Cinque Terre boat tour: Private gozzo with swimming and aperitivo

Swim in the coves between five villages from a boat that has sailed these waters for over 40 years.

A private half-day boat tour along the Cinque Terre coast aboard Giulin, a traditional Ligurian wooden gozzo, with two swimming stops, snorkeling equipment, and a local aperitivo served on board. The boat departs Monterosso at 11:30 and sails past Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, with a multilingual skipper sharing local stories. The gozzo can rock noticeably in choppy seas (waves 40–50 cm or higher), which may trigger a cancellation. If rough water is not a concern, this is the trade-off for sailing an authentic wooden vessel rather than a modern hull.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private boat tour along Cinque Terre coast

• Depart from Monterosso pier
• Sail along Cinque Terre coast
• Pass Vernazza and share local stories
• Stop for swim near Corniglia
• Enjoy local tapas and prosecco
• Stop to admire Manarola from sea
• Stop for photos and swim near Riomaggiore
• Return sailing to Monterosso

The experience

How do you see Cinque Terre without hiking the crowded trails? From the water. Giulin leaves Monterosso's pier at 11:30 and sails the full arc of the coast. Past Vernazzo's terraced harbor, directly in front of Corniglia perched on its cliff, along Manarola's stacked houses, and to Riomaggiore. The skipper and guide speak English, Spanish or Italian, and they know which spots the tour boats miss. Two swimming stops let you drop into the clear water itself. Snorkeling equipment, towels and floating noodles are on board.

Between swims, you eat. The aperitivo is not a snack bar offering. It is focaccia, pesto, salami and other local tapas, paired with bottomless prosecco, beer or soft drinks. You sit on the boat, the sea sets the rhythm, and the crew tells you the stories of the villages you are floating past. Three hours total, and you never leave the water or the boat except to swim.

Giulin is a traditional wooden gozzo, not a fiberglass speedboat. It has sailed these waters for over 40 years and looks it. That authenticity is the point, and it comes with a real constraint: the boat rocks hard in choppy seas. Waves starting at 40–50 cm high often trigger a cancellation. If you book this tour, you are accepting that risk as the price of sailing an actual Ligurian fishing boat instead of a modern charter vessel. The boat also has no toilet on board, so plan accordingly.

What’s included

• Local multilingual skipper and guide in English, Spanish or Italian.
• two swimming stops with snorkeling equipment, towels and floating noodles.
• Italian aperitivo on board with focaccia, pesto, salami and local tapas.
• bottomless prosecco, beer, soft drinks and bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SaturdayDeparts at 11:30Last departure this season: 24 Oct

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ale 5 Terre Boat Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see Cinque Terre from the water and swim in the coves between villages, and if you are comfortable with a traditional wooden boat that rocks in choppy seas: the authenticity of sailing a 40-year-old gozzo is inseparable from that motion.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish 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.

What are the two swimming stops on this tour?

One stop is in front of Corniglia, the most elevated village in Cinque Terre, where you swim in the clear water and then return to the boat for the aperitivo. The second stop is at a secret spot the crew favors, further along the coast toward Riomaggiore, where you swim again before heading back to Monterosso.

Does the tour pass all five Cinque Terre villages?

The boat sails past four of them (Vernazzo, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore) viewing each from the sea. Monterosso is where you depart and return, so you see it at the start and end of the tour.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

Giulin does not have toilet facilities on board, so use the facilities before departure. On request, the operator can arrange pickup and return from Levanto instead of Monterosso if that suits your schedule better.

What happens if the sea is rough?

The traditional wooden gozzo rocks noticeably in choppy seas. Waves of 40–50 cm or higher usually trigger a cancellation. If rough water concerns you, a modern fiberglass charter boat would be more stable, but this tour's authenticity depends on sailing a genuine Ligurian fishing vessel.