Alicudi — Village Anchorage
Porto di Alicudi · Alicudi landing
38°32.4'N 14°21.0'E
Depth
10–25m
Bottom
rock
Alarm Radius
120m
Holding
Poor holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
120m
120m alarm accounts for deep anchoring in 15–20m and the limited swing room near the mooring buoys. This is the most marginal anchorage in the Aeolians — recommended only as a day stop in perfect settled conditions. Do NOT overnight here unless very confident in the forecast and using the official mooring buoys.
About This Anchorage
Alicudi is the most remote and primitive of the inhabited Aeolian Islands — a steep, circular volcanic cone with no roads (only stone paths and donkeys), approximately 120 permanent residents, no cars, and essentially no tourism infrastructure. It is one of the few places in Italy where the 20th century hasn't fully arrived. The anchorage is extremely limited — rocky seabed, deep water, and full exposure to the W–NW quadrant make this a challenging stop. But those who make the effort are rewarded with an extraordinary experience of island life entirely unchanged for generations. The island is car-free and relatively donkey-full. For sailors, Alicudi is best treated as a day visit stop (arrive AM, depart PM) unless the forecast is absolutely settled.
Protected From
E · SE
Exposed To
N · NW · W · SW
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free to attempt free anchor (not recommended given difficult bottom).
- Maximum stay
- 2 days
- Permit required
- No
- Permit details
- No AMP permit. Standard Italian maritime rules.
Restrictions: No anchoring on rock that could damage the seabed ecosystem. No motorized vehicles on the island (respect the car-free environment). Keep clear of the small quay and ferry berth.
Hazards
- !Deep rocky seabed: Free anchoring is genuinely dangerous here — the rocky bottom in 15–25m means the anchor may not set; dragging in the open water is a serious risk
- !Full W–NW exposure: Any Maestrale makes the anchorage immediately unsafe — this is a fair-weather-only stop with no fallback shelter
- !Alicudi–Filicudi channel current: Strong current when Maestrale is running in this channel — the passage east back to Filicudi can be hard on the nose
- !Limited emergency resources: No doctor, no fuel, no chandlery — a breakdown here means a very long wait for assistance; ensure the boat is in excellent mechanical order before visiting
Skipper's Tips
- →Use the mooring buoys rather than anchoring — the deep rocky bottom makes free anchoring genuinely unreliable
- →The island is car-free — the stone paths wind up through terraced gardens to the summit of Filo dell'Arpa; hire a donkey (one of the last donkey-transport islands in Italy) for luggage
- →Visit early June or October when the island is at its most tranquil — the handful of residents are genuinely welcoming
- →The complete darkness at night (no light pollution) and the eruptions of Stromboli visible to the E create one of the most extraordinary night-sky experiences in Europe
Facilities
One small trattoria/bar in the village — simple and authentic. No provisions shop to speak of. Carry all supplies from Filicudi or Salina.
Nearest provisions: Filicudi (14nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August, September
Day stop only outside June–September. Even in summer, Maestrale regularly makes anchoring here impossible. The island is best visited by ferry from Lipari if you want a comfortable experience — sailing there is for the adventurous.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 120m
In the Aeolian Islands, volcanic rock bottoms and sudden channel winds make anchor drag a real overnight risk. Safety Anchor Alarm monitors your GPS position continuously.
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