Aeolian Island Boat Company
Since we were staying on the island of Lipari, we chose to book our boat tour through a local company called Eoliana. As a group of 6, it was more cost effective for us to book a private boat tour. The cost was around ~$100 per person for a 7-hour boat day! The meeting location was in Marina Corta, which is walking distance from downtown Lipari. (There are many cafes in the Marina so you can enjoy a breakfast before you head to the boat). This company is also very accommodating so pick up needs can be discussed when reserving your tour.
If you’re not staying on the island of Lipari, you may want to consider this guided boat tour* from Taormina as a day trip!
Swim Stops
As our boat headed out of the harbor and into the bright blue Mediterranean Sea, you could feel the excitement building in our group. We had the most picture-perfect sunny day and despite the heat, the breeze coming off the water was wonderful.
The best part about being on a boat is jumping off & going for a swim! Our guide brought us to some secluded and beautiful spots to swim in throughout the day. There is a ladder to get in and out of the water but we had the most fun jumping off the front of the boat! My only regret was not bringing a float or tube to spend more time in the water! If going for a swim is not for you, you can always sun bathe from the boat or relax in the shaded area around the table.
Lunch Stop
For our tour, we were able to stop at Asino Beach on the island of Vulcan for lunch. While the boat anchored, a small dingy came to pick us up and bring us to shore. While there was a small beach club with chairs & umbrellas, the space still felt very secluded. The restaurant itself sits directly on the black sand beach and gives great views of the water. While they offer some sandwiches & salads, the highlight of their menu were their pizzas! For our boat tour, the cost of lunch was not included but it was perfect that our guide knew exactly where to take us for a picturesque meal.
Inclusions
Our boat tour included towels & snorkeling gear. We were also served fresh fruit throughout the day, as well as water & chilled white wine! Our guide was extremely friendly and helpful, even offering to take photos while we were all swimming. His primary role was driving the boat and anchoring at swim spots. Since he spoke little English, he wasn’t a traditional “guide” in the sense that we weren’t being taught about the places we were visiting. He would share a little information about the name or point things out along the route, but it was a very relaxed feel!
Review
Anytime we are near water, Mark and I make an effort to get on a boat. This was one of our top boat excursions (a close second being our catamaran cruise in Split) and certainly the highlight of our time in Sicily! While the island of Capri receives a great amount of hype along the Amalfi Coast, Lipari is a fantastic alternative for a less crowded & more affordable experience. The Aeolian Islands have such a diverse landscape thanks to the active volcanoes in the region, so a boat tour is perfect way to soak in all the gorgeous views. Don’t miss out on this experience when in Sicily!
