Marina del Cantone

Marina del Cantone is a small bay below the village of Nerano at the far southern tip of the Sorrento Peninsula in Massa Lubrense, Campania, Italy, about 12 km (7.5 miles) from Sorrento centre along Via Cantone. The beach is pebbled, with equipped lidos and free sections, and the water is very clear, ranging from turquoise near the shore to deep blue offshore, with the seabed dropping quickly. The bay is a compact cove facing south-west toward the Gulf of Salerno and the Li Galli islands side, protected by headlands and generally calm in summer, though wind can make the water choppy. The atmosphere is relaxed and gastronomic: the beach is known for seafood restaurants set right on the pebbles, and many visitors come mainly for a long lunch combined with a swim. It is less crowded than the Sorrento platforms but gets busy at weekends in July and August. Lidos rent sunbeds and umbrellas, restaurants and bars operate on the beach, and canoe tours operated by Chasing Syrens (chasingsyrens.com) start here, with kayak routes continuing to Baia di Ieranto. Lifeguard hours depend on the lido and should be confirmed locally. The SITA Sud bus from Sorrento runs toward Marina del Cantone, and timetables are available at sitasudtrasporti.it; by car, the winding peninsula roads take about 30 to 40 minutes in season, and parking is limited and often paid. The best season is June to September, when lidos and restaurants are open. Outside summer many venues close. The bay suits visitors who want a pebble beach with good food and a base for paddling or walking to Ieranto.