolian Islands, with Milazzo in Sicily and with Naples, in its W corner and therefore a pier at which if there are no scheduled vehicle moorings can be used for the moorings of pleasure boats. The alternative is anchoring in the bay on sandy bottom in 7 to 10 mt of water. Pecorini a Mare , on the S side, is only one port of call that can be made in good weather. there are no ridges. DANGERS of Filicudi: E of Capo Graziano, rocky shoal with 2.5 mt of water. Reefs below shore on the SW and NW sides.Rocky shoals and half-reefs around La Canna and Montenassari.
Alicudi
The wildest; a small village of four souls where there are no roads but only mule tracks, donkeys and paths adorned by heathers that give themselves a characteristic pinkish purple color. An authentic hermitage, an ideal site for walks with breathtaking views. The undertow of the sea is the rustling of the wind on the vegetation are the only audible sounds.
