Elongated and surprisingly varied, the Sicilian coast from San Vito lo Capo to Milazzo is the perfect destination for a sailing cruise. In this territory overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea there are overhanging cliffs, delightful coves that can only be reached by boat and long white sandy beaches, as well as wonderful cities such as Palermo and Cefalù and four large gulfs that always guarantee a safe shelter for boaters. But that is not all. In these areas there are some protected marine areas, such as the wild Zingaro Nature Reserve, set under Capo San Vito, or the uncontaminated Madonie Regional Park, close to the Cefalù.

Sailing along the northern coast of Sicily allows you to explore unique jewels of the Mediterranean, such as the beach of Tindari, Capo Gallo and Mondello, or to drop the anchor in one of the many silent and sheltered moorings or docks in a marina equipped and with the glamorous atmosphere of Palermo or on the seafront of Gioiosa Marea. So here is a navigation itinerary in the North of Sicily to give you an idea of ​​what awaits you if you choose to take a holiday here with a boat.

Sailing to the pristine coves of Zingaro

Sailing up the coast towards the east of Sicily, once the majestic Capo San Vito has been passed, you enter the wide Gulf of Castellamare which hosts the homonymous small and charming Sicilian municipality, located in the province of Trapani and dominated by the beautiful castle that stands out. From here begins the Riserva dello Zingaro, a true natural paradise that alternates rocks on a clear and turquoise sea, small coves and white pebble beaches, ravines and caves inhabited since prehistoric times. In this protected marine area there are many spectacular coves such as Cala Capreria, Cala Disa, Cala Beretta, Cala Marinella, Cala Torre dell’Uzzo, Cala Tonnarella dell’Uzzo and the beautiful Cala Varo accessible only by sea.

The most amazing place of the reserve is the Tonnara di Scopello, a place with an elegant and genuine charm chosen as a film location for masterpieces of international cinema for its incomparable natural setting set among the high stacks that emerge majestically from the water. Here there is an ancient building used for tuna fishing, after having been in operation from the eighteenth century until the 1980s, is now used as a museum.

Mondello: turquoise sea, cannoli and trendy restaurants

After visiting the Riserva dello Zingaro you will want to dock at the quay to relax and you can count on the ports of San Vito and Castellamare. The Gulf of Castellammare closes with Punta Raisi, while a few kilometers further east is the massive and rocky Capo Gallo, which together with the Isola delle Femmine forms a small protected reserve frequented by diving enthusiasts. Beyond its tip, more than 500 meters high, opens the splendid Gulf of Palermo which contains the whole city, the fascinating promenade of Mondello with its liberty villas, the tasty traditional pastry shops and trendy restaurants and several private marinas. A stop even for just one day in the tourist marina will allow you to visit Palermo, the sumptuous and ragged capital, once the city of convicts and today one of the most beautiful holiday resorts in the Mediterranean where Sicilian Baroque, good food and all culture triumph and the welcome of the Sicilians.

We suggest you to read this article too: Aeolian islands: a sailing cruise in the volcanic islands

The ancient fishing village – Cefalù

Continuing to sail towards the east along the northern coast of Sicily, we meet another high rock wall called Capo Zafferano which represents the border between the Gulf of Palermo and the following one, much wider and less protected – the village of Cefalù, which closes with the promontory on which it is built and also houses a comfortable marina. From here the coast unravels along a wide sandy and straight stretch that ends in Capo d’Orlando. In this area there are no safe moorings and during navigation it is necessary to pay maximum attention to the shoals and rocks that come out from the shallow water because they are not always marked on the nautical charts.

After passing the 100-meter high rocky massif which is a natural border for Capo d’Orlando and the smaller Capo Calavà, in the wide Gulf of Patti set the bow to its eastern end where Capo Milazzo stands out. Here a rocky and narrow coast awaits you, just over 3 miles long, and at its end you can see a huge white lighthouse.

The beaches of Milazzo: a combination of posedonian bottom and jagged rocks

The small town of Milazzo allows you to relax and enjoy the sun on its splendid beaches, such as the famous Spiaggia di Ponente, one of the most popular and equipped, consisting of small white and smooth pebbles and a beautiful sea, like the one you see on the postcards of exotic places. Equally interesting is the Vaccarella beach which is located in an area of ​​fishermen and is characterized by the large number of stationary boats along the shore and by the nets that are spread out in the sun to dry. And then again Croce di Mare, the oldest bathing place ever and the favorite for the inhabitants of Milazzo which also houses the small statue of a Madonnina. Other beaches to see are Baia Paradiso with a sandy bottom and rich in posidonia visible thanks to the transparent water, Baia della Renella, a white sand beach overlooking the spectacular Aeolian islands that can be seen on the horizon and finally Piscina di Venere, a body of water nestled between jagged rocks.

Just behind Milazzo begins another low stretch of coast that leads to Capo Peloro and the Strait of Messina. Here the sea can be vigorous dute to the mistral blowing from the open sea and only on days of clear weather it is possible to drop the anchor without any problems. In short, a sailing cruise in Sicily is always ready to offer wonders that amaze the yachtsman.