Italy, Gulf of Naples and the Amalfi Coast
From Procida or Castellammare a week covers Ischia, Capri, the Sorrento peninsula and the Amalfi Coast in legs of 8 to 20 NM, with Vesuvius on the horizon and the best food of any charter area in Italy; the trade-off is marina prices and swell, so plan Capri as a lunch stop and the nights in the quieter bays.
YACHT TYPES
Sailing yachts 36 to 50 ft from Procida and Castellammare, catamarans 40 to 45 ft, motor yachts and traditional gozzo day boats for Capri; crewed yachts from Naples itself.
A typical week from Procida
Saturday to Saturday. The loop runs anticlockwise so that the Amalfi Coast comes mid-week with the wind on the beam and Capri at lunch.
Day 1, Procida to Ischia (10 NM). Round to Sant'Angelo on the south coast for the anchorage and the thermal springs, or Forio for the harbour and the sunset.
Day 2, to Capri and Nerano (20 NM, then 6 NM). Across the gulf to the Faraglioni; lunch and a swim at Marina Piccola, a look into the Blue Grotto from the tender if the sea is flat, then on to Marina del Cantone at Nerano for a quieter and cheaper night than the Capri harbour.
Day 3, to Positano and Amalfi (13 NM). Past the Li Galli islets to the buoys off Positano, then Amalfi harbour for the night and the cathedral steps.
Day 4, to Cetara or Salerno (12 NM). The end of the coast: Cetara's anchovies and small harbour, or Salerno's Marina d'Arechi with space and a city.
Day 5, back to Nerano and the Ieranto bay (18 NM). Baia di Ieranto under Punta Campanella, a protected area with buoys, the swim of the week.
Day 6, to Sorrento (8 NM). Marina Piccola under the cliffs, the town above by lift, dinner in the old streets.
Day 7, to Procida (20 NM). Across the gulf past Naples, back to the marina by late afternoon.
Two weeks take in the Pontine islands: Ventotene (22 NM from Ischia) and Ponza with its anchorages of Chiaia di Luna and Cala Feola, then the return via Ischia. Both are in our Naples itineraries.
Practical points for a Naples charter
Licences and protected areas
Italian rules: a recognised sailing licence or ICC plus a VHF certificate. Two marine protected areas set the rules for anchoring: the Regno di Nettuno around Ischia and Procida, and Punta Campanella from Sorrento to Positano, with no-anchoring zones on the Posidonia and buoys at Ieranto and Nerano.
Wind and sea
Summer winds are light: a sea breeze of 8 to 15 knots from the west or south-west after noon and calm mornings, so plan on motoring part of each day. The Libeccio from the south-west brings swell into every anchorage on the Amalfi side and Capri's Marina Piccola; the Tramontana from the north does the same to the north coast of the peninsula. September and October have more wind and the odd thunderstorm.
Moorings and fees
The gulf is the most expensive mooring in Italy after the Costa Smeralda: Capri's Marina Grande from 300 euros a night for a 45 ft yacht in season and often full, the Positano buoys 100 to 250 euros, Amalfi 150 to 300 euros; Procida, Ischia and Salerno are half that, and the anchorages at Sant'Angelo, Ieranto and Nerano are free or a modest buoy fee. Book Amalfi and Capri days ahead in July and August.
Getting there
Naples airport to Pozzuoli is 30 minutes, then a 40-minute ferry to Procida; hydrofoils also leave from Molo Beverello in the city. Castellammare is 40 minutes by car from the airport. Provisioning: supermarkets in Procida town and Castellammare, deliveries to the marina on request.
Is a night in Capri worth it?
Only if the budget allows and you book weeks ahead. Lunch at Marina Piccola and the night at Nerano gives you Capri without the bill.
Can we reach Ponza in a week?
Not comfortably: Ventotene is 22 NM from Ischia and Ponza another 20. Take two weeks, or do the Pontines and skip the Amalfi Coast.
Bareboat or skippered here?
The harbours are tight, the moorings stern-to and the swell sets in fast: first-time Mediterranean crews take a skipper for the Amalfi days, and many take one for the week.
What does Seeksail need to advise us?
Dates, cabins, licence held, skipper or not, Amalfi or Pontines, and we shortlist three yachts from Procida or Castellammare with a recommendation.
PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE
More destination-specific guides are being prepared.
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