Boat Tour to Procida and Ischia, discover Private Secret Beaches

The best part of this private boat day is the access. Andrea takes you to sea caves, rocky swimming spots, and beaches that are difficult or impossible to reach by land. You can swim through the Roman fishponds at Capo Miseno, snorkel beside Vivara, and float in quiet coves around Procida.

I like the small group of up to five and the family touch from Andrea, Roberta, and their daughter Maya. I also like the freedom to shape the day around swimming, lunch, snorkeling, or time ashore in Corricella. The main consideration is the cost: $583.79 per group before fuel, lunch, ice cream, and any paid towing activity.

Key points to know

• Roman-era swimming stop: At Capo Miseno, you can swim into the Peschiere di Lucullo, a set of six caves once used as fishponds.
• Hard-to-reach coves: Punta Ottimo and Punta di Pizzaco are reached from the sea, not by an easy road or beach path.
• Snorkeling equipment included: Fins, masks, and an inflatable island are available for the group.
• Flexible lunch plan: Eat cold dishes on board, or pay for lunch at a restaurant near Corricella.
• Family-run service: Andrea, Roberta, and Maya provide a personal approach, with special care for families and cruise passengers.
• Extra costs matter: Fuel, lunch, Corricella gelato, and optional towable toys are not included.

A private day on Procida’s swimming side

This is not a sightseeing cruise where you spend most of the day looking at islands from a crowded deck. It is a swimming-focused outing with a private boat, several water stops, and time to relax between them.

The boat carries a maximum of five people. That small size changes the mood. You are not trying to find a spare seat or follow a large group into the water. You can talk with Andrea about how long you want to swim, where to eat, and how much time you want on shore.

The advertised title mentions Procida and Ischia, but the detailed route describes Capo Miseno and several points around Procida. It does not list a stop on Ischia. If seeing Ischia is essential to you, confirm the route before booking.

The tour begins at 8:30 a.m. from Via Lucullo in Baia, near Bacoli, and lasts about seven hours. Pickup is offered, but the supplied information does not specify the pickup area or any transport fee, so ask about that when arranging your reservation.

Capo Miseno and the Roman fishpond caves

The first stop is Peschiere di Lucullo at Capo Miseno. These six caves were cut into travertine in 74 BC and were used as fish farms. You do not just look at the remains from the boat. You swim into one of the caves for several meters, then can walk inside on the floor when conditions allow.

This is an unusual start. The Roman walls and pavement are part of the swimming experience, not a separate museum visit. The combination of clear water, stone chambers, and ancient construction gives the stop a strong sense of place.

Plan on about 40 minutes here. The stop requires comfort in the water, and the route inside the cave may not suit anyone who dislikes enclosed spaces. The boat provides fins and snorkeling masks, but bring your own swimwear, towel, and sun protection.

Punta di Pioppeto, Procida’s old lighthouse point

As the boat approaches Procida, you pass the main harbor, framed by multicolored houses. The captain can explain why the houses are painted in different colors, a local detail that adds life to the view rather than turning the harbor into a simple photo stop.

At Punta di Pioppeto, the old lighthouse once marked the shore. The spot is difficult to reach from land, and the shoreline is made of flat rocks rather than sand. You get about 20 minutes for a quick swim or to lie on the rocks in the sun.

This is a short stop, so think of it as a pleasant introduction to Procida rather than a full beach visit. The rocks may be awkward under bare feet. Water shoes would be useful, though they are not listed among the included equipment.

Punta Ottimo and a beach reached only from the sea

The main swimming time begins at Spiaggia di Punta Ottimo. The beach is linked with the film Il Postino, and its position makes it feel separate from the island’s inhabited areas. The boat reaches it from the water because access from land is extremely difficult.

You have around 90 minutes here. If conditions and boat traffic cooperate, Andrea may find a quiet place for your group. You can swim toward the black-sand beach, stay alongside the boat, or stretch out on the inflatable island.

Snorkeling gear is available for everyone in the group. The underwater setting is part of the appeal, especially for families who want more than a quick dip. The tour also offers towable water toys, but these are not included. They must be booked before departure and cost €35 for 30 minutes for three people.

This stop works best for people who want real time in the water. If your ideal boat trip means staying dry and taking photographs, 90 minutes may feel long. For swimmers, it is one of the strongest parts of the route.

Vivara’s protected waters and rocky seabed

The next stop is the State Natural Reserve of Vivara, the small island linked to Procida by an old bridge. The bridge has been abandoned for decades and is not usable, so the boat is the practical way to reach this side of the reserve.

The water has a rocky bottom and is described as clear, with protected animal species living below the surface. You can snorkel, climb from the water onto the island, and walk briefly among Mediterranean plants before returning for another swim.

The stop lasts about 90 minutes. That gives you enough time to use the mask and fins without rushing. Still, this is a natural area, not a developed beach. You should expect rocks, open water, and a climb from the sea rather than steps, changing rooms, or a sandy entrance.

The island portion may also depend on local conditions and access rules. The description presents it as an informal walk between swims, so ask Andrea what is possible on your date.

Lunch at Chiaiolella, with two sensible choices

By lunchtime, the boat’s U-shaped seating area and central table come into use. It is comfortable for six people, though this tour is limited to five passengers. You can order cold dishes in advance and eat on board, or go ashore for a restaurant meal.

Cold food must be selected and communicated to the crew one day before the tour. Lunch is not included in the price, so confirm the menu and cost before departure. This option is useful if you want to keep the day moving and avoid leaving the boat for a long meal.

The second choice is a restaurant near Corricella. The crew can suggest where to eat, but restaurant charges are paid separately. The information also refers to Chiaiolella and Corricella in this part of the route, so clarify which harbor you will use for lunch and how much shore time is planned.

I like having both choices. A restaurant gives you a more traditional island meal, while lunch on board protects your swimming time. Families with children may prefer the boat, especially if everyone wants to get back in the water quickly.

Solchiaro and the quiet southern shore

After lunch, the boat sails around Solchiaro, a peninsula at Procida’s southern end. The area is almost uninhabited and is favored by hikers. Here, you mainly cruise along the shore and look at the natural setting.

There is no listed swimming time at Solchiaro, and that is worth noting. It is a slower passage between active stops. After several swims, the change of pace can be welcome. You get a chance to sit back, dry off, and watch the coast without another activity demanding your attention.

Punta di Pizzaco during the golden hour

Between Solchiaro and Punta di Pizzaco is one of the day’s most private coves. It can be reached only by sea, and the later timing gives the water and rocks a warmer light as the sun moves west.

The stop lasts about an hour. You can swim, sunbathe, or simply float while the boat sits in the cove. This is the kind of stop that makes a private boat worthwhile: the schedule leaves room for quiet instead of squeezing every minute into a formal attraction.

The phrase golden hour is used for the late-day light here, but do not expect a guaranteed sunset cruise. The tour begins in the morning and lasts about seven hours. The actual light will depend on the season and the day’s timing.

Corricella, fishing families, and a final gelato

Before returning to Baia, you have about an hour at Porto di Corricella. The harbor is free of cars and motorcycles, and you reach it by boat or by walking down a long flight of steps. Its colored houses and fishing boats make it one of Procida’s most memorable places to spend time ashore.

This is not just a quick dockside photo stop. The harbor is still connected to working fishing families, and you can stroll along the waterfront, talk with local people, and watch the port during the late afternoon light.

A fast shower is available on the boat before you go ashore. That small feature matters after several hours in salt water. You can rinse off, change into a dry shirt and shorts, and walk around without carrying the whole day’s swim on your skin.

Save room for the handmade gelato made with organic products from the island’s agriculture. It costs about €5 and is not included. The ice cream is treated as a highlight of the stop, but you pay the shop directly.

What Andrea, Roberta, and Maya add

The family-run character is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour. Andrea handles the boat and route, while Roberta helps with transfers and hospitality. Their daughter Maya has also led a short walk through Corricella and prepared pasta salad for lunch on some outings.

The service sounds particularly practical for families. Andrea has adjusted plans around young children, and the crew has paid close attention to comfort, food, swim time, and the return schedule. That does not guarantee every request can be met, but a private boat makes those conversations possible.

Cruise passengers should explain their port schedule before booking. The crew has arranged timing to get passengers back to the ship on time, but you should still allow a safety margin and confirm the return plan.

The welcome snack includes a sweet or savory choice plus a nonalcoholic drink or beer. These are simple extras, but they help the day feel cared for, especially when the main price is shared by a family or group of friends.

Is the $583.79 group price good value?

At $583.79 for up to five people, the price works out to roughly $117 per person if you fill all five places. It is much easier to justify for a full group than for two people. For a couple, the same boat and crew cost nearly $292 per person before fuel and meals.

The value comes from privacy, not just transport. You receive about seven hours on the water, access to coves that are hard to reach by land, snorkeling equipment, snacks, drinks, an inflatable island, and a boat shower. You are also paying for a family crew that can adjust the day within reason.

The added costs need attention. Fuel has a surcharge with no amount given. Lunch is extra, and the Corricella gelato costs about €5. Towable toys cost €35 per 30 minutes for three people and must be reserved before departure.

For five people who care about swimming and want to avoid a crowded group boat, this can be solid value. For two people who mainly want to see Procida’s harbor and coastline, a less expensive shared excursion may make more sense.

Who should book this boat day?

I would choose this for a family, a group of friends, or a small party that wants a relaxed day in the water. Swimmers, snorkelers, and people who enjoy quiet coves will get the most from it.

The route also suits families with children because the crew can discuss food and pacing directly, and the boat has an inflatable island and optional tow toys. Still, the day involves repeated entries from the boat, rocky shores, and swimming in open water. It is not the best match for anyone seeking an easy sandy beach with full facilities.

You should also be comfortable with a long day outdoors. Shade, seating, and the boat’s layout are not described in detail, so bring sun protection and ask about the available covered area. The welcome snack is included, but do not count on that as a substitute for lunch.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted for a refund. The outing requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is swimming in special places rather than checking off a long list of sights. The Roman caves, Vivara, Punta Ottimo, and the late stop at Punta di Pizzaco give the day a clear sense of variety.

I would be more cautious if you are mainly interested in Ischia, because the detailed route does not show an Ischia stop. Confirm the route, fuel surcharge, pickup details, and lunch plan before paying.

For a full group of five, the private format and personal family service make the price easier to defend. For a couple, compare the total cost carefully. If you do book, bring water shoes, sun protection, a towel, and an appetite for gelato.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Via Lucullo, 3, 80070 Baia, near Naples. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the boat leave?

The scheduled start time is 8:30 a.m., and the tour lasts about seven hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat is private for your group and can carry a maximum of five people.

Is lunch included?

No. You can arrange cold dishes to eat on the boat by telling the crew your choices one day before the tour, or you can pay for lunch at a restaurant near Corricella.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Fins and snorkeling masks are available for everyone in the group. An inflatable island is also provided.

Are towable water toys included?

No. Towable toys cost €35 for 30 minutes for three people and must be booked before leaving the port.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.