Portofino by boat from La Spezia: Cinque Terre and swimming stops

Portovenere, Byron's Cave, and five Cinque Terre villages from the water in one morning

A full-day boat tour departing from La Spezia that sails the Ligurian Riviera to Portofino, passing the five villages of Cinque Terre National Park directly from the sea and stopping to swim at the Bay of Silence and San Fruttuoso. The tour includes a professional skipper, on-board assistant, focaccia with pesto, bottled water, soft drinks, and a limoncello tasting on the return. A live guide speaks English and Italian. Minimum 4 travelers required. A €10 per person fuel surcharge applies, payable in cash at boarding.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Portovenere30m
2. Cinque Terre National Park1h

Boat tour along Ligurian coast

• Meet crew at Porto Mirabello, La Spezia
• Sail to Portovenere, see Church of San Pietro
• Admire Byron’s Cave
• Pass Cinque Terre villages from the sea
• View Levanto bay and cruise to Sestri Levante
• Swim and snorkel in Bay of Silence
• Explore Portofino on foot for 2.5 hours
• Swim at San Fruttuoso bay and see abbey
• Return to La Spezia with limoncello tasting

The experience

Portofino by boat from La Spezia means meeting the crew at Porto Mirabello 10 minutes before departure, then spending the next nine hours on the water. The boat sails first to Portovenere, where you see the Church of San Pietro perched above the harbor and the historic tower-houses that line the waterfront, then passes Byron's Cave, where the poet once found inspiration. From there the route follows the coast toward Cinque Terre, and instead of hiking the clifftop trails or crowding the train platforms, you watch all five villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazzo, and Monterosso) rise from the sea against sheer rock faces.

Two swimming stops break the journey. The first is the Bay of Silence near Sestri Levante, where you have time to swim and snorkel in clear water. The second comes at San Fruttuoso, a small hidden bay with a white pebble beach and an ancient abbey visible from the boat. Between the two, you arrive in Portofino with about 2.5 hours to walk the Piazzetta, explore the narrow cobblestone streets, and sit at the harbor's edge. The return to La Spezia includes a limoncello tasting on board and takes the full nine hours from start to finish.

Lunch is stuffed Ligurian focaccia with pesto and stracchino cheese. Water and soft drinks come throughout the day. Snorkeling gear (mask and tube). You can bring your own or buy on board for €15 and €9 respectively. The tour runs with a professional skipper and an on-board assistant who speaks English or Italian, and it requires a minimum of four passengers to depart. A fuel surcharge of €10 per person is collected in cash when you board.

What’s included

• Professional skipper and on-board assistant.
• stuffed Ligurian focaccia with pesto and stracchino cheese.
• bottled water and soft drinks throughout the day.
• limoncello tasting on the return journey.

Before you book

Days and timesMondayDeparts at 09:00Last departure this season: 26 Oct

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “The meeting point is at Porto Mirabello, La Spezia, at the gas station. To reach the meeting point, walk to the end of the white bridge (Ponte Thaon di Revel) and turn left. Keep walking until you reach the sea.”

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by You Know!

Is this one for you?The boat leaves from Porto Mirabello in La Spezia, so if you're staying in the area without a car, you reach it by local transport and avoid the drive to Portofino or the crowded Cinque Terre train platforms. The nine-hour route lets you see all five villages from the sea, swim twice, and still have time to walk Portofino's streets: all in one departure.

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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 (4 to 9 years); Infant (under 4): 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 are the five Cinque Terre villages you see from the boat?

The five villages are Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazzo, and Monterosso, all part of Cinque Terre National Park. You pass them by sea and see them rise directly from the cliffs without leaving the boat.

How much time do you get to spend in Portofino itself?

Portofino gives you about 2.5 hours to explore on your own. You can walk the Piazzetta, wander the narrow cobblestone streets, and sit by the harbor, but the boat does not stay longer than that before heading to San Fruttuoso and then back to La Spezia.

Where do you swim, and what's included for snorkeling?

You swim at two stops: the Bay of Silence near Sestri Levante and San Fruttuoso, a small hidden bay with a white pebble beach and an ancient abbey. Bottled water and soft drinks are included throughout the day. Snorkeling gear (mask and tube) you can bring yourself or buy on board.

Does the tour price include the fuel surcharge and hotel pickup?

The tour price does not include a €10 per person fuel surcharge, which you pay in cash when you board. Hotel transfer is also not included. You meet the boat at Porto Mirabello in La Spezia, and public transportation options are available nearby.

What happens if fewer than four people book the tour?

The tour requires a minimum of four travelers to depart. If the minimum is not met after confirmation, the operator will offer you an alternative departure date or a full refund.