Yacht charter in Sicily

01 · Overview

Yacht charter in Sicily

Sicily gives two very different weeks. From the north coast you sail to the Aeolian islands: Stromboli's live volcano, the sulphur baths of Vulcano and the capers of Salina. From the west you reach the Egadi islands, flat and clear-watered, with tuna-fishing history. Sicily also has one of the largest gulet and cabin-charter fleets on our desk.

02 · The sailing grounds

The sailing grounds

Marina Portorosa and Capo d'Orlando Marina on the north coast are the main bases for the Aeolians, which lie about 15 to 25 miles offshore. Lipari is the hub, with Vulcano, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi and Alicudi around it. From Palermo and Marsala, the Egadi islands of Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo lie to the west.

03 · Season and weather

Season and weather

May to October. Summer winds are mostly moderate, but the Aeolian anchorages are exposed and can roll in a swell. The volcanoes and island towns are busiest in August.

04 · The fleet on our desk

The fleet on our desk

We list about 450 boats in Sicily from about 80 charter companies. The fleet is sailing yachts (49%), catamarans (39%), gulets (7%) and motor yachts and motorboats (4%). Half the boats were built in 2021 or later, and the typical boat is about 46 ft long with 4 cabins. The largest sleep guests in up to 9 cabins. The most common models here are the Lagoon 42, Oceanis 46.1 and Lagoon 46.

05 · Ways to charter

Ways to charter

Boats in Sicily offer these kinds of charter (a boat can offer more than one):

Bareboat (305 boats): you skipper the boat yourself. The skipper needs a licence the operator accepts, and usually a VHF radio certificate.

Crewed (114 boats): a skipper and crew come with the boat, often with a cook or host.

Cabin charter (28 boats): you book one cabin on a shared, crewed boat rather than the whole yacht.

Skippered (19 boats): a professional skipper sails the boat with you, and you crew as much or as little as you like.

Day charter (15 boats): a single day on the water, usually with crew.

Flotilla (14 boats): you sail your own boat in a group, with a lead boat and crew on hand to help.

All-inclusive (1 boat): crew, meals and drinks are in one price.

06 · What a week costs

What a week costs

These prices are for the boat for seven nights, taken from the 2027 offers we hold in November 2026.

In January, the cheapest month for most boats here, a well-priced boat costs about €1,950 a week and the middle of the fleet about €2,600.

In August, the dearest month, the middle of the fleet costs about €5,300 a week.

The cheapest tenth of boats here start from about €1,700 a week, and the top tenth from about €7,100.

Fuel, marina fees, the final clean and any skipper are usually extra on bareboat yachts; crewed boats include their crew. Each boat page shows what its operator includes and the live price for your dates.

07 · Bases and start days

Bases and start days

Boats start from Marina Portorosa (134 boats), Capo d'Orlando Marina (131 boats), La Cala (Porto Palermo) (26 boats), Marina Villa Igiea (26 boats) and Porto Santa Maria Maggiore (26 boats). Almost every charter here starts on a Saturday.

08 · Getting there

Getting there

Palermo and Catania airports serve the island. Portorosa and Capo d'Orlando are about 1.5 to 2 hours by road from either.