For everyone · 1.5 hours

Bay of Naples boat cruise: Castel dell’Ovo, Posillipo, Nisida

A 75-90-minute boat trip around the bay, leaving from Santa Lucia at the foot of Castel dell’Ovo. You sail out of the little harbour and see Naples the way people arriving by sea used to: Vesuvius in the background, the castle, then the Posillipo coast with its villas and finally Nisida, the volcanic islet. On board a guide gives live commentary in Italian and English; there’s a covered deck and an open but shaded one, with 360-degree views.

4.7(150 reviews on GetYourGuide) Port of Naples

Bay of Naples boat cruise: Castel dell’Ovo, Posillipo, Nisida — Photo: Armando Mancini, CC BY-SA 2.0 · credits

Duration

1.5 hours

Group

small group

Languages

English, Italian

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

Days

every day

Start

Port of Naples

What you’ll do

Show up at the Santa Lucia quay, in the Borgo Marinari, a quarter of an hour before departure for boarding. The boats carry up to sixty people and have life jackets and safety equipment. Sit wherever you like: under the covered deck or outside in the shade, with a clear view across the whole bay.

As soon as you leave the harbour the skyline opens up: Vesuvius on one side, Castel dell’Ovo seemingly floating on the other. You sail west along the Posillipo coast, with villas perched on the cliffs, as far as Nisida. The guide tells the story of the places, from the Greek colonists to today, with live commentary in Italian and English.

Then you head back to the same spot. 75-90 minutes in all. There are two departures a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, from April to November. Boats go out even in uncertain weather; if the sea isn’t safe the trip is cancelled and you’re refunded automatically.

Who it’s for

It’s the easiest way to see Naples from the sea: no effort, an hour and a quarter sitting down. Good for families with children, couples and anyone short on time. Not recommended for anyone prone to seasickness or for pregnant women. If you want to swim, look for a different trip: this is a sightseeing cruise.

Local tip

The afternoon departure has the best light on Posillipo. Bring water and a hat: even in the shade, it’s hot in summer. The boarding point is five minutes’ walk from Piazza del Plebiscito, so combine it with the seafront or a stroll around the Borgo Marinari before you board.

What’s included

Live commentary + covered deck.

Price, availability and details come straight from GetYourGuide and are kept up to date. If you book through us, we get a small commission; it costs you nothing extra.

Frequently asked questions

Where does it leave from and how long is it?

It leaves from and returns to the Santa Lucia quay, in the Borgo Marinari, next to Castel dell’Ovo and a few minutes’ walk from Piazza del Plebiscito. It lasts 75 to 90 minutes. You need to be there 15 minutes early for boarding.

What’s included and what isn’t?

The boat trip, the guide’s live commentary in Italian and English, the covered deck and the shaded outdoor deck, life jackets and safety equipment. Food and drinks, hotel pickup and parking aren’t included.

What if the weather’s bad?

The cruise runs in most weather conditions. If it’s cancelled because the sea isn’t safe, you get a full automatic refund. Either way, you can cancel for free up to 24 hours before.

Read before you go

from€25Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

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