Lipari / Aeolian Islands: boating safety
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Lipari is the main island and port of the Aeolian archipelago off north-east Sicily. Typical trips go to Vulcano, Salina, Panarea and Stromboli, whose active volcano has a permanent no-go zone off the Sciara del Fuoco.
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Harbour and marinas
The Lipari Maritime Office (Ufficio Circondariale Marittimo, Guardia Costiera) is on Via delle Capitanerie di Porto. Its operations room takes emergency reports by phone on 090 9880819 or on VHF channel 16.
Guardia Costiera – Ufficio Circondariale Marittimo Lipari, Ordinanza 23/2020 · Guardia Costiera – Ufficio Circondariale Marittimo Lipari, Ordinanza 42/2025 ▾
Local rules
During the bathing season, sailing and motor boats may not transit, stop, moor or anchor closer than 300 m to the coast or 200 m to steep cliffs, except in marked launch corridors. The 2025 season ran from 1 May to 31 October.
Guardia Costiera – Ufficio Circondariale Marittimo Lipari, Ordinanza 42/2025 · Guardia Costiera – Ufficio Circondariale Marittimo Lipari, Ordinanza 42/2025 ▾
Between 300 m and 1,000 m from beaches, and between 200 m and 500 m from cliffs, all boats must stay in displacement mode at no more than 10 knots.
Guardia Costiera – Ufficio Circondariale Marittimo Lipari, Ordinanza 42/2025 ▾
In the Lipari roadstead the speed limit is 7 knots. Stopping and anchoring are banned inside the port area itself.
Guardia Costiera – Ufficio Circondariale Marittimo Lipari, Ordinanza 23/2020 · Guardia Costiera – Ufficio Circondariale Marittimo Lipari, Ordinanza 23/2020 ▾
Hazards
Stromboli: navigation is banned within 2 nautical miles of the coast between Punta delle Chiappe and Punta Labronzo, the sea off the Sciara del Fuoco volcanic slope.
Guardia Costiera – Capitaneria di porto di Milazzo, Ordinanza 81/2022 ▾
Rockfalls: boats may not stop or transit within 100 m of the Aeolian sea cliffs or of visible landslide debris, extended to 150 m at listed high-risk spots. Entering the natural sea caves is banned throughout the islands.
Guardia Costiera – Ufficio Circondariale Marittimo Lipari, Ordinanza 20/2020 · Guardia Costiera – Ufficio Circondariale Marittimo Lipari, Ordinanza 20/2020 · Guardia Costiera – Ufficio Circondariale Marittimo Lipari, Ordinanza 20/2020 ▾
Frequently asked
Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Lipari / Aeolian Islands?
Call IMRCC Roma on +39 06 5908 4409. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
How do I contact the harbour in Lipari / Aeolian Islands?
The Lipari Maritime Office (Ufficio Circondariale Marittimo, Guardia Costiera) is on Via delle Capitanerie di Porto. Its operations room takes emergency reports by phone on 090 9880819 or on VHF channel 16.
Read before you sail
Nearby destinations
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