Bareboat Palermo - Sicily, Italy

Overview

Palermo, its very name summons images of the Mediterranean, the storied history of the Greeks and Romans, the chic and sophisticated who routinely vacation there. Ideally situated at the southern edge of the Tyrrhenian Sea, an arm of the Mediterranean 475 miles in length and 60 miles wide, Palermo is a prime location for a Sicily yacht charter. A short sail west of the Moorings base in Palermo are the Egadi Islands – Favignana, Marettimo, and Levanzo. Scenic Pantelleria Island lies about 50 nautical miles to the south and due north of the base is the lovely island of Ustica. A Sicily sailing vacation typically centers on the Egadi Islands, Ustica, and harbors in the vicinity of Palermo, but sailors enjoying a more lengthy Sicily yacht charter can also visit the Aeolian Islands to the east or venture to Malta and Tunisia. Regardless of the itinerary, a fine blend of magnificent sailing, superlative snorkeling, upscale dining, boutique shopping, and intriguing sightseeing in picturesque towns with roots dating back to ancient Greece and Rome is guaranteed to inspire fond memories for years to come.

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Sailing in Sicily

A Sicily sailing vacation is a cruise through a Mediterranean paradise. The passages between islands are mostly short, providing plenty of time to enjoy all the pleasures of sailing as well as for sojourns ashore to explore, sample the local cuisine, and to sit idly with a cocktail at a café to soak in the wonders of Italy’s southwestern coast. Gentle and warm summer winds from the northwest average between 8 and 12 knots. Land and sea breezes develop daily. In late afternoon, for example, more southerly winds can be expected. Spring and fall sailing is also quite pleasant. The tidal range is just one to two feet and therefore tidal currents are not a concern. Wind-driven currents, common in trade wind belts, are not an issue either. A Sicily yacht charter is well within the reach of sailors who have basic skills in coastal navigation. The beauty and unique character of these waters lures less experienced and veteran sailors alike to return time after time for more adventures. Summer temperatures range between 77°F and 90°F (25°C to 32°C).

Sicily Highlights

Swimming and snorkeling at beautiful beaches along the shores of the rocky islands, scenic bays filled with local fishing craft, quiet waterfront towns where pink, white, and yellow homes and shops paint the steep slopes in a pleasing and timeless mosaic, these are some of the charms that make a Sicily sailing vacation an exquisite experience. Savoring the delights of coastal Palermo, Cefalù, and San Vito Lo Capo, cruising the Egadi Islands, experiencing the thrill of an open-water passage to Pantelleria or Ustica, a Sicily yacht charter delivers a wide variety of pleasures at every port of call. The getting there, white sails drawing in a balmy breeze, is at the heart of the adventure.

Ustica

Located 36 nautical miles nearly due north of Palermo, the tiny island of Ustica sits squarely in the midst of an inward-flowing ocean current from the Atlantic, part of the internal circulation system of the Mediterranean Sea. Acres of poseidonia oceanica (seaweed) help oxygenate the waters, hence their nickname, the Lungs of the Mediterranean. Indeed, the waters around Ustica are deemed so important to the Mediterranean’s ecosystem that the coast was designated a national marine reserve in 1987; much of it is restricted. However, ample portions of the park are open for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. For scuba enthusiasts Ustica with its crystal clear water is a must while enjoying a Sicily yacht charter. Key dive sites include an undersea archaeological trail near Punta Gavazzi, where divers can swim among anchors from ancient Roman ships and other nautical artifacts, a truly mesmerizing experience.

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Palermo

Palermo, the capital of Sicily, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, with its surrounding verdant slopes, the incredible blue of the Mediterranean, and the majestic mountains that embrace it. The streets are steeped in history. Many of the buildings date back centuries and engender the influences of multiple cultures: Byzantine, Norman, Arabic, and Sicilian, to name just a few. The Regional Archaeological Museum provides a look back in time, exhibiting artifacts from prehistoric peoples to the more “modern” Etruscan, Phoenician, and Greek eras. The Sicilian Regional Gallery has a fantastic array of paintings, pottery, and sculpture. The Real Tenuta della Favorita is a splendid park on the outskirts of Palermo. The palace and grounds once belonged to a former king. The city is so rich in attractions at least three days could be spent sightseeing, a worthy component of a Sicily sailing vacation.

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Favignana

The largest of the Egadi Islands at 14 square miles, Favignana is a sailor’s paradise with beautiful coves and bays, scenic beaches, and stunning deep blue and emerald green waters. The limestone composition of the island accounts for the numerous grottos (small caves) found nearly everywhere along the coast. They are enchanting places to explore in the dinghy. On the west side of the island is Cala Rossa. Experiencing the beauty of Grotta Azzurra with its azure water (there’s also a grotto by the same name on Ustica), Grotta del Sospiri (Grotto of Sighs), and Grotta degli Innamorati (Lovers Cave) is pure delight.

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Pantelleria Island

Volcanic Pantelleria Island shares more in common with Africa than it does with Italy. Tunisia is just 52 nautical miles to the southwest and Malta lies to the east. In Arabic, the island was known as Bent el Rion, or Daughter of the Wind, and its present name translates to Rich Land of Offerings. Farming was and still is important on the island. Local sailors call Pantelleria the Black Pearl of the Mediterranean because of its basaltic rock. Steady breezes cool the fantastic black-sand beaches ideal for snorkeling and swimming among the ocean caves and twisted rock formations. In the interior, the pine-studded Montagna Grande rises 2,742 above sea level, and hot springs and geysers pepper the land. The coast is lined with beautiful coves and bays, many with scenic fishing villages along the shores. Sailing to the island on a longer Sicily yacht charter is exciting and rewarding.

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