Sicily, located at the southern tip of Italy, is the largest Italian island. This charming island attracts tourists from all over the world every year to enjoy the sun and the authenticity of Sicily. Surrounded by the sea, it is the ideal destination for water sports activities.
The best season for diving in Sicily is between May and October. The Cetaria Diving Centre in Scopello, Sicily, offers guided underwater tours and is an excellent spot to discover the seabed even while snorkelling. But the best dive sites are in Marretimo and Ustica, accessible from Sicily.
Marretimo
With its clear water and diverse fauna, Marretimo is a popular spot for Italian divers. It is possible to explore sites suitable for different levels. Scoglio Del Cammello, a rocky mountain, is perfect for beginners while San Simone I, one of the most beautiful sites, is reserved for experienced divers. The Cathedral, a cave at a depth of 29m, is one of the most fascinating sights, progressing through breathtaking scenery amidst stalactites and stalagmites. The Blu Tek Diving centre offers various diving options.
Ustica
Ustica is a diver's paradise! There are a total of 30 dive sites in the licensed areas. The island is full of marine life, which you can observe through some of the clearest waters in the world. During your dive you will have the opportunity to see lobsters, sea breams, black corals, parrot fish and seahorses. Orca Diving offers various diving options.
Marvel at the Alcantara Gorges
At the foot of Mount Etna, this river flows through an ancient lava flow. As you cross, you can admire the volcanic formations in the rocks as well as the caves. Surrounded by cliffs, these magnificent landscapes are home to important fauna and flora, which is why part of the river is declared a nature reserve. Body rafting, river trekking or kayaking are the perfect activities to discover this magnificent river. In summer, this place is also very popular for swimming. Sicily Active offers several excursions in the Alcantara Gorge including river trekking, body rafting and kayaking.
Discover the sea by boat
Northern Sicily is home to a small archipelago: the Aeolian Islands. There are 17 islands, of which only 7 are inhabited. Italy is known to be home to volcanoes, some of which are still active on these islands. Here are the most popular islands to visit by boat:
Vulcano is the closest island to Sicily, its volcano is dormant. Its hot springs and mud baths are the perfect place for a relaxing break.
Stromboli is famous for its permanently active volcano and it is not uncommon to see explosive eruptions. The island is however a little more remote.
The largest and most populated island is Lipari, which has a dormant volcano. Relax on its white sandy beaches after swimming in its warm waters.
You can only get to these islands by sea. You will need to take a ferry from one of the three Sicilian cities, Milazzo, Palermo or Messina.
Heading into the wind
The west coast is the best oriented and has more wind, which is perfect for kitesurfing. The lagoon of Stagnone is the perfect spot for water sports. It is located in the west of Sicily, in Marsala, the city of wind. Its flat and shallow waters are accessible to all levels. Let the wind guide you and progress quickly thanks to the low water level! Marsala is a popular spot for kitesurfing and there are many centres close to the beach.
Kayak with your family
Sicily has a great diversity of landscapes and unique nature spots. Trips of several hours or days will take you to places that are not accessible in Sicily. Kayaking gives you a new view of the island from the sea. It is possible to book kayak trips to visit the Aeolian Islands. For example, you can visit the island of Vulcano by kayak. Sicily in Kayak offers different tours to visit the sea and its islands.
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