2019-08-16 Ventotene Island to Ile de Procida, via Ile d’Ischia, Italy

Mid morning we make our departure saying goodbye to our sister ship which was moored a couple of berths along from us

Tying up along the port wall in the Ventotene harbour was free of charge however we paid 5 euros for water and power which was quite reasonable

In the background is the tiny island, Isola di Santo Stefano with it’s abandoned jail that operated from 1797 when it was completed to 1965

As we depart from the island of Ventotene we pass the ancient harbour which was unbelievably carved out of solid rock

2 hours later, motoring in a easterly direction, we approach the island of Ischia which is another volcanic island situated off the mid western Italian coast, close to the city of Naples

We approach the west coast of Ischia at Punta Caruso and the area of Foriano where there are a number of spectacular clifftop houses, most with swimming pools carved into surrounding rock

Isola d’Ischia is the largest island in the bay of Naples and is a very popular destination for visitors by boat or ferry, as it is located only 30 kms from Naples

We pass the popular town of Lacco Ameno on the north west coast of Ischia

Looking back to Punta di Monte Vico with the Cemetery, Cimitero di Lacco Ameno perched on cliffs high above the water

We arrive at Porto d’Ischia, the main town of the island, located on the north east coast

We decide to continue on as we were keen to anchor for a while and have some lunch and a swim

In our travels we see some beautiful traditional yachts

We decide to continue on towards the tiny islet which is situated on the east coast of the island of Ischia

An Argonese Castle which was built in 474 BC dominates the islet which is attached to the island d’Ischia by a stone walkway

The bay beside the islet with the amazing castle was very busy. There were no comfortable areas for us to anchor so we decide to continue on to the nearby island of Procida

We motor for 5 nautical miles (9 kms) northeast to Ile d’Procida and arrive back at one of our favourite Mediterranean islands. We continue to the northeast of the island and anchor off Marina Corricella

The Monastery of Santa Margherita Nuova which is perched high on the clifftops of Punta dei Monaci overlooks our favourite anchorage ….. and no doubt popular with others too!!