Geodynamic situation of Etna.

Currently the area of the summit craters of Etna is forbidden, by order of the civil protection, due to the eruptive risk. The limit of the excursions is 2850 meters above sea level. The situation changes from day to day, depending on the unpredictable activity of the Etna volcano. The restrictions on the areas allowed for hiking also change often, even during the day depending on the volcanic activity.

The limit for excursions in Stromboli is currently 400 meters above sea level with a guide (depends on the state of unpredictable volcanic risk). The best alternative is to rent a boat directly from the port of Stromboli at dusk and go and see the volcanic activity from the sea (location: Sciara del Fuoco).

How to visit Etna and Stromboli

Excursions to see the craters of Stromboli are organized every day from March to November, the departure time varies according to the season. It is a particularly exciting experience to see the activity of Etna and the lava fountains of Stromboli up close. The ascent to the summit of Etna is done in the early hours of the morning. The ascent of Stromboli is done at night to see the lava fountains.

Ascent to Stromboli and the craters of Etna

The excursion to Etna takes place in small groups of maximum 12 people. On Stromboli we only offer a private tour, with the guide exclusively for you. Our volcanologist guide and volcano specialist will accompany you during the 2 days.

Volcanological guide for the visit of Stromboli and Etna

To go hiking on Stromboli and Etna you must be in perfect health and have no physical problems. Climbing to the top of the volcano is prohibited for pregnant women, asthmatics and people with respiratory and heart problems. The excursions take place in active volcanic areas, on impervious routes and at variable altitudes. The exclusive itinerary proposed by Etna3340 allows you to discover the hot areas of the Stromboli and Etna volcanoes, far from the crowds, otherwise inaccessible without an authorized volcanological guide.

Our excursions are carried out by a volcanological guide from the Regional College of Alpine and Volcanological Guides of Sicily. The volcanological guide is the only professional authorized by Italian law to lead groups on Etna and Stromboli. Depending on the alert status of the volcano and the weather conditions, the authorized altitude limits, access times and times of stay on the volcano, may undergo significant changes and restrictions, beyond our control. Like all active volcanoes, Etna and Stromboli are always monitored and subject to possible excursion restrictions. An update will be made 48 hours before the excursion, to check the alert status and the weather.

Stromboli is an explosive volcano

Its eruptions occur with a regular frequency. This activity consists of intermittent bursts of medium energy, lasting a few seconds, spaced 10 to 30 minutes apart. The eruptive activity is associated with the almost continuous degassing of the crater area. The volcanic edifice has a height of 926 meters above sea level and a depth between 1300 and 2400 meters below sea level.

Due to its intermittent eruptive activity, Stromboli is called the Lighthouse of the Mediterranean. Looking at it from afar at night, sailors would see a flashing light useful for direction finding. Since 1900, the artificial light from the Strombolicchio lighthouse has replaced the natural glow of the lava. Strombolicchio is a small rock north of Stromboli. Our itinerary includes an easy excursion of about 5 km, up to 400 meters above sea level, to see: the Sciara del Fuoco (steep slope formed by lava, lapilli and incandescent scoria), which descends from the main crater of Stromboli towards the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Stromboli's main crater in intermittent activity, with its explosions projecting fragments of magma and jets of gas, is very spectacular as they repeat every 20 minutes or so. The embarkation of the hydrofoils towards Stromboli is in Milazzo.