The Aeolian Islands are a UNESCO-protected archipelago off the north coast of Sicily — seven volcanic islands that range from the geothermal sulfur baths of Vulcano to the active sunset eruptions of Stromboli. Our route runs from Capo d’Orlando Marina through Vulcano, Lipari, Panarea, Stromboli and Salina, anchorage by anchorage, with the chef cooking on board on the quieter nights.
Sicilian-Italian cuisine is its own thing — caponata, fresh-caught swordfish, capers from Salina, Malvasia wine from Lipari. The Aeolians are smaller, wilder and quieter than the better-known Mediterranean spots. Most days you’ll anchor with one or two other boats in the bay, not twenty.
Anchored a mile off Stromboli at sunset, watching the lava run down to the sea — that’s the moment guests stop talking. The Aeolians don’t behave like other islands. By Day 4 you’ve lost track of what day it is.
Each week adapts to your group, the wind, and what feels right. Here’s the rhythm we tend to follow.
You land in Palermo and we’ll meet you at Capo d’Orlando Marina. Welcome aboard, into your cabin, a glass of something cold on deck. The chef opens with a welcome dinner at anchor — Sicilian-Italian cooking, fresh fish, ingredients from a working kitchen on the coast.
You land in Palermo and we’ll meet you at Capo d’Orlando Marina. Welcome aboard, into your cabin, a glass of something cold on deck. The chef opens with a welcome dinner at anchor — Sicilian-Italian cooking, fresh fish, ingredients from a working kitchen on the coast.
Short sail east to Vulcano — the southernmost Aeolian. Morning at the geothermal sulfur baths, an easy hike to the (dormant) crater rim if you want one. Anchor for the night in the bay, dinner on board.
Lipari is the largest of the Aeolians — a beautiful marina town, a working fishing harbour, a shopping street that climbs up to the citadel. Wine tasting ashore at a Malvasia producer. Dinner in town.
Panarea is the smallest inhabited Aeolian — pastel houses, narrow lanes, no cars. We anchor outside the harbour, tender in for a long lunch and a wander, swim in the bay in the afternoon.
Sail north to Stromboli — one of the most consistently active volcanoes in Europe. At sunset, we anchor offshore to watch eruptions safely from the boat. If conditions allow, the 3-hour hike up the cone for a closer view. The chef cooks on board — restaurants on the island are limited and we want to be at anchor when it gets dark.
Salina is the green one — twin volcanic peaks, capers, vineyards, an artsy little harbour. Walk through the village, lunch ashore, an afternoon at a Malvasia vineyard if you want one.
We work back through the islands — a swim wherever the water’s best, a final lunch at anchor. Farewell dinner on board, the chef pulling out the last of the good wine.
Final breakfast on the foredeck. We sail back to Capo d’Orlando for the late morning. Stay on for a night in Palermo if you’ve got the time — the Capo is worth a wander too.
Final route depends on weather and your group. Every week we sail this is different.
Three boats. Built for different group sizes, all curated for the same week.
The intimate one. One table, one anchorage swim, one rhythm — the group never splits.
The whole boat is yours — your dates, your pace, your route.
Still got a question? Schedule a call or drop me a line.
Or share a few details — group size, when, what you're after — and we'll come back to you within 48 hours.
