Amalfi Coast boat tour from Positano: Customize stops

Steer your own afternoon along the coast instead of following a fixed schedule

A private boat tour of the Amalfi Coast departing from Positano, Praiano or Amalfi, with a local captain who adapts the route to your interests. You pick which stops matter (Praiano's Roman ruins, the Emerald Grotto, hidden coves for swimming, or the famous view of Positano from the water), and spend as much time as you want at each one. Includes a local skipper, snorkel masks, towels, water and soft drinks. Beer and Prosecco available. The captain monitors sea conditions and may adjust the route if needed.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. Emerald Grotto20m
2. Praianopassing by

Private boat trip along Amalfi Coast

• Depart from Positano, Praiano or Amalfi
• Pass by Positano coastline and San Pietro Hotel
• Stop for swim at hidden coves and beaches
• Visit Tordigliano beach near Positano
• Pass through Praiano fishing village
• See turquoise fjord with diving competition bridge
• Stop at beach where Jackie Kennedy vacationed
• Pass Marmorata with waterfall lagoon
• Pass Amalfi town with cathedral and paper mill
• Visit Emerald Grotto in Conca dei Marini
• Pass small fishing village with Villa Romana ruins
• Pass Grotta Pandora sea cave
• Return to departure point

The experience

You board from your chosen village and spend the afternoon on the water with a captain who knows the coast. The boat holds your group alone: no strangers, no set itinerary, no rush. As you cruise, the captain points out what's ahead: Praiano's fishing village built into the mountainside, the turquoise fjord where a diving competition runs each year, the secluded Tordigliano beach reachable only by boat or a steep path. You decide where to stop. Some groups want the Emerald Grotto, the sea cave in Conca dei Marini with its famous green water. Others skip it and spend the time swimming off the boat in a quiet inlet, or lingering in Amalfi to walk the cathedral and the old paper mill. Marmorata offers a small waterfall and lagoon for a dip. The captain carries snorkel masks and towels, and water and soft drinks are on board.

The boat itself comes in several sizes and styles (open deck or cabin, smaller leisure boats or larger luxury vessels), so you choose what suits your group and comfort level. If you're bringing children, they can ride in a stroller or pram. The captain speaks English or Italian and has spent years reading the coast's moods. Sea conditions matter: the captain checks them continuously and can reroute or reschedule if conditions aren't safe. On a calm day, you might swim at Tordigliano or under the former villa of Sophia Loren, where Jackie Kennedy once vacationed. On a day when the captain wants to stay closer to shelter, the route shifts but the afternoon stays yours to shape.

Contact the captain's team the day before to confirm final details and give them your hotel or accommodation name. They'll call or text to confirm the time and any last questions. The tour runs six hours, which gives you time to move between stops without feeling hurried, though you control the pace. Beer and a bottle of Prosecco are available if you want them. Fuel, taxes and port fees are included in the price.

What’s included

• Local skipper fluent in English or Italian.
• snorkel masks and towels.
• bottled water and soft drinks.
• beer and a bottle of Prosecco available to purchase.
• fuel, taxes and port fees.

Options for this experience

4 options

Open Deck BoatUp to 5 per booking · Guide in English or Italian · Available from 7 Apr 2027A 23/25 ft open boat, either a classic wooden boat or fiberglass, with a sun awning and a cushioned sundeck. There is no cabin or restroom.

Leisure BoatUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English or Italian · 7 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 11:00A 28/32 foot leisure boat, either classic teak or fiberglass. It has a cushioned sundeck, shade, a cabin and a restroom. Snacks and beverages include salted snacks and a fridge stocked with bottled water, soft drinks, beer and Prosecco.

Premium Leisure BoatUp to 8 per booking · Guide in English or Italian · 7 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 11:00Ride on a luxury 33/38 speedboat, either classic teak or fiberglass. It offers ample seating, sundecks, a cabin and a restroom. Snacks and beverages include salted snacks and a fridge stocked with bottled water, soft drinks, beer and Prosecco.

Luxury leisure boat, 46-50 ftUp to 12 per booking · Guide in English or Italian · 7 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 11:00Travel in privacy, comfort and style aboard a luxurious 46-50 foot boat.

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

Before you book

Lasts 6h, runs every day, 7 start times, from € 890 per group, with a live guide in English and Italian, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 11:00Last departure this season: 30 Nov

Book up to10h before

GroupPrivate

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site€ 7

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Exclusive Cruises

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to customize your stops and timing on the water: the captain adjusts the route and pace based on what your group prefers, whether that's lingering at beaches or visiting multiple villages.

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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.

Can we swim off the boat during the tour?

Yes. The captain will stop at calm bays and inlets where you can swim from the boat. Tordigliano beach and the bay near Positano are popular stops for swimming, and snorkel masks are provided if you want to explore underwater. The captain chooses stops based on sea conditions and your interests.

What is the Emerald Grotto and can we visit it?

The Emerald Grotto is a sea cave in Conca dei Marini known for its striking green water, discovered by local fishermen. It's one of the stops your captain can take you to, though you decide whether to include it in your route based on what interests you most.

Do we have to visit Amalfi, or can we skip it and spend more time elsewhere?

You choose. Amalfi is the largest town on the coast with a cathedral, shops, restaurants and an old paper mill museum, but it's a "pass by" stop: meaning you decide if you want to land there or spend that time swimming, exploring another village, or simply cruising the coastline instead.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of the tour?

The captain monitors sea conditions continuously and is responsible for deciding if they're safe. If conditions are unsafe, the tour is refundable or can be rescheduled. If the captain deems conditions safe, the tour is firm and non-refundable, though the route can be adjusted if needed.

Which boat size should we choose?

You pick from four boat categories at checkout (smaller leisure boats, larger luxury vessels, open deck or cabin styles) depending on your group size and whether you prefer an open-air experience or more shelter. The descriptions at checkout explain the differences so you can match the boat to your comfort and group.

Is lunch included, or do we need to bring food?

Lunch is optional. The boat passes small local restaurants accessible by water along the coast, and you can stop at one if you'd like to eat. Water, soft drinks, beer and Prosecco are on board, but you arrange any meals separately or bring your own.