Cinque Terre boat tour from La Spezia: Private, all five villages

See all five villages from the water, then swim in the coves between them

A private boat tour from La Spezia that sails past Portovenere and all five Cinque Terre villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazzo, and Monterosso) with time to swim, snorkel, and explore ashore. The 7-hour journey includes a light Italian lunch with local wine, an open bar, snorkeling gear, and a professional skipper and multilingual guide. Groups stay under eight guests.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Portovenere30m · entry included
2. Riomaggiorepass by

Private boat tour of Cinque Terre

• Start tour at Portovenere harbor
• Sail past Church of San Pietro and Doria Castle
• Pass by Byron’s Cave
• View Monesteroli cliffside hamlet
• Pass Riomaggiore village from the sea
• Pass Manarola village from the sea
• Pass Corniglia village from the sea
• Stop at Vernazza for village visit or swim
• Stop at Monterosso for village visit or swim
• Enjoy light Italian lunch with local wines
• Use snorkeling equipment with guide
• Return to La Spezia port

The experience

The boat leaves Porto Mirabello in La Spezia and heads first to Portovenere, a UNESCO site where the Church of San Pietro sits on a rocky point above colorful harbor houses and the Doria Castle rises inland. From the water you pass Byron's Cave, a natural amphitheater where waves break against sheer cliffs, and Monasteroli, a tiny hamlet clinging to the clifftop with a steep stone staircase as its only link to the world above. These stops set the scale of what the Cinque Terre actually is: villages that seem to defy the landscape they cling to.

The five villages appear one after another as you sail east. Riomaggiore's colorful houses drop straight toward a small harbor; Manarola rises from the rocks in the most photographed view in Liguria; Corniglia sits alone on the cliffs, terraced with vineyards and set back from the sea. At Vernazzo, a natural harbor nestled in the bay, you can either go ashore to walk the alleys and seaside square or swim in the clear water. Monterosso, the largest village, has the only sandy beaches in the area, and you can explore the historic center or dive in before the return to La Spezia. Lunch (light Italian fare with local Ligurian products and wine) happens onboard, and snorkeling happens in the coves between villages, with equipment and a guide provided.

The boat is a Jeanneau Cap Camarat 9.0 WA with solar panels, a retractable awning, a sundeck, and an onboard restroom. An open bar runs throughout the day with water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and Prosecco. The skipper and a multilingual hostess (English, French, German, Italian) handle navigation and the details. The group maxes at eight, so the boat never feels crowded. Private parking for two vehicles sits at Porto Mirabello, and the National Park authorization is already in place.

What’s included

• Light Italian lunch with local Ligurian wine served onboard.
• open bar with water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and Prosecco throughout the day.
• snorkeling equipment (masks and fins) for all guests.
• beach towels.
• Bluetooth sound system to play your own music.
• snacks and tastings of typical Ligurian products.
• onboard restroom.
• private parking for two vehicles at Porto Mirabello.
• fuel surcharge.
• professional skipper and multilingual guide (English, French, German, Italian).
• Cinque Terre National Park authorization.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 12:00Last departure this season: 31 Dec

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sea Runner 5 Terre Boat Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the private boat if you want to control your own itinerary: stop to swim and explore only the villages that appeal to you, rather than following a fixed group schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French 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.

How do I get to the boat from La Spezia?

The tour starts at Porto Mirabello in La Spezia, where private parking for two vehicles is included. If you're arriving by train, public transportation options are available nearby to reach the harbor.

Can I swim and snorkel on this tour?

Yes. You swim in the coves between villages, and snorkeling happens with a guide. Masks and fins are provided for all guests. Bring a towel or use one of the beach towels onboard.

What does lunch include?

A light Italian lunch with local Ligurian products and wine is served onboard. The open bar also includes water, soft drinks, beer, Prosecco, and snacks with tastings of typical regional products.

Do I have to go ashore at every village?

No. At Vernazzo and Monterosso you can choose to explore the village or stay onboard and swim. The boat stops at all five villages and Portovenere, but how you spend each stop is up to you.

What's the difference between seeing Cinque Terre from the boat versus hiking the trails?

From the boat, you see all five villages and the coastline in a single day without walking steep terrain. You also reach Portovenere and hidden coves inaccessible by land. The trails between villages offer a different pace and perspective, but this tour covers the full span of the coast in seven hours with swimming and snorkeling built in.

Is this tour suitable for children and infants?

Yes. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, and small children ride on an adult's lap. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and service animals are allowed onboard.