Sicily Catamaran Charter
Explore the picturesque coastline and the Aeolian Islands, and sample some of Italy's most distinctive food and wine.
Italy's largest island is also one of the country's most pleasurable sailing destinations, with miles of clear water, beautiful beaches and coves to explore. Trace Sicily's coast for white sand beaches lapped by creamy blue Mediterranean Sea, sail into glitzy marinas for towns coloured by baroque architecture, flirting with Greek and Roman influences, and old cobbled streets hiding convivial restaurants brought to life each day by the aromatic sizzle of delicious Sicilian fare.
But a catamaran charter in Sicily is only the beginning. From here, the nearby Aeolian Island chain beckons with striking black sand beaches and volcanic isles occasionally lit by minor eruptions, sending plumes of ember into the night sky. And the enchanting Egadi Island group are an effortless sail from the Palermo charter base, ideal for languorous days spent seeking out weather-chiselled bays filled with the gentle lap of strikingly clear west Mediterranean Sea.
Catamarans to Charter in Sicily
Luxury Catamaran Charter Sicily
Boasting incredible space and comfort, a catamaran provides a brilliant platform for a luxury yacht charter.
As well as sailing the vessel along the Dalmatian Coast, your expert crew will cook, look after the housekeeping and water toys, and provide you with the service you expect at the top end of yacht charter holiday experiences. Your chef will tailor meals to your specific preferences, while the interior and deck crew facilitate everything you want, from beach picnics to a casino night or silent disco onboard.
Choose a well-appointed Bali 4.8 catamaran for silent, trouble-free sails across the Sicilian coast. With large outdoor spaces and a comfortable, and beautifully designed open living space, the boat lends itself to family getaways and group sailing trips with space for up to 12 people spread across six cabins in two hulls.
Sail in style from the Capo d'Orlando Marina south to Palermo, circumnavigating the island or embark on an island-hopping cruise across the Aeolian islands.
Where to sail in Sicily
Sail away from Capo d'Orlando Marina and make your way to enigmatic Palermo to see the breathtaking Palazzo Mirto, the Cappella Palatina and its lavish Byzantine mosaics, and end with a stroll to the neoclassical splendour of Italy's largest theatre, Teatro Massimo. Sail onwards to Sicily's eastern shores for a look at Syracuse and its myriad historic architectures. Take in the 7th-century Cathedral of Syracuse, converted from a Greek Doric temple, or head to Catania for its divine collections of Baroque and Rococo architectures, accentuated by the volcanic silhouette of iconic Mount Etna.
Hikers should helm their catamaran in the direction of San Leone on the south coast to stroll to the Valle dei Templi, an archaeological site littered with fragments of Greek temples punctuated by fragrant almond trees and accentuated by vistas of the encircling countryside. And afterwards, seek out an anchorage at Porto Empedocle or the more serene Cappiddrazzu for an evening of solitude aboard your catamaran.
Sail to the nearby Aegadian Islands for stunning bays furrowed into riveted curves of ancient rock and delightful coves flanked by delicate sandy beaches, ideal in equal measure for swimming, diving and sunbathing.
From here, sail your catamaran to the Aeolian Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and stop for a swim on one of awe-inspiring Stromboli's black sand beaches under the amber glow of its volcanic peak.
Sailors hoping to explore a quieter side of Italy should sail towards the Egadi Island chain for languid beaches supplemented by lavish sea views. Begin on Favignana, and visit Cala Rossa's busy coral beach or the comparatively sweeter white sands at Cala Azzura. Marettimo, on the other hand is ideal for small slithers of beach where nature prevails, and Levanzo for its cinematic interiors of craggy cliffs and tumbling countryside.
When to Sail in Sicily
The sailing season in Sicily begins in April and quietens in September before coming to a close, with numerous resorts and restaurants closing up for the season in October. The sunny high season is in July and August, and temperatures are perpetually in the 30s, with clear skies and settled winds, ideal for sailing Lipari island's cinematic shores.
The spring and autumn shoulder seasons bring cooler evening air and days occasionally broken up by rain storms, and while sailing at this time of year can be rewarding, novice sailors should consider a skippered Catamaran charter for increased peace of mind and a knowledgable guiding hand.
Charter a bareboat Catamaran and craft your itinerary on a day-by-day basis. Sail out of Palermo and into idyllic bays, from the Aeolians to the Aegadians, from amenity-filled beaches to silent coves, from hills to volcanoes.
Stay a few extra days in Palermo for the culture, or sail a few extra miles to find a completely empty beach, with a bareboat charter the choice is yours.
For seafarers hoping to lay back and relax, a fully crewed Catamaran charter is ideal. Your boat will be guided by an experienced crew, with a well-informed local skipper at the helm, navigating between high seas and shallow waters, late-night moorings and early breakfast anchorages. Take along a chef to help turn your onboard dinners into masterpieces, with local ingredients sourced from your latest pit stop, and magicked into delicious Sicilian fare, fine-tuned to your requirements and served on deck.
Next Steps
If any of the boats above are along the right lines, you can enquire straight away from the boat page, or get a little help from an expert Sicily yacht charter broker. And the best bit is you don’t even need any sailing experience, you can opt for a skippered charter and just kick back while they take care of the sailing, and maybe learn a rope or two.