Cinque Terre and Portovenere Private Boat Tour from La Spezia
Description
Discover the iconic Cinque Terre from the sea on an exclusive private boat tour with skipper Marco and Paola, a 5-star rated experience on the Italian Riviera. Sail along the UNESCO coastline aboard our award-winning Jeanneau Cap Camarat 9.0 WA, equipped with eco-sustainable solar panels, retractable awning, sundeck, and onboard restroom. Your 7-hour journey begins at Porto Mirabello in La Spezia, sailing past medieval Portovenere and the hidden coastline of Monasteroli. Swim in crystal-clear coves, snorkel with our experienced guide Paola, and discover all five villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza (lunch ashore), and Monterosso. Included: light Italian lunch with local wines, open bar with Prosecco, snorkeling equipment, private parking, towels, fuel, professional skipper, and multilingual hostess (English, French, German). Cinque Terre National Park authorization. HACCP certified. Max 8 guests, fully private experience.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The tour begins in Portovenere, the gateway to the Cinque Terre and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Seen from the sea, the row of colorful tower houses lining the harbor creates an immediate spectacle. Sailing past the village, you can clearly spot the Church of San Pietro, perched on the rocky promontory, and the Doria Castle rising above. Starting from Portovenere means immediately immersing yourself in a panorama where history, architecture, and nature blend together—a first glimpse that sets the tone for the beauty of the entire tour.
Seen from the sea, Byron’s Cave is a striking natural amphitheater, with sheer cliffs and waves breaking to create light and foam effects. Named after the English poet Byron, who found inspiration here and was said to swim in these waters, it remains one of Portovenere’s most evocative landmarks, where nature and culture meet
From the sea, you can glimpse the tiny hamlet of Monesteroli, clinging to the cliffside and reachable only by its steep stone staircase that makes it truly unique. The houses seem suspended between rock and sea, offering a rare and fascinating view that reveals all its dramatic beauty only from the water.
The first of the Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore reveals itself from the sea with its colorful houses descending steeply towards the small harbor. From the boat, the striking view of the village clinging to the cliffs perfectly sets the tone and atmosphere of the Cinque Terre experience.
The second of the Cinque Terre, Manarola stands out with its village perched dramatically on the cliff overlooking the sea. From the boat, the row of colorful houses appears to rise straight from the rocks, creating one of the most photographed and iconic views in all of Liguria.
The third of the Cinque Terre, Corniglia is the only village not directly on the sea. From the boat, it appears perched high on the cliffs, with its clustered houses set on terraces surrounded by vineyards. Seen from the water, it offers a distinctive and unique view, highlighting its bond with the land rather than the harbor.
The fourth of the Cinque Terre, Vernazza is one of the most striking villages when seen from the sea, with its natural harbor nestled in the bay and overlooked by the Doria Castle tower. From the boat, you can admire the unique harmony between the village, the cliffs, and the sea. Here, you can either go ashore to explore the village, with its alleys and seaside square, or take advantage of the stop for a refreshing swim in the clear waters of the bay.
The fifth and last of the Cinque Terre, Monterosso is the largest and flattest village. From the boat, its wide sandy beaches—unique in the area—stand out, along with the village divided between the historic center and the modern seafront. Here, guests can choose either to go ashore and explore the village, with its alleys and seaside promenade, or to enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters before heading back
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(39)
We had the most wonderful day on the water with Paula, Marco, and Martina, and we’re still smiling thinking about it. Seeing the Cinque Terre from the boat felt really special, and they took us to these beautiful little snorkeling spots along the way. One of my favorite moments was walking into the caves and discovering the freshwater deposits inside, something I never would have expected. The food and drinks were lovely too, all wonderfully authentic, and you could tell how much care went into everything. What really stayed with us, though, was how kind and attentive they were, always making sure the day reflected exactly what we hoped for. It was such a warm and memorable experience, and we’d gently encourage anyone visiting to treat themselves to this.
We're still smiling thinking about that day too! Guests who really take in every corner of the experience: the snorkeling spots, the caves, the small details on board, make our job feel like the best one in the world. Sharing the Cinque Terre with people as warm and curious as you was a real gift. We hope our paths cross again on these waters. A big hug from La Spezia, Paola & Marco
Paula, Marco, and Martina gave us the best possible day out on the water, and it was hands down the best way to see the Cinque Terre. We saw all of it from the boat, stopped at amazing snorkeling spots, and even got to walk into caves with freshwater deposits inside. The food and drinks were absolutely delicious, and we loved that everything was so authentic. On top of that, the three of them were incredibly accommodating and tailored the whole day around what we were interested in. I cannot recommend this tour enough. We’re so appreciative of the experience and would recommend it to anyone visiting the area.
What a lovely message, grazie! The sea caves and the cliff jumping spot are some of our favourite hidden corners, and it was a joy sharing them with a group that was so up for the adventure. Knowing it was the best day of your trip is the greatest compliment we could ask for. Our boat is always ready to welcome you back. Warm wishes, Paola & Marco
If you are looking for an unforgettable experience, you have found it! We took a private boat tour in the Cinque Terre with Marco and Paola, and it was the most beautiful day of our vacation. The boat is brand new, super clean, and really comfortable, with a large awning perfect for staying in the shade. They were very kind from the very first moment and proposed a customized itinerary for us, taking us away from the crowd to let us swim in beautiful coves with crystal-clear water. The aperitif on board with delicious typical products was also fantastic! I wholeheartedly recommend this boat trip to anyone who wants to experience the coast in a unique way. Absolutely worth doing again!
Grazie davvero per queste parole, ci avete fatto iniziare la giornata col sorriso! È stato un piacere costruire la giornata insieme a voi e condividere un aperitivo a bordo nei nostri angoli preferiti della costa. La barca è sempre pronta a riaccogliervi quando vorrete tornare a trovarci. Con affetto, Paola & Marco
Our private family boat trip through Cinque Terre was better than we could’ve imagined. Marco and his son Luca were incredibly thoughtful and hospitable. The food and snacks spread was only outmatched by the stunning views in the background. Add in the conversations learning about local sites and culture it was easily one of our favorite days of the entire trip. So grateful we picked them as our boat. I highly highly recommend.
We loved our Day Cruise tour in 5 Terre! Peaceful very Nice spots for swiming , not crowded! Everything went smooth during booking process! Wonderful local food is provided (snacks)as towels as well! We had a lovely day
thank you dear! it was a real pleasure having you on board!
This might have been one of the best experiences we had on our Italian vacation. The communication and flexibility were awesome. The views from the boat and swimming were absolutely priceless. They allowed us to pick where we wanted to spend our time (more swimming vs. sightseeing). Both the captain and our guide were very friendly and considerate. The food and drinks provided were great. We would absolutely do this again. Thank you so much for such a wonderful day on the water.
Thank you Erika. We’d love to welcome you back on board anytime!
We had the most incredible day exploring Cinque Terre by boat with my parents and husband – and it was all thanks to Paola and Marco! Their warmth, hospitality, and local knowledge made the trip so special. The itinerary was perfectly paced, the views were stunning, and the boat was super spacious and comfortable (plus, a nice clean bathroom onboard – always a win!). We were treated to delicious snacks and great wine throughout the day, which made everything feel so relaxed and luxurious. Paola and Marco truly went above and beyond to create a memorable experience - and also planned our reservations for lunch. Highly, highly recommend booking this trip – it was a highlight of our time in Italy!
Thank you so much for your wonderful words! It was truly a pleasure to welcome you on board and share the beauty of the Cinque Terre from the sea with you and your wonderful family.
We had a magical experience touring Cinque Terre by boat with Paola and Marco. They were so welcoming and accommodating and this has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth! You have to see it from the sea. We swam, ate, explored, and soaked in some sun. Perfect for our family of 5 with kids! Grazie Paola and Marco!
Thank you Ben, it was great meeting you and your lovely family!
Exploring Cinque Terre from the water was amazing. It’s an absolutely beautiful coastline. The water was crystal blue, villages were scenic and it was just overall an incredible day. Marco and Beatrice were amazing hosts. The lunch, snacks and drinks were lovely. I would definitely say the day on the water exploring Cinque Terre was the highlight of our Mediterranean trip for everyone in our family of 6 (21, 18, 16 and 12 year old children)!
Thank you so much! I look forward to seeing you again on board.
Marco and Paola were fabulous. Lunch was wonderful! We had to adjust because of rough seas, but it was still great! Highly recommend! Wonderful for pictures!
Thank you Anna, since this is a private tour, we like to find the best time slot and itinerary every time.
