Amalfi Coast
Vertical villages, emerald mountains, deep blue water
The coastline from Punta Campanella to Sorrento is rightly considered one of Italy’s most stunning stretches: cliffside villages, lush mountains plunging into blue water, and protected areas with specific rules. Almost everywhere the seabed drops off fast—choose stops carefully and watch forecasts.
Nerano, just after Punta Campanella, is the first recommended stop; ashore you’ll find legendary trattorie and seafront restaurants. Continuing east you meet a chain of coves suited to short stops until Positano, the jewel of the coast and an international destination. Plan ahead: you must book a mooring buoy with taxi-boat service for visits here.
Positano to Amalfi
Beyond Positano, the run toward Amalfi is a series of breathtaking scenes: villas perched on precipices, hanging gardens of vines and lemons, medieval towers surrounded by lush greenery. It’s a unique stretch worth exploring ashore by mooring in Amalfi or Cetara, the only tourist ports on this coast besides Salerno.
Good overnight options are limited: depths plunge quickly, and many pockets are exposed to southerlies. Treat this as a day-cruise coast and keep an eye on the breeze.
Weather and refuge
The coast is exposed to southerly winds and swell. If bad weather is forecast, plan to tuck into Marina di Arechi (Salerno) or retreat quickly beyond Punta Campanella into the Sorrento coast for shelter. Avoid lingering on open roadsteads when a Scirocco is due.
- Protected areas: some coves have restrictions—check local notices before anchoring.
- Mooring etiquette: buoys at Positano fill up—book early and confirm taxi-boat timing.
- Depth checks: expect steep drop-offs; set ample scope and verify swing room.
Plan your week
Suggested rhythm: Nerano lunch stop → buoy night at Positano → Amalfi/Cetara marina night for town visits → day-hop toward Salerno with weather window awareness.