Hydrofoils

Hydrofoils are fast and offer frequent crossings to both Procida and Ischia. They usually depart from Molo Beverello and reach the island of Procida in about 30-40 minutes and the island of Ischia in 50-60 minutes. They have indoor seating with air conditioning, restrooms and often a small snack bar. Some hydrofoil companies use double-hull catamarans, which can be more stable in the event of rough seas.

Ferries

Ferries take longer (up to 60 minutes to Procida and 90 minutes to Ischia) but the ferry tickets generally cost less than the hydrofoil tickets. Ferries in Naples for Procida and Ischia depart from the Calata Porta di Massa ferry terminal. Ferries are perfect if you’re traveling with bulky luggage or you want to enjoy the crossing and the views from an outside deck. Ferry services also allow for vehicle transport, while hydrofoils are passenger-only vessels. If you plan to embark a vehicle, keep in mind that Ischia doesn’t allow residents of Campania to bring cars or motorcycles on the island during high season (from Easter to mid-October), and Procida also has vehicle restrictions. Make sure you check local restrictions in advance before bringing a vehicle to the islands.

Procida is a very small island and can easily be explored on foot.

Note: Some crossings, both hydrofoil and ferry, may stop in Procida before Ischia, which adds about 10-15 minutes to the overall crossing time.

There are various ferry operators on these routes, including SNAV and Caremar.

High season (April-October)

• Numerous trips from early in the morning until late at night.

• Departures every 60 minutes during peak periods.

• Online booking is recommended to avoid long lines and sold-out crossings.

Low season (November-March)

• Reduced timetables and fewer crossings.

• Hydrofoils are more susceptible to cancellations due to bad weather and rough seas. Ferries continue to run even in rough seas, unless conditions are extreme.

• First ferry from Naples to Procida and Ischia departs around 6 am.

• Last ferry departs from Naples at around 10 pm, and from Procida at 8 pm.

Departure from Naples

• Molo Beverello (passenger-only hydrofoils and high-speed ferries).

• Calata Porta di Massa (ferries and high-speed ferries, car and passenger transport).

The port of Mergellina no longer operates on these routes.

Arriving on Procida

Hydrofoils and ferries all dock on Procida at the Port of Marina Grande, on the island’s northern side. Marina Grande is a small port that’s a short walk from the town center (Terra Murata) and Marina Corricella. There are also buses and taxis available.

Arriving on Ischia

On Ischia, most boats dock at the main port, Ischia Porto.

Some crossings make stops or terminate at Casamicciola Terme or Forio. Always check the port of arrival before purchasing your ticket to see which location is closest to your accommodations.

• Book in advance: The routes to Procida and Ischia fill up quickly in high season, especially on weekends. You can avoid long lines and sold-out crossings by purchasing your ferry tickets in advance online.

• Arrive early: Get to the port at least 20-30 minutes before your departure time, especially if you have an “open” ticket, which requires going to the ticket office first.

• Check the weather: Hydrofoils are more sensitive to rough seas than ferries. In the event of bad weather or rough seas, it’s better to take a ferry (if available) or check for real-time updates by calling the ferry company.