Amalfi Coast Yacht Charter: Capri, Positano and Beyond
Quick answer
An Amalfi Coast yacht charter typically costs from about €50,000 per week for a 30m crewed yacht to €95,000 or more for a 40m yacht, plus Italy's 22% VAT on the base fee, an APA of roughly 30–40% and a 10–15% crew tip. Most weeks start in Naples or Salerno and cover Capri, Positano, Amalfi, Ischia and Procida in short hops of 5–25 nautical miles. June and September are the best months.
Why charter a yacht on the Amalfi Coast?
The Amalfi Coast and the Bay of Naples combine some of Italy's most famous scenery with very short distances, so a week aboard means more time at anchor and ashore than underway. Capri, Positano, Amalfi, Ischia and Procida all sit within about 25 nautical miles of each other.
A yacht also solves the region's biggest practical problem. The coast road is narrow, slow and congested in summer, and the towns are stacked up cliffs with almost no parking. From the water you arrive by tender at the beach in front of your lunch reservation, and you sleep somewhere quiet once the day visitors have left.
The main trade-offs are cost and crowding. Italy's 22% VAT is one of the highest in the Med, and Capri in August is very busy. Choosing June or September, and mixing in quieter islands, makes a real difference.
Where should you go on an Amalfi Coast yacht charter?
Most charters cover the Bay of Naples islands and the Amalfi Coast itself, then add the Cilento coast, the Pontine Islands or the Aeolian Islands for a quieter or longer trip.
Capri
The island's highlights from the water are the Faraglioni rock stacks, the Blue Grotto (best early, by small local boat), the Green Grotto and the swimming spots on the south side. Marina Grande has very limited berths in summer, so most yachts anchor off and use the tender to reach the funicular, Capri Town and Anacapri. Best for a glamorous lunch and an evening ashore.
Positano, Amalfi and the coast
- Positano: the famous pastel town climbing up the cliff; yachts anchor off and tender to the main beach. Best for dinner and photos.
- Li Galli: a small private archipelago between Positano and Capri, a popular swim stop.
- Amalfi and Ravello: Amalfi's cathedral and harbour, with Ravello's villas and gardens a short drive above. Best for culture and views.
- Nerano and Marina del Cantone: a quiet bay on the Sorrento Peninsula known for seafood lunches. Best for a long lunch at anchor.
- Furore and Conca dei Marini: dramatic coves and grottoes best seen by tender.
Ischia and Procida
- Ischia: larger and greener than Capri, with thermal spas, Sant'Angelo's car-free village and the Aragonese Castle. Best for wellness and a slower day.
- Procida: pastel fishing harbours at Marina Corricella and a far more local feel. Best for a quiet evening.
Farther afield: the Aeolian Islands, Pontine Islands and Sardinia
- Aeolian Islands (Sicily): Lipari, Salina, Panarea, Vulcano, Stromboli, Filicudi and Alicudi. Volcanic, wild and much quieter than Capri, with Stromboli's night eruptions a highlight. They sit roughly 140 nautical miles south of Naples, so most charterers start in Sicily or Calabria instead.
- Pontine Islands: Ponza and Palmarola, closer to Rome, with clear water and fewer foreign visitors.
- Sardinia: the Costa Smeralda around Porto Cervo and the La Maddalena archipelago national park, reached via Olbia (OLB). Sardinia has a stronger superyacht scene but more exposure to the mistral.
When is the best time to charter a yacht on the Amalfi Coast?
June and September are the best months for most charterers: warm water, settled weather and fewer day boats. The season runs roughly May to October, with peak demand in July and August. See our best time to charter a yacht guide for how Italy compares with the rest of the Med.
| Month | Conditions | Typical wind | Crowds and pricing | Our view |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | Mild, sea cool | Light to moderate; variable | Low; shoulder rates | Good for touring and gardens |
| June | Warm, long days | Generally light; afternoon sea breeze | Rising | One of the best months |
| July | Hot | Light; occasional scirocco (warm southeasterly) | Peak | Expect crowded anchorages off Capri |
| August | Hottest | Light; afternoon thunderstorms possible | Peak; Italian holidays around mid-August | Book early; consider the Aeolians |
| September | Warm sea | Mostly settled | Falling | Our top pick |
| October | Cooling | More variable; first autumn fronts | Low | Good value; some beach clubs close |
The Bay of Naples is generally less windy than the Cyclades or the Gulf of Lion. The main weather risks are a scirocco from the southeast, which can make south-facing anchorages such as Positano uncomfortable, and occasional thunderstorms in late summer. Sardinia and the Strait of Bonifacio feel the mistral far more often.
How much does an Amalfi Coast yacht charter cost?
Expect base weekly rates of roughly €50,000 for a 30m crewed yacht and €95,000 or more for a 40m yacht. Rates exclude APA, VAT and tips, vary by season and yacht, and July–August rates sit well above the shoulder months.
| Yacht type and size | Typical weekly base rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crewed catamaran, 45–70 ft | Roughly €15,000–€60,000 | Guide range only; fewer available than in Greece |
| Motor or sailing yacht, 27–33m | About €51,000 typical | Roughly US$59,000 |
| Motor yacht, 37–43m | About €95,000 typical | Roughly US$109,000 |
| Superyacht, 46–55m | About €167,500 typical | Roughly US$193,000 |
| Superyacht, 55–75m | About €350,000 typical | See our superyacht charter guide |
Our yacht charter cost guide walks through every line of a charter budget.
What taxes and fees apply in Italy?
Italy charges 22% VAT on the base charter fee. The flat-rate reductions that once cut the effective rate (6.6% for yachts over 24m) were abolished in April 2020. Some brokers say documented time outside EU waters can reduce the bill, but no fixed effective rate has been confirmed, so budget for the full 22% and treat any reduction as a bonus. Berthing in Naples, Capri and Sorrento in high summer is expensive and comes out of the APA.
Rules change; confirm the VAT treatment and expected port costs with your broker at booking. Our yacht charter VAT guide compares Italy with France, Greece and Croatia.
Example: a week on a 40m motor yacht
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Base charter fee | €95,000 |
| APA at roughly 35% | €33,250 |
| VAT at 22% of base | €20,900 |
| Crew tip at 10–15% | €9,500–€14,250 |
| Rough total | €158,600–€163,400 (roughly US$182,000–$188,000) |
The APA covers fuel, food, drink and berthing; any unused balance is refunded, as explained in our APA guide.
How do you get to your yacht on the Amalfi Coast?
Fly into Naples (NAP), usually via a European hub, then transfer to the marina; Naples is the gateway for almost every Amalfi Coast and Capri charter.
- Naples (Molo Luise and Mergellina): the city's superyacht berths sit close to the center, roughly 20–30 minutes from the airport in normal traffic.
- Marina di Stabia (Castellammare di Stabia): a large modern marina near Sorrento, about 40 minutes from the airport, and a handy embarkation point.
- Salerno (Marina d'Arechi): best if you want to start at the Amalfi end of the coast or head south to Cilento.
- Sicily and Calabria (for the Aeolians): fly into Catania or Palermo and embark in Milazzo, or start from Tropea or Vibo Valentia on the mainland.
- Sardinia: fly into Olbia (OLB) for Porto Cervo and La Maddalena.
Some charterers arrive by helicopter from Naples or Rome to save time; your broker can arrange this.
What does a 7-night Amalfi Coast itinerary look like?
A good first-time week from Naples loops through Procida, Ischia, Capri and the Amalfi Coast, covering roughly 100–120 nautical miles in very short hops. The order flexes with wind direction and berth availability.
| Day | Route | Rough distance | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naples to Procida | About 12 nm | Evening at Marina Corricella |
| 2 | Procida to Ischia (Sant'Angelo) | About 15 nm | Thermal gardens, castle by tender |
| 3 | Ischia to Capri | About 20 nm | Faraglioni swim, dinner in Capri Town |
| 4 | Capri to Li Galli and Positano | About 12 nm | Morning Blue Grotto, swim at Li Galli, night off Positano |
| 5 | Positano to Amalfi | About 8 nm | Amalfi cathedral, Ravello by car |
| 6 | Amalfi to Nerano | About 15 nm | Long seafood lunch, quiet anchorage |
| 7 | Nerano to Capri or Sorrento | About 10 nm | Second Capri evening, or Sorrento's old town |
| 8 | Back to Naples | About 18–20 nm | Disembark |
Most days need under two hours underway on a motor yacht, which leaves most of each day for swimming, lunch ashore and exploring.
Alternative: a 7-night Aeolian Islands week
Starting from Milazzo or Tropea, a week covers Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Panarea and Stromboli, with an optional run west to Filicudi and Alicudi. Hops are mostly 5–20 nautical miles. It is our pick for repeat Italy visitors who want volcanoes, quieter anchorages and a more local feel.
Who is an Amalfi Coast yacht charter right for?
The Amalfi Coast suits couples, food lovers and groups who want famous places with very little time underway. It is less ideal for anyone who wants empty anchorages in peak season.
| Traveler | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Couples | Excellent | Romantic towns, short hops, great dining |
| Food and wine lovers | Excellent | Seafood, lemons, Campanian wines |
| Families | Good | Calm-ish water, but towns involve steep stairs |
| Groups of friends | Very good | Capri and Positano nightlife, beach clubs |
| Seclusion seekers | Fair in summer | Choose the Aeolians, Pontines or September |
Who should choose elsewhere? If budget matters, Italy's 22% VAT makes the same yacht noticeably more expensive than in Croatia or Montenegro. If you want long stretches of empty island anchorages, Greece offers more of them. And if you want a strong marina and nightlife scene every night, the French Riviera is the more natural fit.
Can you combine the Amalfi Coast with other areas?
Yes. Two weeks lets you link the Amalfi Coast with the Aeolian Islands, Sicily or the Pontine Islands, and longer trips can reach Sardinia or Corsica.
- Amalfi Coast plus the Aeolians: the most popular combination, with one long day or an overnight passage of roughly 140 nautical miles south.
- Rome, the Pontine Islands and Amalfi: start near Rome (Fiumicino or Nettuno area), visit Ponza and Palmarola, then cruise south via Ischia to Capri.
- Sardinia and Corsica: a separate charter from Olbia covering La Maddalena and Bonifacio pairs well with an Amalfi week but usually means a flight in between, not a passage.
- Amalfi then the French Riviera: possible as a one-way repositioning on a larger yacht, with delivery fees and a mix of Italian and French VAT, so ask your broker to price it both ways.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Amalfi Coast yacht charter cost?
Base rates for a crewed 27–33m yacht typically sit around €51,000 per week and 37–43m yachts around €95,000, with wide variation by season and yacht. Italy adds 22% VAT on the base fee, plus an APA of roughly 30–40% and a 10–15% crew tip. A 40m motor yacht week often lands around €160,000 all-in.
What is the VAT on a yacht charter in Italy?
Italy charges 22% VAT on the base charter fee. The old flat-rate reductions, including 6.6% for yachts over 24m, were abolished in April 2020. Some brokers say documented time outside EU waters can reduce the bill, but budget for the full 22% unless your contract says otherwise.
Where do Amalfi Coast yacht charters start?
Most start in Naples, at the Molo Luise and Mergellina area, or at Marina di Stabia near Castellammare. Salerno's Marina d'Arechi is a good alternative at the eastern end of the coast. Naples airport (NAP) serves all three.
Can a yacht dock in Capri or Positano?
Capri's Marina Grande has limited berths that are very hard to get in summer, so most larger yachts anchor off the island and use the tender. Positano and Amalfi have no superyacht marina, so yachts anchor off and guests go ashore by tender.
When is the best time for a yacht charter on the Amalfi Coast?
June and September give warm water, settled weather and lighter crowds. July and August are hot, expensive and crowded, especially around Capri. May and October are quieter and cheaper, though some beach clubs keep shorter hours.
Is the Amalfi Coast or the Aeolian Islands better for a yacht charter?
The Amalfi Coast offers glamour, famous towns and short hops, but it is busy in summer. The Aeolian Islands are wilder and quieter, with volcanoes and fewer yachts, but they need a longer positioning passage. Two weeks lets you combine them.
Charter rates, APA, VAT and fees quoted are approximate, vary by yacht and season, and change often. Confirm current figures with your broker at booking.