Sailing to Anacapri approaches Capri from the west, where the cliff faces drop most dramatically into the Tyrrhenian and the ferry traffic runs thinnest. A sailing yacht working down from Sorrento on the prevailing southwest breeze arrives at the western tip of the island, below the Anacapri plateau and the Punta Carena lighthouse, in ideal position to anchor for the afternoon and visit the upper village before the day-trip boats return to Naples.
Seven sailing yachts in the Italian charter fleet cover the Gulf of Naples and Capri, ranging from modern performance monohulls to classic rigs. The passage from Sorrento to Capri takes three to five hours under sail depending on the wind; from Positano on the Amalfi Coast, the direct crossing to the island west side runs two to four hours on a comfortable reach. Both approaches suit a sailing yacht better than a ferry.
Charter rates for sailing yachts in Italian waters run from 85,000 to 245,000 euros per week. The advance provisioning allowance, around 30 percent of the charter fee, covers provisions, port costs and crew gratuity, with fuel a comparatively small item. June and September represent the optimal months for sailing around Capri: consistent breeze, uncrowded anchorages, and water temperature still close to the August maximum.
An Anacapri sailing itinerary naturally extends to the Amalfi coast, Ischia and Procida, all within a day sail of Capri. A week can begin on the Amalfi coast, cross to Capri for two nights at anchor on the west side, then continue north to Ischia and Procida before returning to Naples for disembarkation.
