Italy is surrounded by islands and dotted with lakes. Getting to them requires boats. Capri from Naples (hydrofoil, 50 min, €20). Sardinia from mainland (overnight ferry, 8-12h, from €35). Sicily from mainland (Messina ferry, 20 min, €3.50). Lake Como ferry system. Venice vaporetto. This guide covers every water route a tourist needs.
Capri: From Naples Beverello port — hydrofoil 50 min (SNAV/NLG, €20-25) or ferry 80 min (Caremar, €15). From Sorrento — hydrofoil 20 min (€18). Book day-of at the port or online (snav.it, caremar.it). Sardinia: Civitavecchia (Rome port)→Olbia/Porto Torres — Tirrenia, Moby, GNV (6-8h day ferry from €35/person + car €50-80, or overnight 8-12h with cabin €60-100). Genova→Porto Torres/Olbia (10-12h overnight, Tirrenia/Moby). Book 2-4 weeks ahead in summer — ferries sell out July-August. Best platform: directferries.com (compares all companies).
Sicily: Villa San Giovanni→Messina (Caronte, 20 min, €3.50/person, €35/car — runs every 20 min, no reservation needed). Aeolian Islands: Milazzo→Lipari/Vulcano/Stromboli (Liberty Lines hydrofoil, 1-2h, €18-25). Elba: Piombino→Portoferraio (Toremar/Moby, 1h, €12/person + €25-40/car). Favignana/Egadi Islands: Trapani→Favignana (Liberty Lines, 25 min, €12).
Lake Como: Navigazione Laghi Como — ferries connecting Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, Como, Lecco. Day pass €15. Car ferry Bellagio→Varenna €6-10. Lake Garda: Navigazione Laghi Garda — Sirmione, Desenzano, Riva, Malcesine. Day pass €20. Lake Maggiore: Boat to Isola Bella, Isola Madre from Stresa (€7-10 return).
Vaporetto (water bus): Single ride €9.50 (!). 24h pass €25. 48h pass €35. 72h pass €45. Get the pass. Lines 1 (Grand Canal slow — the scenic route) and 2 (Grand Canal fast). Alilaguna: Airport↔San Marco (€15, 75 min). Water taxi: €110-130 airport→hotel (private boat to your door — expensive but SPECTACULAR for arrival).