Amalfi Coast boat tour from Sorrento: Swim in quiet coves

See the coastline from the water instead of fighting crowds on the streets

A small group boat tour from Sorrento that runs 8 hours along the Amalfi Coast, stopping to swim in protected coves near the Li Galli islands before docking for free time in Amalfi and Positano. The boat holds a maximum of 12 people, includes soft drinks and snacks on board, and is led by a professional English-speaking skipper. Hotel pickup is available from the Sorrento area, or you can meet the boat at Sorrento Port or a meeting point in Naples.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour along Amalfi Coast

• Board semi-private boat in Sorrento
• Enjoy views of Amalfi Coast coastline
• Pass by Li Galli islands
• Stop to swim in quiet coves
• Dock in Amalfi for free time
• Explore Amalfi independently
• Pass by Furore Fjord
• Dock in Positano for free time
• Explore Positano independently
• Return cruise to Sorrento

The Experience

You're in Sorrento with a free day and no car, or you've landed in Naples and want to skip the traffic on the Amalfi Drive. This tour picks you up from your hotel in the Sorrento area—or you meet the boat at the port—and takes you out on the water where the coastline unfolds without the gridlock of the coastal road. The boat holds a maximum of 12 people, which means no megaship crowds and no fighting for deck space.

The route follows the protected Li Galli archipelago, three islands south of Sorrento that rise from the sea like a dolphin's tail (or a mermaid's, depending on which myth you prefer). You'll stop to swim in quiet coves where the water is clear and the beaches are small—25 meters at the Furore Fjord, a crack in the rock framed by wild cliffs. Soft drinks and dry snacks come on board, and the skipper navigates in English, Spanish, Italian or French. The day is not a checklist: you're not herded through a grotto or a shop. Instead, you dock in Amalfi for a few hours to wander the narrow streets, eat lunch at a place you choose, or browse the handicraft shops. Then the boat heads to Positano, where the town climbs vertically up the cliff and the same free time is yours to spend as you like. The return to Sorrento is a scenic cruise back along the coast.

The tour runs 8 hours total. If you book within 24 hours of departure, hotel pickup cannot be guaranteed, so plan ahead or arrange to meet the boat at the port instead. The experience depends on good weather and sea conditions; if the operator cancels due to poor conditions, you'll be offered another date or a full refund. The Emerald Grotto is not included as a stop because of long waiting times, but you can visit it independently during your free time in Amalfi or Positano if you want to.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking skipper (also available in Spanish, Italian or French).
• soft drinks and dry snacks on board.
• swimming stops at protected coves near Li Galli.
• docking time in both Amalfi and Positano for independent exploration.
• hotel pickup from the Sorrento area (available on the pickup option only).

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Buyourtour di Amo Italy Travel

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're based in Sorrento or arriving in Naples and want to see the Amalfi Coast without renting a car or navigating the crowded coastal road. The small boat size—capped at 12 people—means you're not competing for space or attention, and the mix of guided swimming stops and free time in two towns lets you move at your own pace instead of following a fixed itinerary through shops and restaurants.

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Top questions

Can I swim during this Amalfi Coast boat tour?

Yes. The tour includes dedicated swimming stops at protected coves near the Li Galli islands, where the water is clear and the beaches are small and quiet. Bring a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen; neither snorkeling gear nor towels are provided.

What are Li Galli and why do we stop there?

Li Galli is a protected archipelago of three islands south of the Sorrento peninsula, part of the Punta Campanella marine reserve. The islands are named Gallo Lungo, La Rotonda and Dei Briganti (also called La Castelluccia), and their outline from above resembles a dolphin's tail or a mermaid's tail in local legend. The boat stops there for swimming in the surrounding coves.

How much free time do I get in Amalfi and Positano?

You have a few hours of free time in each town to explore, eat, shop and sightsee at your own pace. The exact duration depends on the boat's schedule, but both stops are long enough to have lunch and walk the main streets without rushing.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup from the Sorrento area is included in the "Amalfi Boat Tour with pick-up" option. If you book the "Private Boat from Sorrento" or "Meeting point in Sorrento Port" options, you meet the boat at the port instead. The "Meeting point in Naples" option requires you to travel to Naples. Pickups booked within 24 hours of departure cannot be guaranteed.

What's included on the boat?

Soft drinks (water, cola, beer) and dry snacks such as chips are served on board. A professional skipper who speaks English, Spanish, Italian or French leads the tour. Snorkeling gear and beach towels are not included, so bring your own towel and swimsuit.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather and sea conditions. If the operator cancels due to poor conditions, you'll be offered a different date or a full refund. Check the forecast before booking and plan flexibility into your schedule.