Catamaran Charter in Naples with or without a skipper

Naples is one of Italy's most beautiful starting points for a catamaran cruise. Located at the heart of its eponymous gulf, the city gives access within a few hours of sailing to the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Ischia, Procida and, for longer cruises, the Pontine and Aeolian Islands. Sailing or motor catamaran, bareboat or with crew: here is everything you need to know to prepare your hire.

Types of catamarans to hire in Naples

Two families of catamarans are offered from Naples, depending on your sailing project:

• The sailing catamaran: the most popular option in Naples. It offers generous living areas on board, much greater stability than a monohull and a shallow draft, ideal for anchoring as close as possible to the coves of Capri, Ischia or Procida. It is the preferred choice for a cruise with family or friends.
• The motor catamaran: for those who favour speed, comfort and autonomy. Ideal for quickly reaching the Amalfi Coast or the more distant islands, and appreciated for high-end crewed cruises.

If you hesitate between catamaran and monohull yacht, please note that Naples also offers a fine fleet of monohulls for hire. Discover our Naples boat hire offers to compare.

The services available for your catamaran hire in Naples

Four formulas available according to your level and preferences:

• Bareboat catamaran: if a member of your crew has sailing experience and the required licences, he can handle the boat. The unit is fully privatised and you enjoy your cruise in complete freedom.
• Catamaran with skipper: ideal if no member of the crew is qualified, or simply to sail without constraint. The professional skipper handles the boat and shares his knowledge of the Gulf of Naples and the surrounding islands.
• Catamaran with crew: service included on large catamarans and optional on some units. The crew is generally composed of a skipper, a hostess and sometimes a cook. The whole team puts itself entirely at your service throughout the cruise.
• Cabin cruise: you book a cabin on board a high-end, human-sized catamaran, shared with other travellers and a professional crew in charge of navigation, cooking and service. A good option to travel as a couple or without the budget needed to privatise a boat. Discover our cruise offers in Naples.

How much does it cost to hire a catamaran in Naples ?

The table below gives you an order of magnitude of the average prices for a one-week hire in Naples. These prices may vary depending on the season, availability, model, age of the boat...

The price includes : the catamaran hire and the main equipment on board (sails, crockery, wifi, dinghy, bedding and outboard engine).

The price does not include : insurance, port and mooring fees, skipper, hostess, cleaning often included in a compulsory pack, extras (kayak, stand-up paddle…) and provisioning.

If you wish to hire a catamaran with crew in Naples, please contact us directly to obtain the pricing grid. The price range on this type of model is indeed very wide. Lina, our specialist for the crewed & luxury boat segment, will be able to send you the best offers.

We recommend taking out our cancellation insurance for your catamaran hire in Naples. It covers the entire crew — unlike an individual or bank card insurance, limited to the holder only.

We also encourage our clients to subscribe to the deposit waiver insurance. At sea, damage can happen to even the best sailors. This insurance allows you to recover a significant part of your deposit in the event of sailing-related damage.

Where to sail from Naples ?

The Gulf of Naples concentrates some of the most beautiful stopovers in the Mediterranean, accessible within a few hours of sailing. Several areas are available to you:

• The islands near Naples: Capri and its Faraglioni, its famous Blue Grotto, the lively port of Marina Grande; Ischia and its thermal springs, ideal for a relaxing stop; Procida, the smallest, named Italian Capital of Culture in 2022 for its colourful houses and preserved atmosphere.
• The Amalfi Coast: one of the most spectacular in Italy, listed as a UNESCO site. Anchorages off Positano, Amalfi, Praiano or Cetara, with their perched villages and light-rock coves.
• The Pontine Islands: to the north-west of Naples, about half a day's sailing. Ponza and Palmarola offer exceptionally clear waters and sea caves, much less crowded than the islands of the gulf.
• The Aeolian Islands: for one- to two-week cruises. Stromboli, Vulcano, Lipari or Panarea form a unique volcanic archipelago, accessible from Naples with a journey down to Sicily.

When to sail in the area ?

The sailing season runs mainly from April to October. The Mediterranean climate offers hot and dry summers and mild, bright shoulder seasons. The mid-season months (May, June, September) are often considered the best for sailing: pleasant temperatures, less crowding in ports and anchorages, and more affordable rates.

Here is an average of the temperatures recorded in Naples:

Sailing conditions

The Tyrrhenian Sea around Naples is an accessible and pleasant sailing area, particularly suited to catamarans thanks to moderate wind conditions in season. Distances between stopovers are short and navigation is mainly done on sight.

Three main winds shape the area: the Maestrale, the dominant north-westerly wind, more marked in the afternoon during summer and bringing clear and stable weather; the Libeccio, blowing from the south-west, which can raise a noticeable swell along the Amalfi Coast; and the Sirocco, a warm and humid wind from the south-east, rarer in high season.

Anchorages around Capri, Ischia and the Amalfi Coast are numerous but often crowded in July-August. It is recommended to arrive early in the afternoon to secure a good spot, or to book berths in advance in private marinas.

Documents required to hire a bareboat catamaran

You will need a coastal boat licence as well as a VHF certificate (CRR or foreign equivalent) for a bareboat catamaran hire in Naples. In Italy, the French coastal licence is accepted as equivalent to the patente nautica. To hire a large unit or to sail beyond 12 nautical miles from the coast, an offshore licence or equivalent will be required. The base will check your documents at the time of the departure briefing.

Useful information for your cruise

What language is spoken in Naples ?

The official language is Italian. Neapolitan is very present in everyday conversation. English is commonly understood in marinas and tourist areas, and French is often practised in the hire bases.

What currency to use on site ?

The currency used in Italy is the euro (€).

How to get to Naples ?

Many direct flights are available from London to Naples-Capodichino airport (NAP), located about 15 minutes from the port. The high-speed train is also a practical option once in Italy: Frecciarossa and Italo connect Rome to Naples in 1h10. Travelling by train via Milan or Rome remains possible for those who prefer to avoid flying.

How do I finalise my booking ?

Once we receive your hire request, an advisor will contact you by phone to understand your sailing project. He will then send you boat proposals by email. Once the catamaran is found, you will be able to pay a deposit on your client area to validate the hire and secure the boat.

What are the departure ports around Naples ?

Several hire bases are located in the Gulf of Naples and its immediate surroundings: Naples (central port), Procida (20 km), Castellammare di Stabia (24 km) and Salerno (47 km, ideal to start directly on the Amalfi Coast). The choice depends on your planned itinerary and the availability of units.

Good to know