Periplo Isola d'Ischia

Legend speaks of the Phaeacians, ancient mariners whom the goddess Venus punished by turning their ships to stone near the shores of Citara. For the modern swimmer, these rocks are not mere remnants of myth but the markers of a 30-kilometer challenge that circles the entire island of Ischia. On September 26, 2026, the Periplo Isola d'Ischia invites you to follow the wake of these legendary sailors, navigating a coastline where volcanic energy meets the Mediterranean currents.

As you round the island, you pass through the history of the Pithecusa Greek settlement, the first Greek outpost in Italy, where Phoenicians and Etruscans once traded. The water here is not uniform; near the Citara area, thermal springs gush directly into the sea, offering pockets of varying temperatures that serve as a natural, volcanic reminder of the island’s tectonic soul. You will find yourself swimming beneath the imposing silhouette of Mount Epomeo, the island's 789-meter peak, which remains your constant northern star throughout the day.

Fortresses and lighthouses

Navigating the eastern flank brings you face-to-face with the Aragonese Castle, a jagged volcanic islet anchored to the main island by a stone causeway commissioned by Alfonso V of Aragon in 1441. The silence of your stroke is a sharp contrast to the 1809 British siege, when naval bombardment scarred these same walls. Further along the circuit, the Ischia Porto lighthouse—a masonry structure dating to 1868—flashes every three seconds, serving as a beacon that has guided vessels for over a century.

This 30-kilometer circumnavigation is a test of endurance designed for those who seek the open sea in its raw form. While this race offers a full, uncompromised loop of the island, many swimmers also look toward the Traversata di Nettuno held just one week later, which offers a different perspective on these same volcanic waters. The event is organized by the Associazione ETS IschiaForYou, with logistics structured to manage the coastal currents and maritime traffic that define this Mediterranean circuit. Whether you are battling the swell near the castle or crossing the calmer stretches, the island’s maritime heritage provides a historic backdrop to every kilometer covered.