Alicudi

Alicudi is the westernmost and most isolated island of the Aeolian Islands, a volcanic archipelago north of Sicily. The island has an almost circular, uniform coastline without bays or headlands, meaning there is no natural shelter anywhere around it.

Arrival is at Cala Palomba (Scalo Palumbo) on the island's south-eastern side, where a roughly 10-metre T-shaped concrete pier fitted with a white light has stood since 1990. Alongside this pier, used mainly by ferries and hydrofoils, there is a smaller landing stage where pleasure craft with a draught of less than 1.5 metres can come alongside. Since the island offers no safe shelter and the nearest safe refuge is Lipari, about 30 nautical miles to the south-east, you should check the weather forecast carefully before heading here.

The area around the pier is largely without nautical services: neither fresh water nor fuel is available. There is, however, a crane service, waste collection, a post office, a public telephone, and a small grocery store selling basic necessities.

From the harbour, steep old mule tracks climb through the small village and on to the top of the island's mountain, as there are no roads or motor vehicles on Alicudi. Just east of the pier lies a beach, and the island's western, almost uninhabited side holds wild ravines and old lava flows. Take your own boat around the island to discover the inaccessible beaches and caves along the rugged east coast.