Amalfi Coast Private Boat Tour from Positano & Praiano

Summary

Private boat along Amalfi’s villages grottos & secret beaches

You’ll cruise along the Amalfi Coast by private boat with a local captain—stopping for swims in hidden bays, exploring sea caves like Grotta dello Smeraldo, and wandering through fishing villages at your own pace. Expect cold drinks onboard and stories you won’t find in any guidebook. There’s something about seeing Positano from the water that just stays with you.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, we almost missed the boat—literally. My friend forgot her sunglasses at the hotel in Positano and insisted we run back for them. Our captain, Antonio, just grinned and said “tranquilli,” waving us aboard like it was all part of the plan. The air smelled like salt and lemons (maybe that was just me hoping for limoncello later), and as soon as we pulled away from the dock, everything slowed down. You can’t really rush an Amalfi Coast boat trip—especially not with someone like Antonio steering.

He knew every cove and curve of this coast. At Praiano he pointed out an old fisherman mending his nets—Antonio shouted something in dialect and got a wave back. We stopped wherever we wanted: a quick dip near Sophia Loren’s old villa (the water was colder than I expected, but so clear I could see tiny silver fish darting around my toes), then a float outside the Emerald Grotto. The cave glowed this wild green under the surface; I tried to take a photo but it never looks right on screen, you know? We sipped cold prosecco after, wrapped in towels, hair still dripping.

I didn’t expect to care much about the villages themselves—figured it’d all blur together—but Minori surprised me. We wandered off for espresso and pastries that crumbled everywhere (Antonio just laughed when powdered sugar landed on my shirt). The sun felt heavy on my skin by then, but there was always a breeze when we were moving again. Somewhere near Ravello’s green cliffs, I realized I hadn’t checked my phone in hours.

Honestly, I still think about that view back toward Positano—the pastel houses stacked up like someone spilled a box of chalk down the hill. It looked unreal from the water. The whole day felt kind of unreal actually, but in that soft-edged way where you know you’ll remember random details: Antonio’s stories about movie stars diving off bridges, or how quiet it got when we drifted near Tordigliano beach. Not everything went perfectly (my sunburn says hi), but maybe that’s why it stuck with me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Private boat trip along Amalfi Coast

• Depart from Positano or Amalfi
• Cruise along Positano coastline
• Pass San Pietro Hotel and hidden coves
• Swim near Tordigliano beach
• Visit Praiano fishing village
• Pass turquoise fjord with diving bridge
• Stop at Emerald Grotto for visit
• Swim in bay under Sophia Loren's villa
• Pass Jackie Kennedy's beach
• Pass Marmorata lagoon and waterfall
• Pass Ravello fraction Marmorata
• Pass Villa Romana ruins fishing village
• Pass Grotta Pandora sea cave
• Return to departure point

Top questions

How long does the private Amalfi Coast boat tour last?

The duration depends on your preferences—you can customize how much time you spend at each stop with your captain.

Does this tour include swimming stops?

Yes, you can stop to swim in bays or coves along the route whenever you’d like.

Are drinks provided on board?

Soda, bottled water, beer, and prosecco are included during your private boat trip.

Is snorkeling gear available?

Snorkel masks are provided for use during swimming stops (except on open deck boats).

Can infants or small children join this Amalfi Coast boat tour?

Yes—infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller on board.

Will there be a local guide or skipper?

A local skipper is included—they’ll handle navigation and share stories along the way.

What if weather conditions are bad on our scheduled day?

If sea conditions are unsafe per the captain’s judgment, you can reschedule or get a full refund.

Can I choose where to start—Positano or Praiano?

You can start your private boat trip from Positano, Praiano or Amalfi depending on your preference.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup at your chosen port (Positano, Praiano or Amalfi), all fuel and port fees covered by your local skipper, use of towels and snorkel masks for swimming stops (except open deck boats), plus bottled water, soda, beer and prosecco to enjoy onboard as you cruise between villages and coves along the coast.