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Yacht sailing holidays & skippered tours in Pontine Islands

Sailing in the Pontine Islands among the jewels of the Tyrrhenian Sea in the Gulf of Gaeta. A cruise or a short weekend discovering Ponza, Ventotene, Palmarola, Zannone, Gavi and Santo Stefano are the perfect perfect for a holiday of history and nature.

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Sailing holidays that suit all budgets

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Reviews - Yacht sailing holidays & skippered tours in Pontine Islands

2076 reviews

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Midweek relaxing in the Pontine Islands

09/15/2025

Francesco M.

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Italy

The real value of this short cruise was the skipper Mirko, a seafarer of great experience, calm and pleasant company, who accompanied us with safety and fun to the most beautiful and characteristic corners of the Pontine Islands, always beautiful and that he knows deeply.
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Pontine Islands aboard a splendid 16-meter sailboat

09/15/2025

Giorgio R.

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Italy

I would not recommend an experience on the Claudia boat. What was missing, first of all, was the feeling of freedom that a person seeks when choosing to sail. Leonardo is certainly a prepared skipper and very attached to his boat, but he did not seem suitable for the role of tourist skipper: he appeared too attentive to his own needs and not enough to those of his guests. From the beginning, he and his wife welcomed us with a list of prohibitions and rules, without any enthusiasm or desire to convey the joy of making us experience a beautiful holiday. They did not try to involve or create a group, and every time they set a limit or a prohibition they did so in a rigid manner, often accompanied by looks of mutual impatience that conveyed contempt rather than attention. Just a few practical examples: After each swim it was mandatory to change your swimsuit in the stern platform, preparing it in advance with a dry towel, and you could move from there only if completely dry. To smoke it was necessary to ask permission every time, and you could only do it in the stern platform/platform, and only if you "could no longer resist". At the simple request to open the awning we witnessed quarrels and screams. The passage by tender to the port of Ponza was explicitly denied despite the fact that we were at anchor in the port 50 meters from land, saying that he did not consider the idea of picking us up (without any of us having previously said he wanted to be late, otherwise it would have been understandable) and that there was a taxi boat for a fee. His wife Elena, if on the one hand cared a lot about the internal cleanliness of the boat (the bathrooms were in fact well cared for), on the other hand did not contribute to creating a relaxed atmosphere: she watched over every action done in the kitchen or below deck, rather than helping us feel at ease. What really left us stunned was the total lack of respect for the sea: several times we were asked to throw everything into the water – cigarette butts, napkins, fruit, toothpicks – and each time we refused. Such a request, from those who should love and protect the sea, we would never have expected. Although we were in an ideal context, we practically never sailed, except for about twenty minutes. To every request the answer was that there was "too much wind" or "too little wind", even when the conditions seemed favorable, there was no hurry and other boats sailed with their sails unfurled in the same direction. Finally, a very serious aspect was the failure to respect the maximum number of people on board: an extra seat was rented and I found myself sleeping in the dinette, despite having paid for a cabin. A few days earlier I had been asked to move to a bunk cabin, indicated on sailsquare as an additional 'skipper cabin', with the motivation of not creating a mixed cabin that could embarrass another guest. I had given partial availability to evaluate the spaces, being very high, and the real needs, but the management was incorrect and I felt "cheated". In reality, an additional place had been rented. To make the situation worse, Sailsquare's assistance proved to be completely insufficient and at times inquisitive. After several previous positive experiences, I wonder what is the point of relying on Sailsquare and not on other channels if, in times of real need, you do not receive any support. The Pontine Islands have very interesting scenery and a beautiful sea. The Ponzesi with whom we interacted seemed to us to be exquisite, welcoming and friendly people. Positive notes: The boat is very nice and comfortable for ten people (only the eleventh was missing a seat at the table). The management of fuel expenses was extremely correct with what was indicated and spent.
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Midweek relaxing in the Pontine Islands

09/14/2025

Maria Cristina F.

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Italy

A three-day event at the Pontine decidedly at the top. Brand new and very comfortable boat, experienced skipper who gave us a lot of safety and very willing to meet our every need, wonderful places and travel companions, surprisingly, of excellent company. Relaxation, nature and fun at once!! Highly recommended!
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Midweek relaxing in the Pontine Islands

09/14/2025

Viviana G.

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Italy

Very happy with the experience

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8 reasons to take a holiday or a weekend sailing trip to the Pontine Islands

  • Little inhabited during the year (but not in summer), they have maintained their typically Mediterranean charm with multicoloured volcanic rocks, jagged coastline and deep, transparent waters.
  • The short distance from each other and the coastline, as well as their small size, make these islands an ideal meta for a mini-cruise or a weekend sailing trip.
  • The seabed is of an unprecedented variety and beauty. A spectacle for diving amidst walls covered in gorgonians and red algae, the wrecks of sunken warships and the strip of submerged land that links Ponza to the island of Zannone.
  • Have fun in the Djset clubs of Ponza and do morning dancing on the Beach of Frontone.
  • Try all the little restaurants in the port where you can enjoy typical Ponza dishes such as spaghetti with crab fello and cianfotta.
  • Visit the characteristic houses dug into the rock of Palmarola, inhabited only during the summer period.
  • Discover beaches, caves and cliffs of spectacular colours that can only be reached from the sea.
  • Be enchanted by the pastel-coloured fishermen's and sailor's villages, which preserve the genuine soul of the archipelago.

The best places to visit during a weekend or a sailing holiday in the Pontine Islands

A long weekend would be enough to savour the taste of these islands, and yet you will immediately want to return for an entire sailing holiday: the largest is Ponza, connected by a submerged isthmus to Zannone, then there are the islands of Ventotene, Palmarola, Santo Stefano and finally the tiny, jagged island of Gavi. In every corner you can admire the thousand colours of the sea, the rocks and the vegetation. Setting sail to discover this Tyrrhenian paradise is a unique experience of history, nature and vitality.

Ponza sailing

With its 8 square kilometres, Ponza is the largest island in the Pontine Islands and is, without doubt, the best starting point for a sailing holiday in the Pontine Islands. From the boat you can reach Chia di Luna, one of the most beautiful spots, with the possibility of visiting Circe's caves. In addition to the beautiful beaches, picturesque coves and small port, there is a small village with romantic alleyways and quaint craft shops just waiting to amaze you with their fresh and unusual simplicity.

For dive enthusiasts, the seabed of this island offers an unparalleled spectacle, such as the religious remains of ships sunk in the war, or the strip of submerged land that links Ponza to the island of Zannone, which has been part of the Circeo National Park since 1979. The restaurants in the characteristic fishing village of Ponza are famous for serving traditional dishes based on freshly caught fish.

At Palmarola you must not miss a visit to Cala Brigantina, so called because in the eighteenth century it offered shelter to pirate boats. Here you can visit the grottos of Punta Mezzogiorno and cool off in its emerald waters.
This island is one of those places that can enchant you with its enchanting landscapes above and below sea level. Grab a mask and snorkel and dive into the coves of Cala del Francese and Punta Tramontana, where you can admire the spectacle of the 'Cathedrals'.

Ventotene and Santo Stefano by sailboat

You won't need much time to discover Ventotene and Santo Stefano. In fact, they are two small islands built around the ancient and wonderful Roman port. Ventotene will amaze you with the beauty of its bays, such as Cala dell'Acqua, Cala di Feola and the Faraglioni di Lucia Rosa, where a swim in the pools carved out of the tuff is a must. Santo Stefano, on the other hand, is completely wild and uninhabited, where you can visit the Bourbonic prison, the old jail built by Ferdinand IV of Bourbon and in use until 1965.

4 Things to know for a sailing or catamaran holiday in the Pontine Islands

  • The best time to sail in the Pontine archipelago is from April to October when the temperatures are warmer, the mistral winds freshen the air and the islands come alive with popular festivals such as the feast of the patron saint San Silverio on 20 June, the Ponziana sailing week in early July or the fish festival in mid-August.
  • The Pontine archipelago is the ideal place for those who want a vacation in close contact with nature. Far from stress, these islands promise an escape from reality and a genuine life made up of fishermen's villages, culinary traditions with Neapolitan influences and "all night long" entertainment.
  • The islands are reachable from the Latium coast and most embarkations take place from the port of Formia, Terracina or Nettuno. The ports are easily reached by motorway and direct rail links from Rome and Naples, where there are international airports.
  • At the Pontine Islands you can rent a whole boat with skipper or board individually. Prices range from €200 per person for 2 days to €600-800 for a week. In short, a holiday to suit everyone's availability and expectations.

Pontine Islands: the best travel ideas

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