Portofino boat tour from Genoa: Private motorboat with snorkeling

Monastery, Christ of the Abyss, village stops and swimming in one skippered day

A private skippered motorboat tour departing from Genoa's old port reaches Portofino, San Fruttuoso monastery and the Christ of the Abyss statue, Camogli village and the Portofino Natural Reserve marine park: accessible only by boat. The tour runs 7.5 hours with snorkeling equipment included. You choose between a daytime departure or a sunset and evening option, and the start time is customizable after booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour along Ligurian coast

• Depart from Genoa old port
• Visit San Fruttuoso monastery and Christ of the Abyss
• Visit Portofino Village
• Swim in Portofino Natural Park marine area
• Lunch and visit Camogli village
• Swim, snorkel, and relax

The experience

How do you reach the Christ of the Abyss and a working monastery without hiking inland? You board a skippered motorboat from Genoa's old port and let the boat do the travel. The tour covers the Ligurian coast in a single day, stopping at San Fruttuoso to visit the monastery and the underwater statue, then Portofino village itself, then Camogli: each one a working fishing town you see from the water first. Swimming and snorkeling happen in the Portofino Natural Reserve, a protected marine area that has no road access. The boat is how you get there.

You travel as a private group, not in a crowd. The motorboat is skippered, so someone who knows the coast runs the day while you decide where to swim, how long to linger at each stop, and whether to snorkel or just float. Snorkeling gear is included. A tavola gonfiabile, an inflatable tow board, comes along too. The tour runs 7.5 hours, and you pick whether you want the daytime version or the sunset and nightly departure. After you book, contact the operator to set your preferred start time.

Lunch is on your own, but the stops themselves (the monastery, the villages, the protected swimming areas) are built into the route. A live guide speaks English or Italian depending on your group.

What’s included

• Private skippered motorboat transportation from Genoa's old port.
• snorkeling equipment.
• inflatable tow board.
• visits to San Fruttuoso monastery and the Christ of the Abyss, Portofino village, and Camogli.
• swimming and snorkeling in the Portofino Natural Reserve marine protected area.
• live guide in English or Italian.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English or Italian09:00

Guide in English or Italian17:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 17:00

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “in front of Burger King at 9am or 5pm”

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 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Swimming Cetacea

Is this one for you?Book the daytime tour if you want to see the villages and the underwater statue in daylight. Choose the sunset and nightly departure if you prefer to travel and swim as the light changes. The private motorboat format means your group sets the pace at each stop, and the customizable start time lets you fit the tour around the rest of your day in the region.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English 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.

What exactly is the Christ of the Abyss?

The Christ of the Abyss is an underwater bronze statue at San Fruttuoso, submerged near the monastery. The tour includes a visit to the monastery itself above water, and snorkeling gear lets you see the statue below if conditions allow.

Can I swim and snorkel on this tour?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling happen in the Portofino Natural Reserve, the protected marine area the tour reaches by boat. Snorkeling equipment is included, and you can also use the inflatable tow board to relax on the water.

What's the difference between the daily tour and the sunset nightly option?

The daily tour departs during daylight hours. The sunset and nightly tour leaves in the evening. Both visit the same stops (San Fruttuoso, Portofino, Camogli and the marine reserve), but at different times of day. You choose which suits your schedule when you book.

Do I need to arrange my own lunch?

Lunch is not included in the tour price, so you'll want to bring food or plan to eat at one of the villages you visit. The stops at Portofino and Camogli both have restaurants and cafés.

Can small children come on the boat?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and infants must sit on an adult's lap. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for pregnant travelers.

Can I customize the start time?

Yes. The starting time is customizable. After you book, contact the operator with your preferred departure time and they will confirm it.