Sunset Boat Tour Cinque Terre from Monterosso: Swim and snorkel

You swim twice and eat focaccia floating on the sea while the sun sets behind the cliffs.

A 3-hour sunset boat tour from Monterosso sails past all five Cinque Terre villages (Vernazzo, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore) with two swimming and snorkeling stops, fresh fruit and sangria on boarding, Ligurian focaccia with pesto eaten at sea, and limoncello served on the return. The boat carries a cabin and toilet, and the pace is built around the light changing color rather than a schedule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset boat tour of Cinque Terre

• Board boat in Monterosso
• Enjoy sangria and fresh fruit
• Sail past Fegina beach and Giant statue
• Visit Vernazza and see Doria Tower
• Stop for bath and focaccia tasting in Corniglia
• See Manarola village
• Arrive at Riomaggiore and explore
• Return to Monterosso with dessert and limoncello

The experience

What makes this tour different is that you're not watching the villages from a distance. You're anchored in the water in front of them, snorkeling gear in hand, while the sun moves lower. The boat leaves Monterosso and passes the Fegina beach and the Giant statue, then sails between the five villages. At Corniglia, the one village built 100 meters above sea level with its terraces of vineyards and lemon trees, you stop to swim and snorkel. That's when the focaccia arrives: Ligurian bread with pesto and stracchino cheese, meant to be eaten on the water as the sky starts to shift color. Manarola, the oldest of the five, passes as you float. At Riomaggiore, where the Way of Love hiking trail begins, you get a second swim in warmer months.

The boat itself is small enough to maneuver close to the cliffs but equipped with a cabin and toilet, so you're not exposed if the weather shifts. Drinks are continuous: sangria and fresh fruit when you board, then wine, beer, prosecco and water throughout. Snorkeling equipment is provided. The return to Monterosso happens as the evening deepens, with sweet Ligurian pastries and limoncello served on deck while the sky fades. The whole rhythm is set by the light, not by a timetable. The point is to be on the water when the Cinque Terre looks the way it only does at this hour.

What’s included

• Sangria and fresh fruit on boarding.
• snorkeling equipment.
• Ligurian focaccia with pesto and stracchino at the swimming stop.
• sweet Ligurian pastries and limoncello on the return.
• wine, beer, prosecco, cola and water throughout.
• use of the boat's cabin and toilet.
• skipper and fuel.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Jun 2027

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Youth (9 to 12 years) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and French

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 10 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Blue Waves Boat

Is this one for you?This tour works best for small groups or families who want to experience the Cinque Terre from the water rather than hiking the trails or walking the villages on land. The two swimming stops and the relaxed pace mean you're in the sea as much as you're sailing, so it suits anyone who wants to snorkel and float rather than walk.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (9 to 12 years); Child (4 to 8 years); Infant (1 to 3 years).

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 actually swim and snorkel on this tour, or is it just sailing past the villages?

You stop twice for swimming and snorkeling. The first stop is at Corniglia, where you get in the water and use the provided snorkeling gear. A second swim happens at Riomaggiore in warmer months. Both stops are long enough to get in the water and explore, not quick dips.

What's included to eat and drink on the boat?

Sangria and fresh fruit greet you as you board. At the snorkeling stop, Ligurian focaccia with pesto and stracchino cheese is served. On the return, sweet Ligurian pastries and limoncello finish the evening. Wine, beer, prosecco, cola and water are available throughout.

How long is the tour and when does it start?

The tour runs 3 hours total. It departs from Monterosso and times the route so you're on the water during sunset, meaning the departure shifts with the season to catch the light at the right moment.

Is the boat comfortable if I get seasick or need a bathroom?

The 9.20m boat has a cabin where you can sit out of the sun and a toilet on board. The cabin gives you shelter if the sea is rough, and the toilet means you don't have to wait to return to port.

What are Vernazzo and Manarola like when you see them from the boat?

Vernazzo is a small village built around a natural harbor with the Doria Tower overlooking the water. You see it from the sea as the boat passes. Manarola is the oldest of the five villages and sits right on the water. The boat passes close enough to see the houses and the way the village clings to the rocks.