Outdoor activities - Naples, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast - page 56

of Campania's coastal treasures. On Ischia, water taxis connect the village of Sant'Angelo
to the thermal beach cove Il Sorgeto. On Capri, regular tours depart for the island's spec-
tacular Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto), while across in Positano, boat tour options include
sunset cruises to the Li Galli islands, former home of Rudolf Nureyev. Further west, boats
depart from both Conca dei Marini and Amalfi for the ethereal Grotta dello Smeraldo
(Emerald Grotto; admission €5; 9am-4pm Mar-Oct, 9am-3pm Nov-Feb) . Amalfi's
gilded maritime heritage comes to the fore every four years, when the town plays host to
the Regata delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare (Regatta of the Old Maritime Repub-
lics), an annual boat race between the once-mighty maritime republics of Amalfi, Venice,
Genoa and Pisa. Amalfi's turn comes around again in 2016. Local tourist offices can
provide information on tours and reputable boat hire companies.
Diving
Diving is a popular pursuit in Campania, and you'll have no trouble finding diving
schools offering equipment hire, courses, and dives for all levels. Several diving schools
are open most of the year, while others are open seasonally, typically from May to Octo-
ber. One of the region's best diving spots is the Punta Campanella Marine Reserve .
Located at the tip of the Sorrento Peninsula, it's well known for its colourful marina
fauna, small reefs and multicoloured seaweed. In general, try avoiding August, when
much of Campania's coastline is besieged by holidaymakers and prices are at their
highest. Information on diving schools and areas is available from local tourist offices and
online at DiveItaly ( www.diveitaly.com ) .