Vulcano, Panarea & Stromboli tour: Sunset eruption views

Three islands in one day: swim in hot springs, explore villages, watch Stromboli erupt

A full-day boat tour from Lipari that visits Vulcano, Panarea and Stromboli, with landings at each island and two swimming stops along the way. The tour runs 11 hours and includes a glass of local Malvasia wine. The guide speaks Italian with general information provided in English before departure. You'll swim in Vulcano's hot sulphurous waters, walk through Panarea's village, and return to the boat at sunset to watch Stromboli's eruptions from the water before heading back to Lipari.

The experience

The boat leaves Lipari in the morning and sails first to Vulcano, where you'll pass the Grotta del Cavallo and Piscina di Venere from the water before landing at Porto di Levante. Once ashore, you have free time until around 1:45 pm to swim in the black sand beach with its naturally hot, sulphurous waters, soak in the thermal mud lake, or eat lunch at one of the island's restaurants. A swimming stop happens before you leave the boat, so you can cool off in open water on the way.

After Vulcano, you sail to Panarea and get time to walk the village after seeing Cala Junco's bay from the boat. The route then passes Ginostra and reaches Scari, Stromboli's port, where you can explore the island before the sun sets. As evening falls, the boat circles Strombolicchio while you're offered a glass of Malvasia wine: the local variety from the Aeolian Islands. Then you move into position under Sciara del Fuoco to watch Stromboli's eruptions light up the darkening sky before the return journey to Lipari.

The tour operates in Italian with general information given in English at the start. Two swimming stops break up the boat time, one before Vulcano and one before Panarea. The full day can stretch to 12 hours in high season, so plan accordingly if you have evening plans back on Lipari.

What’s included

• Boat excursion to all three islands.
• landings at Vulcano, Panarea and Stromboli.
• two swimming stops during the boat journey.
• a glass of local Malvasia wine served at sunset.
• views of Grotta del Cavallo and Piscina di Venere from the water.
• a tour of Strombolicchio at sunset.
• and positioning under Sciara del Fuoco to watch Stromboli's eruptions.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 27 Apr 2027

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (5 to 90 years) · Child (under 5)

GroupUp to 60

Live guideItalian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Empeeria

Is this one for you?An 11-hour day leaves room for an early breakfast and a late dinner back on Lipari, but rules out other full-day excursions. If you're splitting time between islands, this tour fills most of a single day and works best when you have no other plans after the boat returns.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 5).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I swim during this tour from Lipari?

Yes, there are two swimming stops: one in open water before landing at Vulcano, and another before reaching Panarea. At Vulcano itself, you can also swim in the hot sulphurous beach waters during your free time on the island.

What is the thermal mud lake at Vulcano like?

Vulcano's thermal mud lake is a natural pool fed by the island's geothermal activity. During your free time on the island (until around 1:45 pm), you can walk to it from the port and experience the warm, mineral-rich mud. Many visitors soak in it before rinsing off in the sea.

Will I see Stromboli erupt?

Yes, at sunset the boat positions itself under Sciara del Fuoco, the slope where Stromboli's eruptions are visible from the water. You'll watch the eruptions from the boat while sipping local Malvasia wine as darkness falls.

How much free time do I get on each island?

At Vulcano, you have free time until around 1:45 pm to explore the village, swim, visit the mud lake and hot springs, or have lunch. At Panarea, you get time to walk the village after landing. At Stromboli, you have time to explore the island before the boat departs for the sunset eruption viewing.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included, but there are typical restaurants on Vulcano where you can eat during your free time on the island. The tour includes only a glass of Malvasia wine at sunset.

What language is the guide in?

The tour is conducted in Italian. General information about the tour is provided in English before departure, but ongoing commentary during the day is in Italian.