From Lipari: Panarea and Stromboli Small-Group Boat Tour

About This Experience

You meet the skipper on the quay at Marina Corta in Lipari town shortly before 11:30. The boat is a speedboat run by a skipper and a deckhand, with a small group on board rather than a ferry crowd, so you board straight from the dock and head north-east. After about 45 minutes the first stop is Cala Junco, the rock-ringed natural pool on Panarea's southern tip, where everyone gets a first swim.

The boat then moves round to San Pietro, Panarea's harbour village, for about two hours ashore. That is time enough to walk the lanes up from the port, sit down for lunch in one of the restaurants (not included) or simply find a bench with a view. Back on board, the route runs past Bottaro, where gas bubbles up from fumaroles on the sea floor, and Lisca Bianca with its Lovers' Cave, with two more swim stops among the islets.

The crossing to Stromboli takes about 50 minutes. Before landing there is a swim in the dark water off the island, then about two hours ashore at Scari. You can walk into the village, lie on the black sand beach near the port or eat an early dinner at a local restaurant, which again is at your own expense. Keep an eye on the clock, as the boat leaves again around sunset.

At sunset the boat leaves Scari, rounds Strombolicchio and holds position off the Sciara del Fuoco, the scarred slope where Stromboli's explosions roll down to the sea. What you see depends on the volcano that evening and on the sea. Water and biscuits are served with a glass of Malvasia, and the run home ends at Marina Corta between 9 and 10 pm.

Highlights

• Swim at Cala Junco, the natural rock pool below Panarea's Bronze Age headland
• About two hours ashore in San Pietro on Panarea and again at Scari on Stromboli
• Bottaro's underwater fumaroles and Lisca Bianca's Lovers' Cave from the boat
• Four swim stops in all, including one in Stromboli's dark volcanic water
• Strombolicchio and the Sciara del Fuoco after sunset, sea permitting
• Small speedboat group with commentary in Italian, English and French

What's Included

• ✓ Speedboat trip from Lipari with a skipper and a deckhand
• ✓ Landings at San Pietro on Panarea and Scari on Stromboli
• ✓ Snorkelling equipment and buoyancy aids
• ✓ Safety equipment on board
• ✓ Water and biscuits with a glass of local Malvasia
• ✓ An evening stop off the Sciara del Fuoco, sea permitting

Not Included

• Lunch on Panarea and dinner on Stromboli
• Beach towel
• Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Flip-flops or water shoes
• Gratuities

What to Bring

• Swimwear and a beach towel
• Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Flip-flops or water shoes
• A warm layer for the evening crossing back to Lipari
• Cash for lunch and dinner on the islands

Good to Know & Caveats

• Meet at Marina Corta shortly before 11:30; the precise meeting spot comes with your booking confirmation.
• Return to Lipari is between 9 and 10 pm, so plan dinner on Stromboli rather than back in town.
• Stromboli's activity varies from night to night and explosions are never guaranteed; the Sciara del Fuoco stop depends on the sea.
• Commentary may come partly as a recorded audio track in English or French rather than live from the crew.
• Snorkelling gear is mainly masks; ask the skipper when you want one.
• The Malvasia and biscuits are usually served after sunset, so bring your own snacks for the afternoon.

Meeting Point

Marina Corta dock, Piazza di Marina Corta, 98050 Lipari; the exact spot on the quay is sent after booking.