Ferry from Sicily to Ustica Island

About Sicily

Sicily can be found to the south of Italy and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, separated from the mainland by the narrow Strait of Messina. Situated at the meeting point between East and West, Africa and Europe, Sicily is truly at the crossroads of Mediterranean culture and offers much to see, to taste, and to do. With a varied landscape of glistening seas and restless mountains, the scenery creates a dramatic and lasting impression on those who visit. With a host of natural wonders and long warm seasons, Sicily is an attractive year round destination for explorers and holidaymakers alike. Sicily is a hub for ferry connections with ferry services operated by some of Europe’s biggest ferry companies travelling to and from most of the surrounding islands, ports on the mainland, Malta and North Africa via Tunisia.

About Ustica Island

Ustica is a small Italian island within the volcanic Aeolian chain in the Tyrrhenian Sea, to the north of Palermo, Sicily. Accented with bright pink hibiscus and green cacti, Ustica is a small, dark drop in the ocean, known affectionately as ‘the black pearl’. With a jagged coastline jewelled with sparkling grottoes, the surrounding waters are protected by marine area status, home to around half the Med’s fish and coral species. Italians frequent Ustica from July to August, so it’s best to sail here in the shoulder months, when the boat trips, enigmatic Roman ruins, picturesque piazzas and coastal footpaths are far less busy. Given the island’s popularity for short-excursions and weekend breaks, it is well linked with big Italian cities by ferry, including Palermo and Napoli, with regular routes to its port on the east coast.