A Day in Ponza: a boat trip around Ponza, from cove to cove
06 Italian Charter organises a boat trip to Ponza 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, at the Oasi Della Nautica in Terracina.
Why explore Ponza by boat: private yachts and charter services from Terracina
Viewed from the sea, Ponza reveals its natural pools, sea stacks and coves that are inaccessible or off-limits when approached by land. The island is the largest of the Pontine Islands, in the Tyrrhenian Sea: tuff cliffs plunging sheer into the water, pools carved out by erosion on the western slope towards Le Forna, white and pink cliffs that change colour in the afternoon, and a Bourbon-era harbour built in the 18th century. A yacht charter in Ponza takes you to these spots without the fixed timetables of a ferry and without the shared stops of a group tour.
The value of a crewed yacht lies in its exclusive use: the Blue, Baia 49, remains at the sole disposal of the group that has booked it; the skipper chooses the anchorages based on the day’s wind and sea conditions and adapts the order of the stops without consulting other passengers. No sailing licence is required: the skipper, deckhand and hostess remain on board for the entire day. Those wishing to venture beyond the island can opt for the Pontine Islands tour, whilst all routes departing from Porto Badino are listed in the dedicated section.
The stages of your day
The day unfolds from cove to cove: we set sail from Porto Badino at 9.00 am, sail 27 nautical miles at 22 knots, make seven stops amongst natural pools, sea stacks and cliffs, and disembark at 6.30 pm.
Click to discover the stage
The moment the coastline disappears
We board the boat at around nine o’clock at the Oasi Della Nautica, the warm teak beneath our bare feet, and get to know the crew whilst the skipper explains the day’s route. Blue leaves the channel and settles into her stride; the bow parts the water like two wings and the first spray of sea salt hits us. After half an hour’s sailing, there’s nothing left behind the stern.
The Natural Pools of Cala Feola
We arrive at Ponza from the western side, the one you can’t see from the harbour: pools carved out of the volcanic rock by erosion and refined over the centuries by the fishermen of Le Forna, who used them as shelters for their boats. The water is shallow, warm and still. You float with the seabed just a palm’s width away and the warm rock against your back, whilst the only sound is the sea flowing in and out of the crevices.
The Faraglioni of Lucia Rosa
We head down along the western coast, where the tuff drops straight down into the water and the cliff crumbles into spires and isolated rocks. The Faraglioni of Lucia Rosa are named after a local girl and mark the point where the rock breaks away from the coast: the seabed is clearly visible all the way down, and anyone who wishes can dive down with a mask and snorkel.
A stop in a cove
Around half past one, we seek out a sheltered cove and switch off the engine. On board, we take our time eating whatever we’ve brought with us, or the tender takes guests ashore to a restaurant booked in advance, serving fish caught that very morning. Those who’d rather not worry about it can rely on the on-board galley: tastes, allergies and preferences are agreed with the crew two days before departure.
Chiaia di Luna
The cruise continues at a leisurely pace towards the crescent-shaped Chiaia di Luna. Blue stops offshore, at a safe distance from the cliff: a hundred metres of white tuff stretching for almost half a kilometre in a curve, which glows with gold and pink in the afternoon. The beach has been closed for years due to the risk of rockfalls, and this makes it even more beautiful to view from the sea: no parasols, no voices, just the shadow rising from below and the muffled sound of the water lapping against the shore.
The lighthouse, the Pilate Caves and the Bourbon harbour
We round the southern tip beneath the Guardia lighthouse and pass in front of Pilate’s Caves, the basins that the Romans carved into the rock at water level to breed fish. Then the port of Ponza at reduced speed: the horseshoe-shaped harbour commissioned by Ferdinand IV of Bourbon and built from 1772 onwards to a design by Antonio Winspeare, the red of the warehouses on the quay, the yellow of the town hall, the pastel-coloured houses behind. From the village come music, voices, and the scent of fried food and lemons. The final swim is at Cala Frontone, then the bow turns back towards home.
Disembarkation at Porto Badino
The sun sets behind the island, setting the sea ablaze with orange. On board, people are still laughing; some are looking through their photos again, whilst others stay at the bow to let the wind dry their salt-crusted hair. We’re due to disembark at Porto Badino around half past six.
The timetable is a guide, and the order of the stops may change depending on the weather, sea conditions and the guests’ preferences: the captain adapts the route to the conditions on the day and keeps guests informed in the event 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
The Blue, Baia 49, will be reserved exclusively for the group for the whole day, with crew, departing from and returning to Porto Badino.
Find out more →On board
On board you’ll enjoy sailing, stops for swimming, snorkelling on request, a welcome glass of Prosecco and water throughout the day, with the tender always available for going ashore.
Find out more →On request
On request, we can arrange a light lunch served on board, a bespoke provisioning service, mooring at the port of Ponza, a wine list, towels and linen, extra time, and private transfers to and from Rome.
Find out more →La Blue, Bay 49
Blue is a 15.20-metre motor yacht built by Cantieri di Baia with twin inboard engines, and maintains a cruising speed of 22 knots, taking just over an hour to reach Ponza.
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
Book a private day trip away from the crowded beaches of Ponza, stopping off at various coves for a swim and returning at sunset.
Families
Step aboard a private boat with shaded areas, a loo and seating areas for children and adults, and a crew who take care of everything.
Groups and private events
We organise birthday parties, anniversaries and stag or hen parties for up to 10 people on board, including the crew.
The skipper remains on board throughout the day and none of the guests must 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, it is a private charter. Blue, Baia 49, is for the exclusive use of the group making the booking, with no other guests on board and no shared stops.
How long does the day last?
The day runs from 9.00 am to 6.30 pm, from Porto Badino to Porto Badino. We’ll be waiting for you 30 minutes beforehand in the lounge area of the Oasi Della Nautica, where a member of the crew will welcome you; boarding is at 9.00 am with a briefing from the captain, and we set sail at 9.15 am. It’s 27 miles at 22 knots – just over an hour’s sailing – making a total of 54 miles there and back.
Are stops for swimming included?
Yes, stops for a swim are included in the day’s programme. The skipper chooses the anchorage points based on wind, swell and crowd levels, and stops are made only where anchoring is permitted, in the authorised waters of the marine protected areas we pass through.
Is it possible to go snorkelling?
Yes, snorkelling is available on request during stops in coves. At the Faraglioni di Lucia Rosa, the seabed is clearly visible right to the bottom, making it the perfect spot to dive in with a mask and snorkel.
Is food included?
A welcome glass of Prosecco and water are included throughout the day; lunch is arranged separately. You can choose a light lunch prepared and served on board by the hostess, a bespoke meal planned with the crew two days before departure, or a restaurant ashore booked in advance, reached by tender.
What should I bring on board?
Bring your swimwear 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, bath towels and on-board linen can be provided on request. For their safety whilst at sea, pets must remain ashore.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes, the itinerary may change. The order in which we visit Cala Feola, the Faraglioni di Lucia Rosa, Chiaia di Luna, the Guardia lighthouse and Cala Frontone depends on the weather and sea conditions on the day, and it is the skipper who chooses the best sequence. Chiaia di Luna is always best admired from the sea, with the Blue anchored at a safe distance from the cliff: the beach has been closed for years due to the risk of rockfalls.
How many people can come on board?
Up to 10 guests can come ashore, out of an authorised capacity of 12 people on board, including the crew. The crew consists of three people: the captain, a deckhand and a hostess.
How much does it cost?
The quote depends on what you agree with the crew: provisions or a restaurant on shore, any mooring at the port of Ponza, extra time to adjust the return time, and private transfers to and from Rome. Fuel, crew and insurance are always included, with no additional charges at the end of the day. Message us on WhatsApp or give us a call for rates and availability.
Book your boat trip to Ponza
Private charter with a crew of three, departing from Porto Badino, full day from 9.00 to 18.30, provisions and lunch available on request.