Field trips
THE GULF OF NAPOLI: A GULF OF CONTRASTS
The Gulf of Napoli is a marginal basin of approximately 900 km2 located almost at the biogeographic boundary between the north and south Tyrrhenian sectors, which are characterized by different thermal regimes. It has an average depth of 170 m and a complex bottom topography featuring two submarine canyons (Magnaghi and Dohrn) with depths up to 800 m, various deep banks of volcanic origin, and a continental shelf with widths ranging from 2.5 to 20 km. The two canyons act as an efficient motor for the renewal and dilution of the coastal, sometimes polluted waters of the heavy urban colonization of the Gulf’s coastal area. The islands of Ischia, Procida and Capri bond the external edge of the Gulf; the northern limit is represented by the Campi Flegrei area, whereas the Sorrento peninsula and Capri Island enclose the South of the Gulf. Three marginal sub-basins can be identified within the Gulf of Naples: the Bay of Pozzuoli in the northern part, the Bay of Naples in the central sector, and the Gulf of Castellammare in the south-eastern part of the basin.
The volcanic origin, and nowadays still active volcanoes (Vesuvio, the Campi Flegrei and the island of Ischia) characterize the geochemistry of the area. On its southern side, the presence of calcareous rocks (dolomite) of marine origin around Sorrento peninsula and the island of Capri offers quite a rich variety of iconic marine caves (e.g. Grotta Azzurra in Capri). The Gulf of Napoli hosts a large variety of marine coastal and deep habitats due to this double geological and lithological nature. The high marine biodiversity of the Gulf of Napoli has been documented and studied since the end of the XIX century. The Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn was founded in 1872 and promoted the production of a large amount of literature on the taxonomy and distribution of the local marine flora and fauna. Within the Gulf, there are 4 Marine Protected Areas (see Field Trips page) – MPAs Regno di Nettuno, Baia, Gaiola, and Punta Campanella, a special area where fishery is banned (Santa Croce Bank)-, and one Regional Park (Campi Flegrei). Seagrass meadows are mostly present around the Islands of Ischia and Procida, in the Gulf of Pozzuoli, and along the coasts of the Sorrento Peninsula (see the map).
These natural wonders and archaeological beauties are inserted in one of the most urbanized and populated areas of the Italian Peninsula. The city of Naples, with its 3,000 years of history and civilization (from the ancient Greek city of Palaepoli, to present time) hosts 1 million inhabitants, and almost 4 million of people live along the coast of the whole Gulf. The coexistence of such conflicting features and the study of such a delicate equilibrium between marine biodiversity and human impact, in the face also of recent issues related to climate change, is the main challenge for the local marine scientists and the essence of this Gulf of contrast.
FIELD TRIPS will mainly concentrate on the Marine Protected Areas, Archaeological and National Parks present in the Gulf of Napoli. Each Field Trip will give the opportunity to explore nature and to taste the cultural and historical heritage of the area.
The MPA Regno di Nettuno (Field Trips 1 and 2) includes the islands of Ischia, Procida and Vivara, and was established in 2008 to specially protect the vast Posidonia oceanica meadows surrounding the three islands, covering more than 20 Km2 of sea bottom. The island of Ischia also features shallow volcanic CO2 vents systems, involving also P. oceanica meadows.
The MPA Parco Sommerso di Baia (Field Trip 3), within the Gulf of Pozzuoli, was established in 2000. It is a unique marine archaeological park representing the only submersed archaeological site in all Europe. It is possible to snorkel and spot Roman ruins, such as a ninfeo, villas, thermal and harbour structures with statues and mosaics, at a few metres depth.
The MPA Parco Sommerso di Gaiola (Field Trip 4) was established in 2000 and represents the only park located within the urban context of the city of Naples, including both marine and ancient Roman archaeological structures.
The MPA of Punta Campanella (Field Trip 5), established in 1999 on the southern coast of the Gulf, includes most of the Sorrento Peninsula facing the island of Capri and it is rich in marine caves due to its calcareous and karstic nature and features dense P. oceanica patches.
The Archaeological Park of Ercolano (Field Trip 6) was officially established in 2016, while the Archaeological area is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites from 1997, together with the nearby Pompei and Oploonti.
The National Park of Vesuvio (Field Trip 7) was officially established in 1995, to protect plant and animal species and to defend and value one of the most famous and still active volcanos of the world.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Field trips are included in the registration fee. When registering, participants should select one field trip. Field trips will remain available until the maximum number of participants is reached.
Please look at the requirements for each field trip and book it according to your interest. Consider that some of the Field Trips require a minimum fitness to carry out the proposed activities.
All field trips are expected to return to Napoli by 5 pm.
Tips: The air temperature in June 2023 ranged between 18.8°C and max 26°C. Nevertheless, it can be warmer! For snorkelers, average seawater temperature in June is about 23.0 °C, in the Gulf of Napoli. It is up to you to bring a thin wet suit, besides mask and snorkel.
FT1 - Ischia
FULL
Hosted by the MPA Regno di Nettuno (www.nettunoamp.it)
Max participants: 60
Requirements: snorkelling gear
Tips: bring your sun hat, sunscreen, swim gear and beach towel and do not forget your pills, if you get seasick!
Activity: Ferry boat to Ischia and welcome at the MPA Regno di Nettuno headquarter in Ischia Harbour. Boat tour around the Island with snorkelling on seagrass meadows, including a hydrothermal vents site. Back to Napoli by ferry.
FT2 - Procida
FULL
Hosted by the MPA Regno di Nettuno (www.nettunoamp.it)
Max participants: 60
Requirements: snorkelling gear
Tips: walking from the harbour to the Corricella village and going to the beach will take approximately one hour in total, round trip. Bring comfortable shoes, sun hat, sunscreen, swim gear and beach towel.
Activity: Ferry boat to Procida (Italian cultural capital in 2022). Visit the colourful fishing village of Corricella and Terra Murata, the medieval village overlooking the sea. Snorkelling from the beach on a large Posidonia oceanica meadow. Back to Napoli by ferry.
FT3 - Baia
FULL
Hosted by the Parco Sommerso di Baia
(www.parcosommersobaia.beniculturali.it/en)
Max participants: 40
Requirements: snorkelling gear
Tips: snorkelling and visiting the museum can be tiring… be ready. Bring your sun hat, sun screen, swim gear and beach towel and do not forget your pills, if you get seasick.
Activity: Bus to Baia, in the middle of the Phlegrean Fields. Snorkelling with the Diving Centre Subaia (https://subaia.com/) on the Roman ruins of the Underwater Park and on nearby Posidonia oceanica patches. New mosaics have been uncovered under Posidonia dead matte! Snorkelling sites will be reached by dinkey. Visit to the Roman Thermal Baths of Baia. Back to Napoli by bus.
FT4 - Gaiola
FULL
Hosted by the MPA Parco Sommerso di Gaiola (www.areamarinaprotettagaiola.it/en)
Max participants: 48
Requirements: snorkelling gear
Tips: This trip includes walking in the Archeological Park and climbing up from the sea to the main road (20 minutes). Bring your sun hat, sun screen, swim gear and beach towel and comfortable walking shoes.
Activity: Bus to the Parco Archeologico di Pausillipon. Walking through the Roman gallery of Seiano, to reach the ruins of the Roman villa, facing the sea. Visit the Archeological Park to reach the MPA Parco Sommerso di Gaiola headquarter. Snorkelling on rocky shores or cruising in the glass bottom ship of the MPA, enjoying the beach. Back to Napoli by bus.
FT5 - Punta Campanella
FULL
Hosted by the MPA Punta Campanella
(www.puntacampanella.org)
Max participants: 40
Requirements: snorkelling gear
Tips: This is a beautiful area but a bit far from Napoli, bus will leave early, to allow enough time for the trip. Bring your sun hat, sunscreen, swim gear, your beach towel and do not forget your pills, if you get seasick!
Activity: Early Bus to the small harbour of Marina della Lobra (about 75 minutes). Welcome from the MPA Punta Campanella personnel. Tour of the coasts of the Marine Protected Area on the MPA boat “Scorfanella”, along the final strip of the Sorrento Peninsula, across the Campanella Cape, facing Capri, and along the first stretches of the Amalfi Coasts. Pocket lunch on the boat and snorkelling with the MPA guide in the crystal-clear waters of the protected and pristine Bay of Ieranto, to look at Posidonia oceanica patches. Back to Napoli by bus.
FT6 - Ercolano
FULL
Partially hosted by Fondazione Dohrn
(www.fondazionedohrn.it)
Max participants: 50
Requirements: comfortable shoes
Tips: you won’t get wet, but maybe sweat, in this field trip. The Roman Ruins of Herculaneum can be very hot, if the sun is shining. Bring your sun hat and sunscreen.
Activity: Bus to Ercolano and guided tour of the Archeological Park. Visit the ruins of Herculaneum city after the Vesuvio eruption of the year 79 AD, which also destroyed Pompei.
Bus to the nearby SZN Turtle Point, to visit the largest hospital for marine turtles of Italy.
Back to Napoli by bus.
FT7 - Vesuvio
FULL
Partially hosted by Fondazione Dohrn
(www.fondazionedohrn.it)
Max participants: 50
Requirements: comfortable trekking shoes. Bring your sun hat and sunscreen, the path can be hot and wet.
Tips: you won’t see seagrasses, but you will have a fantastic view of the Gulf of Napoli, from the top of the still-active Vulcano. You will have a direct view of the crater.
Activity: Bus to the main parking at the basis of the Vesuvio trekking path. Walk up to the crater of the still active volcano, with the guides of the “Vesuvio National Park”. Visit the new crater, and enjoy a fantastic view of the Gulf of Napoli from the top; hear about the history of eruptions of this iconic giant. Bus to the nearby SZN Turtle Point and meet the colleagues coming from the Hercolaneum trip, to visit the largest hospital for marine turtles of Italy.
Back to Napoli by bus.
