#349 European Rank
Fornillo Beach
Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy•Tyrrhenian Sea• Best Season: May, June, July, August, September, October
Photo: Mihael Grmek (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.53/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
26.2°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€67/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Volcanic Black Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Mild Chop
Calm & Glassy
Moderate Cross-Breeze & Light ChopCove aspect: Faces SSW (200°) · Wind: W (270°)
Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming.
Significant Wave Height
...
Optimal Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · CROSS-SHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces SSW (200°)
Cross-shore Breeze • Mild surface chop along the bay
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
SSW (200°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 70°
Spatial Geometry: Breeze out of W blows obliquely across the SSW-facing cove, generating manageable lateral drift.
Morning Coastal Brief for Fornillo Beach: Minimal chop, safe for wading, snorkeling and paddleboarding. Wind (12 km/h) blows diagonally along the coastline, creating surface chop and gentle lateral drift. Comfortable for casual swimming. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy
Warm Bathwater
Early August
26.2°C
Air ~34°C
Optimal thermal comfort; zero cold shock
Water temperature is well above the 20.0°C bathing threshold. Prolonged leisure swimming, snorkeling, and family wading are comfortable with zero thermal shock.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 26.2°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15.1°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 14.3°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 14.3°C | 23°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 15.6°C | 26°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 18.7°C | 29°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 22.5°C | 32°C | Ideal Swimming |
| July | 25.1°C | 34°C | Ideal Swimming |
| August | 26.2°C | 34°C | Warm Bathwater |
| September | 24.3°C | 32°C | Ideal Swimming |
| October | 21.8°C | 29°C | Refreshing |
| November | 19.3°C | 25°C | Refreshing |
| December | 16.8°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all Italy Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 3 Jun – 25 Oct (>21°C) · 144 days
Planning around peak water warmth (26.2°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Fornillo Beach for the optimal May–June–July–August–September–October swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Fornillo Beach (Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy)
🌊 Water temperature: 26.2°C
⛱️ Beach access: 25% free public sand • Sunbeds: €35–€85
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces SSW (sheltered from NNE winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/fornillo-beach-it/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: Excellent
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.3 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.5 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.5 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.8 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing3.7 / 5
About Fornillo Beach
Positano's quieter beach, reached along a cliff walkway and framed by the tumbling pastel houses of the Amalfi Coast.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: 10-minute pedestrian cliffside walk via Via Positanesi d'America from Spiaggia Grande or steep stairways from upper Positano.
•Protected Status / Environment: Set within the UNESCO World Heritage cultural coastline of Amalfi; framed by historic coastal defense towers.
•Notable Feature: Intimate pebble and gravel cove flanked by Torre di Fornillo and Torre Trasita, featuring beach clubs and free sections.
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Heavily Commercialized Lido
Free Public Sand (25%)Private Concessions (75%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
€35low season→€85August peak
Daily set (2 loungers + umbrella). Front-row loungers may command premium surcharges.
Towel Bather Guidance
Private sunbed concessions dominate the bay. Public free space is confined to narrow boundary strips.
Legal Shoreline Rights: Under Italian maritime law, the 5-meter shoreline zone (battigia) remains strictly free for transit and bathing. Arrive at the municipal spiaggia libera before 09:00.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Full-Day Unobstructed Sunlight
Open shoreline with full solar exposure from mid-morning through evening twilight.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Recommended for Shingle / Pebbles
Pebbles and dark sand become scorching hot by midday and challenging under barefoot tread.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
YesShowers
YesFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
NoLifeguard on Duty
YesSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
YesSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Positano, Amalfi Coast. Accessible via regional coastal roads (40.628°N, 14.482°E).
•Deep and clear, calmer and quieter than the main beach.
•Positano's quieter second beach, reached by a cliff path past medieval towers.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
NAP · 50m driveTransfer from Naples (NAP) by coastal ferry or private scenic drive.
Ferry Connection: Molo Beverello (Naples Port for Capri/Positano)
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Fornillo Beach?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fornillo Beach
What is the water temperature at Fornillo Beach?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Fornillo Beach averages 26.2°C (79°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Fornillo Beach?
Fornillo Beach is classified as a volcanic black sand shoreline located in Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy.
Is Fornillo Beach good for families with kids?
Yes, Fornillo Beach is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Fornillo Beach?
Free parking is available. Restroom facilities are present.
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