Monterosso Boat Tour: Cinque Terre Villages 3h Swimming

Swim and snorkel in Guvano bay, then drink prosecco watching Manarola's colored houses rise from the sea.

A 3-hour boat tour departing from Monterosso explores the Cinque Terre coast by water, stopping at four villages and a pebble beach. You swim and snorkel in Guvano bay with provided masks and floats, then visit Vernazza, Corniglia and Manarola from the water, each perched on cliffs or rocky promontories above. The boat carries snorkeling gear and serves prosecco, Aperol Spritz and beer after the water stop. Morning, afternoon or sunset departures are available. A skipper and guide in English or Italian lead the tour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour of Cinque Terre villages

• Depart from Monterosso by boat
• Pass by Vernazza village
• Swim and snorkel at Guvano beach
• Enjoy drinks on board
• Stop at Corniglia village
• Visit Manarola village
• Stop at Riomaggiore village

The experience

Three hours on the water means you cover the Cinque Terre's five villages by boat instead of hiking the coastal trails: a different way to see the same landscape. The boat leaves Monterosso and heads south, passing Vernazzo first, a village founded around 1000 with dry stone walls and vineyards climbing the cliffs behind it. The real stop is Guvano bay, a pebble beach surrounded by Mediterranean scrub where the water is calm enough for swimming and snorkeling. Masks and floats are on board. After you come back up, the crew serves prosecco, Aperol Spritz, beer and other drinks while you float or sit on deck.

From there the boat continues to Corniglia, the only Cinque Terre village not directly on the coast. It sits on a rocky point about 100 meters above sea level, surrounded by vineyards in a steep valley. The final stop is Manarola, built on a 70-meter-high rock with colorful houses stacked down to the water's edge. You see all four villages from the boat and get the sense of how they cling to the cliffs, but you're not hiking up to them or waiting in crowds at the viewpoints. The skipper narrates in English or Italian throughout.

You choose the time that fits your day: morning, afternoon or sunset. A sunset departure means you're on the water as the light changes and the villages light up, though the swimming stop happens in daylight. The boat is traditional and comfortable, and the tour includes everything: entry to the water, the gear, the drinks after snorkeling, and the guide.

What’s included

• Snorkeling masks and floats.
• prosecco, Aperol Spritz, beer and other drinks served after the water stop.
• skipper and live guide in English or Italian.
• boat transport along the coast.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:30, 14:00 and 17:30

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Child (8 to 17 years) · Infant (under 8)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h 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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Cinque Terre boat tour

Is this one for you?Choose the morning or afternoon departure if you want to swim and snorkel in calm water. The sunset option is better if you prefer to see the villages lit as the day ends and are content to watch the coast from the boat rather than enter the water.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 17 years); Infant (under 8).

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 exactly happens at Guvano bay?

Guvano bay is a pebble beach where the tour stops for swimming and snorkeling. Masks and floats are provided on board, and you spend time in the water before the crew serves prosecco, Aperol Spritz, beer and other drinks.

Do I get to walk around the villages or just see them from the boat?

You see Vernazzo, Corniglia and Manarola from the water as the boat passes them. The main stop for getting in the water is Guvano bay. The villages are viewed from the boat, not visited on foot.

Can I choose what time of day to go?

Yes. The tour runs in the morning, afternoon or sunset, so you can pick the departure that fits the rest of your day in Monterosso.

What's included in the price?

Snorkeling masks and floats, drinks after the water stop (prosecco, Aperol Spritz, beer), and the skipper and guide in English or Italian are all included.

Is the boat suitable if I'm not a strong swimmer?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. Floats are provided at Guvano bay, and swimming is optional. You can stay on the boat or in the shallows if you prefer.