Cinque Terre boat tour: All five villages, your schedule

Control where the boat goes and when it stops

A private boat tour of Cinque Terre where you set the itinerary: the skipper takes you to all five villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso) by sea, docks at each harbour on request, and waits while you explore on land. Snorkelling equipment is included. You can also swim in sea-accessible coves, dive from the cliffs, or simply anchor and relax on the sundeck. The tour runs two hours with a live guide in English or Italian.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour of Cinque Terre villages

• Pass by Riomaggiore from sea
• Pass by Manarola from sea
• Pass by Corniglia from sea
• Pass by Vernazza from sea
• Pass by Monterosso from sea

The experience

You arrive at the boat and the skipper becomes your crew of one. Unlike the crowded hiking trails and packed waterfront cafés, the sea approach to Cinque Terre keeps you away from the foot traffic, and it opens access to coves and caves the land routes never reach. The boat is yours to direct: tell the skipper which village you want to see first, how long you want to stay, whether you'd rather swim or walk the streets, and he adjusts the route to match.

The tour covers all five villages from the water. Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazzo, and Monterosso each have a small harbour where the boat can dock. You disembark whenever you choose, explore the village on foot, and the skipper waits. If you'd rather stay on the water, the boat passes each one close enough to photograph the stacked houses and the terraced vineyards climbing the cliffs behind them. Snorkelling gear is on board. The skipper knows the caves and the shallow reefs where the water stays clear.

Two hours is the standard duration, though the flexibility is the real point. You're not following a schedule, you're setting one. The skipper speaks English or Italian, and the boat has a sundeck where you can lie out between stops or after swimming. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, and service animals are welcome on board.

What’s included

• Use of snorkelling equipment.
• all fees and taxes.
• live skipper guide in English or Italian.
• exclusive use of the boat for the duration.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 16:00

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “We are in Riomaggiore. Our office is right in front of the sea, when you arrive in the marine from the center of Riomaggiore, follow the stairs all the way down and then when you are right in front of the sea turn right…”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h 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.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Cinque Terre Adventure

Is this one for you?The boat moves at your pace, not a fixed schedule. You choose which villages to visit, how long to stay, and whether to swim, snorkel or simply anchor and rest. This works best if you want to avoid the crowded land routes and prefer the flexibility to change plans on the water.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide 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 24h before the start.

Can I visit all five Cinque Terre villages in one boat tour?

Yes. Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazzo, and Monterosso all have harbours where the boat docks on request. You decide which ones to stop at and how long to spend in each.

What can I do besides visit the villages by boat?

You can swim in coves accessible only from the sea, snorkel in caves with the included gear, dive from the cliffs, or stay on board and relax on the sundeck while the skipper anchors in a quiet spot.

Is the tour private or shared with other passengers?

The boat is at your exclusive disposal with a local skipper. You're not sharing it with other groups.

How long does the tour last?

The standard tour is two hours, though the skipper adjusts based on where you want to go and how long you want to stay at each stop.