Ischia and Procida boat tour: small-group island exploration

Two islands, two rhythms: boat time and your own time mixed through a full day at sea

A small-group boat tour from Sorrento explores Ischia and Procida over 10 hours, with a professional English-speaking skipper guiding the coastal route and stops. You get roughly 3 hours free on Ischia and 1.5 hours on Procida to move at your own pace; the boat handles the transfers between islands, and swimming stops happen along the way. Snacks and soft drinks come on board; return transport to Sorrento is included, with optional drop-off back to your meeting point available on request.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour of Ischia and Procida islands

• Pickup from meeting point in Sorrento
• Transfer to departure port
• Set sail towards Ischia island
• Coastal cruise past Aragonese Castle and Maronti Beach
• Swim stop at Green Cave
• Free time to explore Ischia (3-4 hours)
• Continue to Procida island
• Panoramic boat tour around Procida
• Swim stop in Procida bays
• Free time to explore Procida (1-2 hours)
• Return to Sorrento port
• Limoncello tasting on return

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from your Sorrento meeting point and a short transfer to the departure port. Once aboard, the boat heads toward Ischia, and the skipper points out landmarks as you cruise the coast—the Aragonese Castle rises on its massive rock, connected to the island by a 220-meter bridge, and you'll pass Maronti Beach, the longest on the island at nearly 3 kilometers. A swimming stop at the Green Cave, a natural cavity carved into the rock where light plays across the water in shades of green, breaks up the crossing.

Ischia gives you roughly 3 hours to move around on your own. Many travelers hop into one of the iconic three-wheeled Apecars—a distinctly Ischia way to cover ground—or walk the port area and nearby streets. The boat waits; you decide how far to go. After that, the route continues to Procida, where the skipper takes the boat on a panoramic loop around the island. You'll see Vivara islet, a crescent-shaped volcanic remnant now a nature reserve, and Marina di Corricella, the village famous for its stacked, multicolored houses. Another swimming stop happens in one of the bays along the coast, and snacks and drinks are available on board while you're anchored.

Procida offers 1.5 hours of free time to explore on foot or by local transport. Then the boat heads back to Sorrento port, and the tour ends with a limoncello tasting on the return crossing. The whole day runs about 10 hours from pickup to port. Weather can shift the swimming stops—the captain adjusts based on conditions and sea state—and if bad weather forces a cancellation, you can reschedule or get a full refund.

What’s included

• Pickup from your Sorrento meeting point and transfer to the port.
• professional English-speaking skipper.
• boat tour of Ischia's coast with views of the Aragonese Castle, Maronti Beach, and the Green Cave.
• approximately 3 hours free time on Ischia.
• swimming stop at the Green Cave.
• boat transfer to Procida.
• panoramic tour around Procida including Vivara islet and Marina di Corricella.
• swimming stop in a Procida bay.
• approximately 1.5 hours free time on Procida.
• snacks and soft drinks on board.
• limoncello tasting on the return crossing.
• return boat transfer to Sorrento port.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Buyourtour di Amo Italy Travel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want the boat to handle the island-hopping while you control how much time you spend exploring each place—the fixed schedule keeps the crossings reliable, but the free time on land means you're not following a guide around. It suits travelers who prefer a mix of structure and independence, and who want to swim and see the landmarks without renting a car or figuring out ferries on their own.

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Top questions

What's the Aragonese Castle and why do people stop there?

The Aragonese Castle is the symbol of Ischia—a fortress standing on a massive rock connected to the island by a 220-meter bridge. The boat passes it during the coastal cruise so you see the structure from the water; it's one of the landmarks the skipper points out, and many travelers photograph it from the boat or visit it during their free time on the island.

Do I have to stay with the group or can I explore on my own?

You have roughly 3 hours free on Ischia and 1.5 hours on Procida to explore independently. Many travelers rent a three-wheeled Apecar on Ischia or walk the villages; the boat waits at the port, and you return when your free time is up. The skipper and crew stay with the boat.

Are swimming stops included, and can I choose where to swim?

Yes, swimming stops are included at the Green Cave near Ischia and in one of Procida's bays. The captain decides the exact locations based on weather and sea conditions, so the stops may vary from day to day, but you'll get time in the water at both islands.

What food and drinks are provided?

Dry snacks and soft drinks—water, cola, and beer—are available on board during the day. A limoncello tasting happens on the return crossing to Sorrento. Meals are not included, so bring money if you want to eat at a restaurant during your free time on either island.

How long is the boat ride, and will I get seasick?

The full tour runs about 10 hours from pickup to return, with roughly 2 hours of boat time to Ischia, 1.5 hours between islands, and 2 hours back to Sorrento. The route crosses open water, so if you're prone to seasickness, bring medication; the boat is subject to weather, and rough seas can shift the itinerary or lead to cancellation.

Can I get a ride back to my hotel after the tour ends?

The tour returns to Sorrento port, which is central and well-connected by local transport. Drop-off back to your original meeting point is available as an optional service; you can add it when you book or request it one day before the tour.