[Reviews] The BEST Cinque Terre Boat Tours for YOU!

What to Expect for a Boat Tour in Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is among the most beautiful places in Italy, and I can still remember fondly my visits there. I loved walking the narrow streets of the villages, discovering epic viewpoints, and taking photos of the colorful houses above the water.

Was it all great though? Well, I hated the crowds.

The 5 villages that make up the Cinque Terre are traditional coastal villages, and they’re pretty tiny. Not the ideal place for a massive amount of tourists! Trying to find a way between all the tourists or trying to find a spot on the beach is pretty annoying, and it may be a pain for you on your trip.

What does that have to do with boat trips in Cinque Terre?

Well, going on a boat tour is the perfect solution to escape the crowds!

Rather than staying in the villages with everyone else, go on a Cinque Terre private boat tour and discover the villages from a new perspective. You’ll be out on the sea, with no crowds around.

Just you and your friends and family, with a nice guide cruising along the coast, sipping on prosecco, swimming in the sea without all the crowds.

Can You Visit the Villages on a Cinque Terre Boat Tour?

Cinque Terre is a protected National Park, so there are specific regulations in place to protect it. One of these measures is to limit the number of boats that can dock in the villages.

So no, you won’t be able to hop on and off from the boat to the villages by taking a Cinque Terre boat tour.

As a matter of fact, the only places where tourism boats can get close to the land are Vernazza and Monterosso. In some of the tours, you’ll be able to dock in Vernazza and go for a visit to the village, but don’t expect to visit the 5 villages this way.

If you want to visit the villages, the best option is to take the train.

The train runs between all of the villages, at very frequent intervals, and it’s very cheap. It allows you to easily travel between the villages, and it’s the best way to explore the Cinque Terre.

Really hell-bent on discovering Cinque Terre by boat? You can take the ferry, that connects all villages from La Spezia to Levanto.

Check Cinque Terre Ferry prices & timetable here: Cinque Terre boat info

The Best Boat Tours in the Cinque Terre

There are a few different boat tours in Cinque Terre, and with the growing popularity of the destination, more and more options are becoming available every year.

It can be hard to decide which of the boat trips is the best one and is actually worth your money. You’ll most likely have a limited amount of days in Cinque Terre, and the last thing you want is to ruin your travels with a bad experience.

To make it easy for you, I’ve listed below the best Cinque Terre boat trips you can book: each one is different, and depends on what kind of tour you’re looking for. But in the end, you’ll have a wonderful time and will treasure the memory for years to come.

1. Cinque Terre & Portovenere Boat Tour

This is the most complete boat tour you can do along the whole Cinque Terre coast!

Starting from La Spezia harbor, this guided boat tour will take you in small groups to several incredible sights before getting back to La Spezia.

You’ll first head to Porto Venere, which isn’t part of the national park but an unmissable stop in the area. Then, you’ll cruise up north to discover the Byron Grotto and the 5 villages of Cinque Terre from the sea: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso.

During the cruise, you’ll have the chance to stop several times in gorgeous coves to snorkel to discover the Cinque Terre-rich sea bed. You’ll also stop at Monterosso to visit the old town and shop if you like.

After the visit, you’ll cruise back to Porto Venere for a 30-minute visit and then come back to La Spezia.

2. Cinque Terre Boat Ride + Pesto Making Class

Italian food lover? Then you’ll love this tour, which combines a Cinque Terre boat ride and a pesto-making class!

You’ll learn how to make pesto with a local chef, then you’ll enjoy lunch with local wine tasting, and also get to enjoy one of the few Cinque Terre private boat tours, along the coast from Manarola to Vernazza, through Corniglia.

This is a great activity for families, and many travelers enjoy it with their kids.

3. Cinque Terre Sunset Cruise – Monterosso Boat Tour

This cruise is one of the best options if you want to discover the Cinque Terre on your own during the day, and extend the day with a nice activity!

Tan on the beach in Monterosso in the afternoon, and get ready for your sunset cruise. You’ll board the boat in Monterosso (or La Spezia) in a group of 12 people maximum and cruise down along the coast to see the 5 villages from the sea.

I love that there are rentable snorkeling equipment on board! This makes it a no-brainer to go for a swim and enjoy the beautiful water of the Cinque Terre National Park.

During the cruise, you’ll be offered a typical Italian aperitivo with local products, fresh fruits along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

4. Manarola Boat Tour with Aperitif

If you’re staying in Manarola, don’t worry. You can also enjoy a sunset tour, you don’t have to stay in Monterosso or La Spezia.

This Manarola boat tour will let you enjoy the Cinque Terre from the sea, discover the colorful villages from a different perspective, and marvel at the changing colors of the sky and the sea from the ship.

If you want to take a break from sipping your wine and nibbling snacks, you can jump in the water and use the provided snorkeling equipment to discover the marine life.

5. A Different Cinque Terre by Boat Experience – With Kayaks!

Sitting in a boat is too slow for you? Well then, you’ll love this adventure!

Forget the boat, and go on a kayak tour to discover the Cinque Terre coast. You can get a single kayak, or you can share a tandem kayak if you’re traveling with someone else.

There are 2 options for this tour:

• The morning kayak option is a 5-hour kayaking trip, to truly discover the Cinque Terre coast
• The sunset kayak tour is a shorter tour (2,5 hours), where you’ll stop to watch the sunset, and enjoy wine & snacks

Whichever you choose, I’m sure you’ll have a blast paddling along the coast!

6. Cinque Terre Boat Tour from La Spezia

And finally the last tour on this list, a Cinque Terre boat tour from La Spezia!

This tour is a full-day cruise, on a magnificent sailing ship. Starting from La Spezia, you’ll sail along the coast of the Gulf of Poets and stop at Riomaggiore (or Portovenere), then Monterosso, and Vernazza along the way.

You’ll have ample time to discover the medieval old towns, indulge in delicious meals, and enjoy beautiful viewpoints.

If you have some extra time in Cinque Terre and want to go on an epic full-day activity, this is the perfect choice for you.

So there you have them, the 6 best boat tours Cinque Terre has to offer! It’s an amazing way to discover this part of Italy from a new perspective and escape the dreaded crowds in summer.

Can I rent a private boat in Cinque Terre?

Yes, you can rent a private boat in Cinque Terre. Whether it’s a kayak, sailboat, or motorboat, with or without a skipper, the choice is yours.

However, be aware that not all types of boats are authorized in the waters of the Cinque Terre National Park, as this is a protected maritime area. So be careful when booking.

Where to Stay in Cinque Terre

Looking for a place to stay in Cinque Terre? I’ve shortlisted here the 3 best accommodations in the area by travel style:

✅ Best Hotel – Albergo Barbara: This lovely place offers a wonderful location right in Vernazza old town, close to the sea with views of the marina. Rooms are small but very well appointed, you can’t find a better value for money.

💰 Budget Pick – Lia Room 3: Located in La Spezia only 500 meters from the train station, this place offers the best value for money. Rooms are simple but comfy and equipped with all the essentials.

✨ Luxury Pick – La Vista di Marina by The First: Located on the marina of Riomaggiore, you won’t find any better location or better services than in this place. Rooms are modern and stylish, views are incredible,… just book it!

Couldn’t find your place among these 3? Check out this Cinque Terre hotel guide for more recommendations.

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Still planning your trip to Cinque Terre? Then check out the other guides I’ve made to help you in this task!

First, check out this full Cinque Terre travel guide 👉 Everything you Need to Know About Cinque Terre

Then, check out this post to choose the right moment to visit: 👉 Best Time to Visit Cinque Terre

And get even more info and tips about the Cinque Terre here.