One of the most famous moorings on the island of Ponza, Cala di Feola is a great way to spend the day and night at anchorage away from the crowded ports of Ponza, but with the possibility of using the services of the nearby village of Le Forna.
Cala di Feola is located in the northwestern part of the island; it offers shelter from winds from the second and third quadrants, while it is exposed to westerly winds, like all the bays on this side of the island of Ponza. The natural cove of Feola is sheltered by a small pier used for mooring fishing boats; it is not available for recreational boats. It is possible to drop anchor in the anchorage in front of the pier on mixed rocky and sandy bottoms at a depth of 10–15 meters.
As with all the bays on the western side of the island, it is essential to have up-to-date information on marine weather conditions because the westerly exposure can make anchoring risky in the event of strong winds. Especially in the summer, there may be unmanned vessels in the anchorage, increasing the danger in the event of anchoring problems. A notice from the Harbor Master’s Office warns of the danger of landslides and falling rocks.
Cala di Feola is famous for the pools carved by the sea into the tuff, which form natural swimming pools where you can swim. The light color of the sand on the seabed, the clarity of the water, and the blue of the Ponza Sea complete a scene of extraordinary beauty. Also very striking are the houses carved into the tuff by the bay’s first settlers, which can still be seen intact today. However, the monk seals that, until a few decades ago, populated the cliffs of Cala di Feola in winter are no longer present.
The beach at the far end of the bay, with its fine gravel, is equipped with food stands, bars, and restaurants, as well as lounge chairs and umbrellas, and offers the option to rent diving gear. Both the beach and the anchorage are very popular in the summer, though certainly less so than the eastern part of the island. The village of Le Forna is accessible on foot via a steep but well-maintained and easy-to-follow trail. In the village, you can find all the basic amenities: bars, restaurants, a small supermarket, scooter rentals, etc. The walk also offers a beautiful view of the entire Cala di Feola and the nearby Cala dell’Acqua, separated by a small headland.
