Porto di Agropoli: the harbour in the Cilento for sailors and crews

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Porto di Agropoli lies at the southern end of the Gulf of Salerno, directly below the old town of Agropoli, where the Cilento coast begins. Here you'll read where to moor in the harbour, what to watch for when entering, how to get to Agropoli and which destinations along the Cilento coast and the Amalfi coast you can reach from here (as of: October 2026).

Porto di Agropoli: location and harbour at a glance

The harbour lies in the bay immediately south of Punta Fortino, below the old town of Agropoli with its castle. An outer breakwater 572 metres long shelters the basin; along the quay below the town lie the small boats of the locals.

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Agropoli lies in the Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni national park. For crews this means: the old town, the new town with shops and restaurants, and the railway station are within walking distance, and the quieter Cilento coast begins just beyond the next headland.

Feature	Details
Harbour position (rounded)	40° 21,3′ N, 014° 59,0′ E
Port authority	Municipality of Agropoli
Berths	around 1,000
Floating pontoons	5, privately operated, about 300 places in total
Outer breakwater	572 m long
Width of entrance	145 m
Water depth in harbour	from a few decimetres at the shore to a good 4 m
Maximum speed	3 knots
Fuel station	Diesel and petrol at the quay
Port authority	Guardia Costiera, Ufficio Circondariale Marittimo, Via Porto; VHF channel 16

How do you berth in Porto di Agropoli?

As a visiting yacht you contact one of the pontoon operators or the municipality in advance and then moor at the berth assigned to you. Guest berths are scarce, so in high season it is worth enquiring a few days ahead.

The harbour is not run by a single marina operator. The municipality administers the harbour area and allocates berths along the shore quay and at parts of the pontoons; the five floating pontoons in front of the outer breakwater are run by private concessionaires. The pontoon staff will tell you exactly how to moor at your assigned berth. Before entering, lay out bow and stern lines and fenders on both sides.

For short stays there are only a few transit berths. Whether one is free, where it is, how long you may stay and what it costs, you should enquire in advance from the municipality (switchboard +39 0974 827411) or from the pontoon operators.

Important for draught: The shore area beneath the quay wall is so shallow that only small boats with tilted outboards lie there. Yachts stay at the floating pontoons and at the outer breakwater, where the water is up to a good 4 metres deep.

What are the formalities on arrival?

In the entrance keep to starboard; outgoing boats have priority, and throughout the harbour the maximum speed is 3 knots. Swimming and sailing are prohibited in the harbour basin.

At night three lights help: a light on Punta Fortino north-west of the town, a green flashing light at the head of the outer breakwater and a red fixed light at the head of the inner breakwater. Keep at least 25 metres clear of the green light. If you are approaching from the north at night, the two entrance lights appear reversed because the outer breakwater has been extended. Do not let this confuse you and enter with enough clearance from the breakwater head.

In the approach area and within a 200-metre radius of the green light you may neither anchor nor stop. For yachts wishing to wait outside the harbour, the port authority has designated an anchorage north of the entrance. Whether it can currently be used, you can find out from the Guardia Costiera on VHF channel 16.

What facilities does the harbour offer?

The floating pontoons have water and electricity connections. Whether your pontoon is watched at night, ask the pontoon operator. At the quay you can take on diesel and petrol.

For work on the boat there are fixed and mobile cranes, a slipway, workshops for engine, electrical and electronic work, and winter storage ashore. There are sanitary facilities at the harbour. Where exactly the showers are and whether they belong to your pontoon, the pontoon operator will tell you.

Whether water is connected at the pontoon all year round, ask the pontoon operator; it is best to fill the tanks immediately after berthing. Bars, restaurants and chandleries are right at the harbour. Ask about the fuel station's opening hours the day before, so that the morning start is not delayed at the pump.

Good to know for the first day in Agropoli

For shopping, pharmacy and doctor you do not need to leave Agropoli. Shops and supermarkets are in the new town; for a big shop before the trip there are several larger markets in the town.

Shopping and provisions

Smaller supermarkets and food shops are in the new town. Which is quickest to reach on foot depends on your berth, as there are several hundred metres between the start of the outer breakwater and the rear pontoons. It is best to ask at the pontoon immediately after berthing for the nearest shop and allow time for a walk with bags for the first small shop.

For the weekly shop before a trip a car or taxi is worthwhile, as every walk becomes long with full crates. Larger markets are a Lidl in Via del Mare, two Conad stores in Via Taverne and Via Cannetiello, and a Decò market in Via Lungo Testene. The Decò market is open Monday to Saturday from 7:30 to 20:30, Sundays with a midday break, and offers a delivery service. Whether it delivers to the harbour, you should ask directly in the shop.

Parking

Car parks are along the quayside. It is best to unload luggage at the pontoon first and then look for a space for the car. Whether you may park there for several days, clarify with the pontoon operator.

Doctor and pharmacy

Pharmacies are in the new town. At the pharmacies there is usually a rota of duty pharmacies (farmacia di turno) displayed, which are open at night and at weekends. Where to find a doctor outside surgery hours, ask at the pharmacy or the pontoon operator. In an emergency dial 112.

Emergency numbers in Italy

• 112: European emergency number for ambulance, fire brigade and police, free from landlines and mobile networks
• 1530: Coast Guard emergency number for emergencies at sea, free
• At sea: VHF channel 16, monitored by the Guardia Costiera

How do you get to Agropoli?

The nearest airport is Salerno Costa d'Amalfi; Naples offers more connections. From both cities you take the regional train to Agropoli-Castellabate and cover the final stretch by taxi or on foot.

By air

Salerno Costa d'Amalfi airport is located at Pontecagnano Faiano, around 30 kilometres as the crow flies north of Agropoli. From there a bus takes you to Salerno station in 30 to 40 minutes, where you change to a southbound train. Naples airport lies a good 80 kilometres as the crow flies away and offers considerably more connections.

By train

Agropoli-Castellabate station is on the Salerno–Reggio Calabria line; regional trains from Salerno and Naples stop here. From the station to the harbour it's around a kilometre as the crow flies, on foot about 15 to 25 minutes through the new town depending on your berth. With luggage a taxi is more convenient. You'll find timetables and connecting services at Trenitalia.

By car and ferry

By car you take the A2 motorway to Battipaglia and then the expressway heading south to Agropoli. In summer, fast ferries connect Agropoli with the Amalfi Coast and with Capri. Timetables change every season, so it's worth checking the ferry operators' websites shortly beforehand.

Which winds are important in Porto di Agropoli?

Conditions in the harbour become choppy especially with Tramontana from the north. The staff at the pontoons will tell you how well your berth fares in other wind directions.

When the Tramontana blows strongly, conditions become choppy for moored boats. Check your lines and fenders, including at night. Westerly winds such as Ponente and Libeccio build up seas over the open Tyrrhenian. On a course to the Amalfi Coast and back the swell then comes roughly from the side and can become uncomfortable.

You can read more about the Mistral, Scirocco, Libeccio and other winds throughout the Mediterranean in our article on Good months for a trip through the region are April, May, September and October. The weather is mild, it's less crowded ashore and the midsummer heat is absent. You can read how the winds in Greece work in our article about.

Which marine forecast applies off Agropoli?

The official marine forecast for Italian waters is issued by the Italian Air Force weather service. You can read it on its website, selecting the sea area that includes the Gulf of Salerno.

The weather service also issues gale warnings (avvisi di burrasca). The Coast Guard broadcasts the forecast and warnings to shipping by radio. For morning planning you'll find it easiest to use the Air Force weather service page for marine weather and warnings. At sea keep VHF channel 16 on standby.

Before a longer passage across the gulf to Amalfi or Capri it's worth checking the warnings, as around 20 nautical miles of open water lie between Agropoli and the Amalfi Coast.

Which destinations lie near Agropoli?

From Agropoli you can sail south along the Cilento coast or north across the gulf to the Amalfi Coast and Capri. The distances are rounded over-water passages on the usual course; for exact planning use the chart.

South to the Cilento coast

The harbour of San Marco di Castellabate lies around 6 nautical miles to the south, just beyond Punta Tresino. From Punta Tresino begins the Santa Maria di Castellabate marine protected area, managed by Cilento National Park. Off the coast between Punta Tresino and Vallone Maroccia lies the strictest zone, which sports boats may not enter. In the other zones, speed limits and separate rules for anchoring and mooring to buoys apply close inshore. So keep a good distance from the coast on your way south and check the current rules with the national park beforehand.

Further south, around Punta Licosa, you reach Acciaroli at around 16 nautical miles. Palinuro at the cape of the same name lies around 30 nautical miles away and makes a long day's sail.

North to the Amalfi Coast

Salerno lies around 22 nautical miles to the north straight across the gulf, Amalfi around 24 and Positano around 28 nautical miles. Capri with Marina Grande harbour lies around 36 nautical miles away; you reach it through the strait between Capri and Punta Campanella. So you need a full day's sailing for the Amalfi Coast, and it's best to request a berth there in advance.

For a quiet night at anchor the bays of Licina and Trentova near Agropoli are suitable. You'll find more about sailing trips along the Italian coasts under Sailing in Italy.

What is there to see ashore in Agropoli?

Agropoli has a small mediaeval old town with a castle on the rock above the harbour, a long seafront promenade and, at Paestum, a large excavation site with three Greek temples nearby. That's easily enough for a harbour day.

The distances are as the crow flies from the harbour; the walking times are approximate.

Old town and Porta di Terra

The old town sits above the harbour, half a kilometre to a kilometre away as the crow flies, depending on your berth. Broad staircases, the "scaloni", lead up from the new town to the Porta di Terra city gate. From there you walk through narrow lanes to the church of Santa Maria di Costantinopoli, which stands on a terrace above the sea. Allow about 15 minutes for the climb.

Castle of Agropoli

The castle stands at the highest point of the rock. It has a triangular plan with three round towers and protected the town on the landward side. From the top you have a sweeping view over the coast and down to the harbour.

La Fornace Museum

In a former brickworks on Viale Lombardia, the La Fornace Museum shows the industrial history of the town.

Trentova-Tresino Nature Reserve

South of the town begins the Trentova-Tresino nature reserve, which the municipality has purchased and which belongs to the Cilento National Park. Paths through the macchia take you along the coast towards Punta Tresino with views over the Bay of Trentova along the way.

Temples of Paestum

The archaeological site of Paestum lies a good 7 kilometres away as the crow flies to the north; by regional train it is a short journey. You can see three Greek temples from the 6th and 5th centuries BC, the city wall and remains of residential quarters. The site is open daily from 8:30 to 19:30, with the ticket office closing at 18:30. The ticket is valid for three days and includes the museum and the archaeological site of Velia (as at October 2026). Current times and prices can be found on the Italian Ministry of Culture website.

Sailing trips from Agropoli on Törnfinder

Sailing trips starting in Agropoli or along the coast of Campania can be found in the trip overview. Offers along the Italian coasts and on the islands are listed under Sailing in Italy, trips in the whole sailing area under Sailing in the Mediterranean.

Frequently asked questions

Are there visitor berths at Porto di Agropoli?

Yes, but only a few. For short stays there are some transit berths, and the private pontoon operators also allocate free berths on request. Whether anything is available should be enquired about in advance with the municipality or the pontoon operators — in high season, ideally a few days beforehand.

How deep is the harbour of Agropoli?

At the floating pontoons and at the outer breakwater up to a good 4 metres. At the shore below the quay wall the water is only a few decimetres deep; only small boats lie there.

Which airport is nearest to Agropoli?

Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport near Pontecagnano, about 30 kilometres away as the crow flies. More connections are offered by Naples Airport, a good 80 kilometres away as the crow flies.

Is the harbour of Agropoli safe in all winds?

Not in all winds. In a strong tramontana from the north it becomes uncomfortable in the harbour; you should then check lines and fenders regularly. How your berth fares in other wind directions will be explained by the staff on the pontoon.

How far is it from Agropoli to Amalfi?

About 24 nautical miles over water straight across the Gulf of Salerno, so a full day's passage. Positano lies about 28 nautical miles away, Capri about 36 nautical miles.