Full Yacht bookings, Sicily

First point of call - check in online.

If you haven't already, please check in and fill out your full profile details on your Yacht Week Profile page. If this is not completed prior to check-in day, you may not be permitted to board the yacht at all due to Port Authority Laws.

To check in you need to fill out the following information:

• Passport Information*
• DOB
• Nationality
• Gender
• Email

*Don't forget you will need to have at least 6 months validity on your passport to travel so don’t forget to check its expiry.

Once all is complete, the last thing to do is press that ‘Check in’  button.

Visas and passports.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is set to launch in the EU in 2025. It will replace manual passport stamping with biometric data (fingerprints and facial images) for travellers entering or leaving the EU, aiming to improve border efficiency and security. Additionally, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a visa waiver program for non-EU citizens, is also expected to launch in 2025.

We advise all guests traveling to or from Sicily, from non-EU countries to allow extra time at the airport due to the potential for longer queues.

Getting there.

Transfer and taxi: Portorosa Marina is located approximately three hours from both Catania (CTA) and Palermo (PMO) airports. 

More details on how to get from the airport to the marina will be sent four weeks before your departure. 

Please note: If you have a long flight, consider arriving a day early to make your journey more comfortable, giving you time to explore Sicily before heading to the marina.

Public transport (from Catania Airport): Buses to Milazzo are available through Giuntabus or SAIS Trasporti. Alternatively, take a train from Catania Centrale to Milazzo or Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto via Trenitalia, then a 20-minute taxi to Portorosa Marina.

Public transport (From Palermo Airport): Take the Trinacria Express from the airport to Palermo Centrale, then a train to Milazzo or Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto via Trenitalia.
Buses are also available through SAIS Autolinee.

Check-in day.

The day has finally arrived. A week of sun, sand, beach parties and yacht regattas awaits.

Your skipper will be in touch with you and the crew regarding when your yacht will be ready. Check in will be onboard your yacht with Yacht Week’s event staff. 

You should have access to your yacht between 4-6pm, your skipper will let you know what specific part of the marina your yacht will be docked in, at Portorosa. Please note Portorosa is a large marina and takes about half an hour to walk from one side to the other so please speak to your skipper and host closer to your arrival to find out the exact location of your yacht.

Please be advised delays can occur as the yacht is being cleaned and prepared after the previous week’s charter.  Yacht Week is not responsible for any delays to your yacht but we will do our best to work with the charter companies to get you your yacht as early as possible. 

We recommend hanging out at local restaurants, soaking in the sunshine, taking a dip or sipping on an Aperol spritz until your yacht is ready. If you need to find us for any assistance, our event team will be at Portorosa Marina, look out for them in their blue event crew t-shirts.

Once you are on board, The Yacht Week team will come to your yacht to say hi and give you your official YW wristband. On your first night, you won’t leave the marina, so late arrivals make your skipper aware in advance.

Local Taxis: 

Most taxi drivers in the area do not speak English, so it's recommended to contact them via WhatsApp. If you're in Marina Portorosa and having trouble finding a taxi, you can walk to the 24-hour reception for assistance at the entrance or speak to one of our event staff that should be able to help you out. Here are some taxi services operating near Portorosa Marina however there are more online if you are :

Taxi Jolly- +39 350 1880581

Iarcar- +39 345 4365713

Taxi Portorosa- +39 388 4362229

Provisioning for the week.

Yachts with a host:

our host will reach out 2 weeks before you travel to go through any dietary requirements and meal plans you may have. Your host will do most of the shopping on the day of, and will require at least one of your crew members to meet them at the shop to pay and help carry things back. 

You will have to take a taxi to/from the shops/marinas. Your host wil help guide you through this process. Additionally, you’ll want to purchase your own drinks and snacks, as these won’t be included in the host's shopping list.

We recommend getting a taxi and heading to the CONAD Superstore located here about a 15 minute drive from the marina to stock up on provisions you need for the week. Please note there are smaller supermarkets in the marina but you will struggle to find everything you need if you go to one of these.

Yachts without a host:

While there are small shops on the islands, they tend to be more expensive. We strongly recommend stocking up on the mainland before setting sail. We recommend taking a taxi to the CONAD Superstore, located about 15 minutes from the marina, to stock up on provisions for the week. The smaller supermarkets at the marina are limited in selection and may not have everything you need. 

Check-out.

Please note that this could vary depending on weather conditions or if you would like to head back early to catch a flight.

*We recommend booking your flight home for Saturday to save any stress and delays. There are plenty of hotels/hostels in the town.

You will get back to the marina on Friday between the hours 1-3pm, the charter company will come onto the yacht to do a check before you leave and you will receive your deposit back provided that no damages have occurred. You will need to depart the yacht at 5pm on Friday.

Security deposit.

The charter companies require payment of a refundable deposit on your first day. Log in to your booking to see your yacht security deposit amount. Insurance papers should be stored with the yacht documents and should be safe on board the yacht.

Full yacht booking, credit card is the best way to pay the yacht security deposit and this can be split onto a maximum of 2 cards or you can pay with cash.

When the yacht is returned it will be checked and, if everything is in order, the yacht security deposit will be refunded.