Cala dell’Acqua owes its name to the presence of a large number of cavities carved into the rock from which water seeps. It can be reached not only by sea but also by land via the only access to the sea in the hamlet of Le Forna. For those without their own boat, a shuttle service departs from the Port of Ponza and takes 45 minutes to reach the anchorage.

For about 50 years, until 1975, the area was extensively used for mining minerals from a rich deposit of bentonite and kaolin. A short, picturesque walk leads to the Fortino overlooking Punta Papa, built in ancient times to defend the surrounding area. Beneath this promontory lies the Grotta di Zia Teresa: legend has it that a convict once hid a priceless treasure there.

Also at Punta Papa, at a depth of 20 meters, lies the wreck of a small British cargo ship. With a flat hull, it sank and was destroyed by an explosion during World War II due to bad weather and engine failure. To locate the wreck, which is split into two parts, simply use a rocky outcrop near the point as a reference. The stern of the wreck, still intact, lies just inside Cala dell’Acqua.

A short boat ride will then take you to the Lucia Rosa sea stacks, which are named after a tragic event. Toward the end of the 19th century, a woman named Lucia Rosa threw herself off the cliffs, overcome by despair at being unable to marry a poor farmer. The story is tragic, but the view is breathtaking.

Cala dell’Acqua is small but very popular. Characterized by the light, soft colors of its rocks and sand, it is located on the western side of the island, which means that Cala dell’Acqua is bathed in the last, picturesque rays of the setting sun.

Inside the anchorage, a tanker is anchored at anchor; it is essential for ensuring the island’s water supply. There used to be an iron pier, but the passage of time and storm surges have gradually destroyed it.

There are no safe mooring spots at Cala dell’Acqua, and no services of any kind are provided. Nearby, a safe anchorage is located about 200 meters south of Punta Papa, where the seabed reaches a depth of nearly 18 meters. To the south-southeast of this spot, about 100 meters from the coast, there is another anchorage, this time for small boats; here, the water depth is 5–6 meters.

In April 2015, a Services Conference was held regarding the marina at Cala dell’Acqua. During this conference, the need to design and build a marina at Cala dell’Acqua became apparent. This will not only lead to a significant increase in nautical tourism, with resulting economic development; the construction of a marina will also result in environmental restoration and the redevelopment of the area where the former Samip mine is located, which has been completely neglected since its closure in 1975.