Cinque Terre Sunset Boat Tour: Aperitif & Five Villages

Sail past five villages as the light turns gold, with food and drinks timed to the sunset

A three-hour sunset boat tour departing Monterosso that sails past the five Cinque Terre villages (Vernazzo, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore) with two swimming and snorkeling stops, fresh sangria and fruit on boarding, Ligurian focaccia with pesto during the swim, and sweet Ligurian pastries and limoncello on the return. The boat carries a cabin and toilet. A live guide speaks English and French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset boat tour and village visits

• See Fegina beach and Giant statue
• Enjoy fruit basket and cocktail
• Visit Vernazza and Doria Tower
• Stop at Corniglia for bath and focaccia
• Explore Manarola village
• Arrive at Riomaggiore and see Way of Love
• Return to Monterosso with dessert and Limoncello

The experience

The boat leaves Monterosso in late afternoon and heads south along the coast, passing the Fegina beach and the Giant statue before reaching Vernazzo, a village built around a natural harbor with the Doria Tower rising above it. From the water, the villages appear stacked against near-vertical cliffs, their pastel houses and terraced vineyards visible from angles the hiking trails never show. Corniglia sits highest, its houses perched a hundred meters above sea level among lemon trees and grapevines.

The first swimming and snorkeling stop comes at Corniglia, where a platter of focaccia with pesto and stracchino is served while you're in the water or on the boat, timed so the food arrives as the sun begins its descent. The boat continues to Manarola, the oldest of the five villages, then to Riomaggiore, where the path of love (Via dell'Amore) runs along the clifftop. A second swim happens here in warmer months. Throughout the afternoon, drinks stay available (wine, prosecco, beer, soft drinks and water), and the cabin offers shelter if the weather shifts.

The return to Monterosso happens as the sky fades through orange and pink, with sweet Ligurian pastries and limoncello served on deck. The whole arc takes three hours. Snorkeling gear (mask and mouthpiece) is included. Bring a towel of your own if you plan to swim.

What’s included

• Skipper and boat fuel.
• cabin and toilet access.
• snorkeling mask and mouthpiece.
• sangria and fresh fruit on boarding.
• focaccia with pesto and stracchino during the swim stops.
• wine, prosecco, beer, soft drinks and water throughout.
• sweet Ligurian pastries and limoncello on the return.
• live guide in English or French.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Jun 2027

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (22 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (12 to 21 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h 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 10 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Blue Cky Boat

Is this one for you?Book this shared boat if you want all five villages, swimming stops, and sunset snacks in one afternoon: the group format fits everything into the timeframe.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 21 years); Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4).

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 24 h before the start.

What's the boat like on a sunset tour of Cinque Terre?

The boat is 9.2 meters long with a cabin and onboard toilet, so you have shelter and facilities throughout the three hours. It holds a small group, not a crowded ferry.

Do I get to swim and snorkel, or just watch from the boat?

You get two swimming and snorkeling stops: one at Corniglia and one at Riomaggiore (weather permitting), where you can enter the water while the crew serves food and drinks on board or in the water.

What food and drinks are included on the boat?

Sangria and fresh fruit greet you on boarding; focaccia with pesto and stracchino are served during the swim stops; sweet Ligurian pastries and limoncello come on the return to Monterosso. Wine, prosecco, beer, soft drinks and water are available throughout.

Is this tour good for people who don't swim or snorkel?

Yes. You can stay on the boat during the swimming stops and still see all five villages from the water, enjoy the food and drinks, and experience the sunset. The cabin provides a comfortable place to sit if you prefer not to be on deck.

When does the tour depart and return?

The tour runs for three hours in the late afternoon and evening, timed to catch the sunset. Exact departure times vary by season. Confirm when you book.