A Day in Ventotene: a boat trip from Ventotene to the furthest island
06 Italian Charter organises a boat trip to Ventotene on the yacht Blue, a Baia 49: a full-day private charter with a crew of three on board, departing from and returning to Porto Badino, Oasi Della Nautica in Terracina.
Why explore Ventotene by boat: the outermost island of the Pontine Islands
Ventotene can only be reached by boat, as it is the island furthest from Porto Badino in the Pontine archipelago – twenty-nine miles of open sea that no ferry service can turn into a trip lasting just a few hours.
It is the smallest of the inhabited Pontine Islands, and the one steeped in the most history: the Roman harbour carved out of tuff two thousand years ago, the remains of Augustus’s imperial villa on Punta Eolo, and, opposite, Santo Stefano with its circular Bourbon prison. Ventotene and Santo Stefano form a Marine Protected Area: around the two islands, anchors may only be dropped on authorised seabeds, never on the Posidonia seagrass beds, and the stretch of sea to the south of Santo Stefano is a strict nature reserve.
The appeal of a crewed yacht lies in its exclusive use: the Blue, Baia 49, is reserved solely for the group that books it, and the skipper chooses the anchorage points based on the day’s wind and sea conditions. It is the only one of 06 Italian Charter’s itineraries to include authorisation to access the Ventotene and Santo Stefano Marine Protected Area: we apply for this ourselves before departure, so the group simply enjoys the result – a sea unlike any other. No sailing licence is required: the skipper, crew member and hostess/steward remain on board for the entire day. For those wishing to see the coastline around Gaeta, Arenauta and Sperlonga more closely in half a day, there is ‘La Riviera di Ulisse’: the stretch of coastline that is only covered here on the return leg is the very route that this itinerary explores in its entirety.
The stages of your day
The Ventotene boat trip runs from 9.00 am to 6.30 pm, from the departure point at Porto Badino to the return, taking in the Roman harbour of Ventotene, Santo Stefano, the Montagna Spaccata, the Arenauta and Sperlonga.
Click to discover the stage
The moment the harbour disappears behind you
We board the boat at around nine o’clock at the Oasi Della Nautica, and get to know the crew whilst the skipper explains the day’s route. The Blue leaves the channel, heading south: the engine roars into full throttle, the bow cuts through the water, and after twenty minutes there’s nothing left behind us. It’s a proper crossing: the sea changes colour, the seabed drops away, and for an hour and twenty minutes there’s nothing but the group on board and the horizon – twenty-nine miles of open sea towards Ventotene.
The harbour carved out two thousand years ago
The island looms low and dark, a world away from the white cliffs of Ponza. The Roman harbour is the first marvel: an entire basin hewn out of tuff, with quays, warehouses and basins carved into the bedrock, still in place. A little further on, at Punta Eolo, lie the remains of the imperial villa where Augustus banished his daughter Julia. The first swim of the day is in one of the authorised coves, where the dark seabed makes the water seem even more crystal-clear.
The prison that stares back in silence
A mile from Ventotene stands Santo Stefano, a rocky cone topped by a circular building: the Bourbon prison commissioned by Ferdinand IV in 1795, built so that all the cells could be monitored from a single vantage point. It closed in 1965 and the island has been uninhabited ever since. Blue sails past it in silence, at the speed permitted within the marine reserve: we simply look at it from the sea, without disembarking.
Lunch in the cockpit or the tender ashore
Around half past twelve, the choice is yours: a table set in the cockpit, in the shade of the awning, with the mise en place provided by 06 Italian Charter, or the tender taking you ashore, amongst the colourful houses of the harbour, to have lunch in one of the island’s trattorias with fish caught that very morning. The tender remains available in both cases: those who wish to go ashore may do so, whilst those who prefer to stay on board may do so. Those who’d rather not worry about it can rely on the on-board galley: arrangements are made with the crew, with preferences and any dietary restrictions to be agreed upon two days before departure.
The gulf opening up ahead of the bow
In the early afternoon, the bow turns north-east and Ventotene grows smaller as we leave it astern. It’s an hour and a quarter’s sail with the sun high in the sky and the wind in our faces: to the right, the Gaeta headland; in the distance, Mount Circeo; and in between, the entire coastline we’re about to sail along – twenty-six miles towards the mainland.
The rock split in two
We arrive below Gaeta, along Serapo beach and beneath Monte Orlando, where the rock is cut by a vertical fissure that descends to the sea and ends in the Grotta del Turco, with the sanctuary of the Holy Trinity clinging to the edge. Blue stops at the spot from which the Montagna Spaccata can be seen in its entirety, and anyone who wishes can take a dip in the deep blue waters beneath the cliff face.
Three hundred steps and an emperor’s dining hall
A final swim at Arenauta, the golden beach which can only be reached from land by descending three hundred steps carved into the cliff face, with the water turning an almost unreal turquoise against the pale seabed. Then a slow passage beneath Sperlonga, with its white houses clinging to the rock and the cave where Tiberius built himself the most spectacular dining hall in the empire, before the final few miles home with the low sun at our backs. We are due to dock at the Oasi Della Nautica at 6.30 pm.
The timetables are a guide: the captain adjusts the route according to the wind, waves and weather conditions on the day, and informs guests of any technical changes.
PDF: the full itinerary with timetables and stops
What’s included in the day
Hover over or click on the panels to open them
Yachts and skippers
Exclusive use of the Blue, Baia 49, with crew for the whole day, departing from and returning to Porto Badino.
Find out more →On board
Cruising, stops for swimming, snorkelling on request; lunch and dinner can be booked 24 hours in advance.
Find out more →On request
Hostesses, luxury cars with drivers, event catering, wine selection.
Find out more →La Blue, Bay 49
Blue, Baia 49, is a 15.20-metre motor yacht built by Cantieri di Baia, fitted with twin inboard engines.
2 bathrooms · sun deck · air-conditioned lounge · no boat licence required
15.20 m
Overall length
12
People on board, including the crew
3
Cabins
6
Number of beds
On board with us
Who is this experience aimed at?
Couples
A private day out away from the crowded beaches of Ventotene, with stops for a swim and a return journey at sunset.
Families
Private boat with shaded areas, a toilet and seating areas for children and adults.
Groups and private events
Birthdays, anniversaries and stag/hen parties for up to 10 people.
The skipper stays on board all day, and none of the guests need to know how to sail the boat.
How much does it cost?
From €1,600
The final quote depends on the provisions, moorings and any extras agreed with the crew.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a private charter?
Yes, the boat trip is a private charter: Blue, Baia 49, is for the exclusive use of the booking group, with no other guests on board.
How long does the day last?
The Ventotene boat trip runs from Porto Badino to Porto Badino: guests are expected at 8.30 am in the lounge area of the Oasi Della Nautica; boarding is at 9.00 am, followed by a briefing from the skipper, and disembarkation is scheduled for 6.30 pm.
Are stops for swimming included?
Yes, stops for swimming are included in the day’s itinerary, subject to sea conditions and the skipper’s discretion.
Is snorkelling possible?
Yes, snorkelling is available on request during stops in the coves.
Is food included?
A welcome glass of Prosecco and water are included for the whole day; lunch can be arranged separately, either on board or ashore.
What should I bring on board?
You’ll need a swimsuit and a light change of clothes for the return journey, a light jumper as it’s cooler on the boat than on land, soft shoes with light-coloured soles (as dark ones leave marks on the teak), sun cream, a hat and sunglasses, and a form of ID for going ashore. Beach towels, towels and flip-flops are available on request. For their safety whilst sailing, pets must remain ashore.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes: the order of the stops at Ventotene, Santo Stefano, Montagna Spaccata, Arenauta and Sperlonga may change depending on the weather and sea conditions, and the skipper will choose the best sequence for the day. Anchorage points will, however, remain within the Ventotene and Santo Stefano Marine Protected Area, at authorised anchorages only: 06 Italian Charter requests access authorisation before departure, so the route can be adapted to suit the day without leaving the permitted areas.
How many people can come on board?
Up to 10 guests, with an authorised capacity of 12 people on board, including the crew.
How much does it cost?
The quote for the Ventotene boat trip depends on the options you choose in consultation with the crew: provisions (on board or at a restaurant on land in Ventotene, with transfer by tender), any extra time to extend the return journey, and private transfer to and from Rome. Any extras are paid for on return to Porto Badino; for a quote, please message us on WhatsApp or give us a call.
Book your day on a yacht in Ventotene
Private charter · three-person crew · departure from Porto Badino · full day, 9.00–18.30 · AMP permit included · lunch on request.