In Baia you can visit an entire Roman city with snorkeling

An entire Roman city, fully submerged, waiting to be explored. It can also be explored by snorkeling, not just scuba diving, with shallow dives between 3 and 5 meters deep. Roman villas, columns, streets, baths, statues: everything flows in a unique spectacle that's not surprisingly called "underwater Pompeii." Snorkeling in the waters of the Baia Archaeological Park is an unforgettable experience, and it's suitable for all ages.

What to see

The charm of Baiae lies in the fact that one does not observe isolated finds, but rather the visible fragments of a real Roman city slowly sunk due to bradyseism. Beneath the surface of the sea are thermal baths, the remains of seaside villas, decorated floors, columns, paving stones, and statues that speak to the luxury of ancient Baiae, the retreat of Roman patricians and emperors.
The visit has something unreal: you swim while crossing an archaeological landscape that seems suspended between sea, history, and silence. Baia also demonstrates how you can do not waste an extraordinary archaeological heritage, making it accessible in a respectful and engaging way.

The remains of the imperial villas

The most spectacular remains are those of the large residences overlooking the ancient Baia lake. Among the most famous routes are the Flooded Nymphaeum, The Villa in Protiro , Villa dei Pisoni, where even today you can still see porticoes, residential areas, fishponds, and small thermal baths. Swimming above these spaces, you understand how Baia was a Roman pleasure capital: here, the sea was not a backdrop, but an integral part of the luxurious architecture.

Mosaic floors

One of the most amazing aspects of the excursion is seeing the mosaics still legible underwater. Some are black and white, others richer and more decorative, and perhaps represent the most moving trace of daily life in those homes. The sea has covered and protected them for centuries, and today it restores them with an almost cinematic effect. It's one snorkeling which also changes the way we look at this sport: it can also become a journey through history.

Roads, statues and columns

Baia does not only offer closed spaces or decorated floors. In some places you will find submerged streets, still standing columns, portico elements and statues that emerge from the seabed with impressive visual force. The Nymphaeum of Punta Epitaffio is the symbolic site of this wonder: famous statuary groups were discovered here, recalling the grand scenography of imperial residences. Even where the original finds have been transferred to the museum, the spatial design remains intact and powerful.

The term

Le spa are another highlight of the visit. Baia was famous for its thermal baths, and in the underwater park you can still see installations, pools, hydraulic floors, and systems that demonstrate the close relationship between architecture and the hot waters of the Phlegraean Fields. In sites such as the Lacus Spa and Dry Smoky Rocks one can still perceive the intertwining of volcanism, well-being and aristocratic life. It is not only archeology: it is the profound geography of a place that for the Romans was already a natural wonder.

How to get to Baia

Baia is located in the municipality of bacoli, in the Phlegraean Fields, a short distance from Naples. The easiest way to get there is by car, exiting the ring road towards Pozzuoli-Arco Felice and then continuing towards Bacoli and the Baia coastline. Alternatively, from Naples you can take the Cumana line and then continue on foot or by local transport, depending on your chosen starting point for the excursion. The park area and the centers organizing the excursions provide very precise instructions when booking, so it's always a good idea to check the exact meeting point beforehand.

Where to sleep

To enjoy Baia without rushing, the best choice is to stop at least one night between Bacoli, Baia and PozzuoliThese are also the most convenient areas for visiting the other treasures of the Phlegraean Fields, from the Baia Castle to the Roman baths, the volcanic lakes, and the seaside villages. If you want to turn snorkeling into a short trip, it's best to look for a B&B or a small accommodation overlooking the gulf, so you can have everything within reach and experience the area more peacefully, especially in high season.

Where to eat

After the excursion, it's worth stopping for a meal between the ports of Baia, Bacoli, and Pozzuoli, where there's no shortage of trattorias, seafood restaurants, and simple eateries serving Phlegraean cuisine. Here, we recommend focusing on local dishes: fish, mussels, octopus, seafood first courses and traditional Campania cuisineIt's the most natural way to end the day, perhaps with dinner on the waterfront or in one of the small restaurants overlooking the water, without rushing off immediately after the visit.

How to organize the excursion

The visit is very simple to organize, but must be booked. The most useful reference is the Official website of the Underwater Archaeological Park of Baia, where you can find information on available activities, routes, authorized centers, and booking methods. The website also has a page dedicated to snorkeling, with practical details for those who want to enter the water even without being a certified diver.

Typically the excursion includes basic equipment, initial briefing and accompaniment by authorized guides or instructors. You don't need to be an athlete or have scuba diving experience: just know how to stay calm in the water and follow directions. This is precisely why Baia is a perfect destination for families, curious people, slow travelers, and sea enthusiasts who want to experience something more original than a simple day at the beach. It's also a smart way to do not waste A unique treasure of the Phlegraean Fields, open to visitors of all ages. And if you love water sports, after Baia, you'll want to discover how surfing works, but here the real wave is the one of history.

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