Positano — Marina Grande / Fornillo Bay
Baia di Positano · Spiaggia di Positano · Fornillo Bay
40°37.7'N 14°29.0'E
Depth
5–12m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
100m
Holding
Fair holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
100m
100m in 5–12m depth. The bay is significantly open to the S/SW — any swell from these directions makes the anchorage uncomfortable. In summer the afternoon NW sea breeze creates a manageable chop but is typically fine for overnight in settled conditions. In Libeccio (SW) or Scirocco (SE), the bay becomes untenable quickly.
About This Anchorage
Positano is arguably the most photogenic town on the Amalfi Coast — the vertiginous stacked houses in pink, white, and ochre tumbling down the cliffs to the pebble beach, draped in bougainvillea, are iconic. The bay anchorage is primarily for day visits — the small harbour (Porto di Positano) handles water taxis and small boats. The town's restaurants, boutiques, and morning market are accessible by dinghy. The Amalfi Drive coastal road above makes approach by land extremely slow — arriving by sea is by far the most elegant solution. The area lies partly within the Punta Campanella AMP buffer zone; check AMP boundaries for the specific location before anchoring.
Protected From
N · NE · NW
Exposed To
S · SW · W
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Free (outside AMP buoy zones). Within AMP Zone C: mooring buoy fee applies.
- Maximum stay
- 3 days
- Permit required
- No
- Permit details
- The Punta Campanella AMP boundary extends from the Sorrento Peninsula — check if the specific Positano bay anchorage falls in Zone C (mooring required) or the buffer area. Contact AMP Punta Campanella on VHF Ch 16 or puntacampanella.org for current zone map.
Restrictions: 100m exclusion from beach in season. No anchoring on Posidonia (national rule). Within the AMP Zone C: only mooring buoys permitted; free anchoring prohibited. No water-skiing or powered craft at speed within 100m of beach. Respect the ferry routes.
Hazards
- !Libeccio/Scirocco from SW/SE: The bay is fully exposed — swell can build rapidly; have an immediate departure plan ready at all times when anchored here
- !Ferry and water taxi traffic: Positano is a major water taxi hub for the Amalfi coast — busy all day in summer with fast water taxis; maintain clear berth
- !Mixed/rocky bottom: Much of the bay has rock or Posidonia mixed with sand — careful survey needed before setting; a poor set on rock is a drag risk in any breeze
- !High cliff topography: Wind eddies and gusts off the cliffs can be unpredictable and locally strong; the direction on the water may differ significantly from the forecast
Skipper's Tips
- →Land at the small boat landing on the east side of the main beach — dinghies can be hauled up the beach; use an anchor off the bow and a line ashore
- →The best time to visit Positano by sea is early morning (arrive 07:00–08:00) before the day-trip boats arrive — the town is magical in the early light
- →The SITA bus from the Amalfi Drive stops at Positano (infrequent, crowded) — arriving by sea is far superior and avoids the road parking disaster
- →Book a table at the 'cliff restaurants' (accessible only by sea and path) north of Positano — Arienzo and Laurito beaches have excellent seafood restaurants
Facilities
Excellent restaurants accessible by dinghy to the beach. Positano is expensive but the food quality is high — fresh fish at La Cambusa, sunset aperitivo at Chez Black on the beach.
Nearest provisions: Positano village (0.2nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, September, October
Best May–June and September–October. July–August: extremely crowded, water taxis operating at full speed all day, anchorage rarely quiet. The Amalfi Coast in early October (post-peak) is one of Italy's great autumn sailing experiences — warm water, few tourists, excellent restaurants.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 100m
Scirocco swells and ferry wash can disturb your anchorage at any hour. Safety Anchor Alarm watches your position all night — alerting you before you drag.
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