Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean — and one of the most spectacular yacht charter destinations in the entire inland sea. Its position at the crossroads of geographical, historical, and cultural influences in the Mediterranean gives it a unique personality — a layering of civilizations over two millennia visible in every city, every village, every dish. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Spaniards — Sicily is the result of all these superimposed cultures, and this richness is felt at every stopover.
But it is the sea surrounding Sicily that constitutes the true revelation of a charter in this destination. The Aeolian Islands to the north form one of Europe’s most spectacular volcanic archipelagos — Stromboli in permanent eruption as a natural lighthouse visible from 30 kilometers away, Panarea and its crystal-clear waters as an unmissable glamorous destination, Vulcano and its hydrothermal springs as a unique geological curiosity. An itinerary around Sicily by superyacht is one of the richest and most diverse sailing experiences available in the Mediterranean.
International Yachts Charter and Brokerage XXIII offers charters in Sicily with our Mediterranean fleet, particularly with RAY — our 32-meter explorer with a 4,000 NM range, designed for the long distances and wild coasts that characterize this destination.
Sicily concentrates the highest density of cultural heritage in the entire Mediterranean on a single island. Every civilization that occupied the island left remarkable architectural traces — the Greek temples of Agrigento and Selinunte, the Arab-Norman mosaic of the Palatine Chapel in Palermo, the UNESCO-listed medieval old town of Syracuse, the late Baroque of Val di Noto, also UNESCO-listed. A charter in Sicily is as much a sailing experience as a journey through the successive layers of Mediterranean history.
Sicilian cuisine is one of the most complex and flavorful in Italy — a blend of Arab, Greek, Norman, and Spanish influences that results in dishes of unique richness and originality. Caponata with vinegar and capers, pasta alla Norma with eggplant and salted ricotta, golden and crispy arancino, Trapani fish couscous — all dishes that have nothing to do with mainland Italian cuisine and always pleasantly surprise our guests.
Our chef sources ingredients from local markets at each stopover. Bronte pistachios, Pachino cherry tomatoes, Pantelleria capers, Sciacca anchovies, octopus and lobsters caught fresh every morning — Sicilian products have an incomparable intensity of flavor that is found in every dinner on board.
Sicily offers a diversity of sailing that few Mediterranean destinations can match. The northeast coasts with the volcanic Aeolian Islands, the south coasts with their shallow waters and Posidonia seabeds, the west coasts with their views of Africa on clear days, the satellite islands of Pantelleria and the Pelagie Islands — a complete superyacht itinerary around Sicily is a sailing adventure in itself.
The Aeolian Islands are an archipelago of 7 volcanic islands located 25 kilometers off the northern coast of Sicily, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Each of the seven islands — Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi — has a distinct personality, a unique landscape, and a particular ambiance that warrant a dedicated stopover.
Stromboli is one of the most active volcanoes in the world — in near-continuous eruption for 2,000 years, it regularly projects lava plumes 200 meters high from its summit crater. This permanent volcanic activity has earned it the nickname “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean” — visible at night from 30 kilometers away, it has guided navigators since antiquity.
From a superyacht anchored off Stromboli’s northeast coast — known as the “Sciara del Fuoco,” the stream of fire — the nocturnal spectacle is simply incomparable. Eruptions occur every 15 to 30 minutes on average, projecting incandescent volcanic bombs that roll into the sea in a cascade of red lava. It is the most unique and striking experience available in the Mediterranean — an image our clients unanimously describe as one of the most powerful of their lives.
Ascending the crater is possible from the village — a 3-hour round trip hike guided by certified guides. Our captain coordinates this excursion for passengers who wish to observe the eruptions from inside the crater, an even more intense experience.
Panarea is the smallest and most exclusive of the inhabited Aeolian Islands — 3.3 km², no cars, a few hundred permanent residents, and in summer, an international clientele who have made it their favorite confidential destination in the Mediterranean. The village of San Pietro concentrates its cubic white houses, black pebble-paved alleys, and bougainvillea in a tiny space above the port.
Cala Junco — to the east of Panarea — is one of the most beautiful coves in the Aeolian Islands. Accessible only by boat, its turquoise waters over white sand and its black lava cliff create an incomparable color contrast. Anchoring off Cala Junco is one of the most sought-after in the archipelago during high season — our captain arrives early in the morning to secure the best position.
Vulcano is the island closest to the Sicilian coast — a volcano whose main crater is visible from the port. Current volcanic activity is mainly manifested by fumaroles and hydrothermal springs. The mud baths — natural pools of gray volcanic mud heated to 40°C by geothermal activity — are the island’s iconic attraction. The underwater fumaroles that our tender safely approaches from the anchorage constitute another unique geological curiosity.
Salina is the greenest and most fertile of the Aeolian Islands — its two volcanic cones covered with Mediterranean vegetation contrast with the more arid character of its neighbors. It is known for its exceptional capers and for its Malvasia delle Lipari — an amber sweet dessert wine of remarkable complexity that perfectly complements desserts on board. The town of Santa Marina Salina is one of the most elegant in the archipelago.
Lipari is the largest and most complete of the Aeolian Islands — modern port infrastructure, a renowned archaeological museum (one of the best in Italy for Mediterranean prehistory), quality restaurants, accessible beaches. Its medieval castle dominating the port and its white pumice cliffs constitute a remarkable architectural and geological heritage.
Taormina is one of the most spectacular cities in all of Southern Italy — suspended 250 meters above the Ionian Sea on a limestone cliff, with snow-capped Etna in the background and the sparkling sea below. Its 3rd-century BC Greco-Roman theater — one of the best preserved in the world — offers from its stands a 180° panorama of the sea and the volcano, which is among the most beautiful in the Mediterranean basin.
Taormina is accessible from our anchorage by tender to Giardini-Naxos — the seaside resort at the foot of the cliff — then by car or cable car to the village. Our chief steward organizes this transfer and reserves tables at the best restaurants well in advance.
The Taormina restaurants we recommend — Osteria Nero d’Avola for its high-quality contemporary Sicilian cuisine, Tischi Toschi for its panoramic terrace and exceptional Sicilian wines, La Piazzetta for more traditional cuisine in a remarkable historic setting.
Palermo is one of Italy’s most fascinating cities — two millennia of superimposed civilizations have created an urban landscape of incomparable richness and complexity. The 12th-century Arab-Norman architecture — Palatine Chapel, cathedral, Martorana — is unique in the world. The historic markets — Ballarò, Vucciria, Capo — are among the liveliest and most colorful in the Mediterranean.
Palermo marina can accommodate superyachts up to 60 meters. The old town is accessible on foot from the pontoon — a rare logistical advantage for a capital of such cultural importance.
Palermitan street food is world-renowned — thick and flavorful sfincione, crispy arancini, chickpea flour panelle, fresh seafood sold in the markets. Our chef systematically includes a visit to the Capo or Ballarò market in the Palermo stopover program.
Syracuse is one of the largest cities of Greek antiquity — founded in 734 BC, it was once the most populous city in the Western world. Its island of Ortigia — UNESCO-listed with Val di Noto — concentrates a Baroque cathedral built on the columns of a 5th-century BC Greek Doric temple, Baroque palaces of incomparable beauty, and a lively city atmosphere that contrasts with the museum-like character of many Sicilian sites.
Our tender docks directly at the port of Ortigia — the old town is accessible on foot from the pontoon. The Pescheria market in Ortigia — one of Italy’s most beautiful fish markets — is an essential gastronomic stop for our chef.
| Yacht | LOA | Sicily Asset | BS Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAY | 32 m | Explorer — 4,000 NM range | €90,000/week |
| ASCENSION | 37 m | Palermo-Aeolian Islands Speed | €100,000/week |
| RILASSATA | 49.8 m | Full Grand Tour of Sicily | €210,000/week |
May-June and September-October are ideal — pleasant temperatures, calm sea, less crowded destinations. July-August: high season with more people and wind in the Aeolian Islands.
No — our captain anchors at a regulated safe distance. Strombolian eruptions are predictable and low intensity — an impressive natural spectacle but perfectly safe from the deck.
Yes — a guided 3-hour round trip hike is possible. Our captain coordinates schedules with the island’s certified guides.
Yes — Pantelleria is a 4.5-hour sail from Trapani, on Sicily’s west coast. An ideal stopover for itineraries of 10 days or more.
Yes — from our anchorage in Giardini-Naxos or Catania, our chief steward organizes a day trip to Etna’s craters with a private guide.
Italian is the official language. The Sicilian dialect is still spoken in villages, but all tourism professionals speak standard Italian and often English.
Our team responds within 48 hours with a personalized itinerary, suitable yacht selection, and a complete budget estimate.
