We left Naxos at four in the morning and headed north through the Strait of Messina. Timing the tide worked well until near Messina, where the south-flowing current and a westerly wind caught us.

Through the Strait

The famous whirlpools were visible in the changing water but caused us no difficulty. We also saw the distinctive local swordfish boats, with their high spotting masts and very long bowsprits.

Tropea again

On leaving the Strait the wind decided our destination. Rather than head for the Aeolian Islands we sailed north in about 15 knots to Tropea. After washing Malua in the marina we climbed the long flight of steps to the old town, a place I remembered well from my birthday visit in 2007.