Amalfi Coast Yacht Charter Itinerary: 7 Days from Naples

The Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast pack more into a week than almost anywhere in the Mediterranean: a volcano, three islands, cliffside villages and some of Italy’s best food, all within short, easy passages. This route is a round trip from Naples. No leg is longer than about 18 nautical miles, roughly an hour and a half on a motor yacht or three hours on a sailing yacht, so most of each day is spent at anchor, ashore or in the water.

Naples International Airport (Capodichino) is about 20 minutes by car from the waterfront, so you can fly in on the morning of departure. The season runs from May to October, and June and September give the best balance of warm water and space at anchor. Our month-by-month guide to chartering in Italy explains the difference.

The route at a glance

• Day 1: Naples and the Posillipo coast
• Day 2: Procida and Ischia (about 15 nautical miles)
• Day 3: Capri (about 18 nm)
• Day 4: Li Galli and Positano (about 12 nm)
• Day 5: Furore, Amalfi and Ravello (about 6 nm)
• Day 6: Ieranto Bay, Nerano and Sorrento (about 18 nm)
• Day 7: Back to Naples (about 14 nm)

Day 1: Naples and the Posillipo coast

Board in the afternoon at one of Naples’ marinas and settle in over a welcome drink, with Vesuvius across the bay. Before dinner, cruise west along Posillipo, where Roman ruins and old villas sit just above the waterline, and stop for a first swim where the captain finds a good spot. Spend the evening aboard, or go ashore for pizza in the city that gave it to the world.

Day 2: Procida and Ischia

Cross the bay to Procida, the smallest of its three main islands, and the pastel fishing harbour of Marina Corricella. After lunch, continue to Ischia, the largest island in the Bay of Naples and famous for its thermal springs. Spend the afternoon in one of its thermal gardens, such as Negombo or Poseidon, or visit the Aragonese Castle, which stands on a rock islet joined to Ischia by a causeway. In the evening, the car-free fishing village of Sant’Angelo on the south coast is a lovely place for dinner.

Day 3: Capri

Arrive in the morning and anchor off the south side of the island, where the Faraglioni, three limestone stacks, rise from the sea. The middle stack has a natural arch that tenders and small boats can pass through. Visit the Blue Grotto early, when the queue of rowing boats at its entrance is shortest; it closes when the sea is rough. Ashore, the funicular climbs from Marina Grande to the Piazzetta in Capri town, and a chairlift from Anacapri goes up Monte Solaro, the island’s highest point. Most yachts spend the night at anchor, as berths in Marina Grande are few and costly in summer.

Day 4: Li Galli and Positano

Cross to the mainland by way of Li Galli, a small group of private islets off Positano once owned by the dancer Rudolf Nureyev, and swim in the clear water around them. Positano has no harbour for yachts, so you anchor or pick up a mooring off the beach and go ashore by tender. Wander the steep lanes and boutiques, then come back aboard for sunset over the town’s pastel houses.

Day 5: Furore, Amalfi and Ravello

A short morning hop takes you past the Fiordo di Furore, a narrow inlet spanned by a road bridge, and the Grotta dello Smeraldo near Conca dei Marini, a sea cave lit green by sunlight that enters underwater. In Amalfi, climb the long staircase to the Cathedral of Sant’Andrea and visit the paper museum, a reminder of the town’s history of paper-making. In the afternoon, take a taxi up to Ravello, about 20 minutes away, for the gardens of Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone and their views along the coast.

Day 6: Ieranto Bay, Nerano and Sorrento

Round Punta Campanella, the tip of the Sorrento peninsula and part of a marine protected area, to the Bay of Ieranto, one of the most beautiful bays on this coast and cared for by the Italian National Trust (FAI). Have lunch in Nerano, the village that gave its name to spaghetti alla Nerano, made with fried courgettes and provolone. End the day in Sorrento, whose old town sits on cliffs above the bay and whose lemon groves supply the local limoncello.

Day 7: Back to Naples

Enjoy a last morning swim before the short crossing back to Naples, and disembark at the agreed time. If you have an extra day, the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum are an easy drive from the coast.

Planning notes

• Berths: Capri, Positano and Amalfi are among the most popular stops in the Mediterranean, and berths are limited in July and August. Most nights on this route are spent at anchor or on a mooring, which is quieter anyway.
• Weather: Summer conditions are usually settled, with afternoon sea breezes. A south-westerly swell can make the anchorages off Positano and Amalfi uncomfortable, and your captain will change the order of stops if needed.
• One way: The route can end in Salerno, or continue south towards Sicily and the Aeolian Islands as a one-way charter; a delivery fee usually applies.
• Ashore: for more to see, do and eat along the way, see Italy by yacht.
• Protected areas: Punta Campanella and parts of the Naples coast are marine reserves where anchoring is restricted. The crew knows where you can stop.

Yachts for an Amalfi Coast charter

Several of the yachts we list are based in this area:

• JOY, a 24-metre Filippetti motor yacht for 8 guests, from €21,000 a week in low season.
• JAVELIN, a classic sailing yacht launched in 1897 and refitted in 2024, for up to 5 guests, from €25,000 a week.
• HERITAGE M, a 33.5-metre sailing yacht based in Naples, from €45,000 a week.
• ALTVS, a 29.9-metre motor yacht refitted in 2024, from €83,000 a week.
• SILVER ANGEL, a 64.5-metre Benetti for 12 guests, from €425,000 a week.

Rates exclude APA and VAT and were correct at the time of writing; each yacht’s page shows its current prices. For the rest of the fleet and other routes, from Sardinia to the Aeolian Islands, see our guide to yacht charter in Italy and every yacht we list in Italy, or send us your dates.