Bay of Ieranto, how to get there and what to visit
Crystal clear waters, lush Mediterranean scrub and a timeless atmosphere that has the flavor of places narrated by mythology: we are talking about the Bay of Ieranto, a marine inlet that, in fact, is closely linked with myth.
Set in a spectacular natural setting, this inlet opens in front of the Faraglioni, on the edge of the Sorrento Peninsula, and is the place that, according to Pliny the Elder, would have inspired Homer for the meeting between Ulysses, returning to Ithaca, and the Sirens. But the points of contact with classical antiquity do not end here. The name of the bay, in fact, derives from the Greek ieros, sacred, and the reason is quickly explained: the Bay of Ieranto is located a few steps from Punta Campanella, where it is still possible to admire what remains of the ancient temple dedicated to Athena. . Cloaked in this aura of sacredness, the Bay is today a naturalistic paradise inserted in the main tourist itineraries that wind between the Amalfi Coast and the Sorrento coast: if you are looking for tips to observe this special place up close and dive into its pristine waters, read on and discover with us how to get to the Bay of Ieranto.
A landscape to be discovered
Located in the protected marine area of Punta Campanella, the Bay of Ieranto was donated to FAI, the Italian Environment Fund, to guarantee its territorial protection, keeping it safe from possible building and industrial speculations. The bay covers an area of over 1,500 hectares, with 40 km of coastline, between the provinces of Naples and Salerno.
What makes this place special is the high level of botanical and marine biodiversity, a real naturalistic paradise, the ideal destination for those who love contact with unspoiled nature: not surprisingly, the bay is a destination for lovers of botanical walks, snorkeling and bird watching.
Ieranto and its Mediterranean scrub
By virtue of its environmental importance, the bay has been affected by several interventions that over the years have recovered the Mediterranean scrub with its evergreen shrubs such as broom, myrtle and euphorbia. Those who choose to reach this spectacular inlet following the route by land have the opportunity to appreciate the changes in the vegetation step by step: in this way it is possible to admire maritime pines, Aleppo pines, cyclamen or wild asparagus that alternate with Italian junipers or epicrises in the spots most exposed to the sun.
Marine biodiversity
For snorkelers, the Bay of Ieranto is a magical place: according to what was found by the FAI as part of a recent monitoring of marine biodiversity, there are over 260 species here. Diving to a depth between 5 and 30 meters it is possible to see huge expanses of Posidonia Oceanica, a plant species present in the Mediterranean among whose stems there are fish, shrimps and seahorses.
At the origin of this rich marine ecosystem is the phenomenon of upwelling, or rather the rising to the surface of large masses of cold water rich in nutrients that stimulate the growth and reproduction of local fish species.
Bird watching in the Bay of Ieranto
In addition to the numerous botanical species and the varied marine biodiversity, the Bay of Ieranto boasts the presence of various ornithological species that attract birdwatchers to the area. Here it is not uncommon to have surprising encounters with herring gulls, solitary sparrows, peregrine falcons, imperial crows and quail. Among the sedentary species that populate the luxuriant vegetation there are also blackbirds, finches, goldfinches and great tit: their song is the pleasant accompaniment for visitors engaged in trekking routes.
How to get to the Bay of Ieranto on foot
The Bay of Ieranto is a magical place to be discovered by land and by sea.
Visitors who reach it on foot have the opportunity to follow an itinerary that descends through the Mediterranean scrub and reaches the splendid beach of the bay.
If you are fit and love long walks, the journey will give you one discovery after another.
It starts from Nerano, a small fishing village nestled in the wonderful setting of the Sorrento Peninsula.
The route is 6 km long and starts from the village square: from here, after the first 50 meters towards Marina del Cantone, the ancient “multeria” path opens up which will take you to a rocky agglomeration overlooking on the beach of Nerano. Once you have passed the Grotta delle Noglie and reached the Crinale di Spirito, a panorama of rare beauty will open before your eyes: the Bay of Ieranto embraced on the left by the Gulf of Salerno and framed on the right by Punta Campanella and the Faraglioni of Capri.
Discover the bay by boat with Positano Scooter
The walking itinerary, as we have mentioned, is not the only way to reach Ieranto: it is possible, in fact, to opt for a suggestive boat excursion that will allow you to sail along the entire Amalfi Coast reaching Punta Campanella: from here you will enjoy of a privileged view on the splendid inlet. If the idea of being lulled by the waves to the bay has already conquered you, all you have to do is take a look at the tours of the Amalfi Coast offered by Positano Scooter: the scooter rental agency in fact also has a wide range of excursions aboard boats equipped with all comforts and designed to offer an excursion experience with attention to every detail, from the drink for a cheerful aperitif on board, to the snorkeling equipment to explore the magnificent depths of this stretch of coast.
To participate, all you have to do is take a look at the dedicated section on the site: here you can choose between group or private tours departing from Positano. One of the most evocative stages of the proposed itineraries is Punta Campanella, from which it is possible to admire the Bay of Ieranto and the naturalistic context in which it is inserted.
And if you need some more tips to find the tour that best suits your needs, you can contact the Positano Scooter staff who will help you find your way around the different proposals available.
At this point you really just have to book your boat tour and dive into the magic of the Bay of Ieranto.