Yacht Charter Palermo

Yacht Charter Palermo

Yacht Charter Palermo

On a Palermo yacht charter with Borrow a Boat you can explore much of Sicily within an easy sail either with your family or friends. Whatever you want from an Palermo sailing trip, from the delicious cuisine to the Mediterranean climate , a Palermo boat rental is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

First settled in Roman times, the Sicilian capital of Palermo is a buzzing cosmopolitan city that while Italian is one with roots in a range of other cultures as well. Do try to spend a day or two at the beginning of your Palermo yacht charter to explore this pearl of the Mediterranean.

Palermo and Sicily have only been under Italy's control since 1861 - just 160 or so years of a history that dates back Millennia. One of the artefacts of its absorption into the united kingdom of Italy is the Teatro Massimo, the third largest opera house in Europe after Vienna and Paris. Even if opera isn't your thing you can explore the building, that took 20 years to build, with a guided tour.

In terms of time of control, the Arabs had a bigger influence over the Sicilian capital. Taking over the island in the 9th Century the Arabs called the city Bal'harm and ruled over it from 831 to 1087. You will see many markets in the city today that are redolent of souks in North Africa. Visit the Palazzo dei Normanni - not a Norman palace but an Arab one - with its jaw dropping decoration throughout.

The Normans - yes, the Viking descendants who invaded the UK - have had an influence on Palermo too. In the 12th Century they built the cathedral in Palermo, which is at least as good as those you will see in Normandy or the UK.

Explore Palermo By Renting A Yacht

For those who are after a beautiful beach, a short ride out of Palermo will take you to the beach resort of Mondello, a former fishing town that is now one of the best holiday towns in Sicily. The art nouveau Antico Stabilimento Balneare can't be ignored with its piano bar adding a certain Sicilian feel to this unique beach resort.

Starting in the middle of the north coast of Sicily, a Palermo yacht charter can take you east or west. Whether on a sailboat or motor boat, many bareboat and luxury yacht charters will involve heading east and out across the Mediterranean Sea to the Aeolian Island chain, a volcanic island group that includes Stromboli, Vulcano, Lipari, Salina and Panarea. In the winter months their populations are those of a small village but come the high summer months the area is busier. They come for a reason - you just won't see somewhere like these volcanic island chain anywhere else in Europe. Beach lovers will love a volcanic black sandy beach as an alternative to what you will find elsewhere. Those with walking boots can climb to the mouths of the volcanoes.

On your yachting holiday, heading west out of Palermo on your Sicily yacht charter there is lots to explore. The Aegadian islands (aka Egadi Islands) off the north west tip of the island are a place so quiet you can forget the world, even at the height of the tourist season. Not as popular as the Aeolian island chain, they could well be a destination if the sound of the wind on your rigging is more appealing than the buzz of others outside your group sharing your fun. Humanity has been around since pre-history, as can be seen in the cave paintings there.

On the coast to the east of the Egadi islands is somewhere the British have made famous with their fondness for Marsala wine. Marsala itself is an important town on the coast and those with a fondness for wine can explore the source of this red nectar.

How To Get To Palermo

Palermo Airport

This is an important airport for the island - both for commerce and its tourist trade. As such it has flights from mainland Italy and much of Europe throughout the week, and charter flights coming in during the summer months.

Take a bus or taxi into the city, there are plenty running at all times.

Marinas In Palermo

There is one major marina serving Palermo and two smaller ones. All have yacht charter companies offering luxury yacht charter, catamaran charter, motorboat charter and monohull sailing yacht charter on a bareboat charter or skippered yacht charter basis.

Marina Villa Igiea (Acquasanta):

Berth Characteristics:

379 berths

Max Length 65m (213.3 Feet)

Max Draught 20m (65.6 Feet)

List of additional services: Shore power, WiFi, laundry, changing rooms, fuel, supermarket, pharmacy, bar, restaurant, yacht repair.

Marina Palermo - Nautica Galizzi:

Berth Characteristics:

70 berths

Max Length 24m (78 Feet)

Max Draught 9.5m (31 Feet)

List of additional services: Shore power, water, WiFi, laundry, yacht repair.

Arenella Marina:

Berth Characteristics:

90 berths

Max Length 30m (98 Feet)

Max Draught 20m (65 Feet)

List of additional services: Shore power, water, laundry, supermarket, bar, restaurant, yacht repair.

Suggested Sailing Routes From Palermo

Sicily is an archipelago of islands, with smaller island groups off the coast of the main island. Whether on a bareboat charter or luxury yacht charter, a sailing holiday out of Palermo will almost certainly take you to watch the volcano of Stromboli release its fireworks into the night. A longer trip will take that in and head off to the quieter Egadi islands and a chance to explore Marsala.

7 days - Aeolian Islands and Stromboli: This is an opportunity to sail off and see some live and extinct volcanoes. Stromboli is currently one of the most active on the Mediterranean, and a night watching it release its magma is almost an essential stop on a sailing holiday out of Palermo! The other islands in the Aeolian group are Vulcano, Lipari, Salina and Panarea, where you will spend an day at each, exploring their natural wonders high up and even in the sapphire blue sea around them.

14 days - Aeolian and Egadi Islands: Your first half of the holiday will be out to Stromboli and the volcanic Aeolian islands. You will then head east where you can explore the NE coast of Sicily and its famous Marsala wine. Just off the coast here are the Aegadi Islands that while extremely laid back today have seen their fair share of history - the Romans signed a peace treaty with Carthage there. Each island has its idiosyncrasy but all have one thing in common they are delightfully quiet.

Best Times To Hire A Yacht In Palermo

As a subtropical archipelago of islands, Sicily is good for sailing between March and October. Choosing the time to charter a yacht is very much down to your tastes. Some like the hurly burly of fighting for mooring space in a marina and the buzz of a holiday town at full blast. If that's to your taste then do do the trip in the heat of July and August. Remember though that as with all other Italian marinas you will find that the prices go up at this time of year.

September and October can be a little cooler but the seas remain warm. You may get a bit of rain and even the windy period but it's still warmer than in Northern Europe or New England. The towns are quieter too and the locals perhaps less busy enough to spend more time with you, helping you deepen your appreciation of the nation.

If you can get to Sicily during school term time - in May perhaps - you will get the warmth without the crowds.

Sailing Weather In Palermo

It does rain in Sicily but largely at higher altitudes on the mountainous interior. At lower levels - sea level - the islands often see drought come summer. Autumn and winter see the most rainfall.

In terms of the wind, two of them dominate the Sicily climate:

Sirocco: This is a hot southerly wind that brings fierce heat from Africa. Recently temperatures have topped 40 degrees C fairly regularly, even in seaside towns like Trapani. Having crossed the Med it often bears humidity too.

Mistral: This is the northerly mountain wind from the Rhone Valley in France that often catches sailors unawares throughout the year. It can get quite strong at any time of the year but there is one advantage - it is a cool wind that will often be a relief from the Sirocco.

FAQs:

What should I consider when hiring a Yacht or Boat?

The main points to consider for a boat rental are what your budget is, have you got the necessary sailing experience and qualifications to manage the boat if it's not going to have a skipper, whom you are taking sailing, where exactly you wish to go and what will the weather be like on the proposed dates of your trip.

What are the Marinas in Palermo?

The main marina is Marina Villa Igiea (Acquasanta). This has 379 berths and can accommodate even larger yachts of up to 65m. There are two other marinas - Marina Palermo (70 berths) and Marina Arenella (90 berths).

When are the best times to hire a boat in Palermo?

During high season the weather is at its hottest, the crowds at their busiest and the marinas in Palermo charge a premium. As such if you can get there outside of July and August you may find it cooler, less busy and a lot less expensive!

Do you have to pay a deposit when hiring a Yacht in Palermo?

You will typically pay 50% up front on booking the yacht hire and the balance on arrival. You will either pay a security deposit with your credit card on departure or can get insurance covering damage in advance. In some cases (such as the recent Covid situation) charter companies may be more flexible but this depends on the individual charter companies themselves.

What happens if my Yacht breaks down?

If you are at sea and in danger, call MAYDAY on VHF Ch16 or ring the coast guard on your phone if you have reception. If you have a mechanical fault and can make it to or are on a mooring you will be able to phone a help line number given by the boat charter company.

What should I think of before I hire a Yacht or Boat in Palermo?

You should consider do you have the experience to handle the yacht charter or boat hire before you book and where do you want to go along with what the weather will be like. Bring warm weather and cool weather clothing if it looks like the weather can be cool as well as warm and remember at sea it can be cool on most evenings.

What Qualifications Do I need to hire a boat or yacht?

If you want to sail without a skipper then you will need relevant qualifications like RYA Day Skipper/International Certificate of Competence (ICC)/ASA 104 Bareboat certificate or the US Sailing Certificate. For small 'day boats' or if you choose to have a skippered on board your yacht charter you typically don't require licences.