We reached the Bay of Infreschi on foot, after a trail through Mediterranean scrub with glimpses of the sea, and when the bay appeared below us we understood why so many consider it the most beautiful cove in the Cilento. No roads, no beach clubs: just rock, clear water and silence. Here is how to plan your visit.
A natural harbour among the rocks
The bay lies in the territory of Camerota, along the wild coast that runs from Marina di Camerota down towards the Gulf of Policastro. It is a deep, sheltered inlet, enclosed by limestone cliffs, which for centuries served as a natural haven for boats caught out by bad weather. Even today, looking down on it, you can see why: the sea enters a kind of basin protected on all sides.
The name has a simple and lovely origin. At the back of the bay, freshwater springs well up and cool the surface layer of the sea: it is from this "fresco" (coolness) that the name Infreschi comes. Swimming near the shore you really feel the colder currents, a curious sensation on midsummer days.
A marine protected area
Since 2009 the bay has been part of the Costa degli Infreschi e della Masseta Marine Protected Area, established by decree of the Ministry of the Environment on 21 October 2009, and it lies within the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. This means precise rules for navigation, anchoring and fishing, which vary according to the protection zones.
In 2014 the cove won the Legambiente competition that asked the online public to vote for the most beautiful beach of the summer. Since then its fame has grown considerably, and that is exactly why we ask you to visit it with respect: take away everything you bring and leave no trace of your passage.
The coastal trail
Our favourite way to get there is on foot. The trail starts from the Lentiscelle area in Marina di Camerota and follows the coast for about 4.5-5 kilometres. It takes roughly an hour and a half to two hours on foot, with ups and downs and some stretches exposed to the sun. Along the way you will pass other little coves and views of the Masseta coast.
This is not a walk to tackle in flip-flops. We recommend:
- hiking shoes, or at least closed shoes with good soles;
- plenty of water and something to eat, as there are no facilities at the bay;
- a hat and sun cream, and setting off early in the morning to avoid the hottest hours;
- reef shoes and a mask, because the seabed is worth it.
Arriving by sea
If you would rather not walk, you can reach the bay by boat: from the harbour of Marina di Camerota, excursions and shuttle services will drop you at Infreschi in a few minutes, often with stops at the caves and coves along the coast. It is also the easiest option for families with small children.
In the peak summer months the bay can be very busy, and to protect it there may be limits on the number of bathers present at the same time or on how long you can stay. Before you set off, ask the Municipality or the Park about the rules for the season.
How to get there and when to go
Marina di Camerota can be reached by car via the Cilentana road and then the coast road through Palinuro; by train, the station to use is Centola-Palinuro-Marina di Camerota, on the Tyrrhenian line, with local connections to the harbour. For us the best months are May, June and September: it is warm enough to swim, the trail is more pleasant and the bay is quieter. In July and August, set off at dawn. If you choose the boat, check times and tickets before you go.
Nearby
Heading north up the coast, at Centola, Palinuro and the Natural Arch await you, with the sea caves of the cape. For more seaside ideas, explore the most beautiful beaches in the province of Salerno, and to get to know the cooking of this coast, start from Menaica anchovies. You will find everything else in our guide The Cilento: what to do and what to see.
Photo at the top (Camerota): User:Marinz, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
