Small Group Cinque Terre Boat Tour with Swim and Local Skipper
Description
The best way to experience the Cinque Terre — away from the crowds. Cruise along the coastline on a small group boat, swim in crystal-clear water, and discover hidden spots only accessible by sea while taking in all five villages from the water. Led by a local skipper, this relaxed and scenic experience offers a unique perspective of the coastline, far from the busy ferries and crowded viewpoints. You’ll have time to swim, unwind, and enjoy the beauty of the Cinque Terre at your own pace. With limited space on board, this small group tour feels personal and unhurried — the perfect mix of sightseeing and time on the water. For many of our guests, it becomes the highlight of their trip.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We depart from Riomaggiore and head out along the coastline, giving you a stunning view of the village from the sea — one of the best perspectives you can get.
Cruising along the famous Via dell’Amore, you’ll see the dramatic cliffs connecting Riomaggiore and Manarola while your skipper shares local stories and history.
We then arrive in front of Manarola, one of the most iconic villages of the Cinque Terre, where we’ll stop for photos before heading to one of our favorite hidden swimming spots nearby. Here, you’ll have time to swim in clear, calm water away from the crowds.
Continuing along the coast, we pass Corniglia, the only village perched high above the sea, and stop again for photos and a short explanation of its unique history.
As we cruise toward Vernazza, we’ll show you small caves and hidden corners of the coastline that are only accessible by boat. The water here is incredibly clear, and you’ll often see fish swimming below.
In Vernazza, we stop in front of the harbor for a perfect photo opportunity, with colorful houses and restaurants perched along the cliffs.
We then continue to Monterosso, following the rugged coastline and taking in views you can only experience from the water, before slowly making our way back toward Riomaggiore. The itinerary may vary slightly depending on sea conditions to ensure the best swimming spots and experience
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
The meeting point is in the harbor in Riomaggiore, Via San Giacomo 88, above Lo Scalo Lounge Bar To meet us for the tour, head to the harbor in Riomaggiore, that's where our office is. From the town center, just walk down into the harbor, and our office is on the right above Lo Scalo Lounge Bar Bring a towel if you want to swim!
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(22)
The tour was amazing. The guide couldn’t have been better. So friendly and made sure everyone on board was having a good time. He was very knowledgeable about each town and made sure that everyone could get great photos from every angle. He made my son feel so special when he found him a jellyfish in the water and let him drive the boat home. My son is still talking about the trip!
Amazing experience!! Recommended by a local (we were staying at Camere de Paolo —also wonderful), and booked directly. Yuri was super responsive and our captain, Beppe, was excellent! Beautiful views, took time to explain, navigated to a clear cove for swimming, etc. Would 100% recommend and would love to do it again!
This was a great experience! Easy to get to meetup spot. We were able to see the different villages of Cinque Terre from the boat with a local skipper, Pepe. Pepe was incredible, a true local that was knowledgeable of the history. He took us right to the outside of a couple of coves for pictures. The swimming area was fantastic too! Highly recommend.
Great boat tour with my wife and 2 teenagers. Beppe was the perfect guide and captain! He had interesting facts to share about life in cinque terre and always with a great sense of humour. We stopped for a swim and a few jumps from the rocks, very refreshing. Beppe asked my daughter to steer the boat on the way back, she absolutely loved it! Truly one of the best day of our trip! 100% recommend it
An incredibly nice and memorable experience that was appreciated by the whole family. Definitely worth taking this boat trip. To see the Cinque Terre from the sea and get a guided tour by Beppe we will not forget. He shared lots of funny and personal stories as he knows and knows the villages best. We will not forget this day that also offered a dip in the sea.
From the time we emailed GetAway Boat Tour setting up the tour to the time we docked at the conclusion our experience was outstanding! Communication was timely and everyone was friendly. Seeing all of the villages from the water was so nice but it was hearing the stories from our local guides which made it stand out. The highlight for us though was the swim stop... perfection!
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that your experience was outstanding from your very first email right through to the end of the tour. We believe great communication is just as important as the time spent on the water, so it's rewarding to know you felt well looked after throughout. While the scenery speaks for itself, we love sharing the stories and traditions of the Cinque Terre that only locals can tell. And we couldn't agree more about the swim stop—finding those peaceful spots away from the crowds is one of our favorite parts of every tour. Thank you for choosing Get Away Boat Tour. It was a pleasure sharing our home with you, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
We decided to take the boat trip on our first day in the area to get a good sense of the Cinque Terre, it gave us a brilliant introduction. Beppe was a great captain and looked after our family group of 7 incredibly well, nothing was too much trouble and he took the time to ensure that our 3 year old granddaughter felt comfortable on the boat and at the swimming stop, he even fed and caught a fish to show her which she loved. A perfect way to start our holiday in the Cinque Terre.
Thank you for such a thoughtful review! We're honored that you chose to start your Cinque Terre holiday with us. Seeing the villages from the sea is a wonderful way to get your bearings before exploring them on foot, and we're delighted it gave your family the perfect introduction to the area. We'll be sure to share your kind words with Beppe. Making every guest feel comfortable—especially our youngest adventurers—is something that comes naturally to him, and we're sure he'll smile knowing your granddaughter loved meeting one of the local fish. Thank you for choosing Get Away Boat Tour. We hope the rest of your time in the Cinque Terre was just as memorable.
Beppe was an excellent host, very friendly and knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend and would have loved to have stayed longer. A lovely trip.
Thank you for your kind review! We're so pleased you enjoyed your time on the water with Beppe. As someone who has spent his life in the Cinque Terre, he loves sharing the history, traditions, and hidden corners of this coastline with our guests. Hearing that you wished the tour could have lasted even longer is one of the nicest compliments we could receive. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure on the sea someday.
What a great way to spend the day seeing all the towns of the Cinque Terrace by boat. Hearing all about the history of the places from the knowledgeable Beppe and taking time to swim in the calm waters. Totally recommend if you are in the area.
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted you enjoyed discovering the Cinque Terre from the sea. Cruising past all five villages while hearing the stories behind each one offers a perspective that's difficult to experience from land alone. We're especially pleased that you enjoyed the swim stop as well. Taking a refreshing dip in the calm, crystal-clear waters is always one of our favorite parts of the tour. We'll be sure to share your kind words with Beppe—he'll be happy to know his local knowledge helped make your day even more memorable. Thank you for your recommendation, and we truly appreciate you choosing Get Away Boat Tour.
Amazing tour of the local areas! Our guide Bepe was absolutely hilarious and a fantastic captain. The children on the boat were mesmerized with the caves as the skilled captain masterfully maneuvered the boat almost practically inside a tiny hidden cavern under the sea wall for a music filled memory. We also learned a lot about each area of the cinque de terre and a bit of history as well. After a swim we headed back in being chased by birds and taking in the sights. Unforgettable experience! Thank You Bepe!!!
Thank you for such a fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed both the fun and the history of the tour. Beppe has an incredible talent for bringing the coastline to life, whether he's sharing stories about the Cinque Terre or skillfully navigating into hidden caves that most visitors would never get to experience. We especially loved hearing that the children were so captivated—that sense of wonder is something we hope every family takes home with them. From the swim stop to the birds accompanying the ride back, it sounds like you experienced so many of the little moments that make a day on the water so memorable. We'll be sure to pass your kind words along to Beppe. Thank you for choosing Get Away Boat Tour, and we're honored to have been part of your Cinque Terre adventure.
