Article Summary:
- I did a guided boat tour along the Amalfi Coast. It included swimming and stops in the towns of Amalfi and Positano.
- Amalfi and Positano were a bit touristy, but the scenery throughout the excursion was beautiful and the tour was 100% worth it.
- Some things to know ahead of time: snacks are included, the boat has a bathroom, the front of the boat is good for preventing seasickness, and you should pack some essentials before you go.
Saltwater sprayed my face and hair as our boat glided along turquoise waters. The sun beat down on the front of the boat and colorful Italian towns speckled the rocky shoreline ahead. This was what I saw and felt for an entire afternoon during my recent trip to the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Talk about paradise.
The Amalfi Coast is known for its sparkling shores and postcard-perfect scenery. It’s a place people dream about. I’ll tell you firsthand, that beauty lives up to the hype.
However, visiting the Amalfi Coast isn’t as easy and straightforward as many people might assume, especially if you’re staying in the neighboring cities of Naples or Sorrento.
To make the whole experience easier (and as magical as you’re hoping), I recommend booking a guided boat tour. Doing this cuts out the hassle and allows you to see the Amalfi Coast from the best perspective: the water.
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My Tour: Positano and Amalfi Boat Trip with Transfer
The tour I booked was a guided excursion: Positano and Amalfi Boat Trip with Transfer. It departs from Sorrento and I booked it through Get Your Guide. The tour is for a maximum of 12 people (other people will be on the tour, not just you/your group) and lasts about eight hours.
At the time of this writing, the tour costs $166 per person.
Pickup from Sorrento
The tour begins in Sorrento with pickup included. People staying in Sorrento can arrange for hotel pickup. My friends and I were staying in Naples and took the train into Sorrento, so the tour picked us up from the Sorrento train station.
After the shuttle picks you up, they take you to the harbor, give you wristbands, and hand you off to your designated boat group. We were assigned to the purple group and so we waited with other tourists for our boat.
A Long Stretch of Sea
The first stretch of the boat tour is all sea. You cover about 25 miles along the coastline and this part of the tour lasts about one hour. I recommend sitting in the front of the boat if there’s room. That way you can settle in and relax, as well as enjoy unobstructed sea views.
You’ll pass a handful of natural landmarks during this hour. Highlights include Punta Campanella, the islands of Sirenuses, and Fiordo di Furore, among others.
Natural Landmarks
We passed a ton of natural landmarks throughout the entire boat excursion, but especially at the beginning. Our captain had a speaker and he narrated the importance of each one as we passed by them.
We got to get pretty up close and personal with many of the natural landmarks, like this cluster of islands (Sirenuses) pictured above. This was a nice way to learn a little more about the area.
Town #1: Amalfi
The first official stop of the boat tour is the town of Amalfi. Like many Amalfi Coast towns, Amalfi itself is colorful, picturesque, and pretty touristy. You’re given about 1.5-2 hours to wander the town.
I recommend grabbing lunch or a bite to eat at this first stop. Amalfi is a tad cheaper than the next town, Positano. I ended up getting lunch in Positano, but I wish I’d done it the other way around.
Other than getting some food, the main things to do in Amalfi are shop and visit a few landmarks like Duomo di Amalfi, Saint Andrew’s Fountain Amalfi, and Torre dello Ziro. After the 1.5-2 hours of wandering are up, you have to head back to the dock for pickup.
Town #2: Positano
Positano is the stop that most people are excited about. This town is famous for its dramatic landscape and colorful buildings. It’s definitely beautiful, but it’s also expensive and overwhelmingly touristy.
As mentioned, I got lunch in Positano but wish I’d gotten it in Amalfi instead. Doing this would have given me more time to wander around the town a little outside of the main, crowded area. Similarly, we were given 1.5 hours in Positano.
If I had a do-over, I would’ve loved to climb the stairs of the town for a higher overlook. Oh well, hindsight is 20/20. Still, the town is scenic to wander around and it’s fantastic for taking pictures.
Swimming – My Favorite Part of the Day
After departing Positano, we eventually pulled off along a stretch of cliff to anchor the boat for swimming. This was easily my favorite part of the day. All the main attractions were behind us and everyone got to relax in the bright blue waters.
The water was a tad cold at first, but it was so refreshing. There was a ladder to climb down for a gentle swim, or you could jump off the front of the boat for a more adventurous dive.
Back to Dry Land
After swimming and passing a few more natural landmarks, we eventually made our way back to the harbor. This stretch of the excursion took about an hour and a half. During this time, we were given snacks and rosé and my friends and I got to chatting with our fellow boat-mates.
The temperature dropped down a little bit and the wind picked up by this point so we were a tad cold, but it was a relaxing ending to our Amalfi Coast excursion.
Takeaways: The Perfect Amalfi Coast Experience
This guided Amalfi Coast boat tour was the perfect way to cap off an incredible trip to Italy.
The tour itself was well run and there was clear communication before and during the excursion which I really appreciated. The staff was friendly and professional, the boat and facilities were clean, and it was well-paced overall. I’d highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the Amalfi Coast.
Things to Know:
Snacks are Provided
Our captain gave out snacks, water, and rosé after we finished swimming. It was a nice little pick-me-up before heading back to the harbor.
I recommend bringing a simple snack if you think you’ll get hungry earlier in the boat ride, but otherwise, you should be fine. Between lunch in Positano and this post-swim snack, we were all happy.
There’s a Bathroom Onboard
I actually didn’t realize our boat had a bathroom onboard until the last stretch of the day. However, rest assured that you can use it anytime and it was super clean, too.
The Front of the Boat is Better for Seasickness
I highly recommend sitting at the front of the boat if you’re prone to seasickness. Two of my friends were sitting in the back of the boat and they ended up getting a little nauseous from the boat ride.
Save yourself from discomfort by sitting up front for fresh air and clear views ahead. Plus, the unobstructed views are pretty nice.
Pack Accordingly
Assuming you’re visiting Italy in the summer like me, be sure to pack some essentials for this boating excursion. Include a water bottle, swimsuit, towel, and sunscreen. I even recommend having some electrolyte tablets for your water, too, as it can get really hot on the boat during the daytime.
I’d also encourage you to pack a couple of layers for the boat ride back since it gets cold and windy. Something like a pair of linen pants and an overshirt is a good idea. They’re still lightweight enough to wear during the daytime, too.
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Thanks for reading! This Amalfi Coast boat tour was such an awesome experience and a great way to see a lot if you only have a few days in the area like I did.
Doing more exploring around Italy? Be sure to read my article on the differences I noticed between Sicily and mainland Italy next.
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