Private boat tour Portofino Riviera: San Fruttuoso Abbey by sea

San Fruttuoso Abbey is only reachable by sea or on foot. Your boat gets you there in the morning.

A private boat tour from Rapallo explores the Gulf of Tigullio with a bilingual skipper, stopping at Paraggi's emerald bay, Portofino's harbor, the medieval San Fruttuoso Abbey, and Camogli's colorful waterfront. You swim at Punta Chiappa with snorkeling equipment on board, choose your own lunch stop, and return to your starting point after six to eight hours. Routes and stops adapt to weather and your preferences.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private boat tour on Portofino Riviera

• Leave Rapallo and sail along Santa Margherita
• Swim or enjoy view at emerald bay of Paraggi
• Walk in Portofino square or have coffee
• Visit San Fruttuoso Abbey and swim
• Swim and snorkel at Punta Chiappa
• See colorful village of Camogli

The experience

Portofino Riviera tours run on shared schedules or crowded group boats. This one is yours alone. You pick the boat size (from six to twelve passengers), the skipper adjusts the route to weather and what you want to do, and the day moves at your pace. You leave Rapallo and follow the coast past Santa Margherita's liberty villas and the harbor, then into Paraggi's emerald bay for a first swim. Portofino comes next: the famous pastel-colored port where you can walk the piazza or stay on deck with a coffee.

San Fruttuoso Abbey sits at the end of a bay and has no road to it: only a hiking trail or the sea. Your boat gets you there by mid-morning, and you choose: swim in front of the beach, visit the abbey (entry ticket separate), or eat lunch at one of the bay-side restaurants. After that, Punta Chiappa's rocky point has some of the clearest water in Liguria. Snorkeling equipment is on board. The skipper stops you there to dive in. Camogli's tall colorful houses come last, reflected in the water, before the run back to Rapallo or wherever you started.

On board: drinks, beer, Prosecco or wine of your choice; towels; snorkeling gear. The skipper speaks Italian and English and helps you book lunch at a restaurant. You pay the restaurant directly. The day runs six to eight hours depending on stops and weather. Life jackets for children are available, and the skipper can accommodate wheelchair guests with advance notice.

What’s included

• A bilingual skipper in Italian and English.
• fuel for the entire route.
• snorkeling equipment.
• bottled water and soft drinks.
• beer, Aperol Spritz, and a bottle of wine or Prosecco.
• one towel per person.
• and life jackets for children on request.

Options for this experience

5 options

Soleil 18Up to 6 per booking · Guide in English or Italian · Available from 2 Apr 2027A 6-meter inflatable boat that is nimble and responsive: perfect for couples and small groups of up to 6 people.

Patron 23Up to 6 per booking · Guide in English or Italian · Available from 2 Apr 2027The traditional Ligurian boat, ideal for a calm and romantic cruise.

Soleil 24.5Up to 12 per booking · Guide in English or Italian · Available from 2 Apr 2027A 7.5-meter boat from 2025, with a spacious sunbathing area in the bow and a bimini top: room and comfort for up to 12 people.

See 2 more options

Levanzo 25Up to 9 per booking · Guide in English or Italian · Available from 2 Apr 2027An 8-meter day boat from 2024 with 400 hp: classic lines, a sunbathing area and a table, for up to 9 people.

Lipari 31Up to 12 per booking · Guide in English or Italian · Available from 2 Apr 202710 meters and 600 hp, from 2026: timeless elegance, smooth sailing even in choppy seas, and an onboard bathroom, for up to 12 people.

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 timesNext departure: 2 Apr 2027

Book up toStart time

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go 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.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by MY Rapallo

Is this one for you?Choose your boat size when you book: the Soleil 18 works for a couple or small family, while the Lipari 31 suits a group of twelve. The skipper adjusts stops and timing to weather and what you want to do, so a morning focused on swimming differs from one built around visiting the abbey or lingering in Portofino's harbor.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

14 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

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.

Can I swim at multiple stops on the Portofino Riviera boat tour?

Yes. You stop for a swim at Paraggi's emerald bay early in the day, then again at Punta Chiappa, where the water is clear enough for snorkeling. San Fruttuoso Abbey also has a beach in front of it if you want a third swim, though time there depends on whether you visit the abbey or eat lunch.

What is San Fruttuoso Abbey and how do you reach it?

San Fruttuoso is a medieval abbey at the end of a secluded bay on the Portofino Riviera. It has no road access. You can only reach it by sea or by hiking a trail from inland. The boat brings you to the beach in front of it, and you can visit the abbey, swim, or eat at one of the restaurants in the bay.

Where does the boat leave from, and can I start somewhere else?

The boat leaves from Rapallo, but the skipper can pick you up in Santa Margherita Ligure or Portofino instead. Tell the operator your preference when you book.

What drinks and food are included on the boat?

Drinks are included: soda, bottled water, beer, Aperol Spritz, and a bottle of white, rosé or Prosecco wine of your choice. Lunch is not included, but the skipper helps you book a table at one of the restaurants along the route. You pay the restaurant directly. Snacks and towels are on board.

How many people can fit on the boat?

The boat size depends on your group. Options range from the Soleil 18 (six people) to the Lipari 31 (twelve people). You choose the boat when you book.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is on board and included in the tour. The skipper stops at Punta Chiappa, which has clear water suitable for snorkeling.