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Aeolian Islands · No licence, no worries

Skippered boat hire in the Aeolian Islands: your day, your route

Step aboard, and he takes care of the rest. The skipper picks the coves sheltered from the wind, takes you where the water is clearest, and brings you home as the sun sets. It is the format for those without a boat licence, for those who just want to enjoy the ride, and for anyone dreaming of Stromboli after dark.

People relaxing in the cockpit of a boat under way in the Aeolian Islands
A day on board with the skipper, between one stop and the next.

What he does for you

A boatman who knows this sea

A skipper is not only the person who drives. He is the one who reads the wind before it gets up, knows where to find the right cove when the others are crowded, and knows the real timing to get from one island to the next. His experience is what you are actually paying for.

He drives and navigates

He runs the boat, so you need no licence at all. You enjoy the sea while he handles the route, the anchorages and the mooring.

He picks the right coves

He knows where the water is clearest and where to shelter when the wind turns. The route bends to the sea of the day, not to a fixed map.

He manages the safety

Weather, equipment, distances: he takes care of it. On demanding trips like Stromboli after dark, it is the difference between a memory and a risk.

He tells you the islands

From the sea the Aeolians show a different face. Someone who sails them every day points out the cave, the lava scar, the spot to dive in.

Where he takes you

The finest day trips

Every outing is built on the sea of the day, but these are the classics almost everyone asks for.

The cove run

Lipari, Vulcano and the sea stacks

The pumice coves, the mud baths of Vulcano, the clear water under the coast. A relaxed loop, with more stops for swimming and snorkelling and little time under way.

The full day

On to Panarea and its islets

A course toward Panarea and the rocks of Lisca Bianca and Bottaro, where the sea turns into a natural pool. A whole day, with the skipper keeping the timing.

The trip you remember

Stromboli by night

The Sciara del Fuoco seen from the sea as the sun goes down, the explosions lighting the dark. A long, demanding trip: here having an experienced skipper is not a luxury, it is the sensible choice.

The slow course

Salina, the greenest

The sheltered coves of Salina, the clear water of Pollara at sunset. Fewer miles, more time to stop and swim.

What to plan for

500

per day, from Milazzo, for the skippered boat

This is the average market price of a full day with a skipper departing from Milazzo: from around 450 to 650 euro depending on the size of the boat. It is the cost of the boat, not per person, so the more of you on board the less each pays. We track these prices regularly: they vary by season and availability.

Get a free quote

Who it suits

Perfect for groups and families

A skippered boat is at its best when there are more of you. The price is for the boat, so split among six or eight it drops sharply per person, often below the cost of a shared tour, but with the whole boat to yourselves and a free route.

It is the calm choice for families with children too: there is always an adult minding the safety, you do not have to drive, and you can stop whenever the little ones need a break. And it stays the only sensible way to see Stromboli after dark, when open water and darkness call for expert hands at the helm.

Questions about the skipper

Before you step aboard

Do I need a boat licence with a skipper on board?

No. With a skipper you need no licence at all: the driving, the choice of anchorage and reading the sea are all his job. It is the right format precisely for those without a licence who still want a day on the water, without giving anything up.

How much does a skippered boat cost in the Aeolians?

A day with a skipper starts on average from around 500 euro per day departing from Milazzo, from 450 to 650 depending on the boat. It is the price of the boat, not per person: the more of you, the less each pays. It is an average market price that varies by season, boat size and availability. Tell us about your day and we send a free quote.

How many people is it worth it for?

It works best for groups and families, because splitting the price among six or eight brings the cost per head right down. It also suits anyone who wants to enjoy the day without driving, and anyone aiming for demanding trips like Stromboli after dark, where an experienced skipper on board makes the difference.

The next step

We design your day on board

Tell us when you want to set off, how many of you there are and the kind of trip you dream of: from a quiet cove run to Stromboli after dark. We put forward the right boat and skipper at the current price, no strings attached.

Get a free quote
Get a free quote