Aeolian Islands Catamaran Cruise from Portorosa - 7-Day Sailing Itinerary through Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli and Filicudi
4 July 2026 - 11 July 2026
Sicily, IT
7 days trip
10 places avaliable
Catamaran
Price may vary depending on the cruise date.
Reservations are subjected to acceptance after availability checks. In case, the selected cruise is not available we will contact you with similar offers.
Aeolian Islands Catamaran Cruise from Portorosa - 7-Day Sailing Itinerary through Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli and Filicudi
The Aeolian Islands occupy a stretch of Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily that has been shaped by volcanic forces for hundreds of thousands of years, and the result is an archipelago unlike anything else in the Mediterranean. Seven islands of entirely different character sit within a compact sailing area where distances between stops rarely exceed a few hours of navigation, and where the combination of active volcanoes, UNESCO protection, fishing village culture and exceptionally clear water creates a sailing week that is difficult to replicate anywhere else in Italian waters.
Portorosa Marina, on the northeastern Sicilian coast near Furnari, is one of the principal departure points for Aeolian Islands sailing holidays. Its position on the Tyrrhenian coast puts the nearest islands of the archipelago within reach of an evening crossing, and the marina infrastructure supports full provisioning and boat preparation before the week begins.
Each island in the archipelago has developed a distinct identity over centuries of volcanic isolation and maritime connection. Vulcano anchors the southern approach to the archipelago with its sulfuric fumaroles, dark beaches and dramatic cliff formations rising from the water. Lipari, the largest and most populated island, carries the commercial and social energy of a proper small town, with a castle-topped citadel, a marina promenade and a concentration of local restaurants that reflect the food culture of the entire archipelago. Salina rises to 962 meters and supports agriculture that no other Aeolian island can match, producing the capers, malvasia wine and the sweet almond granita that define the islands' culinary identity.
Further north, Panarea is the smallest inhabited island in the archipelago and the one with the most consciously curated atmosphere, its white cubic architecture and car-free streets attracting a summer crowd that values aesthetics as much as nature. Stromboli is in a different category entirely, a persistently active stratovolcano whose eruptions have been documented without interruption for over two thousand years and whose lava channel descending to the sea is one of the most compelling natural spectacles available from a sailing boat anywhere in Europe. Filicudi and its neighbor Alicudi to the west represent the furthest and least-developed end of the archipelago, where the rhythm of island life slows to a pace that the more accessible islands no longer offer.
Itinerary
Day1
Portorosa, Boarding and Night Crossing toward Vulcano
Boarding takes place at Portorosa Marina from 18:00. The afternoon and early evening allow time for provisioning, cabin organization and a welcome briefing with the skipper covering safety, onboard routines and the week's navigation outline. Shortly after departure the boat sets course northwest into the Tyrrhenian Sea toward the Aeolian archipelago. The first crossing takes place under the night sky, a distinctive opening to the week that gives early risers the chance to watch the volcanic silhouettes of Vulcano and Lipari emerge from the darkness as the boat closes the distance before dawn. Arrival takes place in the early morning hours in a protected anchorage near Vulcano.
Day2
Vulcano and Lipari
The morning light reveals the character of Vulcano gradually: dark beaches of volcanic sand, ochre and rust-colored cliffs eroded into irregular formations, sulfuric steam rising from the fumaroles above the shoreline, and a general absence of the green vegetation that characterizes the northern islands. After breakfast onboard there is time for swimming in the clear water near the coast, paddleboarding along the base of the cliffs or exploring by tender into bays not accessible from the land. A short afternoon navigation heads north to Lipari, the archipelago's largest island, where the marina sits below a citadel enclosing a Norman castle, a cathedral and an archaeological museum that traces human presence in the Aeolian Islands back to the Neolithic period. The evening is spent along the harbor promenade or in the old town streets above.
Day3
Lipari to Salina
After breakfast, navigation continues west toward Salina, the island that produces the agricultural wealth the volcanic soil of the Aeolian archipelago makes possible. The passage along the northern coast of Lipari offers views of sea cliffs and hidden coves before the open crossing between the two islands, where swim stops in clear water away from any coastline are a natural feature of the day. Salina's two volcanic peaks, Monte Fossa delle Felci and Monte dei Porri, are visible from the water well before arrival, their slopes covered in a vegetation density that earned the island its name, the old Greek word for salt flat notwithstanding. Santa Marina Salina on the eastern side or Lingua on the southern tip are the typical evening destinations, with waterfront restaurants, local wine producers and the granita that Salina considers its contribution to Sicilian food culture.
Day4
Salina to Panarea
A relaxed morning sail northeast from Salina toward Panarea covers open water between two of the most contrasting islands in the archipelago. The passage passes rocky volcanic islets and occasional anchorages suited to a swim stop before the distinctive profile of Panarea comes into view. Panarea is the smallest inhabited island in the Aeolian group and operates at a pace governed entirely by foot traffic, with no motor vehicles and a concentration of whitewashed architecture, bougainvillea-lined pathways and sea-facing terraces that give the island its particular visual identity. The area around Basiluzzo and the uninhabited volcanic islets northeast of Panarea offers some of the most photographed anchorages in the archipelago for snorkeling and clear-water swimming before the boat settles for the evening in the main bay.
Day5
Panarea to Stromboli
The route continues northeast toward Stromboli, the most geologically active island in the archipelago and one of the most persistently active volcanic sites in the world. The crossing gives time for open-water swimming in the deep blue of the Tyrrhenian Sea before the volcanic cone becomes unmistakable ahead. During the day there is time to explore the black-sand village, swim near Strombolicchio, the isolated rock pinnacle rising from the sea a short distance off the northeastern coast, or organize a guided ascent of the volcano through local operators who run afternoon departures timed for summit arrival at dusk. Whether the view is from the crater rim or from the deck of the boat, the evening navigation along the Sciara del Fuoco at nightfall, watching volcanic material tumble down the active lava channel directly into the sea, is the defining moment of the entire itinerary. Overnight at anchor near Stromboli.
Day6
Stromboli to Filicudi
After breakfast, the itinerary turns west on its longest sailing day, heading toward Filicudi at the quieter western edge of the archipelago. The passage covers open Tyrrhenian water and gives the boat room to sail properly between two islands that feel genuinely remote compared to the more frequented stops earlier in the week. Filicudi's coastline is among the least altered in the archipelago, with sea caves including the Grotta del Bue Marino, basalt formations, volcanic sea stacks and deep clear water that rewards unhurried exploration by tender or on foot along the few paths above the anchorage. The evening at anchor in a quiet Filicudi bay, without harbor noise or traffic, forms a natural counterpoint to the energy of Stromboli the night before.
Day7
Return Navigation to Portorosa and Disembarkation
An early morning departure from Filicudi begins the return crossing southeast toward the Sicilian coast and Portorosa Marina. Depending on sea conditions and timing, a final swimming stop along the route may be possible before the boat makes its approach to the marina. Arrival in Portorosa takes place during the evening. Guests spend the final night onboard and disembarkation takes place the following morning by 08:00 after breakfast.
Important Note
This itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions, currents and marine activity. Anchorages and daily schedule are adjusted by the skipper to ensure safety and the best possible sailing experience throughout the week.
Cruise price details
Entire yacht price
€ 7000
€ 5950
Book the entire yacht for a private trip
Included in the price
Entire boat rental
Tender with outboard engine
Complete equipment of the boat
Boat insurance
Yacht additional fees
Pack Charter (final cleaning, bed linen and towels, mattress cover, pillowcase, large and small towels, covers), dinghy and outboard engine, gas bottle, mooring in our base, assistance for clients): €850
The Bali Catspace is a 40-foot catamaran designed by Olivier Poncin and Lasta Design around a single organizing idea: that a boat of this size should feel and function like something considerably larger. The signature garage-door aft opening, the forward solid deck lounge and the flybridge combine to give the Catspace more distinct outdoor living areas than most catamarans in the 45-foot category.
The Bali Catspace belongs to the Catana Group's Bali line and was nominated for Best Boat in 2022, standing in the same category as Lagoon and Fountaine-Pajot models several feet longer. The recognition reflects what the design does well: it extracts more usable space from a 40-foot platform than almost any other catamaran in its class, through a layout that thinks in terms of zones rather than rooms.
The central feature is the aft garage door, a full-width pneumatically operated wall between the cockpit and the saloon that raises entirely to merge the two spaces into one continuous open-plan area. When the door is up, the division between inside cooking and outside eating disappears, the saloon and cockpit become a single loft, and the social dynamic of the boat shifts in a way that smaller gestures cannot achieve. Large wraparound windows and overhead hatches keep the saloon bright even when the door is closed, and the L-shaped galley with its home-sized refrigerator and freezer sits integrated into the living space rather than separated from it.
Forward of the mast, the Catspace replaces the traditional trampoline nets with a solid deck lounge, a covered bow area with seating and a table that functions equally well as a morning breakfast spot, a quiet reading area underway or a social gathering point at anchor. Above the main deck, the flybridge is accessed from either side and offers a lounging sunbed area alongside the helm station, which is positioned to allow the skipper to maintain natural interaction with guests while underway.
Below deck, the four-cabin four-bathroom configuration accommodates up to ten guests. Each cabin has its own private toilet, and the forward cabins benefit from the inverted bow design that gives them more volume and usable floor space than the equivalent position on more traditional catamaran layouts. The compact wet-bath arrangement means shower and head share the same space, a practical trade-off for a boat that maximizes every other area of the living experience. The Catspace sails in a stable and relaxed manner suited to coastal cruising and island hopping, and motorsailing in lighter winds is a normal part of how the boat is used in practice.
What to pack for a sailing holiday?
Pack smart for your yacht charter: choose a soft bag instead of a hard suitcase, bring lightweight layers, reef-safe sunscreen, and non-slip shoes for onboard use. A couple of swimsuits and motion sickness remedies can also make a big difference. Each boat has limited storage, so pack light, but wisely! Need help building the perfect list? Read our full guide: What to pack in a suitcase for a yacht charter
What’s a Typical Day Like on a Yacht Charter?
Start your day with a swim in a quiet bay, sail to hidden beaches or seaside villages, and enjoy a slow lunch on deck. Afternoons mean snorkeling, sunbathing, or exploring ashore. As the sun sets, your boat anchors in a scenic cove or near a harbor, ready for a relaxed dinner and a night under the stars. Curious about the full experience? Discover more in our guide: What’s a typical day like on a sailing holiday?
Who Handles Cooking and Cleaning on a Yacht Charter?
On skipper-only charters, guests usually share cooking and cleaning duties, think salads, pasta, and good teamwork. If there's a hostess, light meals and tidying are included, but it's still a casual, collaborative vibe. On fully crewed yachts, you’ll enjoy full service with a chef and crew managing everything. Want to know what’s included in your setup? Read the full guide: Who takes care of cooking and cleaning on a sailing charter?
What Happens in Case of Bad Weather During a Sailing Holiday?
Summer sailing holidays rarely face major weather issues, but when the sea gets rough, skippers adjust the route for your safety. Expect protected bays, marina stops, or a change in plan. These moments often lead to unexpected gems: local towns to explore, time to relax on board, or cozy dinners ashore. Curious about how crews handle these changes? Read the full FAQ: What to do in case of adverse weather conditions or changes to the itinerary
Reservations are subjected to acceptance after availability checks. In case, the selected cruise is not available we will contact you with similar offers.
