Two days in the Pontine Islands: the Ponza mini-cruise from Terracina, with one night at anchor
06 Italian Charter organises a mini-cruise to Ponza from Terracina aboard the yacht Blue, a Baia 49: two days and one night on board, with a crew of three, departing from and returning to Porto Badino, Oasi Della Nautica in Terracina.
Why explore Ponza by boat: the Pontine Islands mini-cruise with one night on board
From the sea, Ponza reveals its natural pools and sea stacks, which remain out of reach from the mainland, whilst a two-day boat trip broadens the view to include Palmarola, the Strait of Gavi and the uninhabited coast of Zannone. The island is the largest of the Pontine Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea: tuff cliffs plunging sheer into the water, the pools of Cala Feola carved out by erosion on the slope of Le Forna, and a harbour that comes alive in the afternoon with visitors from the mainland. Experiencing Ponza by boat over two days means adding to the single-day itinerary the stops that a single day doesn’t allow time for: Palmarola, with its Faraglioni di Mezzogiorno and the arches of the Cattedrali, the Gavi Strait between the cliff face and the rock, and Zannone, the wildest of the Pontine Islands, within the Circeo National Park, with mouflons on the slopes and the ruins of the abbey at the summit.
The real value of this Pontine Islands cruise lies in the time it offers: two full days of exclusive use of the Blue, Baia 49, with a night at anchor between the two days, when the engine is switched off and all that remains is a sky devoid of any lights on land. The skipper, crew member and hostess/steward remain on board for the entire duration, and the skipper chooses the anchorages and the sequence of stops based on wind and sea conditions, without having to consult any other passengers. No sailing licence is required. For those looking for the same experience in a single day, without spending the night on board, there’s the Pontine Islands tour.
The stages of your day
Two days, eight stops, one night with the engine off.
Click to discover the stage
DAY 1 — Palmarola and an afternoon in Ponza
The moment the land disappears
You board the boat at around nine o’clock at the Oasi Della Nautica. You meet the crew, the skipper briefs you on the two-day trip, and Blue leaves the channel: the engine roars into full throttle, the bow cuts through the water, and after half an hour, there’s nothing but sea behind you. And ahead of you lie two whole days.
The island without roads
Palmarola appears on the horizon like a sculpture, and the first thing that strikes you is the silence: once the engine is switched off, all that remains is the water lapping against the hull and the seagulls, higher up. No residents, no roads, just one restaurant that opens in the summer. First a swim off the Faraglioni di Mezzogiorno, then a slow climb up to the Cattedrali, where the sea has carved pointed arches into the rock that look as if they were made by human hands.
Dining in the cove
Around half past twelve, we return to a cove on the island and set the table in the cockpit, in the shade of the awning: crisp tablecloths, ice clinking in the glasses, the tableware arranged with the precision of a fine dining room. This is the mise en place by 06 Italian Charter, crafted from high-end acrylic glass. You can take your second swim before or after, as you please: here, time is yours. The daily menu is sourced from the on-board galley, with service included in this mini-cruise.
Cala Feola and the port of Ponza
Crossing to Ponza and a third swim at the Natural Pools of Cala Feola, the pools carved out of volcanic rock and refined over the centuries by the fishermen of Le Forna. Then the harbour: you disembark by tender and the afternoon is yours to spend as you wish. The pastel-coloured houses, the narrow streets and an aperitif on the jetty fill the hours before returning on board.
The anchor drops
At sunset, the Blue enters a sheltered cove and the anchor drops: the night on board begins, with the engine switched off until morning. Dinner is served in the cockpit, laid out by the crew, with the ‘black island’ framing the horizon and a sky that, without lights on land, takes on a whole new dimension. Six guests sleep on board in their cabins, and the crew remain on hand throughout the night. Those who prefer to dine ashore can take the tender to the port of Ponza, and we’ll sort out the booking for you. Then, if you fancy it, there’s the final swim, with the water warmer than the air.
DAY 2 — The north of the archipelago and the return journey
The first swim before coffee
You wake to find the boat barely moving and the sun still low over the water. The morning sea, in the roadstead, is smoother than you’ll ever see anywhere else: you take your first dip before breakfast, when there’s no one else around yet. Then coffee arrives in the cockpit and the second day begins.
Cala Cecata, Gavi and Zannone
The second day is the one the ferries miss. You sail up the northern coast of Ponza as far as Cala Cecata, then enter the Strait of Gavi, just a few dozen metres wide, with a cliff face on one side and the island on the other, and water so clear you can see right to the seabed. Further north, Zannone comes into view, the wildest of the Pontine islands: situated within the Circeo National Park, uninhabited, with mouflons on the slopes and the ruins of the abbey at the summit. We sail gently along its coast, and that is enough.
Disembarkation at Porto Badino
A final lunch on board in a quiet cove, then twenty miles with the sun high behind us. There’s more laughter on board; some people are looking through their photos again, whilst you stay at the bow, letting the wind dry your salt-stiffened hair – you’ve had two days’ worth of salt on you. We’re due to disembark at the Oasi Della Nautica at 6.30 pm, with the feeling that we’ve been away for much longer.
The timetables are just a guide: the captain adapts the route to the weather, sea conditions and your preferences, and will let you know in the event of any changes, including technical ones.
PDF: the full itinerary with timings and stops
What is included in the two days?
Hover over or click on the panels to open them
Yacht and skipper
Exclusive use of the Blue, Baia 49, with a crew of three for two days and one night, departing from and returning to Porto Badino.
Find out more →On board
Sailing, stops for swimming, snorkelling on request, meals on board included for both days, planned with the crew before departure.
Find out more →On request
Hostess, luxury car with driver, event catering, wine selection.
Find out more →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 weekend on a boat in Ponza and Palmarola, away from the crowded beaches, with stops for a swim and an overnight stay at anchor.
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 6 guests.
The skipper and crew remain on board for the duration of the trip, and guests do not 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 mini-cruise 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 mini-cruise last?
The Ponza mini-cruise from Terracina lasts two days and one night on board, from Porto Badino to Porto Badino: guests are expected at 8.30 am in the lounge area of the Oasi Della Nautica; boarding on the first day is at 9.00 am, followed by a briefing from the captain; disembarkation on the second day is scheduled for 6.30 pm.
Are stops for swimming included?
Yes, stops for swimming are included in the mini-cruise, subject to sea conditions and the captain’s discretion.
Is snorkelling possible?
Yes, snorkelling is available on request during stops at coves.
Is food included?
Yes: on this route, meals are included – the only difference compared to other routes. A welcome glass of Prosecco and water are included on both days, and meals on board are planned with the crew before departure, taking into account your preferences, allergies and dietary habits. A customised galley and menu, an on-board menu, and dinner ashore at the restaurant in Ponza are available on request, as is an additional night on board if required.
What should I bring on board?
For two days on board, you’ll only need a few things: a swimsuit and a light change of clothes, a jumper or a light raincoat as the air cools in the harbour in the evening, comfortable shoes with light-coloured soles or simply bare feet – which are always the best choice on board – sun cream, a hat and sunglasses. Bring a soft bag rather than a trolley: it fits under the berth. You’ll need ID to go ashore in Ponza. Beach towels, underwear and slippers can be provided on request. For their safety whilst sailing, pets must stay ashore.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes: the order of the stops between Palmarola, Ponza, Gavi and Zannone may change depending on the weather and sea conditions, and the captain will choose the best sequence for the two days. The cove chosen for the night at anchor also depends on the conditions at the time: the crew always selects a sheltered anchorage within the authorised areas. Zannone is always sailed past from the sea, within the Circeo National Park: it is never a stop for disembarking.
How many people can come on board?
Up to 6 guests can sleep on board in Ponza during the mini-cruise, in accordance with the authorised cabin capacity: 3 cabins, 6 berths, excluding the crew. This is different from day trips, where Blue can accommodate up to 10 people: overnight stays limit capacity to the number of available beds. The night is spent on board, at anchor in a cove within the archipelago, not ashore.
How much does it cost?
The quote for the Ponza mini-cruise from Terracina depends on the options you choose in consultation with the crew: the provisions and bespoke menu, any dinner ashore at a restaurant in Ponza, the on-board menu, towels and linen, mooring at the port of Ponza, any extra time, any additional night on board, and private transfers to and from Rome. Any extras are settled on your return to Porto Badino; for a quote, please message us on WhatsApp or give us a call.
Book your Ponza mini-cruise from Terracina
private charter · three-person crew · departure from Porto Badino · two days and one night at anchor · meals included on board