The pristine coast of the Cilento National Park - KACI 7-9
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Kayaking along the coast of the Sirens
Agropoli, Castellabate, Punta Licosa, Acciaroli, Pisciotta & Palinuro, Marina di Camerota, ‘Infreschi’ Coast, Scario & Policastro
The region of Campania marks the real starting point of southern Italy. It has been sought after since Roman times when it was labelled the Campania Felix, or ‘happy land’, hardly a surprise considering the fact that it includes the great city of Naples, beautiful countryside, Roman ruins, small islands and stretches of spectacular coast. On the southern side of the Sorrento Peninsula, the Costiera Amalfitana is probably one of Europe’s most well-known and dramatic stretches of coastline, with its towering cliffs and picturesque coves.
But Campania’s real secret is located south of Salerno, and immediately south of the wonderful Greek temples of Paestum. Here the coastline bulges out into an expanse of mountainous landmass known as the Cilento, now a National Park with World Heritage listing. The Cilento coast is fairly rocky territory, with the crystalline sea lapping at the shore. There is a wild kind of beauty here; rocky ridges set between small picturesque inlets and richly scented pinewoods backing onto wide sandy beaches. Aleppo pines loom over the multicoloured undergrowth of myrtle and cactuses; whilst huge, centuries-old olive trees grow right down to the shore. Inland the Cilento is largely undisturbed by the 21st century and you enjoy visiting medieval and quaint fishing villages where the traditional way of life is still evident.
This tour follows the beautiful coastline from Noirth to South, but you’ll get the chance as well to discover the pristine natural areas and attractive countryside, with all their cultural treasures like Greek ruins, rural chapels, ancient farmhouses, old watermills and charming medieval villages. During the tour you also visit some of the nicest old fishing villages, like Acciaroli, Santa Maria and San Marco di Castellabate, Pioppi, Marina di Pisciotta, Marina di Camerota and Scario.
On this amazing kayaking adventure you will explore the entire coastline of the Cilento National Park, one of the biggest and most diverse of Italy. You will see that some parts, like Acciaroli and Palinuro, for a reason have become famous seaside resorts, but also that it takes only a little effort to get ‘off the beaten track’. At only a few hundred metres away from the crowds, you will find yourself surrounded by nature. On this tour we take you beyond the crowded beaches, and you’ll be lying on isolated beaches and paddling alone with the seagulls…. In short, you’ll discover a real Italian paradise.
Please note: this is a moderately easy tour – suitable for those who have experience with sea kayaking and a good general physical condition. Average (net) kayaking times: approx 4-5 hours each day.
Day 1 Arrival – Agropoli
In the early afternoon you are being picked up from the train station by private car and brought to the charming small fishing harbour of Agropoli, the entrance gate to the Cilento National Park. The very scenic old town, dominated by its castle, is located on a big rock outcrop, which we can explore from the sea. You settle in your beautiful hotel on the beach, just below the historical town centre. Towards the end of the afternoon we meet our tour leader and the rest of the group. After a brief introduction of the tour, we will outfit everyone with paddle and PFD and offer some basic kayaking instruction. Then we go for a short introduction trip, around the ‘akropolis’ of Agropoli itself. After the paddling we go for a short stroll through the colourful streets, soaking up its atmosphere. Then we have our relaxed ‘aperitivo’ on the beach and return to our hotel. In the evening we eat all together in the nice restaurant on the beach, overlooking the Mediterranean.
Accommodation: Agropoli – Meals included: 1 ‘aperitivo’, 1 dinner
Day 2 From Agropoli along the headland of Punta Tresino to Castellabate
In the morning we will first have a great breakfast in our garden and then we walk down to the harbour. Here we thoroughly check again all our gear, before going for our first kayaking day trip. There are many available options for the day, according to your level of interest, paddling skills, and of course the weather! We’ll start paddling along the amazing coastline in southern direction today. The coastline here is a stupendous alternating scenery, ranging from impressive bare cliffs, to terraced vineyards and isolated small beaches. We’ll make a first stop on the beautiful sandy beach of Trentova, where we can make a short ‘biscuit stop’ (a drink and a snack). We’ll then paddle around the headland of ‘Punta Tresino’, named after a siren who drowned here. There are several interesting inlets to visit, in one of which the signs of the Greek quarries (who excavated the rocks for the pillars of the temples of Paestum here) are still clearly visible. After a few miles of rocky shore we’’ll arrive at the sandy beach of Lago, where we can have our (picnic) lunch and a swim. Then we continue in southern direction along the now sandy beach to reach the beautiful village of Santa Maria, built on Greek and Roman foundations. We go ashore in the picturesque small harbour, where we can enjoy an ‘aperitivo’, before paddling the last few miles to San Marco di Castellabate, where we settle in our hotel, and perhaps take the chance to use southern Italy’s most innovative wellness centre. Tonight we’ll have dinner on the terrace of the hotel, overlooking the harbour.
Accommodation: San Marco di Castellabate – Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Day 3 From Castellabate along Punta Licosa and the ‘Red Rocks’ to Agnone
Today’s sea kayaking will be a beautiful day, which will take us along one of the most popular stretches of coastline of the Cilento National Park, recently featured in a number of movies! We start paddling along the amazing coastline in western direction today, leaving the small village of San Marco behind, heading for Punta Licosa. The headland of Licosa is the point where Cilento reaches furthest out to sea, like a miniature reproduction of the Monte Stella peninsula. It is full of marine charm, a place where the sea breeze makes the trees dance, bound to Ulysses’ myth: people say that the Siren Leucosia drowned herself here after failing to bewitch Ulysses. This myth and the marvellous landscape make this area a really enchanting place to visit in every season of the year. In wintertime the clear sky offers you superb views over the Amalfi Coast and Palinuro; in springtime the flowering brooms cover the hill in a golden-yellow hue, and during the summer you can swim in the very clean sea, while in autumn the sea is still warm. We’ll make a short stop at a small beach in the shade of the pine forest, or alternatively go ashore on the small island of Licosa, just off the coast. Then we pass the several medieval watchtowers around the hamlet of Ogliastro Marina, and get the chance to go ashore on a beautiful sandy beach. The next stretch brings us underneath the towering cliffs of the Ripe Rosse, after which we shortly reach the charming village of Agnone. Here we settle in our hotel, right on the beach. For dinner we eat in one of the nicest (fish) restaurants in the village.
Accommodation: Agnone – Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 4 From Agnone along Acciaroli and Pioppi to Casalvelino
Today we continue in southern direction, with great views on Mt. Stella and the medieval villages scattered on its slopes. South of Agnone is the paradise of beach lovers: long sandy beaches stretch all the way south to beautiful Acciaroli, a characteristic fishing village, one of Ernest Hemingway’s favourite places We take some time to explore the old town of Acciaroli and perhaps have a drink at the harbour, before paddling around the rocky headland to charming Pioppi, where we go ashore underneath its medieval castle. Now we are in the reign of the ‘Mediterranean Diet’, an area where people live longer than average, probably due to the healthy food and ‘slow’ lifestyle. Here we can enjoy lunch, visit the aquarium and the small museum on the ‘Dieta Mediterranea’ and make a short stroll to a very peculiar bar for a coffee or a drink.. A last short stretch then brings us to Casalvelino, along the now again rocky shore. A must-stop place is the ‘Marina’ of Casalvelino, a perfect stop for a well-deserved ‘aperitivo’. We are picked up from here and brought to our accommodation for the night. A great ‘agriturismo’, where we will dine on amazing local produce.
Accommodation: Casalvelino – Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Day 5 From Casalvelino along Greek Velia to Pisciotta
After a leisurely breakfast in the garden of our agriturismo we go down to the beach and get into our kayaks again. We’ll follow the sandy coastline in southern direction, heading for the medieval watchtower of Velia, dominating the old Greek city. If we want we can go ashore to pay a visit to this unknown, but very interesting site. We then continue along the sandy shore, which abruptly ends at the headland of Punta Telegrafo, where we can again explore some sea grottos and land on isolated beaches. Here we’ll eat our lunch, and perhaps go for a swim. Then we continue the last stretch to Marina di Pisciotta, a charming little harbour, where fishermen still catch anchovies with the millennia old Greek system, called la ‘Menaika’. We’ll sleep in the old town, right above us, in a stunningly located hotel, overlooking the glorious Mediterranean. In the evening you can enjoy a nice evening meal in one of the small nearby restaurants.
Accommodation: Pisciotta – Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Day 6 From Pisciotta along the mythical Cape of Palinuro to the beach of ‘Buondormire’
In the morning we will first walk down to the harbour. We then continue paddling in southern direction, heading for the mythical headland of Palinuro, named after one of the shipmates of Aeneas. Capo Palinuro is a promontory of sheer limestone cliffs, with many sea grotto’s, one of which is the beautiful Grotta Azzurra, not as famous as the one in Capri, but even more beautiful. The first part of our route brings us along rocky shores, covered with forest, maquis and olive groves, with the occasional pebbly beach. Then we reach the sandy beach of Caprioli, where we can go a shore for a short coffee break, and explore the area of the Saline, old sandpans, already used in Greek times. We can also go ashore at the small beach of Ficocelle and walk up to the small archaeological museum, where all the artefact of Greek and roman times found near the seashore can be admired. A few miles further we land on the small sandy beach in the harbour of Palinuro, where we can have lunch. From Palinuro harbour you can make a beautiful short walk, which climbs up to the top of the headland. Worth it for the views over the whole coastline, with the Amalfi coast and Capri in the back. Then comes the most spectacular part of the journey, the circumnavigation of Cape Palinuro. We’ll paddle underneath the impressive limestone cliffs, surrounded by seagulls. We might enter the Grotta Azzurra and perhaps another sea grotto. Towards the end of the afternoon we go ashore in one of the most beautiful beaches of the Cilento, the ‘Spiaggia del Buondormire’. Then we dock our kayaks and can go for a swim, before walking up the steps to our beautifully located hotel (optional transfer). Tonight we’ll enjoy a nice dinner in our hotel.
Accommodation: Palinuro – Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner
Day 7 From Palinuro to Marina di Camerota
Today’s sea kayaking is easy, only a short stretch to go. But it will take us along some of the most beautiful beaches, with many occasions to stop for a drink, a swim and, why not, a short hike inland. After breakfast we’ll walk down to our ‘private beach’ and get into our kayaks. First we’ll paddle around the characteristic rock just off the shore, locally known as the ‘Rabbit’. After that we continue to the popular beach of Marinella, with its beautifully shaded bar. A short (optional) hike can bring you from here onto the headland of ‘La Molpa’, with the remains of a medieval castle. Along this part of the coastline of the Cilento National Park, a number of prehistoric settlements has been discovered, some quite recently. We’ll go ashore near the ‘Grotta delle Ossa’, where many bones of animals were found. The next stop is the beautiful beach underneath the Arco Naturale, a stunning rock formation. We continue paddling along the sandy coast from there, one of the most popular beaches of the southern Cilento, with many possibilities to go ashore for a sandwich and a drink. The coastline then becomes rocky again, and just before arriving in the charming village of Marina di Camerota we’ll find a number of beautiful inlets and large sandy beaches. We’ll go ashore on one of the beaches, where we’ll dock our kayaks. Then we can perhaps have a drink, in the charming village of Marina di Camerota, with its clear South American influence, before we’ll walk to our nice hotel in the village centre, at only a few hundred metres from the crystal-clear sea. We’ll enjoy dinner in a very good, nearby restaurant.
Accommodation: Marina di Camerota – Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 restaurant dinner
Day 8 From Marina di Camerota along the ‘Infreschi’ Coast to charming Scario
We’ll get an early start as the day’s sea kayaking will take us along one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline of the Cilento National Park, the so-called ‘Costa degli Infreschi’, a virtually untouched coastline, not without reason now a protected marine area. From Marina di Camerota we start paddling in eastern direction. From the harbour a first stretch brings us past a series of grottos and beaches, after which we reach the medieval watchtower. This watchtower marks the entrance to one of the most unspoilt stretches of coastline in southern Italy, with the cleanest seawater (Blue Flag). This is the so-called Costa degli Infreschi, named after the Roman harbour of Porto degli Infreschi, where you can find a freshwater spring in a grotto. There are several beautiful inlets, reminiscent of the isolated beaches on a tropical island. Another stretch along the beautiful coast brings us to the Porto degli Infreschi. Of course we go ashore here, and also do we enter the grotto where we can do some seakayaking in sweet water (and drink directly out of the sea). We then continue along the wildest part of the coast, with no places to go ashore, until we reach the beach of Marcellino. Here we have a great lunch, and a bit of relax, before continuing to the charming village of Scario, our last stop, the final destination of our kayaking tour. Upon arrival on the beach here we’ll have a drink and make a stroll through the village, before being brought to our beautifully located hotel. We could make an optional stop at one of the most stunning viewpoints of the whole Cilento National Park. Views from here not only reach the whole coastline, including Basilicata and Calabria, but can reach even the Aeolian Islands and Sicily. At night we’ll stay in a nice family run hotel, and dine on local .
Accommodation: San Giovanni a Piro/Scario – Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Day 9 Scario (San Giovanni a Piro)
The tour ends in San Giovanni a Piro after breakfast today (unless you booked an extension –strongly recommended). You can be brought to the railway station of Policastro at any time.
OUTLINE ITINERARY
| Day | Itinerary & Activities | Overnight | Distance |
| 1 | Arrival in Agropoli. Introduction trip | Agropoli | 2-3 miles |
| 2 | From Agropoli along Punta Tresino to Castellabate | Castellabate | 8 miles |
| 3 | From Castellabate along Punta Licosa to Agnone | Agnone | 9 miles. |
| 4 | From Agnone along Acciaroli and Pioppi to Casalvelino | Casalvelino | 9,5 miles |
| 5 | Paddling from Casalvelino along Greek Velia to Pisciotta | Pisciotta | 9 miles |
| 6 | From Pisciotta along the mythical Cape Palinuro to the beach of ‘Buondormire’ | Palinuro | 11 miles. |
| 7 | From Palinuro to Marina di Camerota | Camerota | 8-10 miles (many options possible) |
| 8 | From Marina di Camerota along the ‘Infreschi’ Coast to Scario | Scario | 11 miles. |
OUTLINE ITINERARY (7-day version)
| Day | Itinerary & Activities | Overnight | Distance |
| 1 | Arrival in Casalvelino/Pioppi. Introduction trip | Casalvelino | 2-3 miles |
| 2 | From Pioppi along Torre la Punto Punta to Acciaroli | Casalvelino | 8 – 10 miles |
| 3 | Paddling from Casalvelino along Greek Velia to Pisciotta | Pisciotta | 9 miles |
| 4 | From Pisciotta along the mythical Cape Palinuro to the beach of ‘Buondormire’ | Palinuro | 11 miles |
| 5 | From Palinuro to Marina di Camerota | Camerota | 8-10 miles (many options possible) |
| 6 | From Marina di Camerota along the ‘Infreschi’ Coast to Scario | Scario | 11 miles |
| 7 | Departure |
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS
All nights are spent in a beautiful characteristic 3 & 4-star hotels (generally our tours are 3/4-star level; we can book superior 4/5-star on request). All rooms have en-suite facilities.
Breakfast is included, in all accommodations. A number of evening meals is included, for which we have selected the best available restaurants.
Also some (picnic) lunches are included in the tour price. On one day we enjoy a picnic on the beach, while on other days we’ll have a nice lunch in a small restaurant on a nice small beach.
INCLUDED
- Private English speaking tour leader for 9 days
- Professional guiding service for each activity
- Accommodation in very good, characteristic hotels
- Meals: 8 (6) breakfasts, 6 (5) dinners, 2 lunches
- All private & public transfers as indicated throughout the entire itinerary
- Rental of high-quality sea kayaks
- Group equipment and technical gear for each activity
- Special activities as outlined in the day by day itinerary
- 24/24 h local assistance
- Luggage transport
- All gratuities for baggage, porters & hotel service
NOT INCLUDED
- Visas & Departure taxes
- Travel Insurance
- Drinks and meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Optional additional tours or activities
- Tips
- Items of a personal nature
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY / REQUIRED SKILLS
Moderately easy (level 2): This tour is suitable for beginners with some sea kayaking experience. The waters of the Mediterranean are calm, and you’ll encounter only short open water crossings. On most days shorter options are available possible (as well as occasional extensions for the more experienced sea kayakers).
Fitness: A good standard of fitness is necessary. You should be able to paddle for up to 3-4 hours.
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE
Arrival: The tour starts in AGROPOLI, a town with a train station, very well connected with Rome and all other major Italian cities by a frequent (high speed) train service. The nearest city with an international airport is NAPLES. The nearest big city is SALERNO. A taxi pick-up service from Agropoli train station is included in the tour price. Taxi transfer from Naples (airport or train station) can be arranged on request.
Departure: The tour ends after breakfast on day 9 in SCARIO. A taxi transfer to Policastro (train station) is included in the tour price. From here a frequent train service can bring you back to Salerno or Naples, from where you travel to your next destination. A taxi service is also available to bring you directly to your next destination.
There are only a few scheduled departures for this tour in 2024 (3 complete tours), but on request a tour can be planned at any date for private groups. Just contact us!
We can then also personalise the tour with respect to duration (shorter tours are possible!) and lodging.
We can offer you a large selection of ‘Premiere Inns’, very good hotels, many among the world’s best hotels, as acclaimed from Condé Nast Traveler, Travel+Leisure and many others. Genius Loci Travel, as the leading adventure travel company in Italy, can book your room in any hotel you could dream of!
| Trip season | Tour price |
Single suppl. |
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16 June - 24 June 2024 | € 1890 | € 450 | 
| RESERVE YOUR PLACE |
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25 August - 02 September 2024 | € 1990 | € 450 |
| RESERVE YOUR PLACE |
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26 September - 04 October 2024 | € 1990 | € 450 |
| RESERVE YOUR PLACE |
N.B. Prices are valid for the seasons as indicated – and based on groups of minimum 4 participants. Private departures (minimum 4 persons) can be planned on any date. In this case it is possible to opt for small changes to the itinerary, an upgrade. Availability & prices on request.
 | Places available. You can book this tour with a minimum of 1 person. |
| Guaranteed Departure. Still some places available. |
 | There are a very limited number of available places on these dates. Immediate booking is recommended. |
 | Availability and prices on request. |
 | Fully booked. Departure closed. |
- Prices are per person and based on 2 people sharing double or twin accommodation.
- Single rooms (mostly double rooms - single use) are available on all trips. The supplements listed apply.
- Prices are expressed in Euro's. There will never be a currency surcharge.
- Actual exchange rates: GB £ - US $ - CAN $ - CHF - DKK - SEK - NOK - Other currencies.
- A 5 % early booking discount applies for several trips.
It is possible to include some extra nights before or after your tour, in any of the accommodations ‘en route’. For those who love hiking too, a few extra days in the area are strongly recommended. Two of the world’s most famous walks, including the ‘Footpath of the Gods’ can be done from here.
At the beginning or the end of the tour there is the also the opportunity to visit Naples (a unique city and a good base for visiting Pompeii). The tour can easily be extended with a few days here. The tour can also be extended with a few days in a beautiful agriturismo in the Cilento, for some relax in the countryside. Also in SALERNO (a nice city and a good base for visiting Paestum), or ROME several good accommodations are available. Details & prices on request.
UPGRADE
On our ‘standard tours’ we provide accommodation in very good, mostly 3/4-star hotels, with the best possible price/quality ration. On some dates however it is possible to book an upgraded version of this tour, staying in more luxurious 4- or 5-star hotels. Please ask us for details.
SHORTER & LONGER VERSIONS
On some dates we can ‘adapt’ our tours to the kayaking skills of you & your friends. Many tours can be turned into ‘Bespoke adventures‘, organised especially for you.
Two shorter versions of this tour are also available: one covering the south coast of the Cilento National Park, from Palinuro to Scario (available in different lengths), as well as a short kayaking tour along the West Coast, from Agropoli to Castellabate.
A shorter version of this tour, doing the full coast is also available, covering the same stretches, with longer paddling days, and less overnight stays.
Also longer combined kayaking & hiking trips can be organised on request.
See also our other Kayaking tours !
