Cinque Terre is truly a bucket list place to visit in Italy. And one of the best ways to experience the region is by a Cinque Terre boat tour!
We detail some of the best Cinque Terre boat trips – from sunset cruises to kayaking and beyond! Read on!
Be sure to book your tours and activities in Cinque Terre ahead of time to ensure availability!
⛵ Our favorite boat trip excursions in Cinque Terre:
- Cinque Terre Boat Tour with Lunch and Wine (my favorite option!)
- La Spezia cruise to Vernazza, Porto Venere, and Monterosso (another top pick!)
- Kayak Tour of Cinque Terre from Monterosso (great for active travelers)
🎒 Traveling Italy on a budget? Find the best deals on Cinque Terre tours and activities here!
🚗 Looking to travel around the Cinque Terre independently? Click here to check Italy rental car rates!
There are plenty of tours to choose from in the Cinque Terre but none quite do it like a boat trip of the gorgeous area. The Italian weather makes this an absolutely unforgettable experience, as well!
In this guide, we break down our top boat tours in Cinque Terre, including one shore excursion for those coming off of a cruise. There is a little something for everyone – from kayaking options to magical sunset cruises.
It will also detail how long the boat trip lasts, activities included, spoken languages, and some expectations and details about your itinerary for the trip.
Have you taken a boat trip around the Cinque Terre before? Let us know your tips and recommendations in the comments! Thanks!
Boat Tours in Cinque Terre (at a Glance)
If you’re looking for a quick overview of the tours in this guide – here is a glance at them (keep scrolling for more details!).
- Best sunset Cinque Terre boat tour: La Spezia and Portovenere Golfo dei Poeti sunset tour
- Most affordable boat trip option: Isola Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto boat tour (from Portovenere!)
- Best lunch and wine boat tour option: From La Spezia: Cinque Terre Boat Tour (with Lunch and Wine!)
- Best all-day boat tour around Cinque Terre: Cruise to Porto Venere, Monterosso, and Vernazza
- Best private boat trip option: Cinque Terre speedboat tour (from La Spezia)
- Best Cinque Terre boat tour with kids: Boat trip to Riomaggiore, Monterosso, and Vernazza
- Best Cinque Terre boat trip for active travelers: Kayaking tour from Monterosso
All of the options we picked for this guide include easy and centralized meeting points, English communications, and an option to book ahead of time so you don’t miss the opportunity in the high season.
Best Cinque Terre Boat Tours (in Depth)
1. Cinque Terre Sunset Boat Tour (Most Popular!)
Duration: 3 hours
Activities: boating, swimming, snorkeling, aperitif
Languages: English
⇒ BOOK HERE!
Swimming, snorkeling, cruising, relaxing, a delicious aperitif, sunset views of Cinque Terre…experience all this and more on a beautiful sunset cruise tour on Ligurian waters. This is the top-rated Cinque Terre boat tour!
Leaving from Monterosso, you will enjoy a welcome drink and see the beautiful coastline as you sail all the way down to Riomaggiore and Punta Montenero on the southern end of the Cinque Terre National Park.
At a stopping point in the middle of the cruise, you will have the chance to swim, dive, and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of a secluded bay. Then, take a break, relax, and enjoy the breathtaking sunset views with drinks and a local aperitif as you continue to cruise along the coast.
This tour lasts three hours and is limited to 15 people, ensuring that you are not too crowded. Masks and snorkels are available on the boat, but make sure to bring your own towel, sunscreen, and other swimming gear.
2. Riomaggiore, Monterosso, Vernazza Boat Cruise (Budget Option)
Duration: 8 hours
Activities: boating, walking in cities, swimming (optional)
Languages: English, French, Italian
⇒ BOOK HERE!
This is the best value for your money when it comes to Cinque Terre boat trips! You will enjoy a guided return boat cruise from La Spezia around the Cinque Terre.
This is more of a ‘ferry’ guided tour, so be prepared to do a little bit of walking when you disembark in Riomaggiore, Vernazza, and Monterosso. While you will have a guide with you for most of the trip, you will get free time in the villages.
At the end of the trip, you will have a chance to taste some local wine and food… or you can dive into the Mediterranean waters for a swim. Food and drinks are not included.
This is an 8-hour tour – so be prepared for a long day!
3. From Monterosso: Cinque Terre Kayak Tour
Duration: 2-3 hours
Activities: kayaking
Languages: English, Italian
⇒ BOOK HERE!
Take in the stunning views of Cinque Terre from a unique perspective- a kayak! Starting from the beach in Monterosso, you will paddle down towards Vernazza guided by an expert in both kayaking and the history and culture of the area.
Along the way, you will see rugged cliffs, hidden coves, and colorful buildings dotting the coastline of the beautiful Italian Riviera.
You can choose from two different tour options: a beautiful two-hour sunset tour with wine or a bright three-hour daytime tour by the amazing Cinque Terre National Park.
Before your tour, your professional local guide will ensure you are comfortable and prepared to kayak. All kayaking equipment is provided, including a wetsuit. The group size is limited to six people, which provides a personalized experience.
4. Cinque Terre Boat Tour with Appetizers and Lunch
Duration: 8 hours
Activities: boating, swimming, snorkeling, lunch
Languages: English, Italian
⇒ BOOK HERE!
Enjoy a delicious lunch on the water while marveling at the gorgeous coastline views of the Italian Riviera.
This cruise includes a welcome drink as well as drinks throughout the ride, a delicious appetizer and lunch, time to take photos of the colorful villages, and a break where you can swim in the beautiful blue waters of the Ligurian sea.
The tour launches from La Spezia and you will have plenty of opportunities to take photos of the beautiful landscape as you sail past all five villages. Your knowledgeable tour host will be able to give you information on the interesting history of the area and answer any questions you may have.
This 8-hour tour gives you plenty of time to eat, swim, and just relax in a comfortable and beautiful environment. Make sure you bring your own towel, sunscreen, and swimsuit.
5. Cinque Terre Sailing Tour by Speedboat
Duration: 5.5 hours
Activities: boating, swimming, snorkeling, walking, lunch
Languages: English, Italian, Spanish
⇒ BOOK HERE!
This boat trip is one of the most popular in Cinque Terre, and it sails off from La Spezia. You will have a chance to see all five villages along the sail (including La Spezia).
You will hit up Portovenere while crossing the Le Bocche, and have a chance to see Palmaria Island.
You’ll then sail up on the gorgeous coves of Le Rosse, Punta Pineda, and Monesteroli before having a chance to go swimming in the clear waters of Cinque Terre National Park.
After sailing past the last village, Monterosso, you will start your journey back. When you stop to explore on-shore, make sure to try the local specialities like focaccia with anchovies or gelato.
Food and drinks are not included. There is a sundeck for guests, as well as comfortable leather seats.
6. La Spezia Cinque Terre Boat Rental
Spend a day on the water taking in the beautiful views of Cinque Terre with the freedom of your own boat. You will launch from Mirabello port in La Spezia with directions on how to get to the Cinque Terre National Park by sea.
You can then discover the five villages of Cinque Terre by boat: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso.
When you arrive at the port, you will be met by a staff member who will explain how to operate the boat, which has already been filled with gas, give you a map and instructions on how to get to the park, and answer any questions you may have. You will then be free to take the boat out for the day.
After a day of exploration, just return to the port you started from. Note that the price of gas is not included and you will need to fill up the boat when you get back to the port.
Up to seven people are included in this boat rental, so get your friends together to spend a wonderful day on the sea, enjoying the sights of the beautiful Cinque Terre.
7. From La Spezia: Cinque Terre Cruise Shore Excursion
**Please note that this is not a boat trip but it is an excursion for those coming off of a boat!
Duration: 7 hours
Activities: walking, swimming (optional), lunch
Languages: English, Spanish
⇒ BOOK HERE!
Guided by an expert tour guide, this day tour will give you an opportunity to experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of beautiful Cinque Terre. Meeting at the cruise terminal, you will then take a nice stroll through La Spezia to the train station.
A fifteen-minute train ride will take you to Vernazza, where you will be able to explore the picturesque village on your own time.
Your second stop will be Monterosso, where you will be able to taste Italy’s famous Limoncino at a local shop. Then wander the colorful streets at your leisure, until it is time to go to the next stop: Riomaggiore.
Here, in the smallest of the Cinque Terre towns, you will be able to see breathtaking views of the sea and traditional boats as local fishermen go about their daily work.
This is a seven-hour tour, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat for sun protection. In case you feel like taking a refreshing dip in the sea during your free time, don’t forget your swimsuit!
Have you ever taken a Cinque Terre boat tour? Let us know your tips in the comments (and please share your experience!) Thanks!
More Cinque Terre Travel Guides
- Best things to do in Cinque Terre
- Things to know before visiting Cinque Terre
- Hidden destinations in Italy
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Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now splits her time between Frankfurt, Germany and Arctic Finland after also living in Norway, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.