Sorrento Boat Rental: Self-Drive Capri & Amalfi Coast
Rent Your Own Boat on the Amalfi Coast—No Captain, No Schedule
You get a self-drive boat for the day with snorkeling gear, life jackets, and maps of the Amalfi Coast and Capri included. You plan your own stops, choose your swimming spots, and manage the timing—no captain, no fixed itinerary, no group. Port fees are covered. You need prior boat-driving experience to book, and the rental company will verify it before handing over the keys.
7h–8h
Step-by-step itinerary
Self drive boat rental and coastal tour
- Arrive at boat rental location
- Receive boat operation instructions
- Learn coastline navigation with maps
- Drive boat along Amalfi and Sorrento coast
- Choose stops at beaches freely
- Swim or sunbathe on board
The Experience
The rental office manager, Marco, handed over the keys with a quick rundown: throttle here, navigation maps in the cabin, radio on channel 16. He wasn't selling you a dream—he was handing you a boat and trusting you knew how to drive it. That's the whole thing. You show up with boat experience (they'll ask, and they'll turn you away if you don't have it), spend maybe twenty minutes learning where the fuel gauge lives and how to read the coastline, and then the Amalfi and Sorrento waters are yours to move through at your own pace. No guide narrating the cliffs, no group waiting at a set stop time, no one deciding when you've seen enough.
The boat itself is fibreglass, small enough to maneuver into coves but solid enough to handle the open water between Sorrento and Capri. You get snorkeling equipment on board, life jackets, an empty cooler for whatever you pick up, and the kind of maps locals actually use. Port fees are covered, so you're not hit with surprise charges when you tie up. The freedom part is real—you choose which beaches to anchor at, how long to stay, whether you want to swim off the boat or sit on deck and watch the water change color. Some people spend the morning on the Amalfi side, working their way toward Positano's cliffs. Others head straight for Capri and spend the afternoon in the Blue Grotto shallows. It depends on the weather, your mood, how much fuel you want to burn.
The morning briefing covers how the boat handles, what the navigation setup looks like, and the basic rules of moving along this coast without hitting rocks or other traffic. They give you the maps, show you the radio, point out the fuel and water systems. It's straightforward if you've driven a boat before. If you haven't, or if it's been years, this isn't the rental for you—they're serious about prior experience, and they'll deny the booking if you're not solid. That's not a sales filter; it's a safety line, and it's why the boats go out to people who actually know what they're doing.
You're responsible for your own route, your own timing, your own decisions about weather and sea state. That means you can chase the light on the water until late afternoon, or you can turn back early if the wind picks up. It means you're not following a tour group's schedule or waiting for anyone else to finish their swim. The Amalfi Coast boat rental works because you're not paying for a guide or a curated experience—you're paying for access to the water and the boat, and the rest is yours to build.
What’s included
- Your rental includes port fees in Sorrento, life jackets for all passengers, snorkeling equipment, safety gear, navigation maps for the coastline, and an empty cooler.
- You'll receive a morning briefing on how the boat operates and how to navigate using the provided maps.
- Fuel is not included in the rental price.
Operated by Amalfi Coast Dream - Sorrento Boat Tours
Is this one for you?Book this if you have real boat-driving experience and want to explore the Amalfi Coast and Capri on your own schedule without a guide or fixed itinerary—the self-drive format is what lets you chase the light, change direction, and spend as long as you want at each stop.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
Do I need a boating license to rent this boat in Sorrento?
No license is required, but you must have prior experience driving boats. The rental company will ask about your experience and may deny the booking if you don't have it.
What's included in the rental?
Port fees, life jackets, snorkeling equipment, an empty cooler, safety equipment, and navigation maps. Fuel is not included.
Can I visit Capri on this rental?
Yes. You can choose your own route along the Amalfi and Sorrento coast and reach Capri if you want. The timing and stops are entirely up to you.
How long is the morning briefing?
The rental company shows you how the boat works and how to navigate the coastline. Plan for about twenty minutes before you leave the port.
Is this rental suitable for pregnant travelers?
No, it's not recommended for pregnant travelers due to the nature of getting on and off the boat and the motion of being on the water.
What if I have back or heart problems?
This rental is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health, or for those with mobility issues, due to embarkation and the physical demands of operating the boat.
Can infants come on the boat?
Yes, but infants must sit on an adult's lap at all times while on board.
What happens if the weather turns bad?
You're responsible for monitoring conditions and deciding whether it's safe to continue. The rental company provides maps and a radio, but the call is yours.
Sorrento Boat Rental: Self-Drive Capri & Amalfi Coast
7h–8h · EN · IT +1
from € 565 per group
★★★★★★★★★★4.98165 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider
