11 Island Day Trips in Italy for Your Spare Day

1.Sardinia: La Maddalena Archipelago Full-Day Trip by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,710 reviews · 6 - 7 hours · from $59Our pick

Spend 6 to 7 hours aboard Elena Tour Navigazioni visiting Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, and La Maddalena. Swim from the boat or at Cala Corsara, stroll La Maddalena’s Caruggi, and buy Sardinian food and drinks on board. Live commentary is available in English, French, and Italian, with a smartphone audio guide for quieter cruising.

“lots of free time, decent prices for beer etc. have payed more for less”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.From Palau: La Maddalena Islands Full-Day Trip by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,414 reviews · 7 hours · from $59

Board the Navetta Sea Star in Palau for a seven-hour cruise through La Maddalena National Park. Swim at Spargi, Santa Maria, or Cala Coticcio, photograph Spiaggia Rosa from the boat, and hear commentary in English, French, Italian, or Spanish. Depending on the day, finish with Caprera’s natural aquarium or free time in La Maddalena town.

“This boat was very interesting. It was a bit crowded but on the whole the trip was nice, the islands beautiful and the food was also quite good. We had a caprese. It was basic but good”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Capri Island Boat Day Trip With Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 762 reviews · from $123Top rated

Travel from Sorrento to Capri with hotel pickup, a small group of up to 12, and a boat crew such as Giuseppe, Italo, Tony, or Valentino. Circle the island, pass the grottos and Faraglioni, stop for swimming, enjoy drinks and snacks, then spend four hours exploring Capri or Anacapri before returning.

“Arlo and Orlando were fabulous hosts. everything went smoothly, highly recommend this trip”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Capri Island Day Trip with Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 469 reviews · from $164

Join a small group of up to 12 for a boat trip from Sorrento to Capri. Your English or Italian speaking crew circles the island, pauses for swimming and snorkeling, and serves drinks and snacks. You get up to four hours ashore, with time for Capri, Anacapri, shopping, or lunch.

“Great tour! We had the best day with Captain Marco. Hit all the best spots - Caprì Island and the grottos were incredible. The boat was very nice and the Prosecco and Limoncello was a nice touch! Definitely recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Ponza Island Day Trip with Boat Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 278 reviews · from $191

Leave Rome early for Ponza by air-conditioned minibus and fast ferry, then spend five hours cruising to grottoes and swimming spots. Your English-speaking guide, often Mara, Valerio, Luca, or Gina, handles the logistics while the captain serves pasta, wine, and water. A final hour in Ponza port gives you time for a drink or souvenir shopping.

“We had only 3 days in Rome, and we booked this trip on our only full day in Rome (when we don't have flight), and it was such an amazing idea! Gabriel and the boat captain were very positive, which made this trip super fun. Ponza is very interesting place, me and my wife recommend everyone to just go for it!! You will not regret it :) Lots of time for swimming (5 different places or even more), very tasty lunch, wine, stories of the island and even free time to go and grab some coctails before the ferry back.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Capri Island Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 242 reviews · from $186

Travel from Rome to Capri by coach and ferry, with an English-speaking tour leader handling the transfers and sharing advice along the way. You get about five hours on Capri for the Piazzetta, Augustus Gardens, Anacapri, the chairlift, or the optional Blue Grotto. It is a long but efficient summer day.

“We had a wonderful day. Everything was organized and on time.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Procida Island Day Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 137 reviews · from $90

Meet your host outside Caffè Beverello at Naples’ Molo Beverello at 8:00 am, then take a round-trip ferry or hydrofoil to Procida. Explore independently, visit Terra Murata, Corricella, and Marina Grande, and stop for a three-course restaurant lunch with wine or a soft drink. Italian and English assistance is provided at the port.

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Poltu Quatu: La Maddalena Archipelago Sailboat full-day trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 36 reviews · from $192

Spend 7.5 hours sailing from Poltu Quatu aboard the Rosa Velata, a modern eight-person boat led by Mario and Cindy. Stop at Spargi, Budelli, and Caprera for swimming and snorkeling, then enjoy North Sardinian food, pasta, sweets, water, and plenty of time on deck.

“Our personal thank you goes to Cynthia and Mario! This very kind and hospitable skipper and his partner have created an unforgettable trip around the Sardinian Archipele. Both work very professionally and synchronized together making the trip safe yet very pleasant and diversified. Both are very human and make a great Sport with interesting conversations! They have shown us around the most wonderful parts of the islands with adorable beaches and gorgeous water color giving us enough time to swim around and discover by ourselves. Another big advantage is that the guys speak many languages like Italian, Spanish, German and English which made the trip very comfortable although we where…”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Catamaran: Day trips in La Maddalena’s Archipelago

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 34 reviews · from $113

Spend seven hours aboard Scatto, a sporty 10 by 7 meter prototype catamaran run by a young local crew. You will sail through La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, swim at clear-water stops, and enjoy free time at Budelli, Santa Maria, and Spargi. Bring your own food, drinks, swim gear, and sunscreen. There is no toilet onboard.

“Great day spent with a great crew who interact with each of the passengers. There were only 8 of us which allowed us to fully enjoy the boat unlike others. Magnificent swimming stops in the Maddalena archipelago. To recommend without hesitation”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Ponza Island: Day Trip from Anzio with 5 Hour Boat Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 28 reviews · from $180

Meet your English-speaking tour leader at Anzio’s Laziomar ticket office, then take a 1.5-hour ferry to Ponza. After a short port break, cruise the island’s 40-mile coast, stopping to swim and snorkel in coves and grottoes. The captain prepares pasta, wine, water, and coffee onboard before your 5:30 PM ferry home.

“It was a great trip, I loved that we got to swim for so long in beautiful places. It's worth the money!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Capri Day Trip with Ferry and Island Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 24 reviews · from $135

You’ll travel from Naples to Capri by ferry with an Italian or English-speaking host or greeter, then enjoy five hours to explore on your own. An included one-hour boat tour circles the Faraglioni rocks and Marina Piccola. Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, and a towel, but leave large bags behind.

Check availability →Read our full review