A Cinque Terre boat tour shows the five villages the way they were built to be seen, stacked above the sea, and it skips the crowded trains and paths. Both leading tours leave from Monterosso. The daytime tour by hybrid boat is rated 4.9 across 1,512 reviews, from about $138. The sunset cruise, with an aperitivo and a swim stop, is rated 4.8 across 443 reviews, from about $122.
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The verdict
The daytime tour is our pick. It has the most reviews of the Cinque Terre boat tours in our Viator search, with 1,452 five-star ratings out of 1,512. For about two and three-quarter hours, a skipper and an English-speaking assistant take you past all five villages, with drinks and snacks included. Reviewers praise the crew, although one mixed review mentions a disorganized start.
The sunset cruise is the romantic option. It runs about three hours, includes an aperitivo, snorkeling gear, a restroom and a freshwater shower on board, and it can start in Levanto as well as Monterosso. On the other hand, it has more one-star reviews, 11 of 443, including a cancellation without notice.
Neither tour is wheelchair accessible.
Boat tours in the Cinque Terre depend on the weather, and rough sea can cancel a departure. Book early in your stay so you have a spare day. On the daytime tour, snorkeling gear is not included; bring your own. For getting around on land, see our Cinque Terre day trip from Florence.
Which one is for you?
Take the daytime tour if
- You want the most reviewed option: 4.9 from 1,512 travelers.
- You want to see all five villages by daylight.
- You want a shorter outing.
- You are traveling with children.
Take the sunset cruise if
- You want the evening light and an aperitivo.
- You want a swim with snorkeling gear provided.
- You are staying in Levanto.
- It is a special evening.
What each price covers
The daytime tour, from about $138
Included: a professional skipper, an English-speaking assistant, alcoholic drinks, bottled water, soft drinks and snacks.
Not included: hotel pickup and snorkeling equipment.
The sunset cruise, from about $122
Included: a small-group boat tour in the national park, alcoholic drinks, snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, a restroom and a freshwater shower on board, and life jackets.
Not included: hotel pickup.
Where each one starts
- Daytime tour: Molo dei Pescatori, in Monterosso al Mare.
- Sunset cruise: Molo dei Pescatori in Monterosso, or Località La Pietra in Levanto.
Side by side
| Daytime tour | Sunset cruise | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.9 from 1,512 | 4.8 from 443 |
| Five-star reviews | 1,452 (96%) | 410 (93%) |
| Price | from about $138 | from about $122 |
| Length | 2 h 45 min | 3 hours |
| Time of day | Daytime | Sunset |
| Snorkeling gear | Not included | Included |
| Start | Monterosso | Monterosso or Levanto |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before | Free up to 24 hours before |
What travelers say
On the daytime tour
We had the absolute best time on this boat tour!
Maryellen_H, September 2026, via Viator
Roberto and Esther were wonderful and very friendly.
Sadie_S, September 2026, via Viator
On the sunset cruise
We really enjoyed our sunset boat tour.
Agatha_S, July 2026, via Viator
Such a fun and relaxing experience with beautiful views!
Madison_C, July 2026, via Viator
Both are reviewed mostly with five stars: 96% of the daytime tour ratings and 93% of the sunset cruise ratings. Three stars or lower make up about 2% of the reviews on the first and about 4% on the second.
How a boat tour fits a trip to the Riviera
West along the coast, the Portofino boat tour reaches San Fruttuoso, and the Genoa food tour covers focaccia and pesto. From Florence, the Cinque Terre day trip handles the transport. Arriving by cruise ship? Our La Spezia shore excursions comparison covers the villages from the port.
For the wider route, read the best day trips from Florence and our northern Italy itinerary.
Back on land, our Cinque Terre wine tasting page compares a pesto class with three wines in Vernazza and a private winery visit in Volastra, above Manarola.
Questions travelers ask
Which Cinque Terre boat tour should I book?
The daytime tour by hybrid boat from Monterosso, rated 4.9 from 1,512 reviews on Viator, from about $138 (checked September 2026). For the evening, the sunset cruise, rated 4.8, from about $122.
Where do Cinque Terre boat tours start?
Both leave from Monterosso al Mare; the sunset cruise can also start in Levanto.
Can you swim on a Cinque Terre boat tour?
The sunset cruise includes a swim stop with snorkeling gear. On the daytime tour, bring your own gear.
What happens if the sea is rough?
Boat tours depend on the weather, so book early in your stay. When a tour is canceled for bad weather, Viator offers another date or a full refund.
Can I cancel a Cinque Terre boat tour?
Both offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
Book the daytime tour to see all five villages; book the sunset cruise for the light, a drink and a swim.
Editorial assessment by Italy2Love, September 2026. Inclusions and exclusions, meeting points, prices, ratings, review counts and cancellation terms read on both Viator product pages (product codes 51921P79 and 132095P2), September 2026. Reviews quoted with attribution to their authors and to Viator. Next review March 2027, or sooner on any change to either option.