Ponza — Cala Feola / Le Piscine
Cala di Feola · Le Piscine naturali di Ponza · Natural Pools Ponza
40°55.2'N 12°54.9'E
Depth
5–15m
Bottom
rock
Alarm Radius
90m
Holding
Fair holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
90m
90m in the Cala Feola anchorage in 8–12m. Fair holding only on rocky bottom with sand patches — snorkel to verify before trusting the anchor overnight. Recommended as a day anchorage only given the NW exposure. Return to Ponza Porto for overnight in any wind above F3.
About This Anchorage
Cala Feola is situated on the NW side of Ponza and is famous for the 'Piscine Naturali' — extraordinary natural swimming pools carved by wave erosion into the volcanic tuff platform at the sea's edge. The pools are interconnected lagoons of brilliant turquoise-to-emerald water, warm (sheltered from wind), and accessible by a short walk from the dinghy landing. This is one of Ponza's most celebrated natural features and one of the best natural swimming experiences anywhere on the Tyrrhenian coast. The anchorage in the bay below is usable in settled conditions but is exposed to the NW Maestrale — plan for a day visit and return to Ponza Porto for overnight.
Protected From
E · SE · S
Exposed To
N · NW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free
- Maximum stay
- 1 days
- Permit required
- No
- Permit details
- No AMP permit. Standard Italian maritime rules. The Piscine Naturali area has a boat exclusion zone immediately around the pools — approach by dinghy only from the anchored vessel.
Restrictions: No anchoring on Posidonia. Boat exclusion zone around the Piscine Naturali — approach by dinghy only. Day use recommended; overnight in any NW above F3 is inadvisable.
Hazards
- !Maestrale/NW exposure: The anchorage is fully exposed NW — in Maestrale above F3, the bay is immediately uncomfortable; day use only in settled conditions
- !Rocky seabed: The volcanic tuff seabed at Cala Feola is predominantly rock — anchor drag risk is high; snorkel to find sandy patches before committing to overnight
- !Dinghy landing at Piscine Naturali: The landing step at the Piscine naturali can have surge even in calm conditions — stand up in the dinghy and time the landing
- !Summer crowding: The Piscine Naturali are extremely popular in July–August with boats from Ponza and day-trip vessels; the anchorage is crowded from 10:00–16:00
Skipper's Tips
- →Arrive at the Piscine Naturali at 08:00 before the day-trip boats arrive — the pools in the morning light (completely sheltered from wind, warm from the previous day's sun) are magical
- →The volcanic tuff rock at Cala Feola has extraordinary colours — ochre, grey, pale green, and rust — look for the Roman-era quarry marks in the cliff faces
- →From Cala Feola, the coastal path northward (toward Punta del Fieno) passes through the wild N coast of Ponza — one of the finest walks on the island with views of the volcanic stacks
- →The deep anchoring required here (8–12m in places) means having at least 50m of chain is essential — with a 4:1 scope in 12m, you need 48m of chain before you have any swing radius
Facilities
Seasonal snack bar near the Piscine Naturali. Full facilities at Ponza Porto (4nm E).
Nearest provisions: Ponza Porto (4nm)
Best Months & Season
June, July, August, September
June–September only (day visits). The Piscine Naturali are most spectacular in flat-calm morning conditions. In rough conditions, the pools are covered by waves and inaccessible — check forecast before making the passage from Ponza Porto.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
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