Lund Group · Sicily
Palermo • Taormina • Aeolian Islands • Egadi • Siracusa
One island, four cruising grounds
Sicily is not one charter route. It is the largest island in the Mediterranean, with four very different coasts: the volcanic Aeolian Islands to the north-east, Palermo and the protected Egadi Islands to the west, Taormina and Etna on the east, and Siracusa in the south-east.
The best weeks are built around one coast, not a checklist. Distances are longer than on most islands, so choosing the right base — Palermo, Milazzo, Capo d'Orlando, Taormina or Siracusa — decides how much of the week is spent at anchor rather than under way.
Lund Group plans Sicily charters on motor yachts, sailing yachts, catamarans and crewed superyachts, with private flights and transfers if needed.
Route selector
Marinas & bases
Western Sicily's strongest large-yacht base
About 400 berths; currently publishes accommodation for yachts up to 75m, with fuel, power and mooring assistance. A planned larger pier is not treated as open until officially confirmed.
Modern gateway to the Aeolians
About 553 berths; published up to 50m.
Closest mainland base for the Aeolians
About 140 berths; published up to 50m.
Strait of Messina
About 160 berths; published up to 40m.
North-coast marina for smaller yachts
About 650 berths for vessels of roughly 6–35m.
Taormina from the water
A managed mooring field with 100+ moorings in the bay — not a conventional marina berth. Guests usually reach Taormina by tender and car.
Etna & east-coast marina base
A marina on the east coast, useful for Etna and Taormina. Capacity for a given yacht is checked individually.
South-east harbour
Harbour and anchorage beside the old town of Ortigia. Berth suitability is checked for each yacht.
A marina's published maximum length is not a guaranteed berth. Exact availability, beam, draught, power and commercial-yacht requirements are confirmed for each yacht and date. Figures are subject to re-verification.
North-east
Seven volcanic islands off the north coast, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for their volcanic geology. Milazzo and Capo d'Orlando are the shortest crossings; Taormina works with a longer first day.
Stromboli and Vulcano are active volcanoes. Access, landing and viewing distances are set by the authorities and can change at short notice.
West
Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo lie off Trapani inside one of the largest marine protected areas in the Mediterranean. Zones carry different rules on anchoring, speed and activities.
For example, current rules for some designated zones require yachts over 40m to obtain authorisation, anchor only on sand or mud and stay at least 400m from shore. This is not a rule for all of the Egadi, which is why the exact zone is checked before every charter.
Places
A large harbour city with markets, palaces and a strong marina.
A cathedral town on the north coast, usually visited at anchor.
A modern marina facing the Aeolians.
The shortest crossing to Vulcano and Lipari.
The hill town above Isola Bella, reached by tender from the bay.
East-coast base for a day on Europe's most active volcano.
Greek ruins and a Baroque island old town.
Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo in a marine protected area.
The largest Aeolian island, with the main town and harbour.
Green, quiet and known for capers and Malvasia.
Small and fashionable, busy in August.
An active volcano. Access and viewing are set by the authorities.
Close to Milazzo, with sulphur springs and black-sand bays.
The fleet
Only yachts approved or listed for Sicilian waters are shown — a general Italy listing is not enough. A listing does not mean the yacht is free for your dates.
Our public charter listings are being updated. Send us your dates and route, and we will search privately for yachts that can genuinely accept a Sicily charter.
Yacht types
Cover Sicily's longer distances comfortably and reach the Aeolians quickly.
Good for the Aeolians and the west. Winds can be strong in the channels, so routes stay flexible.
Stable and roomy for families. Wide beam can limit berths, so we confirm early.
Crewed yachts by the week, often based in Palermo or the north-east.
Sample itineraries
Day 1 · Taormina
Board in the bay and visit the old town by tender.
Day 2 · Strait of Messina
Cruise north to Milazzo or Capo d'Orlando.
Day 3 · Vulcano
Swim off the black-sand bays.
Day 4 · Lipari & Salina
The main Aeolian town, then a quieter evening on Salina.
Day 5 · Panarea
Swimming and dinner ashore.
Day 6 · Stromboli (if permitted)
Viewing as allowed by current rules and conditions.
Day 7 · Return
Back to Milazzo or Taormina to disembark.
Day 1 · Palermo
Board at the marina; dinner in the city.
Day 2 · Mondello & Capo Gallo
Swim along the coast west of Palermo.
Day 3 · San Vito Lo Capo
Long beach and clear water, wind permitting.
Day 4 · Levanzo
The smallest Egadi island, within protected-area rules.
Day 5 · Favignana
Bays and coves, anchoring where the zone allows.
Day 6 · Marettimo
The wildest of the Egadi, if conditions suit.
Day 7 · Trapani or Palermo
Disembark in Trapani or cruise back to Palermo.
Day 1 · Riposto
Board below Etna.
Day 2 · Etna day
A guided day on the volcano, arranged separately from the yacht.
Day 3 · Taormina
Isola Bella and the old town.
Day 4 · Catania coast
The Cyclops Riviera at Aci Trezza.
Day 5 · Siracusa
Ortigia's harbour and old town.
Day 6 · South-east coast
Quiet bays towards Marzamemi.
Day 7 · Siracusa or Malta
Disembark, or continue to Malta on the right yacht.
These are examples, not contractual routes. Sailing all the way around Sicily in one week is not recommended. The captain decides each day's route for weather, regulations and safety. Shore trips such as Etna are arranged separately from the yacht.
Longer charters
From Siracusa or the south-east on a suitable yacht and in good weather. Leaving Italian waters affects paperwork and sometimes taxes.
North through the Aeolians towards the Amalfi Coast and Capri, usually as a one-way charter of ten days or more.
Amalfi CoastAn open-sea crossing that suits larger yachts and longer charters with a clear weather window.
SardiniaCost
There is no fixed "Sicily price". The rate depends on the yacht, dates and route, and it is not the total cost. We quote every item in writing.
The yacht's rate for your dates and length of charter. There is no fixed 'Sicily price'.
The Advance Provisioning Allowance covers fuel, food, drink and port costs. The amount is set by the yacht and contract.
Italian VAT usually applies to charters in Italian waters. How it applies depends on the yacht and the contract.
Charged separately. Peak-season Aeolian and Taormina moorings can be costly and limited.
Sicily's distances are longer than many islands, so routes that combine coasts use more fuel.
A yacht based elsewhere may carry a fee to reach Sicily or to disembark in a different port.
The Advance Provisioning Allowance is paid to the captain before the charter and covers fuel, food, drink and port costs. Longer Sicilian passages and peak-season Aeolian moorings can use more of it. The captain keeps accounts and returns any unused balance.
Season
May & early June
Mild, quiet and good for shore days; seas can still be changeable.
Late June & July
Warm and settled, the Aeolians getting busier.
August
Peak season. Moorings in Panarea, Lipari and Taormina are in high demand.
September
Warm water and fewer boats. Often the best balance.
October
Shoulder season; quieter, with more weather variation.
Sardinia is about beaches and the Costa Smeralda scene. Sicily adds volcanoes, ancient cities and food, with longer distances between highlights.
Amalfi is compact and busy, built around Positano and Capri. Sicily is bigger and wilder, and better for a full week with variety.
Water toys, diving and fishing depend on the yacht and on protected-area rules, which are stricter in parts of the Egadi and around some Aeolian coasts.
Beyond the yacht
Palermo (PMO)
Best for Palermo, Cefalù and the west.
Catania (CTA)
Best for Taormina, Riposto, Siracusa and the Aeolians via Milazzo.
Trapani (TPS)
Best for the Egadi Islands.
How we work
Questions
Charter enquiry
Tell us your dates, guests and which side of Sicily appeals. We will search for yachts that can genuinely accept a Sicily charter and plan a route the captain can adapt.
Palermo · Taormina · Aeolian Islands · Egadi · Siracusa
