Portovenere sunset boat tour: Islands & swimming

Fishing villages, a UNESCO site from the water, and a swim in an inlet you can only reach by boat

A sunset boat tour from La Spezia takes you along the Ligurian coast to Portovenere and its archipelago in a group of up to 12 passengers. The route passes through fishing villages with colored houses, mussel farms, and the UNESCO-listed town itself seen from the sea, with a swimming stop at Cala dell'Ammiraglio and a limoncello tasting on the return to La Spezia. The tour lasts approximately 3 hours and includes water, snacks, and a professional skipper who speaks English or Italian.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset boat tour along Ligurian coast

• Arrive 10 minutes before departure
• Admire villages of Marola, Cadimare, Fezzano
• See mussel and oyster farms at Le Grazie
• Sail along coast to Borgate Marinare and Portovenere
• Swim and relax at Cala dell’Ammiraglio
• Pass by Torre Scola towards eastern gulf coast
• View Tellaro, Fiascherino bay, and La Caletta cove
• Admire shipyards and warships near La Spezia
• Enjoy local limoncello tasting
• Return to Porto Mirabello in La Spezia

The experience

You arrive at Porto Mirabello in La Spezia 10 minutes before departure and board a small boat for the evening. The route follows the coast of the Gulf of Poets, first passing the fishing villages of Marola, Cadimare, and Fezzano: places with the colorful houses and Ligurian character that define this stretch of coast. At Le Grazie, you see mussel and oyster farms up close and learn how they're cultivated. The boat then heads west along the smaller Borgate Marinare before reaching Portovenere itself. Seeing the UNESCO World Heritage Site from the water, along with its three islands (Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto) is the centerpiece of the tour.

The boat stops at Cala dell'Ammiraglio, a cove accessible only by sea, where you can swim in clear water and rest before the return journey. On the way back, you pass Torre Scola, then Tellaro, Fiascherino, and La Caletta: a small bay that photographs well as the light turns red and orange. The route also takes you past La Spezia's shipyards and naval vessels before returning to Porto Mirabello. A tasting of local limoncello rounds out the evening as the sun sets.

The tour includes bottled water, soda, snacks, and a professional skipper. A live guide speaks English or Italian throughout. A fuel surcharge of €10 per person applies and must be paid in cash at boarding. If you want to swim, you can bring your own mask and snorkel or buy them on board for €15 and €9 respectively.

What’s included

• Bottled water and soda.
• snacks.
• a professional skipper.
• a live guide in English or Italian.
• a limoncello tasting on the return to La Spezia.
• swimming access at Cala dell'Ammiraglio.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 15 Sep 2027

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 15 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 small group size of up to 12 keeps the boat intimate and the pace unhurried, so you can photograph the villages and islands without crowding. The fixed 3-hour window means the sunset timing works if you have a free afternoon in La Spezia but need to be back by evening.

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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 fishing villages you pass on this tour?

The route passes Marola, Cadimare, and Fezzano on the eastern coast, then Le Grazie where you see mussel and oyster farms, and Tellaro, Fiascherino, and La Caletta on the return. Each has the typical Ligurian architecture and sits along the Gulf of Poets.

Can you swim during the sunset boat tour?

Yes, the boat stops at Cala dell'Ammiraglio, a swimming cove reachable only by sea, where you can refresh yourself in the water before heading back to La Spezia.

How long does the tour take and when does it end?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours and ends with your return to Porto Mirabello in La Spezia as evening falls.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes bottled water, soda, snacks, a professional skipper, and a limoncello tasting on the return journey. A fuel surcharge of €10 per person is payable in cash at boarding and is not included in the advertised price.

Is Portovenere itself a stop on the tour, or do you see it from the boat?

You see Portovenere and its three islands (Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto) from the water as the boat sails past. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is viewed from the sea rather than visited on foot.