Ponza Island Snorkeling: Full-day Boat Cruise with Lunch

Six hours circling Ponza by boat, stopping to swim through Roman grottoes and under a natural arch carved by the sea.

A full-day snorkeling and boat tour from Anzio to Ponza Island, Italy, where you board a small excursion boat for a guided circumnavigation with 3–4 swim stops, dramatic cliff formations, and lunch prepared on board. The day runs 10 hours total: 1.5-hour ferry ride each way from Anzio port, plus a 6-hour guided boat loop around the island with an English-speaking leader. Snorkeling gear is available on board. Both ferry tickets and all meals, drinks and coffee are included. Book your departure point at checkout: either from Anzio or directly from Ponza if you're already on the island.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day cruise and island exploration

• Meet at Anzio port
• Ferry ride to Ponza Island
• Short break at Ponza port
• Board excursion boat and meet crew
• Visit three ancient Roman grottoes
• Stop at moon-colored cliff and swim
• Swim through volcanic ash grotto
• Swim at Natural Pools and Lucia Rosa beach
• Enjoy pasta lunch with drinks on board
• Pass Cala Feola and Water Cove
• View WWII shipwreck and mine remnants
• Explore Felci Cove and swim
• Pass Natural Arch sea stack
• Stop at Frontone Beach
• Free hour to explore Ponza historic center
• Ferry back to Anzio port

The experience

The day starts at Anzio port, where your tour leader meets the group before the ferry departs for Ponza. The 1.5-hour crossing gives you time to settle in and watch the coast recede. Once you reach Ponza's colorful port (characteristic little houses stacked on the waterfront), you'll board a smaller excursion boat at 11 AM for the guided loop around the island. Your captain and crew brief everyone on boat safety, and then you're underway with mostly vacationing Italians and fellow travelers.

The boat stops at 3–4 swimming spots depending on sea conditions, each one chosen for what the cliffs and water offer. Early on, you'll see three grottoes carved by hand into the cliff face by Ancient Romans, forming protected pools. The white cliff called Lucia Rosa is a favorite stop where the sea conditions permit a swim. At the white volcanic-ash formation, a long grotto runs straight through the cliff. If conditions are right and you're game, you can swim through it end to end while the noon sun creates blue reflections inside. The Natural Pools (perfect swimming holes carved into the rocks by nature) sit near where the boat anchors for lunch. You'll also pass the Natural Arch, a giant sea stack hollowed out in the center big enough for the boat to pass under, and Felci Cove, where sulphur has colored the cliff walls bright yellow against the emerald water. The boat floats over the wreck of an American landing ship tank from World War II, now a popular dive spot, and you'll see the ruins of an ancient Roman aqueduct and the remnants of a mine that once employed the island.

Lunch (fresh pasta cooked in the boat's tiny kitchen) is served on board with water, white wine, aperitif, free drinks, fruit, and espresso coffee. All plates and flatware are compostable. After the boat returns to port, you have a full free hour to walk the historic center of Ponza, grab a cold drink, or browse the shops before boarding the ferry back to Anzio. Snorkeling gear is available on board if you don't bring your own. Bring sun protection and a towel.

What’s included

• Both-way ferry tickets from your chosen departure point (Anzio or Ponza).
• English-speaking trip leader for the full day.
• 6-hour guided boat excursion circling the island.
• snorkeling gear available on board.
• fresh pasta lunch prepared in the boat's kitchen.
• aperitif, wine, free drinks, water, fruit and espresso coffee.
• all taxes and fees.

Options for this experience

2 options

Boat tour leaving from PonzaGuide in English · Available from 18 May 2027Departure from Ponza: aperitif, lunch, wine, free drinks, fruit and coffee. Duration: 6 hours. Ferry not included: choose this option if you are already in Ponza. Includes: 6-hour guided boat excursion in Ponza with lunch and an English guide. Meeting point: Pro Loco di Ponza, Via Molo Musco, 2, 04027 Ponza LT, Italy

Boat tour leaving from AnzioGuide in English · Available from 1 Jun 2027Anzio ferry and Ponza boat tour: aperitif, lunch, wine, free drinks, fruit and coffee. Duration: 10 hours. Departing from Anzio. Includes: round-trip ferry to and from Anzio port; 6-hour guided boat excursion in Ponza with lunch; English-speaking guide. Meeting point: Via Porto Innocenziano, 40, 00042 Anzio RM, Italy

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 18 May 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by EcoArt srl

Is this one for you?Choose the Anzio departure if you're traveling from Rome. Choose the island departure if you're already staying on Ponza and want to join the boat excursion at 11 AM instead of arriving via the morning ferry crossing.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I book this tour if I'm arriving in Rome and want to do it the same day?

Yes. Anzio is 1 hour 10 minutes by train from Rome Termini Station. The operator recommends the 6:40 AM departure to reach the port in time. The full day runs 10 hours, so you'd return to Anzio in the late afternoon and can catch an evening train back to Rome.

What are the 3–4 swim stops like, and do I need to be a strong swimmer?

The stops include Roman grottoes with protected pools, the white volcanic-ash cliff with a grotto you can swim through if conditions allow, the Natural Pools carved into rocks, and Felci Cove with its yellow-colored cliffs. The operator notes the tour is suitable for all fitness levels and recommends you be comfortable with boat transportation and able to swim. Exact locations depend on sea conditions on the day.

Is snorkeling gear included, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkeling gear is available on board, so you don't need to bring it. Do bring a towel and sun protection. Neither is provided.

What's included in the lunch, and are dietary preferences accommodated?

Lunch is fresh pasta prepared on board, served with water, white wine, aperitif, free drinks, fruit, and espresso coffee. Alert the staff at booking about any food allergies or preferences so they can accommodate you.

How long is the ferry ride from Anzio to Ponza, and what if I'm already staying on the island?

The ferry takes 1.5 hours each way. At checkout, you can choose to depart from Anzio or directly from Ponza if you're already there. The boat excursion and all other inclusions remain the same.

What happens if the weather is bad or the tour is cancelled?

Due to traffic, strikes, weather or minimum numbers, last-minute cancellations are possible. Call the day before to confirm. If the tour is cancelled due to weather, traffic or strikes, you'll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.