When planning your Italian itinerary, make sure you have enough time in the Cinque Terre, so you can go on a boat tour.
The Cinque Terre is among the most breathtaking coastlines of Italy, and the colourful fishing villages look different from the sea.
On this page I offer you different shared tours, some of them starting from Manarola, others leaving from Monterosso.
These are small group guided tours, with maximum 10-12 participants, away from the crowds. I personally love shared tours as I always enjoy meeting other travellers, but if you prefer
some privacy and you'd like to share a boat only with your loved ones, family and friends, I recommend renting a private boat in the Cinque Terre.
The following three tours with a Ligurian motorboat (gozzo) start from the little harbour of Manarola.
You will admire the beautiful Cinque Terre coastline from the sea,
while your skipper will be telling you some legends and stories about the five villages and the Cinque Terre National Park.
He will make you understand why this area is so special, the real essence of the Cinque Terre.
There are two companies I recommend, depending on availability, both of them are amazing.
Going on this tour was one of the highlights of our summer.
You can choose from 3 different tours: a late morning tour, an afternoon tour and a sunset cruise. The afternoon tours and the sunset tours you can book online
directly on my website. To book the morning tour, please contact me directly. Also, if you don't find availability online, please write to me, I might still find
availability for you. If you can't decide which one to book from the boat trips below, I am happy to help you.
Available every day from April 1 to October 31.
Meeting in Manarola.
Minimum 1, maximum 10 participants.
In English or Italian.
Price includes: boat trip with skipper and drinks with small snacks on board.
You should bring: sunglasses, hat, swimsuit, towel, camera and pullover depending on the weather.
During this beautiful sunset boat tour, you will first explore the coastline of Corniglia,
Vernazza and Monterosso,
discovering caves and grottos as well. You will spend some time in Monterosso, the biggest Cinque Terre town.
Later you will stop at Punta Mesco, in front of Monterosso, to watch the sunset with a welcome drink in your hand.
On the way back, you will see Riomaggiore and the suggestive Via dell'Amore from the sea and then return to Manarola.
During the sunset cruise you do not stop for swimming, so if you'd like to swim off the boat, I recommend the afternoon boat tour.
Meeting point: Manarola, late afternoon. Departure between 4.30PM and 6.30PM, depending on the time of sunset.
Duration: 2.5 hours.
Price: 90 EUR/person. (45 EUR for children aged 2-13 years.)
This afternoon Cinque Terre boat trip is dedicated to the sea, nature and snorkeling in exclusive places, accessible only from the sea.
First you will see Corniglia from below, which is the smallest of the Cinque Terre towns, sitting on top of a promontory.
After discovering various caves and grottos, you will admire Vernazza and Monterosso from the sea.
On the way back, you will also see
Riomaggiore and the Via dell'Amore from the boat.
In April, May and October the tour includes a stop in Monterosso. Between June and September there will
be a stop for swimming and snorkeling in the beautiful, clear waters, but no stops in the villages. The program also depends on the weather and the
sea temperature.
Meeting point: Manarola, 2:00PM.
Duration: 2.5 hours.
Price: 90 EUR/person. (45 EUR for children aged 2-13 years.)
Similarly to the other tours, during this morning boat tour you will also cruise all along the Cinque Terre coastline, see the Cinque Terre National Park
and the five colourful fishing villages from the sea. Your skipper will tell you about the history of the Cinque Terre, why it
is a UNESCO world heritage site and also local stories. I encourage you to ask questions, as you can learn so much about local life from your local guides and skippers.
In case of suitable weather and sea temperatures, you'll be swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear water of the Ligurian Sea.
Even if you only have one or two days in the Cinque Terre, you should allow time for a boat trip. Just sit back with a glass of prosecco in your hand, feel the wind in your hair
and enjoy the view of one of the most beautiful coastlines of Italy.
Meeting point: Manarola, 10:00AM.
Duration: 2.5 hours.
Price: 90 EUR/person. (45 EUR for children aged 2-13 years.)
Cinque Terre sunset cruise with dinner, from Monterosso
The sunset cruise starts late in the afternoon from Monterosso. It's a really relaxing evening tour, also perfect if you like taking photos, as lights are beautiful at this time
of the day.
You will first navigate towards the hidden beach of Guvano, only accessible by boat, located in an enchanting bay between Corniglia and Vernazza.
Then you will sail towards Manarola until Punta Montenero.
The skipper will make a swim stop and you can dive in unspoilt and crystalline water.
An aperitivo and dinner made of seafood and typical local food will be served while watching the sunset. Prosecco, white wine, beer, soft drinks and water are available
on board during the tour. At the end of the boat tour you'll return in Monterosso.
Available every day from April 15 to October 30.
Meeting point: Monterosso. Time to be confirmed, it changes during the season.
Duration: 3 hours.
Price: 150 EUR/person. (110 EUR for children aged 3-12 years.)
Minimum 4, maximum 12 participants.
In English or Italian.
Price includes: evening boat tour with English speaking skipper, snorkeling equipment, drinks and dinner on board.
You should bring: bathing suit, towel, sweatshirt, water, sunglasses, hat, camera.
Cinque Terre boat tour with lunch, from Monterosso
You will leave at 11:00AM from Monterosso and sail along the Cinque Terre coast, looking at the villages from the water.
The skipper will choose a beautiful spot where you will stop for swimming and snorkeling while the crew prepares lunch on board.
They will serve you local products like focaccia and cheese, followed by a main course of grilled fish or prawns.
Water, soft drinks, beer, prosecco and wine is available during the entire duration of the tour.
After lunch you will cruise further and you will stop in another bay for more swimming and snorkeling in the turquoise water.
You will finish the boat tour in Monterosso around 3:30PM.
Available every day from April 15 to October 30.
Meeting point: Monterosso, 11:00AM.
Duration: 4.5 hours.
Price: 205 EUR/person. (140 EUR for children aged 3-12 years.)
Minimum 4, maximum 12 participants.
In English or Italian.
Price includes: boat tour with English speaking skipper, drinks and lunch on board, snorkeling equipment.
You should bring: bathing suit, towel, sweatshirt, water, sunglasses, hat, camera.
A brand new sunset cruise with one of the most beautiful boats of the Cinque Terre, a traditional fishing boat.
This new boat tour has been created with the passion of local men, their love for the sea and fishing.
During this 3-hour tour you will make a couple of swim stops in hidden areas, only reachable by boat. While admiring the sunset, you can enjoy some Cinque Terre wine on board, along with some
bruschetta topped with tomatoes and local anchovies.
Your skippers will tell you about the Cinque Terre, the sea around here, and also explain about the traditional fishing in the area. They are truly passionate, and having this boat was the dream of their lives.
Towards the end of the tour you can also see what is in their net today.
Available every day from April 15 to October 30.
Meeting point: Manarola, 6:00PM. (Time changes according to the sunset time.)
Duration: 3 hours.
Price: 100 EUR/person.
Minimum 4, maximum 10 participants.
In English or Italian.
Price includes: sunset boat tour with English speaking skipper, local wine and bruschetta on board, fishing experience.
You should bring: bathing suit, towel, sweatshirt, water, sunglasses, hat, camera.
Check out a selection of Cinque Terre boat tours and other sea adventures on my tour page.
Reviews
Watch this video made by a friend of mine during the sunset cruise. They were lucky to see a group of dolphins.
My wife Sara and I were visiting Cinque Terre for our one year wedding anniversary, and wanted to spend one day out on the water.
We met Daniel in the morning and joined the rest of the group for our boat tour.
Daniel was amazing, and had plenty of interesting facts to share about the coast and each individual town.
Being from Cinque Terre he was also able to recommend where to (and not to) eat/drink/shop, etc.
After quite some time, my wife and I wanted to go swimming. It was May, so the water was still a little bit chilly...
but Daniel took us to a "private beach" that we hopped off the boat and swam to.
Before we knew it, the entire group (including Daniel) were in the water swimming.
That, combined with a ride along the coast with music playing and wine in our hands...was one of the most magical parts of our trip to Italy.
We spent two weeks on vacation, and our day with Cinque Terre Travel and Daniel was by far one of the most memorable.
I would more than recommend this tour to anyone visiting Cinque Terre.
Thank you!!!!!!
Phil
Hello,
It was disappointing not to be able to paraglide but we had a fabulous time in Cinque Terre,
a lot in fact due to the great sunset cruise! What was most enjoyable was the intimacy of only having 5 passengers on a small boat.
We all had a great time and truly enjoyed Daniel's history of the villages and his warm and welcoming personality!
Thank you for all of your help!
Kind regards,
Maureen
Dear Tamara,
we thought the boat trip with Daniele from Manarola was simply wonderful.
He was a entertaining guide who explained the history of the Cinque Terre very well.
He was also very friendly and laid back. We liked the fact that we were able to snorkel as well.
We thought it all went smoothly, also thanks to your efforts. Nothing but praise, therefore.
Sebastian
We had an absolutely wonderful experience. It was truly one of the highlights of our stay on the Italian riviera. The boat was perfect, Dannielle was accommodating,
informative, funny and charming, and we especially loved the swimming coves we stopped at along the way with the waterfalls and caves.
I will likely be taking more of my wine clients to Cinque Terre in the future and when I do, I will certainly book this boat tour again. Thank you so much!
Rachel
Great sunset boat tour. Highly recommended.
Terry
Hi Tamara,
Thank you for reaching out! We had a wonderful boat cruise!! We loved our guide. He was fun and interesting!
Alicia
The boat tour was fantastic, and Daniele was awesome!! I would recommend it to everyone!
Sean
Hi Tamara,
The sunset cruise with Tony was the highlight of our trip to Italy. He was really friendly and funny, and the sunset over the sea was so picturesque.
A boat tour in the Cinque Terre is a must for everyone travelling there.
Steven
We truly loved the lunch boat tour from Monterosso. Delicious food and great swimming. Highly recommended.
Chiara
Hi Tamara,
Thank you so much for organizing the sunset cruise for us. The villages looked amazing in the evening lights, and we also had lot of fun with the skipper.
My parents are travelling to the Cinque Terre next summer, I will surely tell them to book this tour with you.
Diana
Tamara,
We are so happy you have convinced us to do the sunset tour with fishing. We only had a short time in the Cinque Terre and we had to rush a little to
make this tour happen, but it was the best part of our day. Their wine and the bruschetta was very nice, and we also got lucky with the fishing!
Lorenzo seems to know everything about the sea, if I understood well, he studied marine biology.
Thanks again for all your help with this.
Paolo
Tamara! Our dinner boat tour from Monterosso was the absolute highlight of our Cinque Terre trip. The food was much better than in the restaurant where we
had dinner the previous night, everything so fresh. For the kids the best part was the snorkeling, it was hard to get them out of the water.
Thanks again for your help booking this boat tour for our family.
All the best,
Erika
The sunset cruise was fantastic, and Tony was great, a really fun guy. I recommend his tour to everyone.
Sam
