Boat rental in Salerno — Vietri, Cetara, the Amalfi Coast, Positano, Paestum and tips for 2027

Salerno lies at the northern end of its own gulf, between the Amalfi Coast to the west and the long sandy beaches of the Cilento to the south. Above the city stands the Castello di Arechi, below it a seafront promenade lined with palms and the marinas from which boats leave every summer morning. Within an hour by boat are the ceramics village of Vietri sul Mare, the fishing village of Cetara, the lemon terraces of Maiori and Minori, Amalfi and Positano. This guide covers where boats leave from, where to go, the rules and when to come.

Where boats leave from

Boats leave from the Masuccio Salernitano tourist port next to the city centre, from the Santa Teresa beach area and from the large Marina d'Arechi on the eastern side of the city. Further along the coast there are small harbours in Vietri sul Mare, Cetara, Maiori and Amalfi, and to the south in Agropoli. Salerno is also a commercial and ferry port, with boats leaving for Amalfi, Positano and Capri, so keep clear of the shipping channels at the harbour entrance.

Where to go

• Vietri sul Mare and the Due Fratelli (about 2 NM): the village of hand-painted ceramics and the two sea stacks known as the "Two Brothers" off its beach.
• Cetara (about 4 NM): a fishing village famous for tuna and colatura di alici, an anchovy sauce, with a small beach under a Saracen tower.
• Maiori and Minori (about 6–7 NM): the longest beach on the Amalfi Coast, terraces of lemon trees and the Roman villa in Minori.
• Amalfi and the Emerald Grotto (about 10–12 NM): the old maritime republic with its cathedral, Ravello high above, and the Grotta dello Smeraldo near Conca dei Marini, where the light turns the water green. See the boats in Amalfi page.
• Positano and Li Galli (about 16–19 NM): the colourful village on the cliff and the small Li Galli islands offshore. See the boats in Positano page.
• South: Paestum, Agropoli and Punta Licosa (about 15–25 NM): long sandy beaches near the Greek temples of Paestum, the castle on the headland of Agropoli and the clear water of the Santa Maria di Castellabate protected area.

Capri, about 25 NM away, is best visited with a skipper; see the boats in Capri page. For more of the Italian coast, read our guides to boat rental in Naples and boat rental in Bari. If you are touring southern Italy by campervan, see our Rome campervan guide.

Rules and tips

• Licence. Without a licence you can drive a boat up to 10 m with an engine of up to about 40 hp, within 6 nautical miles of the coast. Larger boats need a licence or a skipper.
• Bathing areas. In summer, swimming zones are marked off, usually 200 m from sandy beaches and 100 m from rocky shores; boats may only cross them slowly through marked corridors.
• Seagrass. Do not anchor on Posidonia meadows; look for sand.
• Protected areas. Around Punta Campanella and Santa Maria di Castellabate there are marine protected areas with zones where anchoring, fishing and speed are regulated.
• Ferry traffic. Ferries and fast boats run often along the Amalfi Coast and raise big wakes; keep clear of their routes and of the landing piers.

Wind and weather

In summer the mornings are usually calm, and a sea breeze from the south-west picks up in the afternoon. The libeccio from the south-west can raise a rough sea along the Amalfi Coast, where there are few sheltered harbours, and the scirocco from the south-east brings swell into the gulf. Check the forecast every morning and plan your return before the wind gets up.

When to go

The season runs from June to September. In August the sea reaches about 26 °C, but the Amalfi Coast is at its busiest and the anchorages fill up. June and September offer warm water and fewer boats, and May and October are often still pleasant. On 21 September Salerno celebrates its patron saint, Saint Matthew, with a procession through the old town, and in summer the Ravello Festival brings concerts to the gardens above the sea.

A boat in Salerno with Crystalium Booker

We are still building up our boat offer in Salerno. Send us your date and number of people through the contact page and we will look for a suitable boat, and keep an eye on the boats in Salerno page for new listings. Do you rent out a boat in or around Salerno? List it with us.