Cinque Terre boat tour: Traditional gozzo with swim stops

A traditional wooden boat, five villages from the water, and time to swim between them

This is a 3-hour boat tour departing from Marina di Riomaggiore that sails past all five Cinque Terre villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazzo and Monterosso al Mare) aboard a traditional Ligurian gozzo kept to small groups. The boat moves at a slow pace along the coast, stops for swimming in clear water when conditions allow, and serves an aperitif with local wine and prosecco on board. A guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian or German.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour along Cinque Terre coast

• Depart from Marina di Riomaggiore
• Sail past five Cinque Terre villages
• Stop for swimming in clear waters
• Enjoy aperitif with local wine and prosecco

The experience

The boat itself is the point: a traditional Ligurian gozzo with sail, built to carry small groups instead of crowds. You depart directly from Marina di Riomaggiore, in the heart of Cinque Terre, and the navigation happens at a slow pace: no rushing between stops, no racing the schedule. The five villages rise from the water in a sequence you would never see from the hiking trails or the streets: Riomaggiore first, then Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazzo, and Monterosso al Mare, each one framed by the sea and the cliffs behind it.

Swimming stops happen when sea conditions allow, and the water is clear enough to see down. You get in directly from the boat, not from a crowded beach. An aperitif arrives on board (local products, wine and prosecco), so the afternoon stretches into something more than just transit between villages. The whole experience runs about 3 hours, which is long enough to feel unhurried and short enough to fit the rest of a day on land.

What’s included

• Slow-paced sailing past all five Cinque Terre villages.
• swimming stops in clear water when sea conditions permit.
• aperitif on board with local products, wine and prosecco.
• live guide in English, Spanish, Italian or German.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 13:30 and 17:30Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “The meeting point is at the Marina di Monterosso. Within walking distance from the center. Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in and boarding. The skipper recognizable by his jersey, is waiting for you at the dock.”

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 yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by ANGEL OF THE SEA

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see Cinque Terre from the water rather than the hiking paths, and if you prefer a small-group boat over a crowded ferry. The slow pace and swim stops make it more about lingering than ticking off villages.

Traveler reviews

4.95★★★★★★★★★★

103 verified traveler reviews

5 ★101

4 ★1

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, German 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.

Can I swim during the Cinque Terre boat tour?

Yes, bathing stops happen in the crystal clear waters when sea conditions allow, so you can swim directly from the boat during the tour.

What's included in the aperitif served on board?

Local products, wine and prosecco are served on board as part of the tour, making the afternoon more relaxed and social.

How many people travel on the boat at once?

The gozzo is designed for small groups, which keeps the atmosphere intimate and away from mass tourism, though the exact group size varies by departure.

Does the tour visit all five Cinque Terre villages?

Yes, you sail past all five (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazzo and Monterosso al Mare) viewing each one from the sea, which is the most dramatic angle.