Positano & Amalfi boat tour from Sorrento: Private 18ft cruiser

Cruise the Amalfi Coast on your own schedule, stopping where the boat can reach and you want to linger.

A private boat tour from Sorrento or Positano along the Amalfi Coast aboard an 18-foot open cruiser, with an English-speaking captain and a crew handling every detail. The itinerary covers Li Galli islands, Furore Fjord, Conca dei Marini and its Emerald Grotto, Positano's pastel-colored harbor, and swimming stops in crystal-clear coves: all customizable to your pace and interests.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Amalfi Coast by private boat

• Depart from Sorrento or Positano
• Navigate to Li Galli islands
• Arrive and explore Amalfi town
• Pass Conca dei Marini and Emerald Grotto
• Sail to Fiordo di Furore in Praiano
• Stop in Positano for sightseeing
• Swim near Tordigliano cove
• Return to Sorrento or Positano

The experience

You arrive in Sorrento or Positano with a free day and no car. The boat departs from your chosen location, and the captain plots a route that unfolds the entire coastline in a single arc: past the mythical Li Galli islands where sirens once sang, into the dramatic turquoise waters of Furore Fjord, and along cliffs so steep that only a boat can reach the coves below. The crew handles navigation, timing and the stops. You decide how long to stay in each place.

Amalfi appears as a medieval town stacked against the hillside, its cathedral rising above narrow streets that once belonged to a maritime republic rivaling Venice. You walk the main square, duck into alleys lined with historic paper mills, and taste the region's famous sfusato amalfitano lemons in a café. Conca dei Marini is smaller: a fishing hamlet where the Emerald Grotto waits just offshore, its underwater entrance letting sunlight flood the cave in shades of green that photographs cannot quite capture. A submerged ceramic nativity scene sits on the grotto floor, a detail so unexpected it stays with you. Positano's pastel houses climb the cliff in a vertical tumble of color. You can swim near Tordigliano cove or simply stand in the harbor and look up at the town from the water, a view most visitors never see.

The boat carries towels, masks and snorkels for the swimming stops. Water, soft drinks, beer, Prosecco and limoncello are on board, along with light snacks. The captain speaks English and Italian, and because this is a private charter, the route bends to what interests you: linger longer at one fjord, skip another, time the return to fit the rest of your day. The journey takes seven to eight hours depending on stops and sea conditions. Pickup and drop-off happen at your accommodation or a meeting point in the Sorrento area, or you can start from Positano if that suits your itinerary better.

What’s included

• Beach towels.
• water, soft drinks, beer, Prosecco, limoncello and light snacks.
• masks and snorkels for swimming.
• pickup and drop-off from your accommodation or meeting point in the Sorrento area (or from Positano if you choose that departure).
• an English-speaking captain and crew.

Options for this experience

2 options

From PositanoGuide in English or Italian · 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00

From SorrentoGuide in English or Italian · 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00

Book up to3h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h 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.

Paid on site€ 250

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sorrento Trips

Is this one for you?Choose the Sorrento departure if you're staying in that area and want a full-day immersion in the coast. Pick Positano if you're based there or prefer to start and end closer to the town itself. Because the boat is private and the route is customizable, you control how long to linger at each stop: ideal if you want to explore Amalfi's cathedral and streets without rushing, or spend extra time swimming in the coves.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided 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 24 h before the start.

What is the Emerald Grotto and how do you reach it on this tour?

The Emerald Grotto is a natural sea cave near Conca dei Marini, discovered in the 1930s and famous for its extraordinary green glow created by sunlight filtering through an underwater opening. The boat takes you directly to the cave entrance. You can swim inside to see the illuminated stalactites and the submerged ceramic nativity scene that sits on the grotto floor. Entry to the grotto costs EUR 7 per person and is not included in the tour price.

Can you swim during this tour, and where do you stop for swimming?

Yes, swimming is part of the itinerary. You stop near Tordigliano cove and other hidden spots along the coast where the water is clear and accessible only by boat. The crew provides masks and snorkels, and towels are on board so you can dry off between swims.

What happens if I want to start from Positano instead of Sorrento?

The boat can depart from either Sorrento or Positano depending on which option you choose at checkout. Pickup and drop-off are included from your accommodation or a meeting point in the Sorrento area if you start from Sorrento, or from Positano if you choose that departure point instead.

How much time do you spend in Positano itself?

Positano is a brief stop to admire the town from the water and walk its narrow cliffside streets lined with boutiques and cafés. The exact time depends on your preference. The captain can adjust the itinerary to give you more or less time there based on your interests.

What is Li Galli and why is it on the route?

Li Galli is a legendary archipelago off the coast where, according to Greek mythology, the sirens who enchanted Ulysses once lived. The boat navigates to the islands so you can see them from the water and understand their place in the region's history and culture.

Is this tour suitable if I've never been to the Amalfi Coast before?

Yes. The captain and crew are experienced with first-time visitors and can explain the history and landmarks as you go. Because the tour is private and customizable, you set the pace: spend more time at sites that fascinate you and move quickly past others. The itinerary covers the major highlights of the coast in a single day.