Italy Yacht Charter Guide
Beautiful Beaches, Picturesque Ports, and Adventurous Sailing
Italy Yacht Charter Guide
With all that Italy has to offer in the way of dreamy landscapes and a sense of rich and vibrant history, it is no wonder it has remained one of the world’s most enduring vacation destinations.
The food is absolutely superb. Italy is both social and romantic, so whether you’re planning to sail with a group of friends or family members, or with your partner, your Italy yacht charter guarantees a vacation that will meet and exceed all of your expectations.
Italy Yacht Charter
Italy offers some of the best sailing in the Mediterranean. The lack of natural harbours and the limited numbers of places in the man-made marinas can make it challenging to find a berth during the summer months. However, on a Italy yacht charter with careful preparation, a few key words in Italian and a little patience and understanding, the rewards will be well worth it.
The strength of the wind varies greatly depending on the location and time of year. The islands of Sardinia and Sicily tend to enjoy more wind than the Bay of Naples and the Riviera but, in general, there is a lot less during the summer months than other times of the year and yachts tend to have to motor more here than elsewhere in the Mediterranean. However, when the sun shines, and there is a warm, steady breeze, most yachtsmen would feel that the wait had been worth it. In the meantime, the variety of scenery, the fabulous climate, the beautifully clear water and Italian food and wine certainly go some way to make up for the lack of wind!
Your Guide to Italy Yacht Charter
1. Sicily
Italy Yacht Charter. Sicily is an attractive destination for an Italy yacht charter, particularly along the northern and eastern coasts. It has a number of well-established marinas although they can be very expensive in the summer months. Some of the larger, yacht charter companies have bases here. There are anchorages at Cefalu and either side of Palermo.
Sicily. On the western end, San Vito lo Capo also has a comfortable marina and anchorage, which can be very useful in a Maestrale. Off the western coast of Sicily lie the Egadi Islands, which provide some spectacularly clear water and secure anchorages. There is a marina at Favignana.
Destinations. The cities of Trapani and Marsala are attractive destinations, but further round to the south the facilities diminish somewhat. The area is slowly being developed but some care should be taken when on a passage in this area. The eastern side of Sicily has some beautiful cities and interesting sailing destinations, in particular Siracusa, Catania, and Taormina are well worth a visit. The marina at Riposto provides ring-side seats for any firework shows that Mount Etna chooses to put on.
Italy Yacht Charter. A trip through the Straits of Messina is made more interesting by the presence of whirlpools at certain states of the tide. Although not dangerous to cruising yachts, they look a little threatening and can affect the steering at times.
2. Tuscan Islands & Argentario
The Tuscan Islands & Argentario. Of all the places to sail in Italian waters, the Tuscan Islands are probably the most appealing and it is probably one of the most popular areas for an Italy yacht charter. There is something for everyone on an Italy yacht charter.
Italy Yacht Charter. The islands of Capraia, Elba, Giglio, and Giannutri are all accessible to yachts and provide a number of attractive harbors and plenty of anchorages, some even secluded in bad weather.
Mainland. On the mainland south of Livorno, the harbors of Cala di Medici, Punta Ala, and on the Argentario promontory: Porto Santo Stefano, Porto Ercole, and Cala Galera, are all relatively large and comfortable, and anyone of them would provide a fabulous base for exploring the area.
3. The Bay of Naples
The Bay of Naples. It is not hard to see the appeal of the Bay of Naples for sailors. On the northern end, the islands of Ischia and Procida are both very accommodating to yachtsmen with several well-equipped marinas and a number of beautiful anchorages suitable in settled weather.
Italy Yacht Charter. In the center, the famous outline of mount Vesuvius dominates the skyline with a number of marinas lining the coastline around Naples, some more attractive than others.
Amalfi Coast. On the southern end, the Island of Capri lies serenely off the Sorrento peninsular. Its harbor is famous for its colorful houses, there is an anchorage to the side of it and a number of spectacular bays suitable for anchoring in settled weather. To the north of the bay, yachts can visit the beautiful Pontine Islands and to the south, the Amalfi Coast beckons.
4. Sardinia
Sardinia. The island of Sardinia offers some of the best sailing in the world and has safe harbours more or less evenly spaced around the whole coast. The east side is more protected, and offers some spectacular beaches with white sand and clear water.
Italy Yacht Charter. It is a very popular holiday destination and the ‘Costa Smerelda’, in the north east of the island, is very much a playground for the rich and famous. Harbours like Porto Cervo will let you stay for next to nothing out of season. The western side of Sardinia is more rugged and more open to the Maestrale (Mistral). When it blows, great care must be taken by small yachts as the seas build alarmingly and there are few safe harbours to run to.
Wind Conditions. The Strait of Bonifacio, between Sardinia and Corsica, is a scary place to be in a full Maestrale. Further down the western side, there are some delightful sailing areas between the Island of San Pietro and Capo Teulada, the southernmost point of Sardinia.
5. The Aeolian Islands
The Aeolian Islands. Named after the God of Wind, Aeolus, the Aeolian Islands have a reputation for enjoying a little too much of it. However, most of the time they are delighful and they provide some of the most secure anchorages available in the Tyrrhenian. There are eight in all, the last being little more than a rock, jutting out of the sea. Visitors can anchor off the island of Stromboli, who’s active volcano occasionally provides a spectacular lightshow.
Italy Yacht Charter. The neighbouring island of Vulcano also has an active volcano, and here visitors can enjoy hot springs in the bay and volcanic mud baths ashore. The islands of Lipari and Salina are larger and have attractive towns with well established marinas. On the mainland, the attractive harbour of Tropea makes a good stopping off point when on passage to or from the Aeolian Islands.
6. Bareboat Italy Yacht Charter
Bareboat Charter. If you already have a valid qualification, you can easily go on a bareboat charter in the Italy. Sometimes, the operators require a minimum level of experience, even if you do have your license. In this case, they can provide you with a member of crew for just a few hours, in order to show you the basics and ensure that you can handle the yacht yourself.
Italy Yacht Charter. With numerous certified partners that are ready to offer you access to their great fleets, we are more than certain that we will find the perfect bareboat charter for you in the Italy.
7. Crewed Italy Yacht Charter
Crewed Italy Yacht Charter. Do you want to sail in the Italy, but you don’t have the essential qualification? No worries – we can find you the perfect crewed charter. We can simply add a skipper that will be with you and sail the yacht in the areas. You can prepare an itinerary yourself or compile your ideas with the ones of your knowledgeable captain hence creating the perfect route.
Italy Yacht Charter. What’s more, we can even add a hostess or a chef to take care of the yacht and prepare the meals and drinks for you, while you enjoy the trip. Many people think that the crew can be hired only on luxury yachts; this is not true. You can choose the yacht of your liking, that perfectly meets your criteria and simply request for the crew.
Italy Yacht Charter Guide
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