Caremar

Who they are

Caremar (Campania Regionale Marittima) is the public-service ferry company for the Bay of Naples. It runs under a regional service contract that guarantees year-round connections between the mainland and the inhabited islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida. Caremar was once part of the state-owned Tirrenia group; the shares passed to the Campania region, which sold the company in 2015 to SNAV (part of Gianluigi Aponte's MSC group) together with Rifim of the Lauro group.

While private operators compete on the busiest summer routes, Caremar's mandate is broader: it serves residents as much as tourists, with early-morning boats, winter sailings and car ferries. For the many islanders who commute to Naples for work, school or medical appointments, Caremar is a utility rather than a tourism product.

Network and routes

Caremar's network radiates from Naples, Pozzuoli and Sorrento to the three islands.

• Ischia gets the most sailings. Caremar car ferries leave Naples Calata Porta di Massa for Ischia Porto and Casamicciola in about 1 hour 30 minutes, and its fast boats leave Molo Beverello for Ischia Porto in about 1 hour. Caremar also sails to Ischia from Pozzuoli, the shorter crossing for drivers.
• Procida is served from Naples (about 40 minutes by fast boat, about an hour by ferry), from Pozzuoli and from Ischia. Procida was Italy's Capital of Culture in 2022.
• Capri is served from Naples Calata Porta di Massa, by a fast ferry in about 1 hour and a conventional ferry in about 1 hour 25 minutes, and from Sorrento in about 30 minutes. Caremar's Capri fares are usually the cheapest on these routes. Every ticket to Capri includes the island's landing fee (€5 from April to October).

The only inter-island link is Ischia–Procida; there is no Caremar boat between Capri and Ischia.

Fleet and on board

Caremar runs conventional ro-ro ferries on the vehicle routes to Ischia and Procida and on its slower Capri service, plus fast passenger boats on the quicker Capri, Ischia and Procida runs. The ferries are functional workhorses with covered lounges, seating decks and a bar.

The fast boats are more sensitive to sea conditions; in rough weather the conventional ferries are more likely to sail. Caremar's luggage allowance is generous for the bay: 20 kg on conventional ferries and 10 kg on its fast boats.

Booking and tips

Caremar tickets can be bought at the port ticket offices or online. For Capri or Ischia day trips outside peak summer, buying on the day usually works, but vehicle space on the Ischia and Procida ferries should be booked ahead for summer weekends.

Check which pier your ticket is for. In Naples, Caremar's ferries and its Capri boats leave from Calata Porta di Massa, while its high speed boats to Ischia and Procida leave from Molo Beverello. Pozzuoli, reached by the Naples metro and Cumana railway, is a useful alternative for Procida and for drivers heading to Ischia. If you are bringing a car to Ischia, check the 2026 ban on Campania-registered vehicles before you book.