What to expect
A half-day boat tour from Amalfi or Positano along the coast, with stops for swimming, grotto visits, and the Li Galli islands.
Key Facts
What the tour feels like
You meet at the marina, board a gozzo or larger cruiser, and follow the coast past the Fiordo di Furore and Conca dei Marini. The skipper slows at the grottoes, you swim in calm coves, and the Li Galli islands come into view before lunch stops on the water.
Tour Flow
How the tour unfolds
Skippers run the route east to west so you swim before lunch and catch the light on the cliffs for the ride home.
Depart from the marina
(9:00 AM)
Board at the Amalfi or Positano marina and meet the skipper and crew.
Fiordo di Furore
(9:40 AM)
Glide past the fjord inlet and the Conca dei Marini coves at reduced speed.
Swim stops and Li Galli
(10:30 AM)
Anchor in a calm cove for a swim, then circle the Li Galli islands.
Sunset return
(1:00 PM)
Cruise back along the cliffs, then decide to stay on shore for lunch.
What you get
The hull, fuel, and skipper come with every booking, and the shared cruises add a small buffet and drinks; private charters adapt the route and the stop count to you.
- Professional skipper and fuel for the cruise
- Swim stops in the coves and grottoes
- Light lunch and drinks on the shared half-day cruises
- Snorkel gear and towels on most boats
What you'll spend
Shared cruises keep the per-person price low, while a private gozzo carries the full-day rate on the group. Grotto entries are separate from the boat fare.
Shared cruise
€50–€80 per person
Private charter
€400–€1,000 for a full day
Blue Grotto entry
€18 per person plus a €14 rowboat fee
Get the best deal
Morning departures run the smoothest water and the best light, so the early slot is the one worth booking, and summer weekends sell out days ahead.
Bad weather cancels sea tours, so pick a flexible date and insure the trip.
Get Travel InsuranceBook with these in mind
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Book the morning departure, the wind and chop build through the afternoon
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Ask whether the route includes the Fiordo di Furore, the coast's best surprise
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Private charters for four or more people are often cheaper per head than shared tours
Boat tours depend on the weather and run on fixed dates. Travel insurance protects you if wind, illness, or a change of plan cancels your day at sea.
How to arrive
Boats leave from the Amalfi or Positano marinas, both reached by ferry along the coast or by the SITA bus on the clifftop road. Parking is scarce in both towns, so arriving by ferry or bus usually beats driving.
- Ferries from Naples, Sorrento, and Salerno dock at both marinas
- The SITA bus hugs the SS163 coastal road between the towns
- Water taxis shuttle between Amalfi and Positano marinas
What to bring and wear
A day on the water is a mix of sun, spray, and swim stops, so swimwear under a cover-up, strong sunscreen, and a dry bag keep the boat ride comfortable.
- Swimsuit and a light cover-up
- High-factor, reef-safe sunscreen
- A dry bag for electronics
- Sea-sickness tablets if you are prone
Where to eat nearby
Coastal kitchens that match the boat day with seafood and views.
Be a great guest on the tour
Skippers run a tight, safety-first boat, so listen at the briefing, mind the swim-stop signals, and respect the grotto rules. Boats are smaller than they look, so keep the deck tidy and take seasickness medicine early if you need it.
- Follow the skipper's briefing on life jackets and swim rules
- Mind the no-go areas around grotto entrances and private coves
- Keep the deck tidy and stow bags in the dry hold
- Tip the crew €10–€20 per group for a great day
Is it worth it
Coastal travelers who want the famous cliff views and swim stops without renting a boat
Pros
- The coast looks completely different from the water
- Skippers know the quiet coves the buses miss
- The Li Galli islands are the highlight of the route
Cons
- Shared boats fill up in July and August
- Weather can cancel tours even in summer
Capturing the experience
Shoot the towns from the water for the classic stacked-cliff angle, and use the swimming stops for wide shots with the boat in frame. Morning light works the best on the cliffs; protect your phone with a waterproof pouch for spray and swim shots.
Getting around with ease
Boarding a gozzo requires a step from the dock onto a moving boat, which is hard for many wheelchair users; some larger charter boats have gangways. Tell the operator about mobility needs when booking so they can match a suitable vessel and dock.
The honest take
Magical views with marinas and weather to plan around.
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Peak season marinas are chaotic at morning departure
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Wind and chop can shorten or reroute the swim stops
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The cost jumps sharply for the privacy of a private boat