From Camoglie, just north of the Cinque Terre, there is a trail to San Frutuoso. The monastery can only be reached on foot or by boat. The regular tourist boat continues to Portofino then on to Rapallo. In the bay of San Frutuoso, a Jesus sculpture is sunk into the sea. You can snorkel over it or dive with gear into the deep blue and clear water.
The ultimate experience is to arrive by private sailboat and simply swim from the boat to shore. Anchor fee is collected by the harbormaster, who flits in with a small boat. The sea is deep and blue. The short beach is densely occupied in summer. Loungers and parasols are offered and there is a shower in a crevasse. There are two restaurants at the pebble beach. One of them is in the monastery building. In peak season the umbrella guys also provide drinks and snacks from their hut.
Behind the monastery, past the church, a footpath leads steeply up through the forest to a Rifugio (mountain hut) with a simple but delicious lunch menu. Just follow the only path that leads uphill starting from the entrance of the church. From high above the monastery you will be rewarded with sweeping views across the bay. The Refugio will have very refreshing tap water and a small selection of soft drinks, house wine, and beer. You will enjoy the food sitting at benches outside. You can also arrive at the Rifugio on a hike from the road above. It’s very nice, but the climb takes almost an hour.