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Available with an expert skipper at the helm, or pilot on your own
Those who want to take a boat tour in the Gulf of Naples and Salerno have two options:
Book a tour with a predefined itinerary (e.g. departure from Sorrento, arrival in Capri, tour of the island and return to Sorrento).
Book a boat rental with or without a skipper for a set amount of time without a predetermined itinerary.
Guide included: The boat tour is led by an experienced captain who knows the area well. This allows you to relax and enjoy the view while the skipper describes the places visited.
Predefined itinerary: This type of boat trip follows a predefined itinerary, which may include stops at points of interest such as Amalfi, Positano, or Capri. Excursions may also include activities such as swimming or visits to hidden coves and sea caves, such as the Blue Grotto and the Emerald Grotto.
Services included: Boat tours often include additional services such as snacks, drinks, and equipment for water activities during the tour, such as snorkeling.
Fixed price: The cost is a set fee that’s charged either per person or per boat, and varies based on the duration, the type of boat (which may include gozzo, catamaran, luxury boat, motorboat, motor yacht) and the type of boat tour.
Flexibility: Boat rental allows for greater freedom. You can build your own itinerary, choosing where to go and how much time to spend in each place.
With or without a skipper: Smaller boats can be rented without a boat license; however, this requires a minimum of prior experience. For renting larger boats, a boat license is required. If you don’t have one or don’t want to captain the boat yourself, you can opt for a boat rental with a skipper.
Variable costs: Costs can vary greatly depending on the type of boat chosen (for example, motorboats, sailboats, gozzo, catamaran, luxury boat) and the duration of the rental. This type of boat rental is priced per-boat rather than per-person.
Customize your experience: You can customize your boat charter experience according to your preferences, choosing the places you want to visit and the activities you want to do, perhaps even docking at Capri’s Marina Grande and exploring on land.
There are many fascinating excursions you can enjoy by boat to discover the Gulf of Naples. Here are some of the best recommended excursions, which offer a perfect mix of natural beauty, history, relaxation, and adventure:
1. Tour of the island of Capri
Main attractions:
Faraglioni: An iconic rock formation at sea that’s perfect for photos and swimming.
Blue Grotto: A must-see attraction, famous for its spectacular blue reflection in the crystal-clear waters inside. The Blue Grotto can only be visited in favorable weather aboard rowboats, which are the only ones small enough to fit through the narrow entrance.
Marina Piccola: A quiet bay on the southern side of the island overlooking the Faraglioni, ideal for swimming.
Villa Malaparte: Visible from the sea, this is the historic former villa of Italian writer Curzio Malaparte.
Itinerary tips: Depart from Sorrento or Positano, then cruise around the island and include stops for swimming and lunch. If you depart from Capri you can do this tour in 3-4 hours.
2. Amalfi Coast excursion
Main attractions:
Positano: A postcard-perfect village with colorful houses overlooking the sea. You can stop to explore the narrow streets and do some shopping. The most scenic view of this iconic cliffside village is from the sea.
Amalfi: The coast takes its name from this town, with its magnificent cathedral known as the Duomo.
Furore Fjord: A hidden bay between the mountains with a characteristic bridge that’s perfect for swimming and taking photos.
Grotta Verde: This sea cave is located near Conca Marini and can be visited directly from the sea by taking one of the dedicated boats.
Itinerary tips: The excursion can include stops in Positano and Amalfi to visit the villages, stops in hidden coves for swimming, and a lunch break at a seaside restaurant. Boat tours along the coast can depart from Sorrento, Capri, and all the seaside villages of the Coast. If you choose to depart from Naples or Ischia, you’ll need to take a larger more powerful boat due to the distance.
3. Tour of the island of Ischia
Main attractions:
Castello Aragonese: An imposing fortress that dominates the island, easily visible from the sea.
Sorgeto Bay: Famous for its natural thermal springs directly in the sea, where you can take a relaxing soak.
Maronti Beach: One of the largest beaches on the island, perfect for a refreshing dip.
Sant’Angelo: A picturesque fishing village, ideal for a stop and lunch.
Itinerary tips: Depart from Naples or Procida, going around the island with various stops to swim in the thermal waters or visit Castello Aragonese. Boat tours to Ischia also depart from Capri.
4. Tour of the island of Procida
Main attractions:
Marina Corricella: The most charming port on the island, with colorful houses that form a rainbow.
Chiaiolella: A quiet beach where you can stop for a swim.
Vivara: A nature reserve connected to Procida by a small bridge, great for a photo stop.
Terra Murata: The oldest and highest part of the island, with stunning views of the sea.
Itinerary tips: Procida is perfect for a relaxing day, where you can explore small beaches and fishing villages. It can be combined with a tour of Procida.
5. Sorrento to Ieranto Bay excursion
Main attractions:
Mitigliano Bay: A protected marine area with a small waterfall, crystal-clear waters, and stunning views.
Punta Campanella: The furthest point of the Sorrento peninsula, just a few nautical miles from Capri.
Marina di Puolo: A small pebble beach near Sorrento where you can stop for a swim or lunch.
Itinerary tips: This excursion is perfect for a half day, with stops for swimming and snorkeling. You can also visit this stretch of the coast on a boat trip to Capri.
6. Capri and Amalfi Coast combo tour
Main attractions:
Faraglioni of Capri: See this iconic rock formation at sea and tour around the island before heading towards the Amalfi Coast.
Positano: Admire the iconic panorama of this unique vertical city.
Li Galli islands: A group of three tiny privately owned islands off the coast of Positano
Itinerary tips: This combined excursion offers a complete view of two of the most iconic destinations and is ideal for those who wish to spend a full day touring. The ideal departure point is Positano or Capri rather than from Sorrento.
Departure from port of Positano
In Positano, departure is from the pier on the Spiaggia Grande, which is the same one that hydrofoils and ferries use.
Excursion | Time required | Main attractions | |
Tour of the island of Capri | 6-7 hours | Faraglioni, Grotta Azzurra, Marina Piccola, Grotta Verde, Grotta Bianca, Grotta Azzurra | With a full-day tour you also have free time to disembark and visit the island on foot. In a couple of hours you can visit the Piazzetta of Capri and take a walk in the center. With a four-hour visit you can go up to Anacapri for a ride on the chairlift. |
Amalfi Coast (Amalfi) | 4 hours | Amalfi, Fiordo di Furore, Praiano | |
Ischia | 7-8 hours | Castello Aragonese, Baia di Sorgeto, Spiaggia di Maronti, Sant'Angelo | |
Procida | 8-9 hours | Marina Corricella, Chiaiolella Beach, Vivara, Terra Murata | |
Punta Campanella and Baia di Mitigliano | 4-5 hours | Punta Campanella, Baia di Mitigliano, Marina di Puolo |
Departure from port of Amalfi
The tourist port of Amalfi is located in the center of the town, in front of Piazza Flavio Gioia.
Excursion | Time required | Main attractions |
Tour of the island of Capri | 6-7 hours | Faraglioni, Grotta Azzurra, Marina Piccola, Grotta Verde, Grotta Bianca |
Amalfi Coast (Positano) | 3-4 hours | Positano, Fiordo di Furore, Praiano |
Ischia | 8-9 hours | Castello Aragonese, Baia di Sorgeto, Spiaggia di Maronti, Sant'Angelo |
Procida | 9-10 hours | Marina Corricella, Chiaiolella Beach, Vivara, Terra Murata |
The best time of year for boat trips is from mid-June to early September. In these months the sea is warm and calm and there is little chance of rain. For a more relaxing experience it's best to avoid going out on the water on Saturdays and Sundays because it's quite busy.
Pros:
Great weather, sunny and warm with temperatures ranging from 77-95°F
Calm sea and warm water for swimming
All restaurants and beach clubs are open
Cons:
Very crowded period, especially in July and August and on weekends
Higher prices and crowded marinas
More difficult to navigate due to the large number of boats
Pros:
Milder temperatures (65-77°F) and fewer tourists
More affordable prices and more boats available
Good conditions for excursions and snorkeling
Cons:
Possible bad weather, with risk of rain and rough seas
Some restaurants and beach clubs may be closed
Pros:
Lower prices and quiet environment with few tourists
Chance to explore the natural beauty without the crowds
Cons:
Cool temperatures (60-68°F) and cold sea, not ideal for swimming
Higher probability of cloudy or rainy days
Pros:
Quiet atmosphere and natural beauty in solitude
Generally lower prices
In November on sunny days it's still possible to go to the beach
Cons:
Colder temperatures (53-65°F) and often rough sea
Shorter days and high probability of rain
Seaside restaurants closed
In these months boat rental isn't available because the sea is rough most days and rental companies are closed. The only companies that are operational in winter are those offering group boat trips around the island of Capri.
Forecasts for sea conditions are essential for evaluating waves, wind, and visibility, all of which can affect navigation and access to certain areas. On weather services that provide wave height, up to 100 cm is acceptable but beyond that it can start to be difficult for small fishing boats to navigate at sea. Starting at 150 cm and above, hydrofoils and ferries could be cancelled.
Specialized weather websites:
Meteo.it - Mare: Provides detailed marine forecasts for the Italian coasts and islands, including waves and wind.
IlMeteo.it: Has a section dedicated to marine forecasts that covers Capri, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast.
Windfinder: Excellent for monitoring wind conditions, which greatly influence rough seas. It also provides forecasts for waves, tides, and wind direction.
MeteoMare: This service is provided by the Italian Navy. It's useful for checking marine conditions along the Italian coasts and is regularly updated.
Mobile apps:
Windy: Provides detailed and accurate forecasts for wind, waves, and currents, using real-time weather models.
Meteo & Radar: Offers real-time weather forecasts with specific sections dedicated to sea conditions.
Navionics: This app is used by boaters and includes nautical charts and marine weather forecasts.
What to look for in marine weather forecasts:
Wave height:
Waves greater than 1-1.5 meters can make navigation difficult for small boats and certainly cause the closure of the Blue Grotto.
Waves less than 0.5 meters are generally optimal for smooth sailing.
Wind speed:
Wind is a determining factor in creating rough seas. Winds above 15-20 knots can generate high waves, making navigation difficult.
Light winds (less than 10 knots) are ideal for safe navigation.
Wind direction:
Winds blowing from the west or southwest can create rough seas in the Capri area, affecting access to the Blue Grotto.
Winds from the north or northeast may be more favorable, creating calmer conditions.
Tide forecast:
Although tides in the Mediterranean are not as significant as in other seas, in some cases they can affect the safety of access to certain areas, such as the Blue Grotto.
General weather conditions:
Thunderstorms or heavy rain can make traveling uncomfortable and can also increase the risk of rough seas. In these cases it's always better to postpone your boat trip.
Gozzi sorrentini: These traditional wooden boats from the Campania region are elegant, simple, and ideal for an authentic and peaceful experience. They have a capacity of 6-12 people as well as exterior areas for access to swimming and sunbathing. On the Amalfi Coast, gozzi are made by Aprea Mare shipyards. The larger versions (over 7 meters) also have a cabin with a bathroom. They are also available in a luxury version, such as the Aprea Mare 35. Perfect for couples and families, the cost for a boat trip on a gozzo is between €500 to €1,500 per day.
Luxury yachts: These large, luxurious boats are spacious, with a capacity of 10 to 20 people, and are supremely comfortable with elegant interiors and amenities such as jacuzzis. Luxury charter yachts are ideal for special events and long excursions. The price ranges from €3,000 to over €10,000 per day.
Motorboats: Fast and dynamic motor boats can hold between 6-12 people. They combine luxury and adventure and are perfect for exploring multiple destinations in one day. A good choice for groups of young couples and friends, the cost ranges from €1,500 to €4,000 per day.
Rubber dinghies: These practical and maneuverable rigid inflatable boats accommodate from 4 to 10 people. They're perfect for quick, informal expeditions and are ideal for small groups. Motorized rubber dinghy prices range from €300 to €1,200 per day.
Each company offers different ranges within which you can cancel free of charge, generally between 48 and 72 hours prior to departure. A deposit is usually required in advance. In the event of bad weather that makes the tour impossible, cancellation is always free of charge.
Positano
In Positano there's no port to moor, but rather a small and always crowded pier for loading and unloading. Boaters can leave their boat at the buoy fields offshore, then take a tender accompanied by the buoy field manager to reach the shore. Lucibello and Grassi are the two companies that manage the buoy fields off the coast of Positano.
Lucibello: Manages the buoy field in front of Spiaggia Grande beach
email: marinadipositano@lucibello.it
phone: +39 089 875326
Once you arrive, call VHF 77 to ask for assistance with mooring
Grassi Junior: Manages the buoy field in front of Spiaggia di Fornillo beach
https://www.grassiboatpositano.com/it/i/SMAZS
10 minutes before arrival, call +39 089 811605.
Of course! There are a number of different boats you can rent without a skipper. In our listings, you'll find boats with engines under 40 HP that don’t require a boating license to rent. We recommend renting a boat without a skipper only if you have previous experience piloting a boat.