Bareboat Palermo

Itinerary

A Sicily sailing itinerary takes you to the stunningly beautiful Egadi Islands west of Palermo, and to the picturesque harbors of the Sicilian coast. On longer cruises, you can sail to Pantelleria Island 52 nautical miles off North Africa, to Tunisia, and to Malta (see Sicily maps). Both the islands and the coastal cruising grounds are enchanting. They blend the bustle of chic ports such as Palermo with the quiet ambience of small fishing villages on remote and scenic islands. Swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing on pristine beaches is delightful. Sightseeing tours of palaces and cathedrals, fascinating archaeological sites, and historic island and coastal towns is intriguing and educational. Browsing in eclectic boutiques where fashion is of the first order, and dining in fine restaurants serving exquisitely prepared local cuisine is the essence of luxury. These are among the many pleasures you will enjoy while sailing in Sicilian waters.

• 7 Day
• Free Roam

Popular 7-Day Itinerary

 

 

Day 1, San Vito Lo Capo

Palermo to San Vito Lo Capo – 34 nm. Your Sicily sailing itinerary typically began the previous day, Saturday afternoon at 3:00 P.M., when you arrived at the Moorings base to check in, provision the boat (if you hadn’t elected to have us do it for you), and receive your pre-cruise chart briefing. Now that you’ve had a restful night aboard, it’s time to head out onto the shimmering Tyrrhenian Sea to your first port of call, the beautiful and fascinating harbor of San Vito Lo Capo. It’s not a long passage west, allowing plenty of time to fully explore ashore. A special treat is a visit to the Museum of the Sea, where you can learn about the history of the port and view artifacts recovered from the seafloor. There are excellent restaurants, lively bars, and lovely streets closed to vehicular traffic, making them welcoming and inviting for pedestrians.

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Day 2, Favignana

San Vito Lo Capo to Favignana – 25 nm. Your second day of sailing takes you farther west past the end of the Sicilian coast. As you raise the Egadi Islands off the bow, to port you will see the broad expanse of the Mediterranean Sea. Tunisia lies about 100 nautical miles due south, with the wonderful Pantelleria Island halfway in between. Your first port of call in the islands is Favignana, the largest in the Egadi group. The beautiful beaches, fine restaurants, and resort hotels make the island a popular tourist destination.

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Day 3, Marettimo

Favignana to Marettimo – 14 nm. Just a short sail to the northwest is another jewel of the Egadi, an island known for its remoteness and its rugged rocky coast lined with impressive cliffs and intriguing caves. Much of the area is a marine park where the snorkeling and scuba diving is excellent. Freshwater sources are abundant on the island, fostering rich and varied flora; more than 500 species of rare and unique plants grow on the steep slopes of the interior. A stroll along some of the paths is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

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Day 4, Levanzo

Marettimo to Levanzo – 12 nm. To the northeast of Marettimo is the last and smallest main island of the Egadi group, Levanzo. Although there is a small village on the island, it has remained largely undeveloped and left in its natural state. The beaches are beautiful and the snorkeling is fantastic. Of particular interest is a walk to see the prehistoric paintings in an impressive cave, a reminder of just how long humankind has called the Mediterranean home.

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Day 5, Ustica

Levanzo to Ustica – 62 nm. After cruising in the Egadi Islands, your Sicily sailing itinerary takes you on a rewarding open-water passage northeast to Ustica. Like Pantelleria Island, it’s sometimes called the Black Pearl because of its basaltic volcanic rocks and beautiful black-sand beaches. From seaward the island really does seem to look black, though vegetation thriving in the fertile soil tends to offset the effect. The island’s waters are designated as a marine preserve. The sea life is abundant. This is one of the premiere scuba diving sites in the Mediterranean Sea. In the typical northwesterly breeze, you’ll be on a fast beam reach all the way, enjoying Mediterranean sailing at its very best.

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Day 6, Palermo

Ustica to Palermo – 34 nm. The sailing is splendid on the passage back to Palermo. The typical northwest winds will be off your starboard quarter, ideal for a fast downwind sail. As you arrive back at the Moorings base by 5:00 P.M. to check out the boat, you’ll bask in the sheer delights of the past week on the Tyrrhenian Sea.

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