Punta Campanella AMP — Marina di Crapolla
Crapolla Cove · Marina di Crapolla · AMP Punta Campanella Zone C
40°34.4'N 14°19.7'E
Depth
3–10m
Bottom
sand
Alarm Radius
60m
Holding
Fair holding
Recommended Anchor Alarm Radius
60m
On AMP mooring buoys, reduce alarm to 40m (buoy radius). If day-anchoring on sand within the rules (08:00–20:00, >100m from beach, >50m from Posidonia), use 60m radius in 3–6m depth. Zone B is immediately north — no anchoring whatsoever.
About This Anchorage
The Punta Campanella AMP protects one of the most ecologically important marine areas on the Campanian coast — Posidonia meadows, seagrass beds, rocky reefs, and the historic Punta Campanella headland (site of an ancient temple to Minerva/Athena, used as a navigational landmark since antiquity). Marina di Crapolla is a beautiful narrow cove within the AMP Zone C — limited mooring buoys, strict rules, spectacular underwater environment. The underwater visibility is exceptional (15–20m typical) making snorkeling and diving in authorized zones outstanding. Diving in Zone B requires prior AMP authorization.
Protected From
N · NW
Exposed To
S · SE
Anchoring Rules
- Anchoring fee
- Day anchoring allowed only on verified sandy patches, >100m from beach, >50m from Posidonia, 08:00–20:00. Overnight: mooring buoys only.
- Maximum stay
- 1 days
- Permit required
- No
- Permit details
- AMP permit not technically required for Zone C day anchoring on buoys, but MUST comply with all AMP rules. Contact AMP Punta Campanella for current zone map and buoy availability: puntacampanella.org, VHF Ch 16, tel +39 081 8089877.
Restrictions: Zone A (Vervece and Vetara rocks): no navigation within 200m. Zone B: no access without AMP authorization. Zone C: no free anchoring overnight; mooring buoys only after 20:00; all anchoring minimum 100m from beach, 50m from Posidonia; no motorized watersports; speed limit 5 kn. Diving in Zone B requires prior written authorization from AMP.
Hazards
- !AMP enforcement: The Guardia Costiera and AMP wardens patrol this area actively — fines for non-compliance are substantial (€500–€3,000)
- !Limited buoy capacity: Only 10–15 buoys in the cove — arrive early or the buoy field may be full; late afternoon arrivals often find no space
- !S/SE exposure: The cove entrance faces south — any S swell enters the cove and makes conditions uncomfortable; departure recommended if swell above 0.5m from S
- !Archaeological heritage: Underwater ruins of the ancient Roman fish farm (vivarium) and the Athena temple foundations are scattered throughout the cove — do not anchor on or near visible underwater stonework
Skipper's Tips
- →The underwater archaeological site at Punta Campanella (Roman fish farm with clearly visible stone walls in 3–8m) is one of the Mediterranean's most accessible ancient sites — snorkel it
- →The path up from Crapolla cove to the cliff-top connects to the Sorrento peninsula trails — the view back down to the cove (and across to Capri) from the path is extraordinary
- →Punta Campanella lighthouse was one of the most important navigational marks in the ancient Mediterranean — Strabo describes it in 'Geographia'; the cape is still conspicuous
- →The AMP zones are marked with buoys — the yellow/orange buoys mark the restricted zone boundaries; the white buoys are the mooring buoys you can use
Facilities
No facilities in the cove. Ancient farmhouse (masseria) on the cliff above Crapolla is accessible by steep path — no services. Nearest provisions at Positano (5nm).
Nearest provisions: Positano (5nm)
Best Months & Season
May, June, September, October
Best visited May–June and September–October when conditions are calm and AMP buoys are more available. The AMP's purpose is to protect the Posidonia ecosystem — visiting in shoulder season helps reduce environmental pressure.
Recommended Anchor Types
Nearby Anchorages
Set Your Anchor Alarm to 60m
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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