Italy · BOAT TOURS IN GENOA
Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 boat tours in Genoa justify the slot, priced and timed so the decision takes minutes and the rest of the day is yours.
Sail from La Spezia to Cinque Terre aboard the Lord Byron with a multilingual guide. Depending on the day, visit Riomaggiore or Portovenere, then Monterosso and Vernazza, with free time for food, swimming, and village walks.
“This program was excellent, the staff was very kind and helpful, they created a good mood!🌸☀️”
Meet the green-shirted escort outside La Spezia’s cruise terminal, ride a comfortable bus to Pisa, and enjoy about three hours on your own or choose a walking route through the medieval center. Add priority entry to climb the Leaning Tower and enter the Cathedral.
“Well organised, comfortable coach with knowledgeable guides plenty of time allowed to see the sites of Pisa and great value for money.”
Set out from Monterosso with a professional skipper and English-speaking host for a 2-hour-45-minute coastal cruise past all five Cinque Terre villages. Expect photo stops from the water, a swim from the boat, prosecco, bottled water, and Ligurian stuffed focaccia. Groups are capped at 12.
“This could be a very nice experience when the water is calm. The captain and guide was very nice and helpful but the tour should have been cancelled due to the rough water that day. Several people were seasick during our tour.”
Join a biologist-led cruise from Genoa’s Porto Antico into the Tyrrhenian Sea. After reaching 1,000 to 1,500 meters of water, the crew scans for striped dolphins, sperm whales, pilot dolphins, turtles, and seabirds. Sightings are never guaranteed, but a free return trip is offered if you see nothing.
“5 pods of dolphins, a juvenile mink whale and 4 adults. Awesome experience”
Meet at Genoa’s Aquarium Pier for a 4.5-hour search through the Pelagos Sanctuary. An Italian and English-speaking marine biologist explains cetacean behavior, feeding, and conservation while you look for fin whales, sperm whales, dolphins, and other species. Bar service and indoor seating are available onboard.
“Wir haben viele größere Delfin Gruppen gesehen. Insgesamt ca 100 Stück. Auch verschiedene rassen. Sogar einen pottwal konnten wir kurz sehen. Leider war er grad am abtauchen und wir noch recht weit weg von ihm. Snacks und Getränke gibt's gegen Gebühr an Bord. Toilette vorhanden. Innen und außen Sitzplätze vorhanden. 4,5 Stunden sich allerdings recht lang”
Join HopHop Boat in La Spezia for a four-hour coastal trip with live commentary in English, Italian, or Spanish. Federico, Francesco, Fred, Amos, and other captains have earned praise for their local insight. You will see all five villages, Portovenere, San Pietro church, and stop in Monterosso.
“It was the best day, beginning with the communication on What's app on things we needed to bring, where their location was, etc. Our tour guides were fantastic, we enjoyed swimming, two stops and a little education on Cinque Terre and the villages. We loved the day so much and would highly recommend a private tour. There were eight of us, and it was nice to have a bit of a customized day.”
Take a 5-hour return boat ride from Genoa’s Porto Antico to Portofino with two hours on your own. Expect coastal views, pastel houses, shops, seafood restaurants, and time for the Piazzetta and Castello Brown. This is transport with scenery, not a narrated guided tour.
“I paid between £20 - £25 for over an hours boat ride each way, so can’t complain at all! 2 Hours in Portofino will be more than enough for most people. Ticket collection easy, locating boat even easier, friendly staff (but not a tour as such), nice boat and really enjoyable boat ride along the coast. (If plan to sit down stairs on return journey, or if too busy up top some noise cancelling headphones would be advisable to just to help drone out noise of the engine).”
Sail from Monterosso or Levanto past all five Cinque Terre villages with guides such as Matteo, William, Lorenzo, and Umberto. Enjoy Ligurian snacks, prosecco, music, and a swim or snorkel stop before watching the sun set over the coast.
“Small intimate sunset boat cruise to see Cinque Terre from the water. Lovely snacks and local wine provided. Stopped in one town for a leisurely stroll to see shops.”
Captain Gerry takes you by Ligurian boat from La Spezia, Lerici, or Portovenere past Byron’s Cave, Portovenere, and all five Cinque Terre villages. Expect swim and snorkel stops, focaccia, wine, music, and up to 1.5 hours to explore Monterosso.
“Amazing day, Gerry was a great captain. We had a beautiful day!! Stunning views, we will definitely do it again. We were able to go swimming in different spots with stunning views and as a group we decided what to do. Highly recommend it.”
Join a small boat tour from Portovenere with up to seven people and cruise around Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto. Guides such as Lorenzo and Tommaso share local history, point out Torre Scola and the Blue Cave, and stop near Palmaria for a swim and snorkel.
“The trip was fantastic. I went with my two older parents, and I was a bit worried when I saw the young guys taking us, and that it wouldn't work out with two older, slightly less stable parents... but it was fantastic. The two guys were absolutely lovely, and really accommodated my parents. I couldn't have asked for anything better. It was a lovely trip. WELL worth doing - I highly highly recommend.”
Set out from Manarola at 4:30 pm on a small-group boat for a relaxed 2.5-hour cruise past all five Cinque Terre villages. Your captain, possibly Giovanni, Sul, Danielle, or another crew member, shares local stories, serves drinks and snacks, and may stop for swimming.
“This tour was just my husband and I and another couple which made it more relaxing. The veiws from the water is worth it! Our guide was pretty chill and let us do our thing, but was also very knowledgeable when we asked questions. There is an option to swim, none of us did as we all just wanted to relax and have a few drinks. Highly recommend if you want to see all 5 villages from the water and the sunset is unmatched!”
Sail from Monterosso along the Cinque Terre coast for about 2 hours 45 minutes, passing all five villages with an English-speaking host, Ligurian focaccia, wine, soft drinks, and a possible swim stop. The small boat carries up to 12 people and returns to Monterosso.
“Amazing experience. Amanda and Alberto were amazing. They explained everything during the trip. Friendly and welcoming. The boat was clean and well organized. Highly recommend.”
From Monterosso, cruise past all five Cinque Terre villages with a skipper and English or Italian guide. Expect a small group of up to 12, a swimming stop in clear coastal water, prosecco, local snacks, and views of Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore from the sea.
“Our tour guide was amazing, so lovely and fun. The swimming spots were divine and seeing the 5 towns was spectacular. One of my best tours and made lovely friends too. Thank you so much Ester.🇮🇹🫶🥂🏖️🩵”
Set out from La Spezia’s floating lounge in a 12-seat speedboat with an English-speaking captain. Cruise past fishing villages, Scola Tower, Tinetto, Tino, Palmaria, Blue Grotto, and Byron’s Grotto, then spend about 75 minutes in Portovenere or at Gabbiano Beach.
“Small boat as fun. Driver was knowledgeable and friendly.”
Cruise past all five Cinque Terre villages from Monterosso with a private captain such as Sara, Simone, or Tom. Expect coastal views, local focaccia and pesto, drinks, photo stops, and possibly a swim. Rough seas may shift the outing to the Gulf of Poets and Porto Venere.
“Small boat but comfortable. Very nice knowledgeable local captain. Beautiful experience. Water gorgeous and town and views spectacular.”
Pick a city, a coastline or a kitchen.
