Capri-Torre del Greco - International Swimming Festival
A 28-kilometre swim from Capri to the shadow of Vesuvius, an open qualifier for the Capri-Naples marathon.
About Capri-Torre del Greco
A 28-kilometre crossing in the Gulf of Naples
The Capri-Torre del Greco is an open-water long-distance swimming race that spans 28 kilometres across the Gulf of Naples, from Capri to the waters fronting the Miramare beach club in Torre del Greco, along the Litoranea road. This is not a pool event or a simple sporting competition; it is a day at sea that the Municipality of Torre del Greco, in the Province of Naples and the Campania region, has turned into a true international swimming festival, with spectators following the finishes from the coast and awards ceremonies held right by the water.
The link to the historic Capri-Naples
The race was established as an open qualifier for the Capri-Naples, the Gulf's swimming marathon organized by Luciano Cotena's company (Eventualmente Eventi e Comunicazione, Eventualmente Aquatics) and considered one of the oldest and most fascinating long-distance competitions in the world. These open events serve as qualifying stages for the main marathon in September: those who perform well here can earn a spot among the world's top specialists at the start of the Capri-Naples. In 2026, the crossing to Torre del Greco was the first open event on the calendar, followed by other dates through early July.
Soloists and relay teams
The format offers two ways to tackle the 28 kilometres. There is the Solo category for those swimming the entire distance alone, escorted by their own support boat, and the relay category, featuring international teams that swap swimmers in the water. The maximum time limits set by the organizers are seven hours for men and seven hours and fifteen minutes for women—a threshold that highlights the difficulty of the challenge: swimming for an entire day, exposed to the sun, currents, and the Gulf's swells.
A day of aquatic sports in Torre del Greco
While the swimmers are still out at sea, the Miramare beach club becomes the heart of the festivities. A water polo court is set up in the shallow waters, where youth teams from historic Neapolitan clubs compete for the 'Città di Torre del Greco' trophy, and the day concludes with the swimmers' awards ceremony. Over the years, the event has featured prominent figures from the Italian aquatic world, invited to share the allure of open-water swimming with the public.
Torre del Greco, between the sea and Vesuvius
The finish line location is no coincidence. Torre del Greco, the city of coral and cameos, is squeezed between the coast and the volcano. Its coastline offers athletes a backdrop that few other long-distance courses can boast: Capri and the Sorrento Peninsula behind them, and the silhouette of Mount Vesuvius ahead. For the local administration, the race is also a tourism promotion initiative for the Vesuvius area, which has invested heavily in the recovery of its coastline in recent years.
Why it's worth attending
- One of the few opportunities to witness international long-distance swimming live in the Gulf of Naples.
- Athletes from eight nations and four continents, ranging from Capri-Naples veterans to young debutants.
- The youth beach water polo tournament featuring the colours of Neapolitan clubs.
- Awards ceremonies by the sea, with Mount Vesuvius in the background, in mid-June.
Capri-Torre del Greco — edition 2026
The second Capri-Torre del Greco
On June 13, 2026, the Gulf of Naples hosted the second edition of the crossing, with choppy seas making the challenge much tougher than expected. 25 athletes from eight nations—Italy, Argentina, France, Hungary, Malta, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States—competed across the 28 kilometres between Capri and Torre del Greco in both Solo and relay categories.
The winners
The performance of the day came from 18-year-old Turkish swimmer Eda Savcigil, who was the first to cross the finish line overall in 9h03'14''. Among the men, the Italian Luigi D'Alfonso of KR Swim Crotone took the win, finishing in 9h20'28'' despite unfavourable currents and a shoulder injury. In the relay category, the Calabrian team Il Club dei Bretti triumphed in 9h39'20''.
A day of celebration by the sea
While awaiting the arrivals, the Miramare beach club hosted the Under-14 beach water polo tournament, with Circolo Posillipo, Canottieri Napoli, and Swim Academy competing for the 'Città di Torre del Greco' trophy. The awards ceremony took place by the sea in the presence of the Councillor for Sport, Valentina Ascione, and the Port Captain, Angelo Labella.
Programme Capri-Torre del Greco 2026
Friday, June 12, 2026
- Afternoon, Miramare beach club: preliminary matches of the Under-14 beach water polo tournament (Circolo Posillipo, Canottieri Napoli, Swim Academy) for the 'Città di Torre del Greco' trophy.
Saturday, June 13, 2026
- Morning, Capri: start of the 28-kilometre crossing from Le Ondine Beach Club.
- Solo event (7 athletes) and four international relay teams (18 athletes); maximum time limits of 7 hours for men and 7 hours and 15 minutes for women.
- From 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Miramare beach club: finals of the Under-14 water polo tournament for the 'Città di Torre del Greco' trophy.
- Afternoon, waters off the Miramare beach club (via Litoranea, Torre del Greco): arrival of the swimmers.
- Followed by: awards ceremony at the Miramare beach club.
Guest of honour for the 2026 edition: Massimiliano Rosolino.
Highlights Capri-Torre del Greco 2026
- 25 swimmers competing from eight nations: Italy, Argentina, France, Hungary, Malta, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
- Solo event featuring Italians Gabriele Rossello, Francesco Colla, Luigi D'Alfonso, and Marzio Gildo Cavaliere, American Erica Esterly, and Turkish swimmers Ozgecan Ozdemircan and Eda Savcigil.
- Four relay teams: Abracua (Argentina) led by veteran Claudio Plit, Il Club dei Bretti (Italy), Neptunes Lovers (Malta), and The Sea Suite (France, Hungary, UK).
- Claudio Plit, four-time winner of the Capri-Naples and record holder with 23 participations.
- Overall victory by 18-year-old Turkish swimmer Eda Savcigil in 9h03'14'' in rough seas.
- Qualifying event for the Capri-Naples on September 5, 2026.
Prices Capri-Torre del Greco 2026
Practical information — Capri-Torre del Greco
How to get there
The finish line is behind the Miramare beach club on the Litoranea road in Torre del Greco. By train: take the Circumvesuviana line (Naples-Sorrento) to the Torre del Greco stop, then continue by bus or taxi to the coast. By car: take the A3 Naples-Salerno motorway, exit at Torre del Greco, and follow signs for the litoranea (coast road). On race days, it is advisable to arrive early as parking along the coast is limited. Nearest airport: Naples-Capodichino, approximately 20 kilometres away.
Useful tips
The race takes up the entire day: the start is in the morning from Capri, and the first swimmers reach the finish line in the afternoon. To follow the arrivals, bring a hat, water, and sunscreen. The awards ceremony takes place at the Miramare beach club at the end of the event.
Registration
Participation is reserved for long-distance swimmers registered through the Capri-Naples organization (Eventualmente Aquatics), which also manages the other open events in the circuit.
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Where does it take place — Capri-Torre del Greco
Lido Miramare
Via Litoranea, 80059 Torre del Greco