Boat itineraries in the Aeolian Islands: the best day routes

In short: in a day from Lipari you can do the Salina loop with Pollara beach, or the west coast of Lipari and the sea stacks of Vulcano. From Panarea you reach the islets of Basiluzzo and, in the evening, Stromboli with the Sciara del Fuoco in the dark. From Vulcano you follow the coast south as far as Gelso, closing with the sunset. The first two routes from Lipari can also be done without a licence; Stromboli and the longer trips call for a skipper.

Distances matter here. From Lipari, Vulcano and Salina are close and fit comfortably into a single day; Panarea and Stromboli are further away, and those who want to see them either start closer or go on board with a skipper. Below you will find three realistic loops, not a cruise itinerary.

The headland with the natural arch at its base, one of the stops of the boat tour among the Aeolians — Under way along the coast

Three routes, three starting points

Each loop starts from a different island. Choose the starting point based on where you are staying and what you want to see.

From Lipari

The Salina loop with Pollara, or west Lipari and Vulcano

When it is worth it From June to September, the months with the calmest sea: this is the period when the crossing to Salina is comfortable. Better in the morning, to be back before the afternoon wind picks up.

What you see To the north, Salina and its Pollara beach, set inside a crater open to the sea. Alternatively, the west coast of Lipari, with the white beaches linked to the old pumice quarries, and the short crossing to the sea stacks of Vulcano.

With or without a licence Feasible even without a licence, with a dinghy within the legal limits. The legs are short and Lipari's harbour is a good fallback if the weather changes.

The wind tip In the Aeolians the wind almost always comes from the west: on windy days the west coast of Lipari and the exposed sides ripple up first. If the forecast is uncertain, keep Salina and the sheltered coves as plan A and treat the west coast as an extra for flat-calm days only.

From Panarea

Basiluzzo and the islets, then Stromboli by night

When it is worth it In the height of summer, July and August, when the sea is calmer and the evening trip to Stromboli runs more reliably. The day starts on the islets and ends at night in front of the volcano.

What you see The islets north of Panarea, including Basiluzzo, Lisca Bianca and Dattilo, clear water and pale seabeds. Then the route to Stromboli: sunset on the west side and, once it is dark, the Sciara del Fuoco seen from the sea, with the explosions running down toward the water.

With or without a licence The evening leg to Stromboli is done with a skipper: it requires a properly equipped boat, night navigation and respect for the safety distances set by ordinance from the volcano. The daytime loop of the islets remains more accessible.

The wind tip Panarea and Stromboli are the northernmost islands of the archipelago, and in the same months their sea tends to be a little rougher than Lipari's. It is the route that wants the calmest sea: do it on the best days of the calmer months, not at the end of the season.

From Vulcano

The west coast to Gelso and the sunset

When it is worth it Good for most of the season, from May to October: the legs are short and stay manageable even when the sea is not perfect. Aim for late afternoon to close with the sunset.

What you see The island's south side as far as Gelso, with its small lighthouse and secluded beaches. Along the route, the fumaroles and the coloured cliffs that run down to the sea, and the view over the archipelago with Lipari behind you.

With or without a licence Also suitable without a licence, with a dinghy within the limits: it is one of the calmest routes for a first outing, since you stay close to the coast with no open sea to cross.

The wind tip With the maestrale blowing from the west, the exposed side can ripple up: the south coast toward Gelso stays more sheltered and is the right choice on slightly windy days. For the sunset, move to the west side only once the wind has dropped.

The bay of Filicudi with boats at anchor, one of the stops of our island tour — At anchor in a cove

Before the route, the month and the island. If you do not yet know when to go, the best time is in when to go. If you still need to choose where to start from, the guide on which island to choose. And to find out what you can only see from the water, what to see from the sea.