Family Sailing in Sicily – What Worked for Us

Slow Travel, Anchor Choices and Family Rhythm in the Mediterranean

Sicily was one of the places that shaped our family sailing life the most.

Not because everything was easy — but because it taught us how to slow down, adapt, and choose what actually works when sailing with kids.

This post isn’t a list of must-see places.It’s about what worked for us as a family sailing in Sicily — and why.

Seline and Karoline playing around

Sicily rewards slow sailing

One of the first things we learned is that Sicily does not work well when rushed.

Distances may look short on the chart, but:

• weather changes quickly

• wind funnels around capes

• conditions vary dramatically between coasts

Trying to “cover” Sicily fast created stress.

Slowing down changed everything.

Staying longer in fewer places allowed routines to settle and gave our kids time to feel at home — not just pass through.

Anchor choice matters more than destination

Some of our calmest days in Sicily were spent in places we hadn’t planned to visit.

What mattered most was:

• protection from swell

• enough space to swing

• quiet nights

Popular anchorages were often crowded and noisy — especially in high season.

We learned to:

• arrive early

• leave early

• or skip places entirely if conditions didn’t suit family life

Comfort mattered more than reputation.

Different coasts feel very different

Sicily feels like several sailing areas in one.

We noticed:

• the north coast felt more exposed

• the south coast offered gentler conditions

• the west required patience with wind

Understanding these differences helped us:

• plan shorter passages

• reduce stress for kids

• choose better timing

Matching conditions to family needs mattered more than following a route.

Heat changes the rhythm of family life

Sicilian summers are hot.

Very hot.

With kids onboard, heat affected:

• sleep

• energy levels

• patience

We adjusted by:

• slowing daytime activities

• focusing on mornings and evenings

• prioritizing shade and swimming

Accepting the climate — instead of fighting it — made daily life easier.

Shore access makes a big difference

Kids need movement after time onboard.

Anchorages with:

• easy dinghy landings

• beaches or swimming areas

• space to explore helped balance life on the boat.

Some of our best family moments in Sicily came from simple shore routines — not sightseeing.

Local culture adds depth — without pressure

Sicily offered:

• welcoming people

• strong food culture

• visible everyday life

We didn’t try to “do it all.”

Instead, we let culture enter daily life through:

• markets

• conversations

• shared meals

This gentle exposure suited our kids far better than packed schedules.

Flexibility mattered more than plans

Weather, heat and energy levels often changed our plans.

We learned to:

• adjust without frustration

• abandon ideas without guilt

• listen to how the day actually felt

Flexibility reduced stress — and helped Sicily feel livable, not demanding.

Familiar anchorages became anchors emotionally

Returning to the same anchorages made a big difference.

Kids recognized:

• the shoreline

• swimming spots

• routines

Familiarity brought calm, even while traveling.

Sicily taught us the value of returning — not just moving on.

Sicily helped us redefine “success” in sailing

Before Sicily, success meant:

• distance covered

• places visited

After Sicily, success meant:

• calm days

• rested kids

• routines that worked

This shift changed how we approach sailing everywhere else.

Why Sicily worked for our family

Sicily worked because:

• we slowed down

• we chose comfort over ambition

• we adapted to conditions

• we prioritized family rhythm

It wasn’t perfect.But it taught us how to sail as a family — not as tourists.

What we took with us when we left

When we sailed away from Sicily, we took more than memories.

We took:

• a slower mindset

• better anchoring habits

• more patience

• clearer priorities

Those lessons stayed with us long after the coastline disappeared.

👉 New to family sailing life?

This post is part of our complete guide to living on a sailboat with kids, where we share real experiences and decisions from family life at sea.

➡️ Start here: Living on a Sailboat With Kids