Sailing from Malta to West Sicily is a longer and more open-water passage, offering a fantastic offshore training opportunity for skippers looking to build miles and gain endurance at sea. Spanning approximately 150–180 nautical miles, this route requires careful passage planning, weather routing, and offshore sailing techniques.

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⛵ Route Overview: Malta to West Sicily

✔ Departure: Malta (typically from Grand Harbour or Msida)

✔ Distance: ~150–180 NM

✔ Duration: 24–36 hours (depending on wind and sailing conditions)

✔ Destination Options: Trapani, Marsala, Egadi Islands (Favignana, Levanzo), Sciacca

✔ Navigation Challenges: Open-sea navigation, strong currents, night sailing

This is an excellent passage for sailors preparing for offshore certifications like the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore, as it involves longer sailing periods without land references.

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🌊 Key Challenges & Conditions

✔ Longer Offshore Leg: Unlike the Malta–East Sicily route, this passage has fewer safe harbors along the way, making route planning critical.

✔ Stronger Winds & Currents: The western Sicilian coastline is influenced by Mediterranean weather systems, which can bring stronger mistral winds from the northwest.

✔ Night Sailing & Watch Systems: With a passage duration exceeding 24 hours, sailors will gain experience in setting up effective watchkeeping rotations.

✔ Shipping & AIS Monitoring: The shipping lanes between Tunisia, Sicily, and Malta require careful radar/AIS tracking to avoid large vessels.

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🛠 Skills to Practice on the Passage

✔ Advanced Passage Planning & Weather Routing – Choosing the best time to sail based on forecasts.

✔ Long-Distance Sail Trim & Performance – Adjusting sails efficiently for speed and comfort.

✔ Night Sailing & Watchkeeping – Developing endurance for offshore sailing.

✔ Navigation Without Landmarks – Practicing dead reckoning, celestial navigation, and radar use.

✔ Emergency Procedures at Sea – Preparing for long-distance safety measures.

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🏝️ Arrival in West Sicily: Where to Land?

✔ Trapani: A lively port town with easy access to the Egadi Islands, making it a perfect stopping point after a long offshore passage.

✔ Marsala: Famous for its wine, historic center, and well-equipped marinas, great for refueling and restocking.

✔ Egadi Islands: Favignana & Levanzo offer stunning anchorages, making for a relaxing reward after the offshore journey.

✔ Sciacca: A lesser-known gem with a mix of fishing village charm and ancient history.

Sailing to West Sicily from Malta is a more challenging offshore passage, offering a perfect opportunity for advanced mile-building, navigation skills, and offshore sailing experience.

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🌊 Which Route is Best for You?

✔ Malta to East Sicily (90–110NM) → Ideal for first-time offshore skippers, shorter and more protected.

✔ Malta to West Sicily (150–180NM) → Best for advanced mile-building, extended offshore sailing, and endurance training.

Both passages offer fantastic offshore sailing experience, perfect for RYA Yachtmaster Offshore candidates, aspiring skippers, or those looking to push their sailing skills to the next level.

🚀 Ready to take on an offshore passage? Whether heading to Syracuse or Trapani, training in Malta and Sicily is the best way to build your offshore sailing confidence!