Amalfi Coast boat tour from Sorrento: Swim & snorkel

Swim and snorkel in places only a boat can take you

An 8-hour small group boat tour from Sorrento cruises the Amalfi Coast to Positano with hotel pickup, stops for swimming and snorkeling at Nerano and Li Galli island, two hours free time in Amalfi town, and 90 minutes in Positano. The boat holds a maximum of 12 travelers, and a guide in English, Spanish or Italian narrates the route. Limoncello tasting, light snacks and beverages are included; snorkeling equipment is not.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour along Amalfi Coast

• Pickup from Sorrento hotel
• Sail along Sorrento coastline
• Swim and snorkel near Nerano and Li Galli Islands
• Free time to explore Amalfi town
• Sail to Positano
• Free time to explore Positano
• Drop off at Sorrento hotel

The Experience

Eight hours on the water means you see the entire arc of the coast without driving it. You start from your Sorrento hotel or meeting point and sail toward the Gulf of Salerno, passing Nerano and the Li Galli Islands — the boat stops twice for swimming and snorkeling in water so clear and so sheltered by cliffs that no land route reaches it. These are the moments the description promises: you're in the water where the guidebook says you can't get to by road.

Amalfi itself gets two hours. The town sits on the cliff, and you walk its narrow streets at your own pace, ducking into cafés, finding shops, watching the light move across the pastel buildings. Then you sail to Positano, the pink and white village that photographs itself, and you have 90 minutes there to wander the Church of Santa Maria Assunta or just sit on the waterfront. The boat is equipped with WiFi, a stereo and a first aid kit, and the crew brings limoncello and light snacks as the day unfolds.

The group stays under a dozen people, which is why the boat can anchor in the small coves and why the guide — speaking English, Spanish or Italian — can actually be heard. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sorrento are included, so the logistics of getting to the dock are already solved. The one thing to arrange separately is snorkeling equipment if you want your own mouthpiece instead of a disposable one.

What’s included

• Hotel or meeting point pickup and drop-off in Sorrento.
• an 8-hour guided boat tour with a live guide in English, Spanish or Italian.
• swimming and snorkeling stops at Nerano and Li Galli island.
• approximately two hours of free time to explore Amalfi town.
• approximately 90 minutes of free time in Positano.
• limoncello tasting.
• light snacks and beverages throughout the day.
• WiFi, stereo and first aid kit on board.
• small group of maximum 12 travelers.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by AVI Travel

Is this one for you?Road tours of the Amalfi Coast stop at viewpoints and town piazzas; this boat reaches the coves and snorkeling spots that no car can access, and the two hours in each major town let you move at your own speed instead of following a schedule through every shop.

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Top questions

What's the difference between snorkeling at Nerano and Li Galli on this tour?

Both stops offer snorkeling in clear water inaccessible by land, but Li Galli is an island group with its own character and rock formations, while Nerano is a coastal village stop. The boat chooses based on conditions and group preference, so you may experience one, both, or a variation depending on the day.

How much time do I actually spend swimming and snorkeling?

The itinerary includes two dedicated swimming and snorkeling stops between Sorrento and Amalfi, though the exact duration depends on water conditions and group comfort. The remaining time is split between sailing, two hours exploring Amalfi town, and 90 minutes in Positano.

Is the boat ride rough, or is it calm enough for someone who gets seasick?

The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries, and the operator advises a moderate level of physical fitness. Conditions vary by day and season; if you're prone to seasickness, ask about the forecast and consider medication before booking.

Does the guide stay with the group the whole time, or just during the boat portions?

The guide narrates the route and stops during the boat journey. During the two hours in Amalfi and 90 minutes in Positano, you explore at your own pace; the guide is available but you're free to wander independently.

What's included in the light snack and beverages?

The tour includes a limoncello tasting, light snacks and beverages throughout the day. Specific items vary, but they're served on the boat during the sailing portions and stops.

Can I bring my own snorkeling gear, or do I have to use what's provided?

You can bring your own snorkeling equipment. The tour provides disposable mouthpieces, but many travelers prefer their own mask and fins for comfort and fit.