Amalfi Coast: Small-Group Day Cruise from Positano

Summary

Small group boat trip along the Amalfi Coast with swimming and village stops

You’ll board a small boat in Positano with just a handful of fellow travelers and cruise along the Amalfi Coast’s dramatic cliffs. Swim off Conca dei Marini, visit the glowing Emerald Grotto if weather allows, then enjoy free time in Amalfi or hop up to Ravello before cruising back as evening falls. Expect salty air, laughter, and unexpected moments that linger long after you return.

What’s the experience like?

I almost missed the boat — literally. We’d underestimated how steep those Positano steps are (and how easy it is to get distracted by lemon stands). When we finally tumbled onto the dock, our skipper Salvatore just grinned and waved us aboard like he’d seen it all before. The boat was smaller than I expected, but in a good way — just twelve of us, so you could actually hear the sea slap against the hull when things got quiet.

The Amalfi Coast looked nothing like the postcards from out there. It’s more jagged, more alive — cliffs that seem to lean right over you, little houses clinging on for dear life. We drifted past Praiano while Salvatore pointed out where his cousin fishes for octopus (he swore by it), and then there was this sudden hush as we slid into the Furore fjord. The water went dark and cold under the cliffs, and someone’s sunscreen mixed with that salty air — weirdly comforting.

We stopped near Conca dei Marini for a swim. I’m not much of a swimmer but couldn’t resist; the water was clearer than any pool I’ve been in, even if my snorkel mask fogged up instantly (no tube provided — fair warning). Some folks tried to pronounce “Grotta dello Smeraldo” and Li laughed when I butchered it. The grotto itself? Depends on the wind if you can go in — we got lucky, paid our six euros at this tiny floating ticket booth, and inside everything glowed green like some underwater disco.

After that it was free time in Amalfi. We grabbed gelato and just wandered — I still think about that first bite of lemon sorbet with sticky fingers and sunburnt cheeks. You could take a bus up to Ravello if you want (about half an hour each way), but honestly I was happy just watching old men play cards by the fountain until it was time to head back. The ride home felt slower somehow, maybe because nobody wanted it to end.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Amalfi Coast Day Cruise and Exploration

• Check in at starting point
• Cruise along Amalfi coast
• Pass Praiano fishing village
• View Furore fjord cove
• Stop at Emerald Grotto cave
• Swim and snorkel stops
• Free time in Amalfi or Ravello

Top questions

How many people are on this Amalfi Coast day cruise?

The cruise takes a maximum of 12 passengers per boat.

Is swimming or snorkeling included on this tour?

Yes, there are stops for swimming and snorkeling masks are provided (no tube).

Does this day trip from Positano include visiting the Emerald Grotto?

The stop at Emerald Grotto is included if wind conditions allow; entrance fee is about €6 per person.

Can I bring children or infants on board?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed.

Is pickup included from my hotel in Positano?

No hotel pickup; you check in at a starting point in Positano.

How much free time do we get in Amalfi or Ravello?

You have free time in Amalfi; visiting Ravello requires about 30 minutes by bus each way.

Are drinks or food included during the cruise?

Your ticket includes one drink (soda or mineral water); food is not included.

Can groups book separately but still be on the same boat?

If you book separately with different credit cards, your group may be split between boats unless booked together as one unit.

What’s included

Your day includes transport by small boat from Positano with a professional skipper at the helm, use of snorkeling masks (just note there’s no tube), one soft drink or mineral water per person on board, plus all those little moments drifting past coastal villages before returning in late afternoon.