Cinque Terre Boat Tour: Small Group Bays, Aperitif & Swim

Summary

Swim in secret bays sip Ligurian prosecco and see Cinque Terre’s cliffs

You’ll glide along Cinque Terre’s dramatic coast by boat from Monterosso, stopping to swim in bays only reachable by sea. Enjoy Ligurian aperitifs and prosecco on board with a small group and local guide. Expect laughter, salty air, and views you’ll remember long after you’ve dried off.

What’s the experience like?

“If you look up there, that’s where my grandmother used to hang her laundry,” our skipper Marco said, pointing at a yellow house clinging to the cliff above Monterosso. The boat rocked gently as he laughed about how the wind would steal socks into the sea. I liked him immediately — he had that easy way of making you feel like you belonged here, even if you’d only just climbed aboard with a bunch of strangers and a salty breeze tangling your hair.

I didn’t expect the water to be so clear — almost glassy green — when we stopped in this tiny bay between Corniglia and Vernazza. Marco handed out focaccia stuffed with something herby (he called it “torta di verdure,” which I probably mispronounced), and someone popped open prosecco. There was this moment where nobody spoke, just the sound of water slapping the hull and someone’s laughter echoing off the rocks. I’m not usually one for swimming off boats but honestly? Floating there looking back at those painted villages stacked up like toy blocks… it felt kind of unreal.

The boat wound past Manarola and Riomaggiore — I kept trying to photograph that famous spit of land but gave up after a while; it never looks as wild as it feels in person. Our English-speaking assistant pointed out little things: lemon trees on impossible terraces, fishermen waving from their blue boats. The sun was warm but not too hot, and I remember thinking how different everything looked from the water compared to those crowded train rides between villages. When we finally looped back toward Monterosso, everyone was quiet in that good way — like nobody wanted it to end just yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cinque Terre boat tour from Monterosso

• Meet at Monterosso boarding dock
• Admire Monterosso al Mare from sea
• See Corniglia village on cliffs
• Visit Vernazza, colorful cliffside village
• Explore Manarola and vineyards
• View Riomaggiore coastal panoramas
• Stop for swimming at secluded beach
• Enjoy aperitif of local products
• Return to Monterosso

Top questions

How long is the Cinque Terre boat tour from Monterosso?

The tour lasts approximately three hours along the Cinque Terre coastline.

Is swimming included during the Cinque Terre boat tour?

Yes, there’s a stop for swimming in a secluded beach only accessible by sea.

What food or drinks are served on board?

You’ll get an aperitif with traditional Ligurian stuffed focaccia plus prosecco, soda, and bottled water.

How many people are on each boat tour?

The maximum group size is 12 guests per tour for an intimate experience.

Where does the Cinque Terre boat tour start?

The tour departs from Molo dei Pescatori in Monterosso al Mare.

Are guides or assistants provided on this tour?

A professional skipper and an English-speaking assistant are included throughout the trip.

Is hotel pickup included for this Cinque Terre day trip?

No hotel pickup is provided; guests meet at the boarding dock in Monterosso.

Is this boat tour suitable for children or infants?

Yes, infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap; strollers are allowed onboard.

What’s included

Your day includes a three-hour cruise with a professional skipper and English-speaking assistant, all drinks (prosecco, soda, bottled water), plus an aperitif featuring traditional Ligurian stuffed focaccia—all while exploring Cinque Terre’s coastline with stops for swimming before returning to Monterosso at the end.