Boat Rental Ancona — the Passetto, Mezzavalle, Portonovo, the Due Sorelle, Numana, Senigallia and Tips for 2027

Ancona, the capital of the Marche, was founded by Greeks from Syracuse in the 4th century BC, and its name comes from the Greek word for "elbow", after the curved promontory that shelters its harbour. Today it is one of the largest ports on the Adriatic, with ferries to Croatia, Greece and Albania, but just south of the city the coast changes completely: the white limestone cliffs of Monte Conero drop straight into a clear, turquoise sea, with small beaches that are hard to reach by land. For a boat trip this is the most beautiful stretch of the central Adriatic. This guide explains where boats leave from, where to go, which rules apply and when to come.

Where boats leave from

Boats leave from Marina Dorica, the large marina just north of the port of Ancona, and from the small harbours of Numana, below Monte Conero, and Senigallia, about 15 nautical miles to the north. Many trips along the Conero coast start from Numana, the closest harbour to the most beautiful beaches. Ancona is also a busy commercial and ferry port, so keep away from the shipping lanes and the harbour entrance.

Where to go

• The Passetto (about 3 NM): the city's limestone cliffs, with the white monumental steps down to the sea and the fishermen's caves carved into the rock.
• Mezzavalle (about 5 NM): a long, wild beach below the cliffs, reached on land only by a steep path, and the Trave, a rocky reef that stretches out into the sea like a beam.
• Portonovo (about 6 NM): a green bay with the Napoleonic fort, the De Bosis tower and the Romanesque church of Santa Maria di Portonovo, with fish restaurants by the beach.
• The Due Sorelle (about 9 NM): the most famous beach of the Conero, below the steepest cliffs, named after the two white rocks in the sea, and reachable only by boat.
• Sirolo and Numana (about 10–11 NM): the beaches of San Michele, Sassi Neri and Urbani below Sirolo, and the small harbour and beaches of Numana.
• North to Senigallia (about 15 NM): the "Velvet Beach" of fine sand and the Rocca Roveresca castle by the canal harbour.

Explore the boats in Portonovo, in Numana and in Senigallia too. For more of the Adriatic coast of Italy, read our guides to boat rental in Rimini and in Ravenna.

Rules and tips

• Licence. Without a licence you can drive a boat of up to 10 m and about 40 hp within 6 NM of the coast. For more you need a licence or a skipper.
• Bathing areas. In summer, boats must stay at least 200 m from sandy beaches and 100 m from rocky coasts, and may enter and leave only slowly through the marked channels.
• Conero Regional Park. Parts of the Conero coast are protected, with rules on speed, distance from shore and anchoring; ask the owner or check the port authority's ordinances before you go.
• Falling rocks. The cliffs of the Conero are crumbly; do not moor or swim right below the rock faces.
• Harbour and ferries. Keep away from the shipping lanes and the entrance to the port of Ancona, where large ferries and cargo ships come and go.

Wind and weather

The Conero coast faces north-east, so it is most exposed to the bora, the cold, gusty north-easterly wind that can raise steep waves in a short time. The scirocco from the south-east also brings swell. On calm summer days the sea is usually smooth in the morning, while a breeze often picks up in the afternoon. Check the forecast every morning and plan your trip around the wind.

When to go

The season runs from June to September, with long sunny days and the sea at around 25 °C in August. June and September are quieter, and in May and October the weather can still be pleasant, although the sea is cooler. In July and August the bays of Portonovo and the Due Sorelle fill up with boats, so leave early in the morning to find a good spot.

Boat rental in Ancona with Crystalium Booker

We are still building up our boat offer in Ancona. Send us your dates and number of people through the contact page and we will look for a suitable boat for you, and keep an eye on the boats in Ancona page for new listings. Do you rent out boats in or around Ancona? List them with us.