Cruising Sicily

[LJScott]

We will be heading for Sicily mid June2017, and want to get people's impressions of cruising south Sicily. What the good places to visit? To anchor? In general, is this a good cruising area?

[jckb]

Originally Posted by LJScott

We will be heading for Sicily mid June2017, and want to get people's impressions of cruising south Sicily. What the good places to visit? To anchor? In general, is this a good cruising area?

Personally, I found the East coast of Sicily most interesting, and very much enjoyed the Aeolian islands.

On the south coast, Agrigento was a good stop for visiting "The Valley of the Temples" - ancient Greek ruins which are a substantial tourist attraction. Otherwise, it's just a coast of passage with a couple of good value wintering marinas.

Lots more detail about Sicily ports and attractions, with links to several marinas, on this web site page, easy to find by Googling "jimb sicily" or "sail sicily"

[meirriba]

Originally Posted by LJScott

We will be heading for Sicily mid June2017, and want to get people's impressions of cruising south Sicily. What the good places to visit? To anchor? In general, is this a good cruising area?

I would venture to state that the best of S Sicily is its proximity to Malta.
If you do have the choice - go to the north.
Proper marinas on the S coast that I have visited: Sciacca, Licata (Marina del Sole) and Ragusa (Marina di Ragusa). I believe that there are more.

[gussers]

I enjoyed Favignana many years ago. Just tied up to the harbour dock.

[cwoflyboy]

If you want to range out, I was stationed on the island of Lampedusa for a year. Beautiful island, friendly people. It's actually closer to Libya and Tunesia than Sicily but it's an Italian island. Can't remember the name of it but there's another nice island on the way there, it was called the "garden island".
Enjoy.

[steve77]

It's on the southern end of the east coast, but I can't believe no one has suggested Siracusa. You can anchor, tie up to the town quay for four free days (no water or electricity), or go into a marina. Siracusa has a lot of very interesting sights and the best fish and produce market we have found anywhere in Italy.

Highly recommended to visit! Cheers!

Steve

[gussers]

Yes I stayed a while in Syracuse. Nice place.

[jckb]

Originally Posted by steve77

It's on the southern end of the east coast, but I can't believe no one has suggested Siracusa.

Steve

Hi Steve, I guess you didn't look at the link I posted above! Here's a quote from it:

Syracuse (9/10) is a 'must visit', good shopping and great markets. The tiny fortified island of Ortygia (1km long) covers two and a half millennia of history. The natural centre is (of course) Piazza del Duomo, the cathedral square, with grand old buildings lining the approaches. The cathedral itself incorporates old fluted columns from a Greek temple built around 500BC. newGuardia Costiera ch16 insists on contact before entry and fined those who didn't (2016). Good marina (link is external), town quay and cost-free to anchor in the well-sheltered harbour. Suitable for independent live-aboard wintering. From here, if you have time, visit Noto, a lovely little Baroque town in fine wine country.

Some 20 other Sicilian destinations are briefly compared on the same page.

JimB

[steve77]

Originally Posted by jckb

Hi Steve, I guess you didn't look at the link I posted above! Here's a quote from it:
Some 20 other Sicilian destinations are briefly compared on the same page.

JimB

Thanks. I have been reading your site for a couple of years, but I wasn't sure the OP had. I was directing my response to him.

I find your site very informative and relevant to our present cruising itinerary. Thank you for all the work you do to help other cruisers.

Cheers!

Steve

[jckb]

Originally Posted by steve77

Thanks. I have been reading your site for a couple of years, but I wasn't sure the OP had. I was directing my response to him.

Thanks Steve. Apologies for rattling your cage!
JimB

[Xlantic]

I second the all the positive comments on the Aeolian Islands, Syracuse and the rest of the east coast of Sicily, and JimB's site.

Last summer I cruised along the east and north coast of Sicily. Sicily has a wealth of history and culture far greater than most of the other Med cruising areas I have been to. You should plan to occasionally stop at a marina to explore the city (in Syracuse you can anchor in the large bay) or rent a car and explore the interior for the day.