Pelagic Islands Attractions Pelagie, Isole
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.
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.
Read More
Lampione Island
The uninhabited island of Lampione (180m/200yds wide and 200m/220yds long) lies 18km/11mi west of Lampedusa.
Linosa Island
Linosa, the smaller island in the group, lies 42km/26mi north of Lampedusa, covers 5.43sq.km/2 sq.mi and has a population of about 500. It is made of basalt, lava and tuff-stone, ashes and volcanic stone fragments, and has five extinct volcanoes. The highest point is the 195m/640ft high Montagna Rossa. Macchia (gum-trees and euphorbia) account for most of the plant life. Figs and vines are cultivated in the fields. The only town is Porto Vecchio on the south coast, whose inhabitants live mainly from fishing and agriculture.
