The Aeolian islands are a beautiful archipelago made of volcanoes, blu seas and incredible nature. One way to discover it, is to choose a boat trip. Most rides depart from the port of Marina Corta, which is just a short walk from Villa Sea Rose. The truth is, you have almost too many choices but amongst all it’s important to keep in mind some aspects. For long tours, such as Panarea/Stromboli or Alicudi/Filicudi, it’s advisable to book a bigger boat. Although the weather is generally good, it might be cold or bumpy on the way back. So don’t forget a wind jacket in your bag. While for closer islands choose a typical gozzo boat with maximum 10 people. As a result you will get all the charm of this traditional vessel.
So if you want to know more about boat trips around the Aeolian Islands just keep reading from here.
Panarea and Stromboli
Daily boat trips to Stromboli always include a stop on Panarea. To begin with, the boat leaves Marina Corta between 12:00 and 14:00 and you have an hour and half to walk around Panarea. To begin with, opt for a coffee and some shopping at the port. Or take a walk to the ruins of the Village of the Bronze Age at Punta Milazzese. Here you can find historical evidence dating back to the XV-XIII century. It takes about 40 minutes walk from the port or you can get a ride with one of the local taxi drivers. Certainly it’s a nice way to spend your time on the island.
Then you get back on the boat and start sailing towards Stromboli. Gradually and majestically the island rises with its conical shape in the midst of an infinite blue. In fact not many know that Stromboli is the farthest island from the Sicilian coast. And just navigating towards it one can only feel a reverential fear. You will have a couple of hours to spend on the island. Next, the boat stops close to the famous Sciara del Fuoco on the way back to Lipari. In all honesty there’s nothing more charming than enjoying sunset and watching out for possible lava explosions. Yes because Stromboli is a very active volcano and it erupts daily and generally always on the same side. The boat comes back between 21:00 and 00:00 right in Marina Corta. Therefore a boat trip to Stromboli is an incredible adventure to put in your memory book.
Alicudi and Filicudi
Even more authentic, let us introduce Alicudi and Filicudi. The wildest and most primitive of the Aeolian Islands, are twin sisters in soul. As a result, these islands are unmissable for those seeking real off the beaten tracks. Because this far world can be considered one of the last places where the balance between man and nature appears frozen in time. Thus, to inhale all the the beauty which pervades this lost land we recommend to walk as much as you can. Therefore don’t forget to bring your gym shoes!
Typical white Eolian houses. White cubic homes with large terraces decorated with columns facing south-east. And olive trees, capers, children’s laughter, boats, pulled dry on a strip of pebble beach. The scent of heather and lavender in the sun. These are the images that capture the eye when you reach Alicudi and Filicudi.
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For this reason, the best way to enjoy Alicudi and Filicudi is definitely via boat trip. Thus, excursions depart from Marina Corta around 9.30 am and return back at the port around 6.00 pm. Due to the constant change of winds, always have a look at the weather forecast first before booking the trip. In fact in case of Maestrale or Scirocco wind it will be impossible to sail. Not many people take the trip to these islands but it’s definitely a unique small cosmos.
Salina and Lipari
Salina is famous for being the “green island” and its luxuriant naturalistic landscape fully proves this point. In fact the untouched spaces make it an ideal place for animals such as wild rabbits, dormice and lizards. With this in mind, you have two options to visit Salina. Either take a Liberty Lines hydrofoil or enjoy a boat excursion from Lipari. In the first case you will be able to choose independently what you want to see but won’t enjoy the incredible views from the sea. However if you have time, we recommend to do both!
Thus, once you could enjoy the towns, book a wine tasting tour, take a coffee in the charming Malfa and come back at sunset with one of the last ferries. The other day, choose the boat excursion departing at 10 am from Marina Corta. After a quick stop close to the Pumice Mines in Porticello, the boat sails towards Pollara. Here you can swim in an incredible place, setting of Troisi’s movie “Il Postino”. After a stop at Lingua for a granita at Alfredo’s, the boat will sail back towards Lipari. And around 5 pm you will be back in Marina Corta getting ready for a glass of wine on Villa Sea Rose’s Rooftop Lounge.
Vulcano and Lipari
The island of Vulcano is considered the ancient seat of the god Vulcan. In fact the island is part of a massive volcanic system. which extends mostly under the sea. Actually the oldest part is the surface above water, which apparently formed over 100,000 years ago. According to the geologists, the last explosion dates back to the end of the 18th century. When you visit Vulcano, your eyes are overwhelmed with colours. Initially the black, yellow and red of the volcanic rocks. Secondly the contrast with the green of the surrounding vegetation and the classic smell of sulfur. This contributes to giving this island a veil of mystery, encouraging the visitor to venture to discovery.
To tell the truth you can do both! But don’t miss climbing the crater. Because once you arrive on top, it feels like being on another planet. In contrasto to the blue sea and sky, you see barren rock and smoking fumaroles. And in front of you the beauty of the other six Aeolian Islands.
Another option is strolling over to the mud baths (Fanghi di Vulcano) with its therapeutic properties. Immerse yourself head-to-toe in this stinky yet healing mud pool. Once you have ticked from your list the baths head to Sabbie Nere, the nearby black sandy beach. In high season many boats propose tours along the shores of the island. Also this trip departs at 10 am and return at 5pm. So you are just in time for a last swim down at the beach close to Villa Sea Rose.
Aeolian Delicacies
Once someone said "Take away everything but not the taste of good food". And we do not