Positano: Amalfi Coast Boat Tour & Emerald Grotto with Swimming

The Amalfi Coast from the Water: What You Miss from the Road

You board a small group boat in Positano and spend the morning sailing past Praiano, the Fjord of Furore, and Conca dei Marini, with two stops to swim in clear water and optional entry to the Emerald Grotto. After that, you have 2-3 hours free in Amalfi town to explore on your own pace. On the return journey, the crew serves Prosecco, limoncello, and snacks while you watch the coast slip past. The whole day includes diving masks, towels, and beverages: no transport logistics to handle yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour along Amalfi Coast

• View Positano from the sea
• Pass Praiano by boat
• See Fjord of Furore
• Pass Conca dei Marini
• Optional visit to Emerald Grotto
• Stop for 2-3 hours in Amalfi town
• Pass Atrani from the sea
• Pass Minori from the sea
• Pass Maiori from the sea
• Enjoy aperitif on board

The experience

The boat was supposed to leave at nine, but the captain was still checking lines at nine-fifteen, and honestly that's when I realized this wasn't going to be a rushed thing. We stood on the dock in Positano with maybe a dozen other people, shoes already off (that's a rule here), and the crew was moving without hurry. Once we cast off, the whole coast started to reveal itself differently: Praiano rose up on the left, then the Fjord of Furore opened like a crack in the cliff face, and you understand why UNESCO called this an outstanding Mediterranean landscape. It's not the postcard view. It's the detail you can only see from the water: how the light hits the rock, the way the villages cling to the slope, the inlets that don't exist on any map you've seen.

The boat makes two swimming stops in water so clear it feels like you're floating in air. The first one catches you off guard: the crew hands out diving masks and suddenly you're looking down at the seabed instead of just floating. Between swims, we passed Conca dei Marini and the optional Emerald Grotto (the entrance fee isn't included, and whether you stop depends on weather and what the group wants, so it's not guaranteed). The grotto itself is something (the water inside glows that particular green), but the choice to make it optional means you're not paying for something you might not see, which feels honest. Then there's the 2-3 hour stop in Amalfi town itself, where you walk off the boat and into the oldest Maritime Republic in Italy, and you have the time to actually sit down, get a coffee, wander the cathedral square without watching the clock.

On the way back, the crew brings out Prosecco and homemade limoncello, along with snacks and water. It's not fancy. It's the kind of thing that makes sense after a day in the sun and salt water. The Amalfi Coast boat tour takes the pressure off: you don't arrange transport between villages, you don't worry about parking, and you see the coastline the way it was meant to be seen. The whole thing runs about half a day, which means you're back in time for a late lunch or an afternoon siesta if you need one.

What’s included

• Your day includes boat transport along the Amalfi Coast with stops at Praiano, the Fjord of Furore, Conca dei Marini, and views of Atrani, Minori, and Maiori.
• Two swimming stops with provided diving masks and beach towels are built in, plus a 2-3 hour free stop in Amalfi town to explore at your own pace.
• On the return journey, you'll enjoy a glass of Prosecco, homemade limoncello, snacks, and beverages.
• The optional Emerald Grotto visit (entrance fee not included, weather dependent) is available if the group agrees.
• Shoes are removed before boarding.

Options for this experience

2 options

Cruise from PositanoGuide in English or Italian · Available from 1 Apr 2027Meeting point: Via Regina Giovanna, 1, 84017 Positano SA, Italy

Cruise from PraianoGuide in English or Italian · Available from 1 Apr 2027Meeting point: Plaghia Charter S.R.L., Via Praia, 10, 84010 Praiano SA, Italy

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 7h, from € 145 per person, with a live guide in English and Italian, in groups of up to 12 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Apr 2027

Book up to4h before

GroupUp to 12 · max 4 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by PLAGHIA CHARTER

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Amalfi Coast from the water without arranging your own boat or timing multiple village stops: the fixed itinerary and included transport handle that, leaving you free to swim and wander Amalfi town without a schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Is the Emerald Grotto visit guaranteed?

No. The stop is optional and depends on weather conditions and whether the majority of guests on board want to go. The entrance fee is not included and must be paid on site if you choose to visit.

How long is the boat tour?

The tour is a half-day trip. It includes a 2-3 hour stop in Amalfi town, plus sailing time to and from Positano or Praiano, and two swimming stops along the coast.

What swimming stops are included?

Two swimming stops in the crystal-clear waters of the Amalfi Coast. Diving masks are provided, and beach towels are available for use.

What's included in the price?

Boat transport, diving masks, beach towels, a glass of Prosecco, homemade limoncello, snacks, and beverages (water and soft drinks). The Emerald Grotto entrance fee is separate and paid on site if you visit.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, shorts, a hat, and a cover-up. Shoes are removed before boarding. Casual beach attire is the dress code.

Is this suitable for children?

Yes. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, and small children must sit on an adult's lap. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for people with poor cardiovascular health.

Where does the boat depart from?

The tour departs from either Positano or Praiano, depending on which you select when booking.

Can I get off in Amalfi and return later?

No. The 2-3 hour stop in Amalfi is part of the scheduled itinerary, and the boat returns to the starting point at the end of the tour.