Boat rental in Messina — the Strait, Scilla, Taormina, Milazzo, the Aeolian Islands and tips for 2027

Messina sits on the north-eastern tip of Sicily, facing Calabria across the Strait of Messina, the narrow channel where, according to legend, the monsters Scylla and Charybdis lay in wait for sailors. From here boats head along the beaches of Capo Peloro and Torre Faro, across the Strait to the fishing village of Scilla, south along the Ionian coast to Taormina and, via Milazzo, to the volcanic Aeolian Islands. This guide explains where you can go by boat from Messina, which rules apply in the Strait and when it is best to head out.

What we currently offer

To be clear: no boats or trips are currently published for Messina on the location page, which is why this guide does not give prices. If you would like a boat in Messina, send us a request via the contact page and we will see what can be arranged.

Where the boats leave from

Boats leave from the marinas in Messina's sickle-shaped natural harbour, one of the deepest in the Mediterranean, and from the small harbours to the north at Ganzirri and Torre Faro, close to the Strait's narrowest point. For the Aeolian Islands, most trips start from Milazzo on the Tyrrhenian coast, about 40 km from Messina by road. See also the pages boats in Milazzo and boats in Lipari.

Where to go

• Capo Peloro and Torre Faro (about 7 nautical miles north of the harbour): the north-eastern tip of Sicily, with the old electricity pylon, a lighthouse and beaches facing both seas; behind them lie the lagoons of Ganzirri and Faro, known for their mussels.
• Scilla and Chianalea (across the Strait in Calabria): a castle on a rock and a fishing quarter where the houses stand right on the water.
• The Ionian coast and Taormina (about 25 nautical miles south): beaches at Letojanni, the bay of Giardini Naxos and the islet of Isola Bella below Taormina. See the page boats in Taormina.
• Milazzo and the Tyrrhenian coast (about 25 nautical miles around Capo Peloro): the beaches of Mortelle and Capo Milazzo with its natural rock pool, the Piscina di Venere, in a marine protected area.
• The Aeolian Islands (from Milazzo): Vulcano with its sulphur springs, Lipari, green Salina, chic Panarea and Stromboli, whose eruptions are best seen from the sea at night. The islands are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In late spring and summer you may see the traditional swordfish boats in the Strait, with their tall lookout masts and long bowsprits.

For more of Sicily and southern Italy, read our guides to boat rental in Catania, Palermo and Naples.

Rules and tips

• Licence. Without a licence you may drive a boat up to 10 m with an engine of up to about 40 hp, within 6 nautical miles of the coast. For anything bigger you need a licence or a skipper.
• Traffic in the Strait. Ferries and hydrofoils run constantly between Messina, Villa San Giovanni and Reggio Calabria, and large ships pass through on fixed routes. Keep clear of them, follow the coast guard's rules and cross the Strait only at right angles and without stopping.
• Currents. Tidal currents in the Strait change direction roughly every six hours and can be strong, with eddies near Capo Peloro. Plan crossings with a skipper or local advice.
• Swimming zones. In summer, bathing areas are marked out, usually 200 m from sandy beaches and 100 m from rocky coasts; boats may only cross them slowly through marked corridors.
• Marine protected areas. Capo Milazzo is a marine protected area with zones where navigation, anchoring and fishing are restricted. Do not anchor on posidonia seagrass.

Season and weather

• June to September is the main season: warm sea, around 26 °C in August, and long, sunny days. May and October are quieter and often pleasant.
• Wind. Wind tends to funnel through the Strait. Scirocco from the south-east and mistral from the north-west can raise a short, steep sea; mornings are usually calmer.
• Feast of the Vara. On 15 August, Messina celebrates the Assumption with a huge procession, the Vara, through the city.

A boat in Messina with Crystalium Booker

We currently have no boats in Messina, but we are happy to help you look into the options. Send us a request via the contact page with the date, number of guests and preferred route. Do you rent out a boat in Messina or elsewhere in Sicily? List it with us and we will present it to guests in 29 languages.