From Tropea: Stromboli by Night Boat Trip

Name: From Tropea: Stromboli by Night Boat Trip
Brand: GetYourGuide
Price: 68.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.45 (255 reviews)

4.4 (255 verified reviews)

Stromboli at nightfall with a red glow at the summit

A lava fountain from Stromboli's summit at night

Passengers on the bow as the boat nears Stromboli

Savadori boat at sea with Strombolicchio behind

Savadori boat leaving the Calabrian coast

About This Experience

Check-in is at the Savadori Navigazione desk at Tropea's fishing harbour, where you show your reservation and pay the Aeolian landing tax (€5 from June to September, €2.50 from October to May) in cash. Boarding starts 30 minutes before the 2pm departure, and the crossing to Stromboli takes about an hour and a half, with views back along the Tropea coast as you leave. The boat has a bar selling snacks and drinks, and reviewers say card payment works on board.

The boat lands on Stromboli at about 3:30pm. Depending on the season you get roughly three to four hours ashore, because the operator adjusts the stop to the length of daylight so that the boat reaches the Sciara del Fuoco at dusk. That is time to walk up through the village of San Vincenzo, browse the main street, swim off a black sand beach and sit down to an early dinner in one of the village restaurants.

Re-boarding is at about 7:30pm, a fixed departure time the operator asks you to keep, with boarding starting ten minutes before. The boat may pass Strombolicchio before stopping in front of the Sciara del Fuoco for about 30 minutes, weather and sea permitting, and reviewers say the captain turns the boat so both sides get a view. Whether you see explosions depends on the volcano's activity that evening.

Arrival back in Tropea is between 10:30 and 11pm. Commentary comes over the microphone, with the listing naming Italian and German guides, and reviewers mention English from the captain. Exact times are announced by the captain or the on-board guide on the day, and in rough seas the captain may skip the Sciara del Fuoco and head straight back. In June to September the stop falls around sunset rather than full night.

Highlights

Three to four hours ashore on Stromboli, adjusted to the season's daylight
Swimming off Stromboli's black sand beaches
Dinner in San Vincenzo before the 7:30pm departure
Passing Strombolicchio on the way round the island, sea permitting
About 30 minutes off the Sciara del Fuoco at dusk
Views of the Tropea coastline on the outward crossing

What's Included

✓ Return boat trip from Tropea to Stromboli
✓ Guide on board, speaking by microphone in Italian and German
✓ Free time ashore on Stromboli
✓ View of the Sciara del Fuoco from the boat, weather permitting
✓ Swimming opportunities

Not Included

Aeolian landing tax (€5 from June to September, €2.50 from October to May), paid in cash at check-in
Meals and drinks
Entrance fees to attractions
Transport to and from Tropea port
Gratuities

What to Bring

Your reservation, to show at check-in
Cash for the landing tax and island purchases
Swimwear and a towel
Sunscreen and a hat
A warm layer for the evening crossing

Good to Know & Caveats

The landing tax (€5 from June to September, €2.50 from October to May) must be paid in cash at check-in at the port.
Boarding starts 30 minutes before departure in Tropea and 10 minutes before the 7:30pm departure from Stromboli.
Times are indicative and are confirmed on the day by the captain or the on-board guide.
In unfavourable weather or sea conditions the captain may skip the Sciara del Fuoco and return to port.
Volcanic activity varies, so explosions are never guaranteed; in summer the stop is at twilight rather than full dark.
Card facilities can be limited, and American Express is not accepted.

Meeting Point

Savadori Navigazione excursion boarding point, Porto Pescatori, Via Marina, Contrada Marina Vescovado, 89861 Tropea.

What Travelers Say

Rated 4.4/5 by 255 verified GetYourGuide travelers.

Running late so only had 3, not 4 hours on Stromboli
— Benjamin, September 25, 2026

We really enjoyed this trip. You can enjoy some good views of Tropea on the way to Stromboli. There is a bar on the ship that allows you to buy some snacks and drinks and you can even pay by card. There's plenty of time in Stromboli to explore the whole town and sit down and eat since it's quite small. On the way back when the sun starts setting the captain goes around the island a little bit showing Strombolicchio island with a lighthouse and then slowly goes near the errupting part of the volcano. Then he turns the boat around so all people from both sides of the boat enjoy it. The erruptions were quite frequent and there was plenty of time to enjoy it and make photos. We were there on 17th September and it was actually dark already so the view was amazing. The only thing we didn't like is that the port jetty is quite small and two boats were leaving at the same time resulting in very chaotic and overcrowded jetty with people trying to get the best spots.
— Martin, September 25, 2026

Awesome. We were able to see lava flowing about 20 times. The intervals between the eruptions were really short. The boat trip was comfortable. We had plenty of time to swim in the sea at the black sand beach, explore the town, and enjoy an excellent pizza at Da Giovanni restaurant. I definitely recommend this tour.
— Dominika, July 22, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I check in, and when?

At the Savadori Navigazione check-in desk at Porto Pescatori, Via Marina, in Tropea's fishing harbour. Show your reservation and pay the landing tax (€5 from June to September, €2.50 from October to May) in cash there. Boarding starts 30 minutes before the 2pm departure, so arrive a little before that to clear the queue.

Is it really dark at the Sciara del Fuoco?

It depends on the month. The stop on Stromboli is adjusted so the boat reaches the Sciara del Fuoco at dusk, but from June to September reviewers describe it as sunset or twilight rather than full night. Explosions are easier to see as it darkens, and activity varies, so nothing is guaranteed.

How long do we have on Stromboli?

Roughly three to four hours, from about 3:30pm until the 7:30pm departure. The stop changes with the season. It is enough to walk up to San Vincenzo, swim from a black sand beach and have dinner in a village restaurant without rushing.

Can I pay by card?

Partly. Reviewers say the bar on board accepts cards, but the operator advises bringing cash for personal expenses because card facilities may be limited, and the landing tax is cash only. American Express is not accepted for payment.

What happens if the sea is rough?

Times depend on weather, sea conditions and port authority instructions. If conditions are unfavourable, the captain may decide not to pass in front of the Sciara del Fuoco and head straight back to Tropea for safety. Precise times are confirmed by the captain or on-board guide on the day.