The sheer cliffs of the Sorrentine Peninsula make way for small, sandy beaches and beautiful fishing villages with a unique look all their own. The Amalfi Coast is just 50 km of this beautiful shoreline.
As a popular vacationing spot for holiday travelers and tourists alike, this area can’t truly be experienced except by boat. Enjoy any of these 5 top boat tours of the Amalfi Coast and see Italy like never before.
Best Amalfi Coast & Sorrento Boat Trips
| Sorrento and Amalfi Coast Small Group Tour by Boat | Exclusive Capri Boat Tour and Optional Blue Grotto From Sorrento | From Sorrento/Nerano: Amalfi and Positano Boat Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Departure: | Parcheggio Achille Lauro, Sorrento | Hotel Pickup and drop off available | Hotel Pickup and drop off available |
| Start: | 8:15 AM | 3:00 PM | 9:00 AM |
| Duration: | 8 hours | 5 hours | 8 hours |
| Includes: | Professional skipper and local guide, snacks and alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages, swimming and snorkeling opportunities, snorkel gear | Comfortable boat with skipper, cruise of Sorrento shoreline and around the Isle of Capri, free time on Capri, swim time and snorkeling masks, snacks and drinks | Boat cruise along the Amalfi Coast, 3 to 3.5-hours in Amalfi, 1.5 to 2-hours in Positano |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Boat Tours of Amalfi Coast For 2024
- Sorrento and Amalfi Coast Small Group Tour by Boat
- Capri Island Full-Day Semi-Private Trip from Sorrento
- Positano & Amalfi Coast Full-Day Private Cruise
- From Sorrento: Full-Day Boat Cruise to Capri
- Day Cruise to Capri from the Amalfi Coast
Best Amalfi Coast Boat Tour Reviews
1. Sorrento and Amalfi Coast Small Group Tour by Boat
- Departure Point: Parcheggio Achille Lauro, Sorrento
- Departure Time: 8:15 AM
- Duration: 8 hours
- Includes: Professional skipper and local guide, snacks and alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages, swimming and snorkeling opportunities, snorkel gear
This 8-hour tour of the Sorrentine Peninsula, as well as the Amalfi Coast, will take you and a small group by many of the region’s spectacular sights. Throughout the course of the tour, you will be offered snacks and beverages.
While aboard a boat typical of this region, your professional skipper will expertly navigate the waters. Your local guide will point out interesting locations and share their history. These locations include Roman villa ruins and Marina Grande, a local fishing village.
You will stop at both Positano and Amalfi, for 1 to 2 hours of independent exploration in each town. After discovering the beauty of these villages, snorkel gear will be provided should you want to take in the underwater sights as well.
On your way back to the Piano di Sorrento port to conclude your all-day tour of Sorrento and Amalfi, you will be treated to a delicious limoncello liqueur. This is a typical liqueur for the region and a perfect way to end your day of taking in the Italian coast.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
2. Exclusive Capri Boat Tour and Optional Blue Grotto From Sorrento
- Departure Point: Hotel Pickup and drop off available
- Departure Time: 3:00 PM
- Duration: 5 hours
- Includes: Comfortable cruise boat with professional skipper, cruise of Sorrento shoreline and around the Isle of Capri, free time on Capri, swim time and snorkeling masks, snacks and drinks
The Isle of Capri has long been known for their beautiful grottoes. These naturally formed caves along the coast are full of thriving marine life and offer views not seen anywhere else on Earth. After visiting many of them and touring the mainland of Capri, you’ll cruise slowly back to the mainland.
After your hotel pickup, you’ll head to Marina Grande where you’ll board a small cruise boat typical of this area of Italy. The boat is comfortable, with plenty of seating both down below in the cabin and up top on the spacious wooden deck.
As you leave the marina, you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Giovanna Baths and the ruins of a Roman villa visible from the water. Your cruise around the Isle of Capri includes stops at many of the island’s grottoes. If you’d like to view the famous Blue Grotto as well, it is available with an upgrade option. It’s worth the extra cost to swim and snorkel the aqua blue waters!
It isn’t just the grottoes you will experience while on your tour around Capri Island. The Statue of Scugnizzo, the Natural Arch, and even Villa Malaparte are also visible, among others. You’ll dock and head inland to visit “the world’s sitting room,” Piazzetta. This small square is bustling with social life.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Other Experiences You May Enjoy:
3. From Sorrento/Nerano: Amalfi and Positano Boat Tour
- Departure Point: Hotel Pickup and drop off available
- Departure Time: 9:00 AM
- Duration: 8 hours
- Includes: Boat cruise along the Amalfi Coast, 3 to 3.5-hours in Amalfi, 1.5 to 2-hours in Positano
There are many sights to see along the coast of southern Italy. This boat tour will take you on a slow and comfortable cruise past many villages and towns. These include Nerano, Fornillo, Laurito, and Arienzo among others.
You’ll also dock in both Positano and Amalfi to tour the villages independently, enjoying many of the shops and cafes. Be sure to keep your camera at the ready to capture the beautiful architecture of both unique locations.
Your skipper will stop at several ideal snorkeling and swimming locations. Gear and towels will be provided. If you’d rather enjoy beverages on board or take the extra time to swim the beautifully clear waters of the Sorrentine and Amalfi coasts, you can forgo going ashore at any pre-scheduled stop.
We recommend you enjoy a beautiful lunch in Amalfi at the Taverna Buonvicino while surrounded by the beauty of the Italian coastline. You will have over 3 hours to explore and see the sights in this beautiful town.
Followed by 1.5 hours in Positano where you can lay on the beach under one of it’s famous colorful umbrellas and watch the sapphire waves wash ashore. Once you re-board the boat, you have the Fjord of Crapolla and the Islet d’Isca to look forward to seeing on your way back to the port.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Full-Day Boat Cruise to Capri
- Departure Point: 3 starting locations available, Hotel pickup and drop-off available
- Departure Time: 8:45 AM
- Duration: 8 hours
- Includes: small group tour, professional skipper, knowledgeable guide, Sorrento coast, Isle of Capri coast and mainland tour
After being picked up at your hotel, you’ll head to the boat where your cruise boat and skipper await. You’ll head off first into open water and along the Sorrentine coast. Marina Grande, an ancient fishing village, as well as the ruins of a Roman villa are visible, as is the waterfall.
After this short cruise of the mainland coast, you’ll head across to the Isle of Capri. During your cruise around Capri’s coast, you’ll enter several of the naturally formed grottoes, including White Grotto and Green Grotto. You will have plenty of opportunities to swim and snorkel the crystal clear blue waters.
Also from the water, you’ll be taken past the sites of Casa Malaparte, the Punta Carena Lighthouse, and several other coastline features. There will be 4 hours allotted to experiencing the inland sites of the Isle of Capri, including the central square lovingly referred to as “the world’s sitting room.”
Entry to the Blue Grotto is only available if you choose to take time out of your inland tour. The wait time at the Blue Grotto can be quite long so it isn’t included as part of the scheduled tour activities. However, your tour guide can make sure you get there if you wish to see it.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. Amalfi Coast: Boat and Snorkeling Tour with a Captain
- Departure Point: Praiano, Amalfi, or Positano
- Departure Time: 9:30 AM or 2:30 PM
- Duration: 4 hours
- Includes: Professional skipper and local guide, drinks and snacks, glass of prosecco, towels, snorkel gear
On this day cruise to Capri your small group will enjoy a slow cruise along the Sorrentine Coast. You’ll also view the beautiful LiGalli Island made famous for the mermaids that Ulysses is said to have seen while there.
When you arrive at the Isle of Capri, you’ll enjoy a short tour around its coast to see the naturally formed grottoes. The Green Grotto is especially beautiful, and the Blue Grotto can be visited as an additional and optional stop on the tour. The beaches reachable only by sea and you will have time to snorkel or swim the crystal-clear waters and the grottoes.
When docked at Marina Grande, there will be ample time to swim the crystal clear waters. Then you can head inland to see the sites important to Capri culture, including the Piazzetta. This square is the center of social life on the island and is referred to as “the world’s sitting room.”
After 3 to 4 hours of independent exploration on Capri Island, you’ll enjoy additional time to swim and snorkel in the warm afternoon sun. Slowly cruise back to the mainland with a delicious glass of Prosecco, a sparkling wine common in Sorrento and Amalfi.
Tour Information & Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Naples, Italy Travel Guide
Even though Naples is the 3rd-largest city in Italy, it tends to not get the same tourist attention as say, Rome or Florence. However, there are many reasons to add Naples, or Napoli in Italian, to your list of next vacation spots.
Naples has many historic attractions that rival those in larger Italian cities and because of fewer tourist crowds, many historic locations, as well as accommodations and restaurants, are not so busy.
If you’re looking for a truly Italian experience, you don’t want to skip out on Naples. It’s unique in many ways and the only way to experience is it with feet on the ground with a well-planned trip. Here’s how!
Airports & Entry
While there is an airport in Naples, it tends to only receive flights from Italy or nearby European locations. Most likely, if you air flying to Naples, your international flight will stop at a major hub in Europe and then head to the Aeroporto Capodichino. The Napoli International Airport usually doesn’t see flights coming from other continents, such as the Americas or Asia.
Naples is also serviced by many train lines and coach routes that originate up north. If you have the time, experiencing Rome and then taking a train through the Italian countryside to Naples is the ideal way to see the most while visiting Italy.
Planning Tips
Visiting different cities in Italy, and other hot spots like Paris and London provides vastly different experiences. This is why we love to travel, right? However, that also means that planning for a trip to Naples is unlike planning for other trips.
Tip #1: Bring Walking Shoes
Naples is a very “walkable” city. Many attractions are very close to accommodations and restaurants, or at least close to convenient transportation such as the subway or busses. However, while things look close together on a map, Naples has many hills. Some of them are tall, some steep, and some both.
When planning the next location to head to, be sure to ask someone nearby, or even an employee at a store or restaurant, what the walk is like. If it nearing the end of the day and you are already tired, you may want to grab a cab instead of walking.
Tip #2: Enjoy Authentic Neapolitan Pizza
Naples invented pizza. While you can order pizza at many restaurants around the city, you’ll want to find a restaurant that offers the real thing. For anyone to call their pizza authentic, there are rules about the ingredients they must use when making them. For an even better pizza experience in Naples, find a restaurant that cooks their pizzas in a wood-fired oven.
Tip #3: Don’t Forget the Beach
While there are many places to see and experience in Naples, from the historic district to the more modern areas, you might want to plan a day to enjoy the beach. The beach offers many seaside cafes and bars so there’s really no reason to leave the beach once you get there. This means it’s time to grab a towel, sit back under an umbrella, and enjoy a limoncello. What is limoncello? It’s a lemon liqueur famous in southern Italy.
Tip #4: Plan for Several Tours
Which so much to see and do in Naples, it’s nearly impossible to create your own itinerary that will take you everywhere you’d like to go. Not only do pre-planned tours take you to all the hotspots, they can usually offer exclusive or priority access, not to mention the expertise of your guide if you choose a guided tour.
Tip #5: Explore the Surrounding Areas of Naples, Italy
Naples is pretty large considering only Rome and Florence are bigger in both size and population. However, you may want to go for a scenic drive to a winery just outside town or even go for a ride to a great overlook to see the city that isn’t within city limits.
You may also want to head out on the water. Many boats take visitors to the Island of Capri, with its many grottoes, as well as to the many other islands in the Bay of Naples. The bay here is central to commerce in southern Italy, but it also happens to be one of the most beautiful.
Restaurants & Eating Out
Since pizza was invented here, it’s only fitting that you try an authentic, Neapolitan pizza. Many restaurants serve pizza, but only authentic pizza is made to strict requirements, including the ingredients used. The international regulations for Neapolitan pizza are important for many pizzerias in Naples.
Pizza wasn’t the only food dish invented in Naples. The very first “plate” of eggplant parmesan was also served here. Both pizza and eggplant parmesan have become staples the world over, so why not try it where it began?
As Naples is a coastal city, it also means great seafood. You’ll find the freshest in the restaurants nearest the harbor or nearest the beach. Naples has it’s own beach-scene so if you’re craving seafood, that’s where you’ll find it.
Nightlife & Entertainment
If you’re looking for entertainment that isn’t a year-round thing, there are several times of year that are ideal for visiting Naples. During Christmas, there are hundreds of nativities set up nearly everywhere you go. Easter has parades down Via San Biaggio and other main streets.
There are many cities that are ideal if you are looking for a New Year’s Eve bash like no other. While Naples may not be able to compete with the likes of New York City, Sydney, or Paris you may want to give it a try. When in Italy, not even Rome can beat the New Year’s Eve celebrations that Naples offers both locals and visitors.
If you are looking for the nightlight and entertainment in Naples that you can enjoy any day of the week, any week of the year, there are many different scenes to experience. Naples is a diverse city when it comes to nightlife and you can find nearly anything you’re in the mood for.
The Bourbon Street Jazz Club is for visitors and locals alike. If you are a fan of great off-the-cuff jam sessions, you’ll want to stop by one night. The beach scene is Naples is as unique as the limoncello they are famous for.
Nabilah is a great stop just off the beach. It may be a bit hard to find as the entrance is down a very narrow and unassuming back alley, but you’ll know you’ve found it when you hear the casual tunes.
The Lanificio 25 is one place you just have to schedule into your nightlife adventures in Naples. It is built into a building that used to be an old wool factory. It definitely has that old-world vibe that Naples is famous for, but you’ll also be able to see, hear, and feel much of the culture of the area.
Every night at Lanificio 25 may be something different, so check their online schedule. Small, local bands often perform, and you might hear a DJ playing everything from metal to alternative. Up for an art show? Maybe a play? This is the place.
Getting Around
There is no shortage of ways to get around in Naples. However, the one way you don’t want to take is a rental car or other vehicle that you will be driving. The city is very hectic and many local drivers can be aggressive. Most visitors won’t be used to driving in the kind of traffic they have in Naples.
One of the best ways to get from place to place is just walking. This is especially true if you are seeing many attractions within the same district. Be sure to find out how many hills you may have to walk up before setting out though.
Within the city, you will also find a well-designed bus and subway system. These are often crowded but they make for an easy way to get from place to place. If heading out of the city, trains are the way to go.
In many cities, visitors are warned about not taking cabs. In Naples, however, they are an affordable way to get around and cabbies are very knowledgeable. They may be able to tell you what time the museum opens, the best restaurant for pizza in the area, and other things. Cabbies in Naples are usually very friendly, and fair when it comes to the meter.
Accommodations
There are accommodations and every possible level in Naples. If you are looking for a great place to stay long-term and need something inexpensive, hostels are a great choice. Some of the hostels here even offer laundry services or a kitchen you can use to prepare a meal or two, saving you some cash. Many even offer stays for groups or families. Two popular Naples hostels are the Hostel Mancini Naples and the Naples Experience.
On the other side of that, there are plenty of upscale hotels. They tend to be located in many areas around the city so you can find one nearest to your planned activities. The Grand Hotel Vesuvio is regarded as one of the best hotels in Naples. The Hotel Napoli is also popular. An upscale hotel may offer services such as concierge, spa, and others.
Most people visiting Naples are looking for accommodations somewhere between a hostel and a grand hotel. Naples is home to several chains of hotels. Not only does this give you a familiar feel if you are used to staying with them, but you can also use many of the reward programs that accommodation chains often offer. Ramada Naples and Holiday Inn Naples are favorable with visitors, offering free breakfasts, discounted attraction tickets, great locations, and even parking if you have your own vehicle.
Weather
Because Naples is situated on the coast, the summers can get very hot and humid. This definitely isn’t comfortable when walking around the city although most public transportation is air-conditioned. However, that same coastal location makes winters very mild. If you don’t mind a chilly morning or two, visiting Naples in the winter can mean smaller crowds and maybe even a cheaper room rate at your accommodation of choice.
Spring and Fall are the most popular times to travel to and visit Naples. The temps are usually very moderate and while a quick rain shower may spring up, for the most part, you will see sunny skies. Expect much larger crowds if traveling during these peak tourism times.
Attractions
There are places in Naples that you just can’t see anywhere else. For example, the National Archaeological Museum of Naples has many artifacts that have been recovered from Pompeii and surrounding areas. Some were even excavated from areas of Rome or Cinque Terre.
Just as with many other cities in Italy, the churches and their architecture are popular for visitors. Many are located within a small area in the historic district so planning a day to see them isn’t difficult. There are many guided tours of them, so you can learn more about their architecture, their history, and the legends surrounding them. The San Lorenzo Maggiore and the Duomo are two must-see churches in the area.
Every city has that main street where it seems everyone gathers, there’s a lot of shops and restaurants, and it’s the perfect place to see the true culture of the city. In Naples, it is Via San Biaggio. It is sometimes referred to as Spaccanapoli, the heart of Napoli, or Naples. You could spend an entire day here taking in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Naples.
Ready to Book Your Flight??
While being an Italian city inside and out, Naples also has its own personality. If you truly want to experience Italy, Naples should be on your must-see list. Of course, you’ll probably want to take a few tours of Rome to see all the history as well. And there’s no missing out on wine tasting tours in Florence. In Naples? It’s the food, the architecture, the music, the culture… and so much more!
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For a great way to see the Southern coast of Itay and the magnificent Mediterranean Sea we chose the Sorrento and Amalfi Coast Small Group Tour by Boat as our Editor's Choice.
