Portofino boat tour: San Fruttuoso Abbey & coastal villages

You can snorkel above an underwater Jesus statue in a monastery cove.

A private boat tour from Portofino along the Ligurian coast, with stops at San Fruttuoso Abbey, Santa Margherita and smaller villages for walking, swimming and snorkeling. The boat holds up to seven people, includes snorkel equipment and bottled water, and runs between three and seven hours depending on which stops and how long you linger at each one. A live guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian or French, and timing at each village is flexible—you decide how long to stay.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour with village visits and swim

• Dock at Portofino for walking tour
• Visit a Ligurian fishing village
• Swim and snorkel near underwater statue
• Break for lunch (not included)
• Dock at Santa Margherita for walking tour
• Dock at another port for walking tour

The Experience

The boat departs Portofino and works its way along the coast, stopping at villages and coves you choose on the day. San Fruttuoso Abbey sits in a protected inlet where the water is clear enough to snorkel above a submerged statue of Jesus; the Abbey itself costs extra to enter, but the cove is free to swim and explore. Santa Margherita, the next stop, is a working fishing village with colored houses and restaurants where you can grab lunch on your own. Portofino itself—the famous piazzetta with its pastel buildings—gets a walking break if you want the photo and the walk through the village center.

Snorkel gear is on board and ready to use. The boat carries bottled water and sodas, and WiFi works if you need it. What you don't get is a fixed itinerary: the guide discusses timing and which stops suit your group once you're aboard, so a three-hour run might hit two villages and a swim, while a full day can include four or five stops with longer time at each. Lunch is on you—no meal is included—and the Abbey entry fee is separate if you want to walk inside.

The boat holds a maximum of seven people, which means no crowds and no schedule pressure. Children and infants are welcome; the boat is suitable for all fitness levels. You're on the water for the journey between stops, which is where much of the day unfolds—the coast itself is the route, and the villages are breaks in it.

What’s included

• Private boat transportation along the coast.
• snorkel equipment and use of it at San Fruttuoso and other coves.
• bottled water and sodas.
• WiFi on board.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian or French.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Portofino Taxi Boat

Is this one for you?Pick the half-day if you want the main villages and a swim in one morning; the full-day if you'd rather explore multiple coves and linger at each; or the sunset tour if golden-hour light and a smaller shared group matter most to you.

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Top questions

What is San Fruttuoso and why would I snorkel there?

San Fruttuoso is a cove with a medieval abbey and a submerged bronze statue of Jesus on the seafloor. The water is clear and shallow enough to snorkel above the statue without diving gear, and the setting—surrounded by cliffs and accessible only by boat or hiking trail—makes it one of the most unusual snorkel spots on the coast. The Abbey itself requires a separate entry fee, but swimming and snorkeling in the cove are free.

How long does the tour last and can I choose which villages to visit?

The tour runs between three and seven hours depending on which option you book and how long you spend at each stop. Timing at villages is flexible and discussed with the guide once you're on the boat, so you're not locked into a schedule. The boat can visit Portofino, San Fruttuoso, Santa Margherita and smaller coves, and you decide together how many stops fit your day.

Is lunch included, and where can I eat?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. Santa Margherita has restaurants and cafes where you can order and eat during your stop there, and you can bring your own food aboard as well. The guide can recommend spots when you arrive.

What's included in the boat tour besides the boat ride?

The tour includes snorkel equipment, bottled water, sodas, WiFi on board and a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian or French. The guide does not lead formal walking tours at each village—those are free walks you do on your own during the stops, and timing is up to you.

Can I bring children and infants on this tour?

Yes. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and infants must sit on an adult's lap. The boat is suitable for all fitness levels, and service animals are allowed aboard.

What's the difference between the half-day and full-day options?

The half-day tour runs up to seven hours and covers the main stops—Portofino, San Fruttuoso and Santa Margherita. The full-day tour also holds up to seven people and allows time for more villages and longer breaks at each. Both options have the same inclusions; the full-day gives you more time to explore and swim.