The Amalfi Coast and Capri by yacht
Cliffs, villages stacked up the hillside and three islands in one bay, with short hops between stops. June and September are the best months. It suits couples and honeymoons most, and friends who want Capri's summer.
This is the busiest of Italy's charter coasts in high summer. Cliffs, villages stacked up the hillside, and three islands in one bay: Capri, Ischia and Procida. The distances are short, often under an hour between stops. So the week goes on lunch, swimming off the yacht and evenings ashore, not on passages. Seeing this coast from the sea is the point: the road along it is slow and full in summer, and the water is not.
Why go, and whom it suits
Couples and honeymoons
This is the best fit. There's dinner in Positano or on Capri, Ravello's gardens above Amalfi, and the yacht at anchor below the cliffs at night.
Friends and celebrations
Capri in July and August, the beach clubs at Nerano and the Li Galli islands, and long lunches. A good place for a birthday at sea.
Families
It works with older children who enjoy towns, tender rides and swimming off the swim platform. Beaches are few and mostly pebble. The water is deep close to shore, so it suits confident swimmers best.
Less good for: anyone wanting empty bays in August, or long stretches of sailing.
What's there
Naples
The usual start: a big city, a busy port, and the best pizza argument in the world.
Procida
Small and colourful, with Marina Corricella's pastel houses. Quieter than its neighbours.
Ischia
Thermal springs and gardens, the Aragonese castle, and Sant'Angelo's little harbour on the south side.
Capri
The Faraglioni rocks, the Blue Grotto (by small boat, when the sea allows), Anacapri and the piazzetta at night. Marina Grande is the harbour.
The Sorrento peninsula
Nerano and the bay of Ieranto at the tip, inside the Punta Campanella marine protected area, where anchoring is not allowed in the protected zones.
Li Galli
Three small islands off Positano, for a swim stop.
Positano and Amalfi
The two famous towns, reached by tender. From Amalfi, a short drive takes you up to Ravello.
The Fiordo di Furore
A narrow inlet under a road bridge, seen by tender.
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When to go
June and September: warm water and fewer boats. The best months.
July and August: full, and fullest around 15 August. Berths and restaurant tables need booking early.
May and October: pleasant and calmer. The sea is cooler, and some places keep short hours.
Cost
The charter fee is each yacht's own weekly rate, shown "from" on her page.
- VAT is added at Italy's standard rate, 22%, and the charter contract states the VAT charged on your charter.
- APA: budget up to 40% of the charter fee; whatever is not spent is returned to you. It is paid with the balance and accounted for at the end.
- Berths: space in Capri's Marina Grande is limited and is booked well ahead. A night there in high summer is expensive, and it comes out of the APA.
For the whole picture, see what a crewed charter costs, line by line.
A sample week
- Day 1 — Naples to Procida. Board in Naples. A short run to Procida and dinner ashore by the Corricella harbour.
- Day 2 — Ischia. Round to Sant'Angelo on the south side, and an afternoon at one of the thermal gardens.
- Day 3 — Capri. Cross to Capri, swim by the Faraglioni, and go up to the piazzetta in the evening.
- Day 4 — Nerano and Ieranto. The tip of the Sorrento peninsula: a long lunch at Nerano and a swim in the bay of Ieranto.
- Day 5 — Li Galli and Positano. A morning swim at Li Galli, then Positano by tender in the late afternoon.
- Day 6 — Amalfi and Ravello. Amalfi in the morning, Ravello's gardens above it, and the Fiordo di Furore on the way back.
- Day 7 — Capri or Naples. Back across the bay to disembark: Capri for the ferry or helicopter, or Naples for the airport.
The yacht and the weather decide the real route. A southerly swell can make the Amalfi side uncomfortable at anchor, and then the captain moves you.
The yachts
Most of the yachts we show in Italy are motor yachts; a few are sailing yachts and catamarans.
On this coast the yachts are mostly mid-size and large motor yachts. That suits the short hops and the evenings at anchor.
The yachts on this site are a selection, not the limit of what we arrange: ask about any yacht, of any size.
Practical questions
Rene GaspersicYour broker
Where does the charter start?
Usually Naples. Sometimes Sorrento, Salerno or Capri, depending on the yacht.
Which airport?
Naples. From there it is a short drive to the port.
Can we visit the Blue Grotto?
Yes, by the small rowing boats at the entrance, when the sea is calm enough. It closes when the swell is up, and queues are long in summer.
Is it very busy in August?
Yes. Capri and Positano are at their fullest around 15 August. June and September are calmer.
Can we swim from the yacht?
Yes, at most stops. The water is deep near the cliffs, which is good for swimming and snorkelling.
Are there anchoring restrictions?
Yes. Punta Campanella is a marine protected area. Anchoring is forbidden in its zones A and B, jet skis are not allowed there, and boats use the reserve's authorised moorings. The captain plans around them.
Can we combine this with the Aeolians or Sardinia?
The Aeolians, yes: a one-way week heading south, or two weeks. Sardinia is an overnight crossing away, so it is better as a separate week.
Will the crew book restaurants?
Yes. Tell us or the captain where you want to go, and they reserve, ideally before you arrive.
Talk to a broker
Tell us roughly when, how many of you there are, and what the week is for: a family summer, a honeymoon, a birthday with friends. Dates and budget can stay loose. We come back with a short list of yachts that fit, say plainly what each one is like, and stay your contact from the first email to the last day on board.
Rene Gaspersic
charter broker
Email info@soretoyachting.com · Phone +44 7342 933198 · WhatsApp +44 7342 933198
What a week costs here
Every quote shows the three lines in full, before you decide.
The weekly rate on each yacht’s page. "From" is her lowest season.
An advance for fuel, food, drinks and berths, spent on your instructions and settled at the end.
Set by the country the charter starts in, added to the fee.
Plan
The Amalfi Coast and Capri.
Two short steps. Dates and budget can stay loose. We reply personally, by email, phone or WhatsApp.