Private Full-Day Boat Tour of the Amalfi Coast

Amalfi and the harbours of the coast

Amalfi was once a maritime republic whose ships traded with the whole Mediterranean, and the best way to understand its history is to arrive from the sea, as merchants did a thousand years ago. From the water you see the town squeezed into its valley, the striped cathedral bell tower and the old arsenal where galleys were built. This private boat tour from Amalfi begins right here, or at another harbour of your choice such as Positano.

The captain calls you the day before and simply pulls up at the pier at the agreed time, between 08:30 and 10:30. Fuel, port fees and taxes are covered, so there is nothing to pay on board. Once you are settled on the sundeck, you agree the route together, east or west, according to the sea and your interests.

Positano and the Li Galli islands

Heading west, the coast becomes steeper and wilder until Positano appears, a cascade of pastel houses tumbling down to the sea. On a full-day tour there is time to anchor just off its beaches for a swim with the village as backdrop, or to go ashore and wander its lanes for an hour.

Beyond Positano lie the Li Galli islands, three small islets that ancient legend made the islands of the sirens. You cannot land, but the water around them is famously clear and the captain knows the coves where snorkelling is best. How do you get to Positano from Amalfi by boat? Public ferries take about twenty-five minutes; on your own boat you set the timing and the stops.

Praiano, Furore and the Emerald Grotto

Between Positano and Amalfi the cliffs are cut by deep gorges and dotted with caves. Praiano stretches along a ridge above the little beach of Marina di Praia, and just beyond is the fjord of Furore, a narrow cleft spanned by a high bridge, with fishermen's houses and a pebble cove at the bottom, one of the most photographed spots on the coast.

At Conca dei Marini the boat stops at the Emerald Grotto, a sea cave where light passing through an underwater opening turns the water a glowing green, with stalactites and a ceramic nativity scene on the seabed. Entry by small rowing boat is optional and paid on the spot; the grotto is generally open from morning to late afternoon in season, weather permitting.

Atrani, Minori and Maiori

East of Amalfi the coast becomes gentler. Atrani, just around the headland, is a tiny village of whitewashed houses and arches around a small square and beach, so close to Amalfi that you can walk between them; is Atrani worth visiting? From the sea it is one of the prettiest sights of the day. Above it, the gardens of Ravello crown the mountain.

Further on, Minori keeps the remains of a Roman seaside villa from the first century AD, and Maiori has the longest sandy beach of the Amalfi Coast, backed by lemon terraces. Beyond, the fishing village of Cetara is known for its anchovies. The captain can include this eastern stretch on your full day if you prefer quieter waters and fewer boats.

Lunch stop, swimming and the best season

Around midday the captain moors at a seaside village or a beach restaurant reachable mainly by sea, where you can have lunch at your own expense and stroll for a while. Halal food is limited on the coast, but seafood, pasta, pizza and vegetarian dishes are easy to find and we are happy to advise. The cabin is handy for children to rest or change after swimming.

The best time to visit Amalfi by boat is from May to early October, with June and September offering warm water and fewer crowds. The day ends with a relaxed cruise back to your harbour about six hours after pickup, often with the cliffs glowing in the afternoon light.