What type of catamarans can be rented and what services are included or can be requested when vacationing in Sicily aboard a luxury or charter catamaran? Read here all the answers to this and many more questions!
Sailing a catamaran is very similar to sailing a monohull in most aspects, however there are a couple of differences that one has to be aware of. Some of these differences regard the maneuvers to be done with the sails. Some regard the type of spaces and comforts that can be found on board a catamaran rental and others the type of services found on board.
Sicily catamarans charter have reached a new high in requests in the last few years and charter companies are investing much more in catamarans of all sorts: from very luxurious models that have air conditioning and jacuzzi on board, to more common models, that offer a wide range of comforts, but are also quite affordable for the everyday sailing holiday enthusiast.
There are advantages to catamarans over monohulls sailboats that have become quite clear to buyers and renters.
How much space do you have on a catamaran?
On a catamaran, the common space is quite vast, with light and airy living area, a bridge deck and bow area with sunning spots galore. You will also have bigger storage space and larger cabins, room for extra systems like air conditioning, water makers, generators, larger fridges and freezers. These amenities contribute to more comfortable vacationing.
For all intent and purposes renting a catamaran is a bit like renting a three-storey villa at sea, that finds itself every day in a different bay of the Aeolian Islands or the Egadi Islands. You will have spacious cabins and toilets below deck, a wide living area both inside and outside on the level above water and hard top bridge deck that offers seating and leaning spots with a view.
From the smaller catamarans that offer about 60 square feet of living space, to the bigger catamarans that offer up to 120 square feet of space, you can find for sure the perfect catamaran rental for your needs! This type of catamarans is also offered in bareboat charter, i.e., if you have a license, you can be captain of your boat!
But there are also still bigger catamarans on rent, that are offered only in crewed boat rental, with cook, hostess and deck hand to help with the manoeuvres and with pampering the guests on board.
How easy is sailing a catamaran?
Catamarans are more stable than monohulls in fact there is no heeling when sailing and they also are less prone to rocking when at anchor in the bays, because of their extra stability and room, catamarans allow for much easier movement around the boat and are often considered “easier” to sail.
Still, if you do not have a license, or are at your first try an experienced skipper can be engaged to not only navigate the boat, but to also show the best places Sicily catamaran rental offer. Beautiful bays were to anchor for a swim in crystal clear water, wonderful spots for aperitif at sunset and the best harbours of the Sicilian islands to spend a fun night at land.
How does Sicily catamaran rental work?
If you are planning to charter a catamaran in Sicily, in Italy, or West Med for the first time or you need additional information, here you will find the answer to your questions and more! There are in fact many things to know about sailing holidays aboard catamaran or multihulls in Sicily, for example: what is the minimum time to rent a catamaran? What are the best months to charter in Sicily? Is it possible to rent bareboat? Is it possible to rent with crew: skipper, hostess, cook? How does embarking and check-out work? What type of catamaran can be found in Sicily for rent? How many itineraries are possible?
Everything you need to know to plan a catamaran charter in Sicily:
In order to start planning the perfect catamaran charter in Sicily you need to keep in mind some basic absolutes:
Catamaran charters in Sicily, in the period from May to September which is generally also the best period to sail in Sicily, have a minimum duration of 7 days, from the afternoon of Saturday to the next Saturday morning (often also with check-out, that is the return at the base for the technical check of the boat, in the afternoon of Friday). Outside this seasonal period, or also as a last-minute request, some shorter or longer periods can be requested and booked in relation to availability.
To check for availability and to find the best fit for your inquiry it is necessary to know the period and dates, the number of guests and cabins needed, the need or not for crew, and what kind (just the skipper? Also, a hostess? A cook?), would you like to have air conditioning on board? Or any other extra amenities? And finally, a general idea of the budget, since it ranges from very low to very high and is also quite influenced by the period of the request.
Sicily has four main harbours from which it is possible to rent a catamaran or sailboat for a yacht charter holiday, these are Palermo, Portorosa, Marsala and Trapani. Located in the north western or eastern of the island, from this harbour it is possible to sail in the direction of the island’s most visited Archipelagos: the Aeolian Islands and the Egadi Islands. All sort of catamarans can be found to be rented. From smaller models like Lagoon 40, Bali 4.1, Lucia 40 which are the more basic models with 4 cabins and 4 toilets that are generally rented bareboat, to bigger models like Dufour 48 that offers up to 5 cabins (plus those for the crew) generator and air conditioning on board, to even more Luxury models like the Bali 5.4 that has a jacuzzi on the hardtop flybridge. Are you already imagining yourself enjoying a sunset aperitif among the warm bubbles?
Still even more luxurious and greater catamarans can be found, with a crew on boar to pamper you from morning till evening.
We would recommend a skippered catamaran charter in Sicily if you would like a relaxing holiday without having to do any of the work. Crewed catamarans include a skipper who will take care of navigation and manoeuvres around the boat. A professional skipper who knows the routes and will most certainly be able to make the most of your time with them. Other crew members like hostess or cook can be requested for bareboat rentals or will already come as part of the boat services. Prices for this type of professional engagements vary, especially in consideration of the high and low season.
What kind of itinerary does Sicily offer?
Sicily catamaran charter offers a wide range of possible itineraries! If you have never been in this amazing destination, you will soon discover that there is a slew of itineraries to choose from.
Starting with the Aeolian Islands, 7 magical sister islands, in the north-east of Sicily. Volcanic in origin these islands are the preferred location for most Sicily charter holidays, since they offer short navigating distances and many bays and coves to stop for a day swim or a night under the stars. The Aeolian Islands are also quite well known for their two active volcanoes: the one in Vulcano Island, that offer still today the possibility to see from very near the spectacle of the Fumarole, smoke columns coming from the volcano top, that can be seen trekking up the volcano, together with a beautiful panorama on the whole Aeolian Archipelago. But, most important of all the volcano a Stromboli, that in the last few years has become exceptionally active, with great column of fire that are visible from sundown to sunrise and billowing smoke and stones sliding down the slopes during the day. A once in a lifetime must have experience!
Sicily still has more itineraries to offer, like the route to the Egadi Islands, 3 amazing islands in the western side of the main island. These islands called Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo, are surrounded by mesmerizing turquoise waters and part of a Natural Marine Reserve, with sea life and sea beds protected by the local administration. This means that you will find many buoys camps as taking a buoy is preferred to throwing the anchor and a full natural reserve in the most western side of Marettimo, that can be visited by taking a place aboard one of the many local fisher’s boats. An excursion that promises an amazing swim in Cala Bianca, were you will find the most beautiful azure waters of Sicily and a visit to all the natural grottos, that dot the side of the island.
Finally, for those that have taken at least two weeks to visit the Island of Sicily and all its wonders, it is possible to plan a route to Pantelleria, with its craggy coastline or Lampedusa and Linosa, famous for the splendid bay of Isola dei Conigli and Tavolara and even Malta and Gozo.
How do you book a catamaran charter in Sicily?
So, if you are planning a Sicily catamaran charter, just make an inquiry to discover: the most appropriate options of catamarans that suit your preferences, the technical details of the selected boats with pictures and layout of the space on board.
You will receive the best possible offer with clear prices for the boat rental and a prospect of the extra costs both obligatory and optional services on request. Rent a catamaran in Sicily and get our exclusive special discounts! We reserve terrific offers from 5% to 15% for early bookings, long period charters (more than 1 week), customers fidelity and more!
You will be assisted to personalize every step and detail of your charter in Sicily. We share with you our experiences about the itinerary, the best spots and excursions to enjoy. Let you know which bays and coves to anchor for your sailing trip, and the best places to enjoy the Sicilian cuisine.
We can plan together the transfers from/to the airport, the stay in Sicily before, during and after the charter with hotels, bed and breakfast and excursion to the best spots in Sicily, to be reached both by sea and land.
We manage yacht charters directly in Sicily to reserve for our customers the best boats on the market.
Let us guide you through your charter experience this summer!
By Nila Megna
