A boat tour is the single best way to experience the Amalfi Coast. The coastal road is spectacular, but from the water you see the cliffs, the pastel villages, and the hidden coves in a way that is simply not possible from land. This guide covers everything you need to know before booking — types of tours, routes, costs, timing, and practical tips from people who run these trips every day.
Why Take a Boat Tour on the Amalfi Coast?
The Amalfi Coast stretches roughly 50 kilometres along the southern edge of the Sorrentine Peninsula. From the water, the scale of the landscape becomes clear: sheer limestone cliffs plunging hundreds of metres into deep blue sea, tiny beaches accessible only by boat, and centuries-old watchtowers perched on promontories. A boat tour lets you swim in secluded bays, explore sea caves, and see the famous towns — Positano, Amalfi, Ravello's ridge line — from an angle that no road can offer.
Types of Boat Tours Available
Private Boat Tours
A private charter is the premium option and, for most visitors, the most rewarding. You and your group have the boat and skipper to yourselves, meaning you can set the pace, choose where to stop, and linger as long as you like. Private tours from Sorrento typically run on gozzo boats (traditional wooden vessels) or modern RIBs, with a capacity of 6 to 12 passengers.
BlueKeys offers private boat tours from Sorrento to Capri, including a full-day itinerary with swimming stops, a visit to the Blue Grotto (when conditions allow), and time on the island for lunch and exploration. The boats come equipped with snorkelling gear, towels, drinks, and a Bluetooth speaker.
Group Boat Tours
Group tours are a more affordable option, typically running on larger vessels with 15 to 30 passengers. They follow a fixed itinerary and schedule, with set stops and limited free time. The trade-off is price: group tours usually cost between 60 and 90 euros per person, compared to 800 to 1,500 euros for a full-day private charter (split among your group).
Sailing Excursions
For a more atmospheric experience, consider a sailing trip along the Amalfi Coast. Several operators run half-day and full-day sails along the coast, where you help with the lines, enjoy the quiet of wind-powered travel, and anchor in bays that powerboats pass by. These tend to be more intimate, with a maximum of 6 to 8 passengers.
The Most Popular Routes
Sorrento to Capri
This is the classic route and BlueKeys' most popular tour. Departing from Marina Piccola in Sorrento, you cruise past the tip of the Sorrentine Peninsula, along the Capri coastline, and around the island's dramatic Faraglioni rocks. Swimming stops include the green-tinted waters of the Green Grotto and secluded coves on Capri's southern shore. Most tours include two to three hours on the island itself.
Sorrento to Positano and Amalfi
Heading east from Sorrento, this route hugs the coastline past Nerano Bay (famous for its pasta with courgettes), the Li Galli islands (once owned by Rudolf Nureyev), and on to Positano and Amalfi. The Fjord of Furore — a narrow inlet carved into the cliffs — is a highlight that most land-based visitors never see. You can also start from the other end with a boat tour from Positano or a boat tour departing from Amalfi.
Full-Day Capri and Amalfi Coast Combo
If you have a full day, the most comprehensive option combines both routes: Capri in the morning, followed by a cruise along the Amalfi Coast in the afternoon. It is a long day on the water (8 to 10 hours), but you cover an extraordinary amount of coastline.
Best Time for a Boat Tour
The season runs from April through October, with the best conditions in May, June, and September. July and August are peak months with calm seas but crowded bays. Early and late season offer cooler temperatures, fewer boats, and often the clearest water visibility.
Morning departures (typically 9:00 or 9:30) are ideal. The light is beautiful, the sea is calmest, and you arrive at swimming spots before the crowds. Sunset cruises are also available and offer a completely different atmosphere — golden light on the cliffs, aperitivo on board, and fewer boats on the water.
What to Bring
- Swimsuit and towel — most private tours provide towels, but bring your own to be safe
- Sunscreen (SPF 50) — the reflection off the water intensifies UV exposure
- Hat and sunglasses
- Light jacket or windbreaker — it can be breezy on the water, even in summer
- Cash — the Blue Grotto entrance fee (around 18 euros) is paid in cash to the rowers
- Motion sickness tablets — if you are prone to seasickness, take these 30 minutes before departure
- Waterproof phone case
How Much Does a Boat Tour Cost?
Pricing varies widely depending on the type of tour, the size and type of boat, and the season:
- Group tour (half day): 60 to 90 euros per person
- Group tour (full day): 90 to 140 euros per person
- Private gozzo boat (full day): 800 to 1,200 euros for the boat
- Private luxury yacht (full day): 1,500 to 3,500 euros for the boat — see luxury yacht charters on the Amalfi Coast
- Sailing excursion (half day): 100 to 150 euros per person
When you split the cost of a private boat among 4 to 8 people, the per-person price often comes close to a group tour — with a vastly better experience. BlueKeys private boat charters include fuel, skipper, snorkelling gear, and drinks on board. Prefer to skipper yourself? Check out boat rental options on the Amalfi Coast.
How to Book
Book well in advance during peak season (June through August). Private boats in particular sell out weeks ahead. For the best selection and local expertise, browse available boat tours on BlueKeys, where every skipper is vetted, every boat is inspected, and local support is available throughout your trip.
Safety and Comfort Tips
All boats operating on the Amalfi Coast are required to carry life jackets and safety equipment. Reputable operators also carry a first-aid kit and VHF radio. If you are travelling with small children, ask in advance about child-sized life jackets and shaded seating areas. Most private tours are happy to adjust the itinerary for families — shorter swimming stops, a gentler pace, and a focus on calm, sheltered bays.
Book Your Boat Tour
Explore Amalfi Coast boat tours, Capri day trips from Sorrento, or private charters — with local skippers who know every hidden cove on the coast. Also available: tours from Positano, excursions from Sorrento, and luxury yacht charters.
