Top Cinque Terre Cruises & Sailing

Travelers love touring the seaside villages of Cinque Terre via boat. Based on past reviews, these cruises are the best:

• Cinque Terre Sunset Boat Tour Experience
• Sunset Cinque Terre Boat Tour with a Traditional Ligurian Gozzo from Monterosso
• Cinque Terre Private Boat Tour
• Cinque Terre Sunset Boat Tour
• Day Boat Tour Cinque Terre and Porto Venere

Yes, Cinque Terre boat tours are worth it, especially if your trip isn’t long enough for you to explore all five towns on foot. While you can enjoy fabulous views of the colorful villages from the Sentiero Azzurro hiking trail, the best—and most relaxing—way to take in the complete coastline is from the water.

The cost of a Cinque Terre boat tour depends on your group’s size, the duration of the experience, and what’s included. Many 3-hour tours run for US$100–US$150 and accommodate a maximum of 12 people, sometimes with drinks and light snacks included. If you’d like to hire a private boat with a customizable itinerary, expect to spend upwards of US$250 per group.

Most sunset and dinner cruises last for 2–3 hours, giving you time to enjoy flowing wine and a spread of typical Ligurian foods, from pesto to focaccia, while snapping pictures of the five towns of Cinque Terre. Tours start in the early evening, so you’ll catch both the sunset and the sparkling coastline after dark.

Yes, but most people use other modes of transportation. There’s no direct ferry from Cinque Terre to Portofino, but you could take the train to Rapallo and then a 30-minute ferry to Portofino. Hiring a private boat is more expensive, but it would certainly get you there more comfortably and with better views.

Cinque Terre boat tours typically cruise past all five seaside villages and stop at scenic coves and swimming spots. Many have water and snorkeling equipment on board, and some include tastings of local wines, focaccia, and olives. Most cruises aren’t long enough to stop in the villages of Cinque Terre, so plan another time to walk around the towns if you’re interested in exploring more.

You can find tons of other Cinque Terre water activities besides boat tours. Kayaking tours, such as the Kayak Experience With Carnassa Tour in Cinque Terre + Snorkeling let you paddle and snorkel with views of the colorful coastline. Manarola is known for cliff-jumping, and Monterosso al Mare has a large beach where you can swim or rent floats and stand-up paddleboards.

Cinque Terre boat tour prices vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you’re looking for high-quality experiences on the lower end of the price range, these are the best tours to book now:

• 3-Hour One-Way Sunset Boat Tour from Monterosso to La Spezia
• 2-Hour Boat Tour at sunset in the Cinque Terre with Pesto tasting and focaccia
• Cinque Terre Hybrid Boat Tour from Monterosso
• Cinque Terre Sunset Cruise with Aperitif from Monterosso
• Cinque Terre Daytime Boat Tour unique shared experience

Before booking a Cinque Terre boat tour, check the departure point—many trips leave from Monterosso al Mare, but you might be staying in Manarola, for example. Read the description carefully, too; some tours provide lunch and snorkeling equipment for a full day on the water, while shorter excursions cruise along the coastline for quick photo-ops at each Cinque Terre town.

Pack a hat, sunscreen, a towel, and water for heading out on a Cinque Terre boat tour. If your tour stops for swimming or snorkeling, check ahead to see if the package you’ve booked provides snorkeling gear. While some tours have set itineraries, others may be customizable for your group’s interests. Ask your local guide about the best places in Cinque Terre to swim, dine, watch the sunset, and explore—insights will be handy throughout your trip.

May to September is the best time of year for Cinque Terre boat tours, and prime sailing conditions mean you’ll be able to choose from a variety of cruise options. While the seaside towns may be packed with visitors, you can admire the coastline away from the crowds, and the Ligurian Sea is pleasantly warm and perfect for swimming.

If it’s rainy or windy, there’s a chance your boat cruise will be cancelled due to rough seas. In that case, you’ll get the option to change your tour date or receive a full refund. Read the cancellation policy before booking since tours can vary, and aim to plan your cruise at the beginning of your trip so it’s easier to reschedule in case of bad weather.

Most boat tours leave from Monterosso al Mare, the largest of the Cinque Terre villages. However, you can also find cruises departing from Riomaggiore, Levanto, and the La Spezia cruise port. Trains are quick and frequent in Cinque Terre, so you can easily reach your tour’s meeting point in Monterosso al Mare even if you’re staying in Manarola, for example.

Yes—many of the most popular Cinque Terre boat tours are booked months in advance, so reserve early to get the best choice of price points, boat types, and departure dates. Thinking ahead is especially important in the high season of May–September, which is the best time of year for swimming, snorkeling, and cruising in Cinque Terre.

No, most boat tours cruise past the villages of Cinque Terre, focusing on swimming and panoramic views rather than sightseeing on land. While you’ll definitely get great photos of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore from the water, you won’t have time to dock in the five towns on a standard 3-hour cruise. For the best of both worlds, book a full-day tour that takes you to the villages by train and boat, such as the Private Tour: Cinque Terre from La Spezia.

Yes, private boat tours are widely available in Cinque Terre. While they’re more expensive than shared cruises, they’re also customizable, allowing you to personalize everything from the meeting point and time to the swimming stops. Budget at least US$250 for private charters; the fee usually includes snacks and drinks in addition to your personal skipper.