Boat Hire in Palermo — 2027 Guide: Mondello, Capo Gallo, Ustica and Cefalù

Palermo lies on a wide bay between two mountains, Monte Pellegrino to the north and Capo Zafferano to the east, and its coast is best seen from the sea. Within a few miles of the old harbour, La Cala, there are sandy Mondello, the limestone cliffs of the Capo Gallo nature reserve and fishing villages around Capo Zafferano. Further out lie the volcanic island of Ustica and the medieval town of Cefalù. This guide explains where you can go by boat from Palermo, what to watch out for and when the sea is at its best.

What we currently offer

To be upfront: there are currently no published boats or trips in Palermo on the location page, so this guide does not list prices. It is meant for guests who are planning a trip and want to see what awaits. If you want a boat in Palermo, send us an enquiry through the contact page and we will check what can be arranged.

Where you can go from Palermo

• Mondello (about 8 nautical miles from La Cala, around Monte Pellegrino): Palermo's beach, a long sandy bay with turquoise water, the Art Nouveau bathing pavilion on the sea and a small fishing harbour. From the water you can see the whole bay without the summer crowds on the shore.
• Capo Gallo and Isola delle Femmine: a marine protected area of limestone cliffs, grottoes and clear water just west of Mondello, and the small island of Isola delle Femmine a few miles further on. Anchoring and fishing are restricted in parts of the reserve, so follow the zone markings and your skipper's instructions.
• Capo Zafferano and the eastern coast (about 10 nautical miles): the fishing villages of Sant'Elia, Porticello and Aspra, the rocky headland of Capo Zafferano and the ruins of ancient Solunto above the sea.
• Cefalù (about 30 nautical miles east): a medieval town with a Norman cathedral beneath a rock; a full day by boat and best in settled weather.
• Ustica (about 36 nautical miles north): a volcanic island and Italy's oldest marine reserve, with caves and some of the clearest water in the Mediterranean. It is an open-sea crossing, so only on a calm day and in a suitable boat.

The Gulf of Castellammare with Scopello and the Zingaro reserve lies further west and is easier to reach from Castellammare del Golfo or San Vito Lo Capo. For the Aeolian Islands, the usual starting point is Milazzo.

Rules and tips

• Licence. In Italy you can usually drive a boat up to 10 metres with an engine of up to about 40 hp without a licence, within 6 nautical miles of the coast. For larger boats, longer trips or Ustica you need a licence or a skipper.
• Protected areas. Capo Gallo – Isola delle Femmine and Ustica are marine protected areas with zones where anchoring, fishing and sometimes navigation are limited.
• Swimming zones. In summer, buoyed bathing areas along the beaches are closed to boats; keep to the marked access channels and slow down near the shore.
• Harbours. La Cala and the marinas along Palermo's waterfront are busy in July and August, so arrange your mooring in advance.

Season and weather

• June to September is the main season: warm sea, long days and mostly calm mornings.
• May and October are quieter and often still warm enough for swimming.
• Wind. On Palermo's north-facing coast the maestrale and northerly winds raise waves, especially in the afternoon. The scirocco from Africa blows offshore and is hot and dusty, but the sea near the coast can stay calm.
• Santa Rosalia. On the night of 14 July the city celebrates its patron saint with fireworks over the Foro Italico, and many boats watch from the water.

If you are planning Southern Italy, see also our guide to boat hire in Naples.

Boat hire in Palermo with Crystalium Booker

We are still building our offer in Palermo. Send us your dates, group size and what you would like to see through the contact page, and keep an eye on the boats in Palermo page for new listings. Do you rent out a boat or run boat trips in Palermo? List it with us.