The Riviera of Ulysses: a boat trip from Sperlonga to Gaeta, from cave to cave
06 Italian Charter organises a boat trip to Sperlonga and Gaeta on the yacht Blue, a Baia 49: a half-day private charter with a crew of three on board, departing from Porto Badino, Oasi Della Nautica in Terracina, in one of the two available time slots, Morning Cruise or Afternoon Cruise.
Why explore Sperlonga and Gaeta by boat: Tiberius’s Cave as seen from the sea and a boat trip in Gaeta
From the sea, the Riviera di Ulisse reveals the caves, imperial villas and coves that the coastal road merely hints at. The stretch between Sperlonga and Gaeta is the coastline the Romans chose two thousand years ago: cliffs plunging straight into the sea, coves invisible from the road, and white villages clinging to the rock face. Sperlonga is home to the Grotta di Tiberio, the natural cave that the emperor transformed into a dining room overlooking the sea and where, in 1957, sculptural groups dedicated to Ulysses were discovered; these are now housed in the town’s museum. The boat trip to Gaeta, on the other hand, takes in Monte Orlando, where the ‘Split Mountain’ opens up into a vertical fissure visible only from the water, and the Grotta di Enea, which Virgil linked to the very name of the town.
The appeal of a private charter lies in the exclusive use of the Blue, Baia 49: the skipper chooses the moorings 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, crew member and hostess/steward remain on board for the entire trip. Those who prefer to spend more time at sea along this coast can opt for the full-day ‘Cape to Cape’ trip to Circeo.
The stages of your trip out to sea
From the start in Porto Badino to the return, a half-day trip comprising eight stops between Sperlonga and Gaeta, with two stops for a swim along the coast.
Click to discover the stage
The moment the harbour disappears
We get to know the crew and listen to the skipper’s briefing as we board the Blue at the Oasi Della Nautica. The engine roars into life, the bow cuts through the water, and the port of Terracina fades away behind us. Terracina glides past on the starboard side, with the Temple of Jupiter Anxur perched on the hill, whilst Mount Circeo recedes astern. From here on, there is nothing but the open sea stretching out to the south-east.
Sperlonga as no one else sees it
After setting off, Sperlonga appears all at once before the bow: a cluster of white houses clinging to the rock, the narrow streets winding down towards the water, the little harbour on the eastern side. Those arriving by car see it from behind; from the sea, however, you can see how it was built to be admired. The Blue glides slowly beneath the village, giving you plenty of time to look.
The cave that Tiberius claimed for himself
Just south of the village lies the Grotta di Tiberio, the cave that the emperor transformed into the dining hall of his empire: the rock vault above, the fishpond in the centre, the sea just a stone’s throw from where the triclinia once stood. In 1957, the large sculptural groups dedicated to Ulysses were removed from here; they are now housed in the village museum. The Blue passes slowly beneath the cliff face, and this is how one can view Tiberius’s Cave from the sea without going ashore.
The Bambole Cove
The engine cuts out in front of a strip of pale sand wedged between two rocky outcrops, below Torre Capovento: this is Caletta delle Bambole, with a cave opening out from the side of the cliff and water that shifts from green to turquoise to blue. There’s no road leading there: you either climb down into the water from the deck, swim with a snorkel, or get taken ashore by the tender. It’s the first swimming stop of the day, and it lasts a good half an hour.
Into the Aeneid, at reduced speed
We set off again slowly along the most beautiful stretch of the coast: the cliffs drop vertically, occasionally broken up by a small beach or a cave at water’s edge – the Flacca Antica and then the Grotta di Enea. It is not a made-up name: according to Virgil, it was here that Aeneas buried his wet nurse Caieta, and Gaeta takes its name from her. We sail at a reduced speed, with the coast within easy reach.
Monte Orlando and the Montagna Spaccata
Once past Serapo and round Monte Orlando, the rock of Gaeta opens up into a vertical cleft that cuts through the mountain from the top down to the sea and ends inside the Grotta del Turco, with the sanctuary of the Holy Trinity clinging to the edge. Blue stops at the spot from which you can see the whole fortress in a single glance. Anyone who fancies it can dive into the deep blue waters beneath the cliff face: this is the second swimming stop of the trip.
L’Arenauta, the beach of the Trecento Gradini
On the way back, the final stop is at Arenauta: golden sand beneath the cliff, Mediterranean scrub behind, a turquoise so intense that against the pale seabed it looks as if it’s been retouched. From the shore, you reach it by descending three hundred steps carved into the rock; from the sea, you simply switch off the engine. It’s the most beautiful swim in the sea, saved especially for last.
Twelve miles and salt-crusted
The bow points north-west, the coastline unravels in reverse and Mount Circeo reappears on the horizon. We stay at the bow, letting the wind dry us off, our hair stiffened by the salt. We disembark at the Oasi Della Nautica, at the end of the twelve-mile return journey to Porto Badino.
The times shown are for the morning trip, the Morning Cruise: on the afternoon trip, the Afternoon Cruise, the whole schedule is shifted by six hours. In both cases, the itinerary is subject to change: the captain adjusts the route according to the wind, waves and weather conditions on the day, and the order of the stops may also change for technical reasons.
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 skipper
Exclusive use of the Blue, Baia 49, with crew for a half-day, on one of two departures (Morning Cruise or Afternoon Cruise), departing from and returning to Porto Badino, Oasi Della Nautica in Terracina.
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 half-day spent away from the crowded beaches of Sperlonga and Gaeta, with stops for a swim along the coast.
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 needs 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 trip last?
The Sperlonga and Gaeta boat trip lasts half a day – four hours – and is available on one of two scheduled times: the Morning Cruise from 8.30 am to 12.30 pm or the Afternoon Cruise from 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm. Guests are expected to arrive 30 minutes before boarding in the lounge area of the Oasi Della Nautica, where the skipper will hold a briefing before the trip.
Are stops for swimming included?
Yes, stops for swimming are included in the day’s itinerary, subject to sea conditions and the captain’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 throughout the trip. Lunch is not included in the basic fare: provisions on board can be arranged with the crew, or you can add the Dockside Aperitif served on board with a set table, both on request.
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 slippers can be provided on request. For their safety whilst at sea, pets must remain ashore.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes: the route from Sperlonga – passing beneath the Grotta di Tiberio, the Bambole, the Costa di Enea, the Montagna Spaccata at Gaeta and the Arenauta – may change depending on the weather and sea conditions, and it is the skipper who chooses the best sequence for the trip. Stops in the harbour follow the rules of the marine protected areas passed through: anchoring takes place only where permitted, in authorised waters, and 06 Italian Charter arranges the necessary authorisations 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 Sperlonga and Gaeta boat trip depends on the options chosen in consultation with the crew: provisions or an aperitif on board, any extra time to extend the trip, 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 Sperlonga and Gaeta
Private charter · three-person crew · departure from Porto Badino · half-day trip, morning or afternoon · aperitif and provisions on request