Portovenere sunset boat tour: Private gozzo with wine

Swim in hidden coves, then watch the sunset from the water with wine and focaccia

A private sunset boat tour in the Portovenere archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, aboard a traditional Ligurian gozzo with a live skipper. You swim in secluded coves and beaches accessible only by boat, sail past Palmaria island's Torre Scola fortress and hidden caves, then anchor for an aperitif of local focaccia, prosecco and wine while the sun sets behind the church of San Pietro. The tour runs three hours and includes snorkelling gear and all food and drink.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset boat tour and aperitif

• Explore Palmaria island and swim
• Pass by Tinos island and see lighthouse
• Pass by Tinetto island and Stella Maris statue
• View picturesque bay behind Portovenere
• Enjoy aperitif with focaccia and wine
• Watch sunset behind San Pietro church

The experience

The boat is a typical Ligurian gozzo, a working fishing vessel, and your skipper navigates the three islands of the Portovenere archipelago. Palmaria, the largest, holds the ruins of Torre Scola, an ancient fortress rising from the sea, and coves with clear water that invite a swim. Tinos shows its lighthouse and the remains of monasteries and war stations. Tinetto, the smallest, sits near Stella Maris, a statue of the Virgin Mary on a rock, placed there as a guardian for passing sailors. The boat passes Byron's Bay, a sheltered inlet named after the English poet and a local legend.

You stop in a bay facing Portovenere to swim and relax. The skipper brings out an aperitif: focaccia in several varieties, prosecco, beer, soft drinks and other snacks. Snorkelling gear is on board if you want to explore the water more closely. As the sun dips toward the horizon, you watch it sink behind the church of San Pietro, which stands on the cliff overlooking the water. The whole tour runs three hours.

The boat departs from Portovenere itself, so if you're staying in the town or nearby, you walk to the port. If you're based elsewhere on the coast, public transport connects to Portovenere. Your skipper speaks English, Italian or French, depending on the departure you book.

What’s included

• Use of snorkelling equipment.
• aperitif with soft drinks, beer, prosecco, focaccia and other snacks.
• fuel.
• boat and skipper for the full three hours.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 18:30

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Child (2 to 13 years) · Infant (under 2): free

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Taurus Boat Tours

Is this one for you?The boat departs from Portovenere itself, so you don't need a car or a transfer to reach the port. If you're staying in town or can reach it by local bus, you're set. The private gozzo means your group controls the pace and the stops, so you can linger in a cove or take a longer swim without waiting for other boats to finish.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 13 years); Infant (under 2): 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 islands do we visit on the Portovenere sunset tour?

The tour visits three islands: Palmaria, where you'll see the Torre Scola fortress and swim in boat-only coves; Tinos, with its lighthouse and ruins of old monasteries; and Tinetto, the smallest island near the Stella Maris statue. You also pass Byron's Bay, a picturesque inlet behind the Portovenere promontory.

Can I swim during the sunset boat tour?

Yes, you can swim in the secluded coves around Palmaria and during the aperitif stop facing Portovenere. Snorkelling gear is included if you want to explore underwater. The water is calm and clear in these protected bays.

What food and drink are served on the boat?

An aperitif includes several types of Ligurian focaccia, prosecco, beer, soft drinks and other snacks. Everything is served on board while you watch the sunset, with the church of San Pietro framed on the horizon.

Do I need experience to book this tour, or is it suitable for beginners?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Infants must sit on an adult's lap. It is not recommended for people with spinal injuries or those prone to seasickness, since you'll be on the water for three hours.

Where does the boat depart from?

The boat leaves from Portovenere. If you're staying in the town, the port is within walking distance. Public transport options are available nearby if you're based elsewhere on the coast.