From Lipari: Panarea and Stromboli Cruise with Stops

About This Experience

This is a shorter afternoon and evening outing that starts and ends in Lipari, so it suits anyone already staying on the island. Meet at S. Giuseppe 9 about 20 minutes before the start. The motorboat runs along Lipari's pumice quarries and Monte Rosa, then takes about an hour to reach Panarea, stopping for a swim in open water on the way.

Off Panarea the boat looks into the bay of Cala Junco before docking, and the listing allows about an hour and a half of free time to wander the village, though travellers report it can feel closer to an hour. From there the route passes Basiluzzo, the largest of Panarea's islets, and the hamlet of Ginostra on Stromboli's south-west side, before arriving at the main port.

On Stromboli you have roughly an hour and a half or more to walk through the village, look at the shops or swim from the black beach. As the sun goes down the boat circles Strombolicchio, then runs along the Sciara del Fuoco for a stop off the lava slope, with a glass of Malvasia delle Eolie served on board. If the volcano is active, the explosions show up best once it is dark.

The full outing lasts about 7.5 to 8 hours depending on the season, with around two hours of sailing back to Lipari after the Sciara stop. Commentary is in Italian, with only general information given in English, and there is no guide ashore. The boat is shared with a large group, so it can be busy on deck at sunset.

Highlights

• A swim stop before landing on Panarea
• Cala Junco bay from the water
• Basiluzzo and the hamlet of Ginostra seen from the sea
• Free time on both Panarea and Stromboli
• Strombolicchio at sunset
• A glass of Malvasia off the Sciara del Fuoco

What's Included

• ✓ Motorboat excursion from Lipari and back
• ✓ Landing and free time on Panarea and Stromboli
• ✓ A swim stop before Panarea
• ✓ Stop in front of the Sciara del Fuoco
• ✓ Glass of Malvasia delle Eolie wine
• ✓ General on-board information in English (commentary mainly in Italian)

Not Included

• Guide
• Food and drinks
• Transport to the meeting point in Lipari
• Gratuities

What to Bring

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Water for the crossings
• A warm layer for the evening return
• Comfortable shoes
• Cash for food ashore

Good to Know & Caveats

• Arrive at the meeting point 20 minutes before the start time.
• The tour lasts 7.5 to 8 hours depending on the season.
• Commentary is in Italian; only general information is given in English.
• The Sciara del Fuoco stop depends on sea conditions, and volcanic activity varies, so explosions are never guaranteed.
• Time ashore on Panarea is short, and the boat carries a large group.

Meeting Point

S. Giuseppe 9, Lipari (98050); arrive 20 minutes before departure.