Stromboli

From CruisersWiki

Stromboli, the easternmost of the Aeolian Islands in Italy, is also the most famous on account of its continually active volcano, the lava stream of which is visible at night from 30 miles or more. Not for nothing is the island's nickname 'The Lighthouse of the Mediterranean'. Unlike Italy's two other volcanoes classed as 'active', Mt Etna and Vesuvius, Stromboli never sleeps. The seas around are often coated with a fine layer of pumice and the famous Sciara del Fuoco (Stream of Fire) on the island's NW flank is a popular tourist attraction during the hours of darkness. The last major eruption on the island was in 1930, as a result of which the population today is barely a tenth of its former size. As late as 1996 a smaller eruption injured a number of people and a further disturbances in 2009 and 2010 caused the summit to be closed to visitors for several weeks. Just over a mile NE lies the islet of Strombolicchio, a volcanic 'plug' which is all that remains of an earlier volcano.

Charts

British Admiralty

172 - Isole Eolie

Italian

915

Communication

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Weather

The prevailing winds around the Aolian Islands during the summer tend to be from NW or NE, although in calm weather seabreezes can be encountered from any direction blowing onto and between the islands. While infrequent, gales are not unknown during the spring and early summer and careful forward planning is necessary as there are only two harbours which offer adequate shelter (and even then, not in strong southerlies). In winter, the gregale is a strong NE wind that can affect the whole of the island group and blow for several days.

Sources for weather forecasts:

• There is a continuous (computerised voice) weather forecast on VHF 68 - first in Italian and then followed with an English translation.
• The same forecast is given in Italian and English on VHF coastal stations following a notification on channel 16
• Navtex weather forecasts are broadcast from stations at Roma, Cagliari (Sardinia) and Augusta (Sicily).

Navigation

The coast of Stromboli is steep-to and there are no dangers in the approach (other than, of course, the remote risk of being hit by one of the occasional volcanic bombs emitted by the volcano!).

Berthing There are no sheltered harbours on the island and visiting yachts need to anchor off the two small hamlets of San Bartolemeo or San Vicenzo at the NE end of the island or the hamlet of Ginostra at the SW end of the island. None of the anchorages is suitable in anything but the calmest of conditions. There is a jetty at San Vicenzo which can be used for embarking/disembarking passengers only. There are reportedly also some buoys to the N of the jetty which can be picked up by visiting yachts. Similar buoys have reportedly also been installed to the west of the harbour at Ginostra.

Yacht Services and Repairs

There are no facilities in the island for anything other than emergency repairs.  Pignataro Marina, with a mobile crane (70 T) and basic engine and electrical repair services, is the best spot for yachts in difficulty

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel on the quay at San Vicenzo (1 July to 30 September only). Limited water supplies on the quay.

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

The prime reason for a visit to Stromboli is to view and possibly climb the island's active volcano. The main paths start from the village of San Vicenzo, although another path ascends from Ginostrata. The round trip takes about four hours in total. Stout shoes and sensible clothing should be worn and you should take plenty of water (especially in summer). It is strongly advised to go only with a guide, particularly if you wish to explore the crater itself. Apart from the obvious dangers, an unguided ascent would probably invalidate your travel insurance.

Sept 2012: Currently you are required to hire a guide to hike to the summit. Unguided hikers can go to about 200m elevation. Guides lead groups up from the village center, usually departing a couple of hours before dusk so that the hike up is in daylight, but the summit is reached in dark for the spectacular volcanic display. --LifePart2

Grocery & Supply Stores

Very limited provisions.

Eateries

Half a dozen small hotels and trattorias in the three villages.

Internet/WiFi

No.

Laundry

None.

Motorbike & Car Rentals

None.

Garbage Disposal

No. Take it with you.

Transportation

Ferries from Lipari (service liable to disruption in bad weather).

Routes/Passages To/From Stromboli

List popular passages/routes, timing, etc.

Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

Links

• Stromboli at the Wikipedia
• Volcanoes of the World

References & Publications

See Italy.

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.

Verified by

Date of member's last visit to Stromboli and this page's details validated:

• May 2004 --Athene of Lymington 17:04, 14 November 2010 (UTC)
• Sept 2013 --LifePart2

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Contributors to this page
Names: Athene of Lymington