Cinque Terre sunset boat tour with swimming and tasting

Swim in the National Park at sunset, then taste prosecco and local specialties while the five villages glow across the water.

A three-hour sunset boat tour of Cinque Terre departing from Monterosso or Levanto, with swimming and snorkeling in the National Park, an aperitif and prosecco tasting of local Ligurian products, a walking stop in Vernazzo village, and a live guide in English, Italian or French. The boat passes all five villages—Monterosso, Vernazzo, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore—and returns after dark. Snorkeling gear, soft drinks, wine and a freshwater shower are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset boat tour and village visit

• Depart from Monterosso or Levanto pier
• Admire five seaside villages from the sea
• Enjoy aperitif with local products and prosecco
• Swim in crystal clear waters (seasonal)
• Stop for village visit in Vernazza (low season)
• Stop to swim and snorkel at beach
• View and photograph Corniglia from the boat
• View and photograph Manarola from the boat
• View Riomaggiore from the boat
• Toast at sunset with local aperitif and prosecco
• Return to Monterosso after dark

The Experience

The boat leaves from Monterosso or Levanto pier and heads straight into the five villages from the water. You'll see Monterosso's old and new quarters, then Corniglia perched highest on the cliffs, Manarola's colorful waterfront, and Riomaggiore at the far end—each one framed differently from the sea than from the land. The guide tells you about daily life in the villages and the history of this fragile territory as the boat moves between them.

In the warmer months, you stop to swim and snorkel in the crystal clear waters of the National Park itself. The gear is provided, and a freshwater shower on board rinses off the salt afterward. In the low season, when the water is colder, the boat makes a short stop in Vernazzo instead, where you can walk through the village's narrow lanes before heading back out to the water.

As the sun drops, the boat slows for the aperitif. Prosecco and white wine come out, along with an assortment of local Ligurian specialties—the tasting is the centerpiece of the final hour. Soft drinks are available if you prefer them. You return to the pier after dark, the five villages lit up behind you.

What’s included

• Prosecco and white wine.
• soft drinks.
• aperitif with local Ligurian products and specialties.
• snorkeling equipment.
• freshwater shower on board.
• restroom on board.
• live guide in English, Italian or French.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Sea Breeze Boat Tours

Is this one for you?The three-hour window and fixed aperitif timing mean you see all five villages and taste the local food without building the schedule yourself—the boat's route and the sunset both hold the day together. Choose the Monterosso departure if you're staying in that area, or Levanto if you're based further north along the coast.

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Top questions

Can I swim during the Cinque Terre sunset boat tour?

Yes, in the warmer months you stop to swim and snorkel in the National Park's crystal clear waters. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and a freshwater shower on board lets you rinse off afterward. In the low season, when the water is too cold, the boat stops in Vernazzo village instead so you can walk ashore.

What's included in the aperitif and tasting?

Prosecco, white wine and soft drinks come with an assortment of typical Ligurian products and local specialties. The tasting happens during the final hour as the sun sets, while the boat moves slowly between the villages.

Which villages do we see on the Cinque Terre tour?

The boat passes all five: Monterosso, Vernazzo, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. In the low season you stop to walk through Vernazzo; in warmer months the stop is replaced by swimming time in the National Park.

What language is the guide in?

The guide is available in English, Italian or French, depending on the departure you book.

Where does the boat depart from?

You can choose to depart from either Monterosso or Levanto pier. Both options cover the same tour route and villages.