Pelagic Islands

(Local Name: Pelagie, Isole) Province: Agrigento

Communications

Shipping links from Porto Empédocle (Agrigento)-Linosa-Lampedusa (7 to 9 hours) and Trapani-Pantelleria-Linosa-Lampedusa (25 hours), by air from Trapani-Lampedusa.

Location

The Pelagic Islands, Isole Pelagie, are made up of Lampedusa, Linosa and the uninhabited island of Lampione, and are the southernmost group of Sicilian islands, being 200 and 160km/125 and 100mi respectively from Sicily and only 110km/68mi from Tunis. Lacking in vegetation and springs, they tend to be rather neglected by tourists in spite of some scenic places of interest. Attempts to encourage tourism are being aided by a desalination plant, constructed in 1973 by the Cassa per il Mezzogiorno, which helps to make up for the lack of drinking water.

There are no made-up roads outside Porto Vecchio, only rough paths. Thanks to the clear water and rich sea-life (giant perch, bream, eagle-fish, swordfish, etc.) there are opportunities for underwater fishing for those prepared to make do with the only boarding house, private accommodation or a tent.