Boat tour 5 Terre from Levanto: Swim at Vernazza

Five villages, one boat, a swim in the middle

A boat tour from Levanto along the Cinque Terre coast visits all five villages—Monterosso, Vernazzo, Coniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore—aboard a 34-foot boat built in 2025. The tour runs 3.5 hours and includes lunch, an aperitif with local appetizers, snorkeling equipment and towels; you stop to swim in the marine protected area, usually near Vernazzo. The boat holds a maximum of 12 people, and departures from Monterosso run 30 minutes later than from Levanto.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour of the 5 Terre villages

• Depart from Levanto
• Pass by Monterosso
• Pass by Vernazza
• Stop for swim near third village
• Pass by Manarola
• Pass by Riomaggiore

The Experience

The boat leaves Levanto and follows the coast past all five Cinque Terre villages, letting you see the stacked houses and terraced vineyards from the water instead of from the hiking trails above. The route passes through a marine protected area where the water is clearest. You'll stop to swim and use snorkeling gear—towels are on board—and the boat carries a toilet and restroom facilities for the full 3.5 hours.

Lunch and an aperitif with local appetizers are served on board, so the day holds together without leaving the boat to find food. The boat is spacious and built in 2025, with room for a maximum of 12 people; if you're a larger group, the operator can arrange a second boat to keep the experience intact. Weather and sea conditions can shift the schedule, so the operator asks you to stay in contact before departure—changes happen, and that contact keeps you from showing up to a cancelled trip.

Departures run from Levanto, where you get the full coastal approach and the marine protected area. If you're staying in Monterosso, you can board there instead, though the boat leaves 30 minutes later. A live guide speaks English and Italian throughout the tour.

What’s included

• Lunch and an aperitif with local appetizers.
• alcoholic beverages.
• snorkeling equipment.
• towels.
• use of an on-board restroom and toilet facilities.
• a live guide in English or Italian.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessiblePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Costa di Faraggiana Boat Tour

Is this one for you?Book the lunch tour if you want to see all five villages from the water and swim in the protected area without arranging stops or food separately; choose the sunset option if you prefer an evening departure and want to watch the light change over the coast instead.

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Top questions

Can I swim during the 5 Terre boat tour from Levanto?

Yes—the tour almost always stops for a swim in the marine protected area, usually near Vernazzo. Snorkeling equipment and towels are included, so you can go in the water without bringing your own gear.

What's included in the boat tour lunch?

Lunch is served on board along with an aperitif and delicious local appetizers. Alcoholic beverages are also included, so you don't need to bring drinks or pay separately for food during the 3.5-hour tour.

Does the boat tour visit all five Cinque Terre villages?

Yes—the route passes Monterosso, Vernazzo, Coniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. You see all five from the sea, though the boat stops to swim rather than dock at each village.

Where does the boat depart from?

The boat departs from Levanto, which gives you the full coastal route and access to the marine protected area. If you're in Monterosso, you can board there, but the departure is 30 minutes later.

Is the boat accessible for wheelchairs?

The boat is wheelchair accessible. Public transportation options are available near the departure point in Levanto, and infants can ride if they sit on an adult's lap.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour is subject to change or cancellation depending on weather and sea conditions. The operator asks you to stay in contact before departure time so you know if the schedule shifts or the trip doesn't run that day.