The Pontine Passage – Italy’s Secret Archipelago
Where volcanoes, vineyards, and village ports await.
Looking to sail Italy at its most authentic? Join NauticEd on the Pontine Passage, where volcanoes, vineyards, and village ports are yet to be discovered.
Sailing the Pontine Islands are for the adventurous discoverer. Longer passages between isles means real sailing, with real rewards. Unforgettable! Uncrowded bays, Ischia’s hot springs, Roman ruins, pastel fishing villages, and diving Palmarola’s caves… this is an off-the-beaten-path flotilla with just the right blend of authentic Italian charm, food, wine, and more.
🌞 Trip Highlights
- Procida’s Colorful Welcome. Pastel houses, cobblestone alleys, and beautiful trattorias.
- Ponza. Stylish shops and lively island charm
- Palmarola’s Wild Beauty. Snorkel, kayak, paddle, and dive.
- Ventotene’s Ancient Past. Discover Roman ruins and a quiet piazza life.
- Ischia’s Crown Jewel. Aragonese Castle is a must-see before soaking in the isle’s hot springs.
- La Dolce Vita. Evening diners ashore and sailing friendships await.
| DATES | September 5 – 12, 2026 |
| LOCATION | Procida, Italy |
AVAILABILITY |
3 cabins on the lead boat,
4 other private chartered boats |
PRICE |
€5500 per cabin on the lead boat – all inclusive
Private Chartered Yacht €6,000 – €12,000 depending on boat type selected |
Boat & Cabin Options
By the Cabin
(Lead Flotilla Yacht – Luxury Skippered Jeanneau 490)
• Double Cabin: €5500 per cabin (2 people)
• Includes professional NauticEd skipper/Instructor, shared provisioning, mooring fees, fuel, WIFI, and water toys
What’s Included?
- 7 nights aboard a sailing yacht (by-the-cabin or private)
- Flotilla planning + route support
- Experienced flotilla leader (and qualified NauticEd Instructor) on the lead boat (speaks perfect english)
- Daily sailing briefings + mooring assistance
- Welcome gathering + optional excursions and socials
- Mooring fees and water toys (on the cabin boat)
🚫 Not included: Flights, airport transfers, tip, or personal travel insurance
Meet Your Flotilla Leader
Emmy Alsharkawi – Perfect English – American National Standards Sailing Instructor
About Emmy
Emmy’s path to sailing wasn’t traditional—she began as an aerospace engineer before a six-month sabbatical (and a persuasive roommate with a sailboat) changed her life trajectory. Thirteen years later, she’s crossed oceans, skippered throughout the Med. and Caribbean, and has become an accomplished sailing instructor with rave reviews. Emmy has done it all in the sailing world and throughout it, she brings not only competence but a mix of curiosity and fun to every trip.
⚓ Why Sail With Emmy?
- 13+ years of worldwide sailing experience
- Captained cross-ocean deliveries
- Certified NauticEd Instructor and professional skipper
calm, competent leadership with a fun, approachable style - Emmy knows the area and the secret spots
Emmy’s Leadership Style
“My style is adventurous but relaxed. I keep the group safe and confident while encouraging exploration—whether it’s kayaking into caves, discovering the best seaside tavernas, or enjoying sunset happy hours together.”
🎒 What Emmy Handles
- As flotilla leader, Emmy will be on the lead boat, guiding and supporting the trip. She’ll:
- Lead daily briefings, passage planning, and weather updates
- Coordinate moorings, anchorages, and flotilla logistics
- Share insider tips and organize optional group activities
- Lead daily briefings, passage planning, and weather updates
Fun Fact
Emmy really is a rocket scientist (former aerospace engineer!) And she once lived for over a year out of a single backpack.
🗣️ Testimonials
- “Emmy is an awesome instructor. She is very knowledgeable about the theory behind sailing and has the technical skills to demonstrate and teach” – David V.
- “Emmy’s depth of experience gave us an appreciation for how much we can still learn, creating even more excitement for our future sailing adventures!” – Konstan M.
- “As Global Director of Education for NauticEd, it is an absolute pleasure to have her on our senior skipper/instructor team. If the %&@ hit the fan, I’d want her on my boat.” Grant Headifen.
Itinerary
This interactive map is a typical sample itinerary only that we have put together. The route taken during the week will depend on prevailing and current weather.
FAQs
✈️ Getting There: Travel Info
Home base is Procida. Fly into Naples International Airport (NAP), just 25 km from Procida. From the airport, take a taxi to either the Port of Naples (Molo Beverello) or the Port of Pozzuoli, where ferries and hydrofoils run to Procida. The crossing takes about 1 hour by ferry or 35 minutes by hydrofoil. From the port, it’s a short walk to the marina base.
Who’s Going?
Couples, solo travelers, friend groups, seasoned sailors wanting extra tips from a pro, and first-timers. If you’ve ever dreamed of sailing Italy—but with a dash more adventure—this flotilla is for you.
What’s a Flotilla?
A flotilla is a group of yachts sailing the same route—independently skippered or captained by you—but with shared support, camaraderie, and guidance from a lead boat and local flotilla leader. Think: freedom with a safety net and a built-in crew of travel buddies.
How to Join?
Cabin spots always go first, and private yachts are limited. If you’re looking for the real Italian dolce vita, the Pontine Islands await you. We’ll handle all the details, so all you need to do is show up, and soak in the sailing magic of Italy.
Ready for the kind of trip people talk about for years?
Let’s sail the secret side of Italy – the Pontine archipelago.
Author
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Last updated on October 4th, 2025
NauticEd is a fully recognized education and certification platform for sailing students combining online and on-the-water real instruction (and now VR). NauticEd offers +24 online courses, a free sailor's toolkit that includes 2 free courses, and six ranks of certification – all integrated into NauticEd’s proprietary platform. The USCG and NASBLA recognize NauticEd as having met the established American National Standards. Learn more at www.nauticed.org.
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