Sailing the Gulf of Naples

Season : April to OctoberLevel : Beginner to intermediateWind : Gentle thermal breezes, ferry wash

The Gulf of Naples is an amphitheatre: Vesuvius as the backdrop, three star islands — worldly Capri, thermal Ischia, authentic Procida — and the Amalfi coast as an encore for those pushing to Positano. Distances are short, culture is everywhere, and the food alone justifies the trip.

This is a basin you sail early and late: at midday in summer, ferries and motoscafi churn the water. Our method: anchor at Capri before 9 am, explore on foot while the crowds pour in, and put to sea again at 5 pm as they pour out.

Rent a sailboat — Gulf of Naples

See prices

Route

The itineraries — Gulf of Naples

Weekend

Option 1 — Naples › Procida › Ischia, round trip

The perfect three-day escape: Procida's Corricella — southern Italy's prettiest harbour —, Ischia's thermal springs, and under 25 miles all told.

Day	Leg	Distance	Highlights
Day 1	Naples › Procida	12 nm	Anchor off the Corricella, linguine with langoustines for dinner.
Day 2	Procida › Ischia (Sant'Angelo)	10 nm	Around the island's west, buoy at Sant'Angelo, Sorgeto hot springs.
Day 3	Ischia › Naples	16 nm	Home past the Aragonese castle, arriving before the afternoon breeze.

7 days

Option 2 — The full gulf with Capri and the Amalfi coast

A week of about 110 miles: Procida, Ischia, two nights around Capri and the out-and-back to Positano and Amalfi, with the best time windows to dodge the summer crowds.

Day	Leg	Distance	Highlights
Days 1–2	Naples › Procida › Ischia	22 nm	The Corricella, then the springs — the gulf's gentle side.
Days 3–4	Ischia › Capri	18 nm	The Faraglioni at dawn, Marina Piccola, the walk to Villa Jovis.
Days 5–7	Capri › Positano › Amalfi › Naples	55 nm	The Amalfi coast from the sea, home via the Sorrento peninsula.

When to go

When to go — Gulf of Naples

JFMAMJJASOND

Rent a sailboat — Italy

Compare boats

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit Capri by boat without breaking the bank?

Capri's harbour is Italy's most expensive (€400+ a night in August for 40 ft). Our solution: day-anchor at the Faraglioni or Marina Piccola (sand, 8–12 m), explore ashore, then overnight at Nerano or back on Ischia. Capri is to be savoured, not slept in.

Is the Amalfi coast doable by sailboat?

Yes, as an excursion from Capri or Salerno: Positano and Amalfi have no real yacht harbour, so you anchor in 15–25 m or take a (pricey) summer buoy. The ideal: motor along the coast early, lunch at anchor, sleep elsewhere.

Is Procida really worth the stop?

It is our favourite island in the gulf: the Corricella at sunrise, without a single tourist, beats any faraglione. Italian Capital of Culture 2022, it remains surprisingly unspoilt. Anchor off the Corricella (sand, 5–8 m) and climb to Terra Murata.