Cinque Terre & Portovenere full-day yacht cruise with lunch

Pastel villages and turquoise water from a boat built for small groups

A full-day yacht cruise along the Ligurian coast from Portovenere to Cinque Terre, with a local crew, snorkeling in clear water, and a fresh Italian lunch served on board. The boat holds a small group and stops depend on sea conditions. One possible landing is Monterosso for a short break on shore. English and Italian guides are available.

The experience

The day starts in Portovenere, where you board a small yacht and head toward Cinque Terre. The crew navigates the coast at a pace that lets you see the pastel-colored buildings from the water: a view most land-based visitors miss. You'll stop to swim and snorkel in the turquoise Ligurian water, with snorkeling gear provided. Depending on sea conditions, the crew may bring you ashore at Monterosso for a short break, though the route is flexible.

Lunch arrives on board: focaccia, local pesto, a selection of cheeses with jam, Caprese salad with buffalo mozzarella, fresh melon and Parma ham, and seasonal fruit. Soft drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages are included throughout the day. Between swimming and eating, you lean back on deck with Italian music playing, watching the coastline slip past. Floating tubes are available if you want to drift without swimming.

The crew are locals who know the area and speak English or Italian. They point out the villages and the rhythm of the coast: the kind of detail that separates a boat ride from an experience. The whole day runs seven hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• floating tubes.
• a fresh Italian lunch with focaccia, pesto, local cheeses, Caprese salad, ham and melon, and seasonal fruit.
• soft drinks, bottled water, and alcoholic beverages throughout the day.
• a local crew guide in English or Italian.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday to SundayDeparts at 10:00Last departure this season: 2 Nov

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 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: “HOW TO REACH US in La Spezia - Porto Mirabello Car: Leave Your Car at Mirabello Parking Area (2,5€/h) Taxi:Tell the driver to reach the Dock P - that's where you'll find us Train:You can also walk from the train station…”

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 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Fish & Chill - Cinque Terre Boat Tours

Is this one for you?Small groups work best here. The boat is built for intimacy, not volume. Choose this if you want to see Cinque Terre from the water and swim in the sea rather than walk the villages on land, and if a full day on the boat with a crew who knows the coast appeals to you more than a land-based hike.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 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.

What's the difference between seeing Cinque Terre from a boat versus hiking the villages on land?

From the water, you see the five villages stacked on the cliffs from a distance and can swim in the sea between them. On land, you walk through the villages themselves and hike the connecting trails. This tour skips the villages but includes the water and snorkeling, which land-based visits don't.

Can I actually swim and snorkel, or is it just a cruise?

You stop to swim and snorkel in the turquoise water, with snorkeling equipment provided on board. Floating tubes are also available if you prefer to stay afloat without swimming.

What happens if the sea is rough?

The route depends on sea conditions. The crew may skip the planned landing at Monterosso or adjust stops, but the boat still operates and you still swim and snorkel in the protected areas they choose.

Is lunch included, or do I need to bring food?

Lunch is included and served on board: it's a spread of local focaccia, pesto, cheeses, Caprese salad, ham and melon, and fresh fruit. Soft drinks, water, and alcoholic beverages are also included throughout the day.

How many people will be on the boat?

The boat is a small yacht designed to keep groups intimate, though the exact number varies by departure. It's built for the kind of day where you're not packed in with crowds.