Cape to Cape: the Gaeta and Circeo boat trip, from one headland to the other
06 Italian Charter organises a boat trip to Gaeta and Circeo aboard the yacht Blue, a Baia 49: a full-day private charter from one headland to the other, with a crew of three on board, departing from and returning to Porto Badino, Oasi Della Nautica in Terracina.
Why explore Gaeta by boat: a boat trip from one headland to another
Viewed from the sea, Gaeta reveals the split rock and the coves that the Circeo promontory merely hints at from the coastal road. Fifty-five miles of coastline stretch between the two headlands: cliffs plunging sheer into the water, deserted dunes at Sabaudia, and coves that can never be seen from the road. The boat trip from Gaeta sets off from the Circeo promontory – where tradition places the sorceress Circe from the Odyssey – and heads down to Gaeta, where the fortress is split by the vertical cleft of the Montagna Spaccata, which ends at the Grotta del Turco. In between lies Sperlonga, with the cave that Tiberius transformed into the empire’s dining hall, and the Temple of Jupiter Anxur perched on the mountain above Terracina. The entire route passes through parks and marine protected areas, where anchoring is permitted only at authorised points.
The appeal of a private charter lies in the exclusive use of the Blue, Baia 49: the captain, crew member and hostess/steward remain on board for the whole day, and the skipper chooses the anchorages based on the wind and sea conditions, without needing to consult other passengers. No sailing licence is required. Those looking for a shorter trip focusing solely on the Circeo side can opt for the half-day Circeo excursion.
The stages of your day
The day’s trip follows the coastline from one headland to another, from Circeo to Gaeta, with stops for a swim and lunch on board along the way.
Click to discover the stage
The Circeo looms straight ahead
We board the boat at around nine o’clock at the Oasi Della Nautica and get to know the crew whilst the captain explains the day’s route. The Blue leaves the channel heading west: the engine roars into full throttle and the bow cuts through the water, leaving two trails behind. After twenty minutes and seven miles at sea, the Circeo promontory looms ahead of the bow – five hundred and forty-one metres of rock plunging straight into the sea. Tradition links it to Circe, the sorceress of the Odyssey who held Ulysses captive here for a whole year.
Punta Rossa, where the blue deepens
We skirt the southern flank of the promontory at walking pace, within the Circeo National Park, where the rock gives way to a row of caves just above the water’s surface. At the tip, the Capo Circeo lighthouse comes into view, and we maintain a slow speed throughout the passage. Then the engine cuts out at Punta Rossa: the reddish cliff face drops sheer, the seabed plunges abruptly, and the water is not turquoise but a blue that seems almost thick. This is where we take the first dip of the day.
Torre Paola and the dunes of Sabaudia
We round the tip of the headland and the landscape changes in an instant: behind us lies the vertical cliff face of Circeo; ahead, kilometres of golden dunes stretch to the horizon, without a single house in sight. Behind the sand, you can just make out Lake Paola, enclosed by the tower that guards its entrance. We stop to look for a few minutes, then Blue turns eastwards towards Gaeta.
Twenty-two miles eastwards
The bow turns eastwards and we cross the entire gulf in just under an hour, twenty-two miles off the coast of Porto Badino and Terracina, with the Temple of Jupiter Anxur perched on the hill behind us. It’s the fastest stretch of the day: the wind in our faces, the coastline sweeping past, and the distinct feeling of heading towards something else.
Lunch at Caletta delle Bambole
Sperlonga comes into view all at once, a cluster of white houses clinging to the rock, and a little further south lies the cave that Tiberius transformed into the empire’s dining hall. We stop just beyond, at Caletta delle Bambole: pale sand between two rocky spurs, a cave in the side of the cliff, water shifting from green to turquoise to blue. We set the table in the cockpit, in the shade of the awning, with a light lunch from the ship’s galley, and the second swim of the day comes sooner or later, as the mood takes us.
Arenauta and the fortress of Gaeta
In the afternoon, we sail down the coast of Aeneas, between the Flacca Antica and the cave named after Virgil’s hero, as far as the Arenauta: the beach that can only be reached from land by descending three hundred steps, with golden sand beneath the cliff and a turquoise sea that, against the pale background, looks almost retouched. This is where we take our third swim of the day. The final dip is beneath the Fortress of Gaeta, where the mountain is split by a vertical crevice that descends to the sea and ends at the Grotta del Turco.
Disembarkation at Porto Badino
Fourteen miles with the low sun at our backs, the coastline unravelling in reverse and the Circeo reappearing on the horizon – the very same headland that lay beneath our bow this morning. We stay at the bow to let the wind dry us off, our hair stiff with salt, whilst our phones fill up with photos that will never quite capture the scene as it really is. In a single day, we see two headlands, two parks and four different seas. We’re due to disembark at Porto Badino around half past six.
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
Yacht and crew
Exclusive use of the Blue, Bay 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 Gaeta, 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 upon 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 group making the booking, with no other guests on board.
How long does the day last?
The Gaeta 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 programme, 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; a light lunch on board, with table service, is arranged separately with the crew.
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 the air is cooler at sea 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 slippers can be provided on request. For their safety whilst at sea, pets must remain ashore.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes: the order of Punta Rossa, the Sabaudia dunes, Caletta delle Bambole, Arenauta and Montagna Spaccata may change depending on the weather and sea conditions, and the skipper will choose the best sequence for the day. The route passes through nature reserves and marine protected areas, so we only anchor where permitted, in authorised waters: the crew will sort out the necessary permits before departure.
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 Gaeta boat trip depends on the options chosen in consultation with the crew: the duration of the day, a light lunch or provisions on board, any extra time to extend the return journey, and private transfers 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 boat trip to Gaeta and Circeo
Private charter · three-person crew · departing from Porto Badino · full day, 9.00–18.30 · lunch on request
Book now to reserve your boat trip to Gaeta and Circeo with Blue, Baia 49: with a crew on board, sailing from one headland to the next until sunset.