Cinque Terre boat tour from Monterosso: Snorkel & wine

You snorkel in Corniglia's bay while the boat waits offshore.

A three-hour tour of Cinque Terre's five villages by traditional Ligurian gozzo boat departing from Monterosso, with snorkeling equipment, Ligurian focaccia and local wine included. The boat stops at Corniglia for a swim and snorkel in the bay. You pass Vernazzo, Manarola and Riomaggiore by water, seeing the castles, terraced vineyards and fishermen's houses from the sea. A skipper narrates in English, Italian or French, and you can choose a morning/afternoon or sunset departure, or book the boat privately.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Cinque Terre by boat

• Depart from Monterosso marina
• Admire Monterosso village from sea
• Explore coastal coves and caves
• Visit Vernazza fishermen's houses and castle
• Stop at Corniglia for swimming and snorkeling
• See Manarola vineyards and Nativity scene
• Travel along Via dell’Amore to Riomaggiore
• Take photos in Riomaggiore
• Return to Monterosso

The experience

The tour leaves Monterosso marina and traces the coast past hidden caves and natural waterfalls, stopping at each of the five villages. Vernazzo shows its colored fishermen's houses and castle from the water. At Corniglia, perched on a cliff above the bay, you get in the water with snorkeling gear to see the fish. The boat stays anchored while you swim. Manarola's terraced vineyards climb the hillside: the vines produce Sciacchetrà and other Cinque Terre wines, and the skipper explains the history as you float past. The route follows the Via dell'Amore coastline to Riomaggiore, where you have time to photograph the village before heading back.

The boat is a traditional gozzo, the wooden fishing vessel built for these waters, and the skipper brings wine and focaccia on board: an aperitif served early in the tour. The minibar stocks water, soft drinks and prosecco. Snorkeling equipment is provided. You bring only a swimsuit and a towel. The three-hour loop works as a morning, afternoon or sunset departure. The sunset option trades daylight for the light on the water and the villages at dusk. If you want the boat to yourself, a private option books the same route for your group alone.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• Ligurian focaccia with local wine served as an aperitif.
• minibar with water, soft drinks and prosecco.
• boat with skipper guide in English, Italian or French.
• safety equipment and lifebuoys.
• fuel and insurance.

Options for this experience

3 options

Guide in English, French or ItalianAvailable from 2 Nov · 10:30 and 14:00

Guide in English, French or ItalianAvailable from 1 Jan 2027

Guide in English, French or ItalianAvailable from 2 Nov · 10:30 and 14:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:30 and 14:00

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Child (2 to 13 years) · Infant (under 2): free

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Fishermen’s Pier in the ancient village, near the ferry embarkation; look for a blue boat called BLUE TAURUS; the embarkation point will be from the concrete stairs of the pier.”

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 levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Taurus Boat Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the sunset departure if you want to photograph the villages in golden light. Pick the morning or afternoon tour to swim and snorkel in daylight. The private option suits groups who want the boat and skipper to themselves without sharing stops or time on the water.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 13 years); Infant (under 2): free.

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 swim and snorkel during the Cinque Terre boat tour?

Yes. The tour stops at Corniglia, where snorkeling equipment is provided and you can dive into the bay to see the fish while the boat stays anchored. The water is clear and the stop gives you time to swim before the boat moves on to the next village.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes the boat with skipper, snorkeling gear, an aperitif of Ligurian focaccia with local wine, a minibar with water and soft drinks, and safety equipment. Fuel and insurance are covered. The skipper narrates in English, Italian or French.

What are the departure options?

You can choose a morning or afternoon departure to see the villages in daylight, or a sunset departure to watch the light change across the coast and villages. A private tour option books the entire boat for your group instead of joining other passengers.

How long is the tour and what villages do we visit?

The tour runs three hours and visits all five Cinque Terre villages by water: Monterosso (departure point), Vernazzo, Corniglia (where you stop to snorkel), Manarola and Riomaggiore. You see them from the sea and stop briefly at Riomaggiore for photos before returning to Monterosso.

Is the boat ride rough, and who should not book this tour?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, but it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or those prone to seasickness. Infants must sit on an adult's lap. Service animals are allowed on board.