Sunday, September 15, 2024 Locals report that during peak season, the pristine waters around Italy’s Lazio region archipelago transform into a chaotic yacht parking lot. To tackle the overwhelming influx of visitors, Ponza and Palmarola—two of the Pontine Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea—have implemented entry fees for yachts. This move aims to address concerns from residents about overtourism and environmental degradation.
During the high season, the once-clear bays of Ponza become congested with yachts, obstructing views and posing risks to swimmers. For the first time this year, all boats, including large dinghies, are required to pay a fee based on their size. The newly introduced My Ponza app allows boaters to book daily tickets for any vessel approaching within 200 meters of the islands.
Starting next year, fines will be imposed for non-compliance, amounting to ten times the ticket price, with the current penalty being the standard fee for evasion. Ponza, home to just 3,000 residents, sees around 20,000 tourists daily during summer. Its neighboring, mostly uninhabited islands, Zannone and Palmarola, are similarly affected by the influx of yachts and fishing boats rented by tourists from Ponza.
Authorities and locals aim to preserve the islands’ pristine marine environment and prevent cliff collapses that have endangered visitors in the past, including a tragic rockfall in 2001 that claimed the life of a 19-year-old tourist. The ticket fees also help monitor safe boating zones and manage daily boat arrivals near Ponza..
