Private Sailing Tour on the Conero Riviera: Ancona & Portonovo

Eight hours on the water instead of the crowded shore path

A private sailing tour on the Conero Riviera departs Ancona at 10am and returns at 6pm, visiting the fishermen's caves, Mezzavalle, and the bay of Portonovo from the water. The boat carries a maximum of five passengers with a skipper, SUP paddle boards, onboard restroom and coffee included. The itinerary adjusts to your preferences, and evening departures with sunset swims can be arranged in advance.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sailing and exploring Conero Riviera bays

• Depart at 10:00 AM
• Sail one hour to popular bay
• Optional lunch at beach restaurants
• Anchor and use Sup Paddle to reach bay
• Enjoy diving baths and sun
• Sail 30 minutes to Michele-Sassi Neri beach
• Swim and relax at the beach
• Optional lunch on the boat
• Sail two hours back to departure point
• Return in late afternoon at 18:00

The experience

The boat leaves Ancona at 10am and sails the Conero Riviera's most sheltered spots: places the coastal road never reaches. You'll anchor off Portonovo, the bay's most famous restaurant beach, where an hour of navigation gets you there. From the water, the restaurants and their terraces look entirely different. The skipper supplies SUP paddle boards so you can reach the shallows and swim without leaving the boat behind, or stay aboard after a swim and have lunch on deck.

Mezzavalle comes next: a beach framed by dramatic cliffs that rise straight from the sand, visible only from the water or by a steep scramble down the rocks. The fishermen's caves sit along the route, carved into the limestone where the coast turns vertical. If the group wants to sail further, the itinerary extends to Gabbiani beach, the twin rock formations called the two sisters, and the villages of Sirolo and Numana. The return is fixed for 6pm, though you can agree in advance to shift the timing or add an evening departure with an aperitif and sunset swim instead.

The boat has a restroom on board and coffee is included. The skipper speaks English or Italian. Because the group stays under five people, there's no jostling for space or waiting for others to finish swimming. You move at the pace that suits the people actually on the boat.

What’s included

• Skipper in English or Italian.
• SUP paddle boards.
• fuel.
• onboard restroom.
• coffee.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

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.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Federico

Is this one for you?Groups of up to five work best for this tour: small enough that the skipper adjusts the day to what your group actually wants to do, whether that's long swims, restaurant lunch stops, or pushing further along the coast to Sirolo and Numana.

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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's the difference between sailing to Portonovo and taking the road there?

Portonovo is the Conero Riviera's most famous bay, ringed with restaurants, but the coastal road ends above it and the beach fills with day-trippers. From the sailboat anchored offshore, you see the same restaurants and swimmers from a completely different vantage, and the SUP paddle boards let you reach the water without fighting the crowd on the sand.

Can I swim during the tour, or is it mostly sailing?

Swimming is built into the day. You anchor at Portonovo and Mezzavalle, and the skipper supplies SUP paddle boards so you can paddle into the shallows and swim. Lunch can happen on the boat after a swim, or at one of the Portonovo restaurants if you prefer.

What happens if I want to leave earlier or sail longer than the standard 10am to 6pm schedule?

The itinerary and times adjust to your needs if you arrange it in advance. Evening outings with aperitifs and sunset swims are also available by request.

Is there anything to eat and drink on the boat?

Coffee is included on board. You can bring your own food or arrange lunch at the Portonovo restaurants, or eat on the boat after swimming. Evening departures can include an aperitif.

How far is Ancona from major towns, and how do I get to the boat?

Ancona is the departure point. Public transportation options are available nearby to reach the harbor. The skipper will give you the exact meeting location and parking details when you confirm your booking.