Maratea Porto is the small harbour at the foot of the coastal hills, the base for the fishing boats, the ferries, and the summer boat-trip operators who run excursions to the coast's best coves. The harbour front has a handful of seafood restaurants, a few bars with tables overlooking the water, and the practicalities of buying tickets for boat trips along the 30-kilometre coast.
From Maratea Porto, boat excursions visit the sea caves, the black beach at Cala Jannita, and the more remote coves that are inaccessible by road. Full-day tours typically include several swimming stops; half-day tours focus on either the northern or southern stretch of coast. It is also possible to rent small motorised dinghies by the day and explore independently. The Porto itself is pleasant in the early morning when the fishing boats are unloading and the restaurants are setting up.