The islands surrounding Sicily are some of the most extraordinary and least-crowded shooting locations in the Mediterranean. From the volcanic drama of Stromboli to the salt-white shores of Lampedusa and the windswept archaeology of Pantelleria, each island has its own distinct character and visual identity.
For brands looking for something genuinely unexpected and visually arresting, these islands offer a rare combination of beauty, remoteness, and atmosphere that is very hard to find anywhere else.
The Sicilian Islands attract brands and photographers who want to move beyond the expected. These are locations where the landscape itself does the creative heavy lifting – active volcanoes glowing at night, lava rock coastlines, old white dammuso houses, and seas so clear they look like they’ve been retouched.
The relative remoteness of these locations also means far fewer crowds and interruptions during your shoot. These islands work especially well for: avant-garde editorial and experimental campaigns, luxury lifestyle and travel content, natural beauty, and any brief calling for an unconventional or dramatic backdrop.
Island shoots require more careful advance planning than mainland productions – logistics including ferry crossings, private boat hire, equipment transport, and accommodation all need to be coordinated well ahead of time. We handle all of this, drawing on established relationships with island suppliers and local contacts built up over many years.
• Island-specific location scouting
• Ferry, boat, and private vessel coordination for crew and equipment transport
• Local crew sourcing on each island or transport of mainland crew as appropriate
• Equipment logistics and customs clearance where required
• Accommodation sourcing, including exclusive villa and estate bookings
• Permits for filming in protected natural areas and national parks
• Full day-to-day on-site production management
BEST SEASON May to June and September are ideal — accessible, warm, and with manageable tourist numbers. Some smaller islands have very limited accommodation and transport in peak summer.
ACCESS Most islands are reached by ferry or hydrofoil from Sicily’s ports (Milazzo, Trapani, Porto Empedocle). Panarea and Stromboli can be reached from mainland Calabria too. We coordinate all transfers.
SHOOT LEAD TIME We recommend 4-6 weeks for island shoots. Accommodation, boat hire, and equipment logistics need to be confirmed earlier than for mainland productions.
Planning a shoot on the Sicilian Islands? We’d love to talk it through:
info@sicilyproductions.com
We also produce shoots across Sicily and the wider Mediterranean — explore Sicily mainland, Sardinia, Puglia, the Amalfi Coast, Malta, Iceland, and Copenhagen for more production destinations.
Costs depend on the island, crew size, and logistics like boats and accommodation, as island shoots usually require a higher budget than mainland productions.
Yes, permits are often required, especially for protected areas, national parks, and specific island locations.
May to June and September are ideal, offering good weather, easier access, and fewer tourists.
Island shoots require planning for ferries, private boats, equipment transport, and accommodation in advance.
