Sea, Grottos & Diving

A variety of coastal landscapes

The Cilento’s more than 100 km of coastline offer a rich variety. Gentle hills, spectacular cliffs, wide and gently sloping sandy beaches as well as small hidden shingle bays characterize the landscape.

Some of the roads leading to the sea offer fantastic panoramic views (e.g. from Camerota to Marina di Camerota and the coastal road near Maratea).

: With a view of Cape Palinuro: fine sandy beach between Palinuro and Marina di Camerota.

Gorgeous beaches and water of best quality

The crystal clear, cobalt blue sea with its beautiful beaches and bays invites you to swim from April to the beginning of November. Fine sandy beaches ideal for families can be found, for example, at Paestum, Acciaroli, Marina di Ascea, in Palinuro and its surroundings, in and around Marina di Camerota as well as at Villammare.

: Almost deserted – the beach at Marina di Ascea (guest photo).

During season, there are various places where pedal and sailing boats, surf boards, deck chairs and sun shades can be rented. Except for the Italian holiday months of July and August, you have got the coast almost to yourself!

Every year, the Cilento scores exceptionally well concerning the ranking of beaches with excellent bathing water quality. The FEE (Foundation for Environmental Eduaction) bases its choice on very strict criteria. For years, the Cilento has been the top of the list in Campania. Many municipalities are allowed to fly the coveted “bandiera blu”, the “Blue Flag”.

Grottos and diving

There are countless grottos along the Cilento coast: over 30 at Cape Palinuro, innumerable rock caves in the surroundings of Scario, the sea caves of Marina di Camerota…

: The small sailors’ church at Porto Infreschi near Marina di Camerota (guest photo: A. Roth).

Divers, too, get their money’s worth: There are diving schools at Marina di Camerota and Palinuro which offer equipment for rent and “visits” to grottos.

: Dolphins off-shore at Marina di Camerota.

Boat tours

Excursions to the grottos, boat trips and fishing at sea provide for variety during your holiday.

: Organizes excursions with his fishing boat: fisherman Gerardo offshore from Marina di Camerota.

From Marina di Camerota you can, for example, make the following excursions to sea grottos and secluded beaches with Gerardo’s fishing boat:

Visit of Grotta Azurra, Grotta delle Sanguine and Cala delle Ossa at Cape Palinuro with a stop to swim at the wonderful sandy beach of “Buon Dormire” which is accessible only by boat. Time: ca. 4 hours´.
Trip to Porto Infreschi: visit of Grotto degli Infreschi; refreshing swim at the sandy beach of Porto degli Infreschi, a natural harbour which once offered shelter from storms to fishermen. Time: ca. 3 hours.
Lamperata: fishing at night off the southern coast at Marina di Camerota and afterwards barbecue of the fish that was caught on the sandy beach of Porto degli Infreschi. Time: 4-5 hours. Departure: between 20 – 21 h.

: During a boat trip from Scario towards Porto Infreschi, beaches with a magnificent natural scenery invite you to take a swim.

From Scario you can also explore the coast by boat towards Porto Infreschi.

Be it with one of the local fishermen or with one of the excursion boats: the wild beauty of this untouched and unspoilt coastal area belonging to the core zone of the National Park is simply fascinating.

: Mystic atmosphere in one of the grottos between Scario and Porto Infreschi.

Several small sandy beaches and secluded bathing bays offer cooling refreshment in the shimmering cobalt blue, crystal clear water.

The Saracen watchtowers, the bizarre world of cliffs and the countless grottos typical for the Cilento accompany you during your boat trip.

Some of the grottos are accessible with a small boat. Their mysteriously shimmering light need not shun comparison with the famous “Grotta Azzurra” of Capri.

From May to mid October, boat tours and diving courses are organized from Maratea Porto. It is also possible to visit several fascinating lime stone grottos which are accessible only from the sea.

: A small number of fishermen in Marina di Pisciotta has preserved the old knowledge of the “alici di menaica”.

A fishing tradition that is centuries old

A special fishing tradition which is centuries old is still alive in Marina di Pisciotta today: "alici di menaica". On calm nights between April and July, the fishermen take their 8 m wooden boats (menaide) out to sea to cast their nets (menaica) which are 200 m long and knotted in a special way.

Why don’t you accompany the fishermen out to sea! Departure around 19 h at the harbour of Marina di Pisciotta; duration: 3-4 hours depending on the weather and the catch; the price of € 20.- per person (children: € 15.-) includes an anchovies dish on board (incl. wine and water); minimum number of participants: 4; registration with Mr. Franco Puglia, mobile number (0039) 340 – 33 80 231.