The Amalfi Coast looks best from the water, and the roads that connect its towns are famous for traffic. A small-group boat tour solves both problems, and two of the best-reviewed on Viator carry twelve people each. They differ in the one way that matters most: where they leave from. One starts in Positano or Amalfi and runs four hours; the other starts in Sorrento and takes most of the day. The right one depends on where you are sleeping. Below, we compare two ways to book an Amalfi Coast boat tour, side by side.
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The verdict
Both boats carry twelve people at most, both have a restroom and a shower on board, both include soft drinks, beer, Prosecco and fruit, and both stop in Positano and Amalfi and anchor for swimming. Both are rated near the top of the category.
The first boat is based on the coast itself. Its four-hour departures leave from Positano or from Amalfi and run along the coast to the bay of Conca dei Marini, the Furore fjord and Praiano, with snorkeling masks and floats and limoncello on board. The same operator sells longer departures from Salerno and Sorrento, up to about eight hours.
The second boat is based in Sorrento. It spends about fifty minutes on the Sorrento coast, past the Punta Campanella marine reserve and the Li Galli islands, before stops in Positano and Amalfi and a swim of about forty-five minutes. It takes seven to eight hours.
Our pick for travelers staying on the Amalfi Coast is the four-hour boat from Positano or Amalfi: it is rated 4.9 across 968 reviews, it costs about $115 on the dates we checked, and it leaves half the day free. If you are staying in Sorrento, take the Sorrento boat and budget for its on-site fee.
The Sorrento boat’s listing excludes an assistance and reception fee at embarkation of €10 per person, paid on the day, on top of the Viator price. It also excludes lunch and beach towels, and advises bringing an antihistamine in case of insect or jellyfish stings. The provider states that in bad sea conditions the tour may be rescheduled or canceled with a full refund.
Which one is for you?
Take the Positano or Amalfi boat if
- You are staying in Positano, Amalfi or elsewhere on the coast.
- You want four hours on the water and the rest of the day free.
- You want to snorkel: masks, snorkels and floats are included.
- You want the higher rating and the lower price.
- You want to see the Furore fjord and the bay of Conca dei Marini from the sea.
Take the Sorrento boat if
- You are staying in Sorrento and do not want to cross to the Amalfi side first.
- You want a full day on the water, with stops in Positano and Amalfi.
- You want to see the Punta Campanella marine reserve and the Li Galli islands on the way.
- You would like a bottle of Prosecco for your boat.
- You are traveling with young children: it is stroller accessible and discounts kids.
What each price covers
The Positano or Amalfi boat, from about $108
Included: restroom and shower on board; snorkeling equipment (mask and snorkel) and floating devices; a canopy for shade; bottled water, soft drinks, beer, Italian Prosecco and limoncello; and fresh fruit. The listed stops include Amalfi (40 minutes), the bay of Conca dei Marini near a sea grotto (40 minutes), the Furore fjord (20 minutes) and Praiano, with the order depending on the departure.
What you will actually pay: about $108 per person is the lowest rate; on the September date we checked, the four-hour departures from Positano and from Amalfi were both about $115 per person for two travelers. Departures from Salerno and Sorrento run longer and follow a different route.
The Sorrento boat, from about $174
Included: a professional skipper, fuel and safety equipment with a life jacket each; a bottle of Prosecco per boat, plus soft drinks, water, beer and seasonal fruit for the group; a restroom, an outdoor shower and masks. The route sails the Sorrento coast past Marina Grande, the Roman ruins at the Bagni della Regina Giovanna, the Punta Campanella marine reserve, the Bay of Ieranto and the Li Galli islands, before Positano and Amalfi.
Not included: the €10 per person embarkation fee paid on the day, lunch and beach towels. About $174 is the lowest rate; on a late-September date the shared tour was about $197 per person for two. Kids are discounted.
Where each one starts
- Positano or Amalfi boat: from Positano or from Amalfi, depending on the option you choose; you select the meeting point when you book.
- Sorrento boat: Via Marina Piccola 2, in the square between La Scogliera Kitchen & Bar and Ruccio Restaurant. Look for a team member in an MBS T-shirt. One reviewer found check-in a little hard to find, so allow time.
- Neither is wheelchair accessible. The Sorrento boat is stroller accessible, with infants on laps.
- Both offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, local time.
Side by side
| Positano or Amalfi boat | Sorrento boat | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.9 from 968 | 4.8 from 815 |
| Recommended by | 99% of travelers | 96% of travelers |
| Price | from about $108 | from about $174, plus €10 on the day |
| Length | 4 hours (longer from Salerno or Sorrento) | 7 to 8 hours |
| Group cap | 12 | 12 |
| Starts | Positano or Amalfi | Sorrento, Marina Piccola |
| Snorkeling | Masks, snorkels and floats | Masks |
| Drinks | Soft drinks, beer, Prosecco, limoncello | Soft drinks, beer, a bottle of Prosecco per boat |
| Lunch | Not included | Not included |
| Highlights from the sea | Conca dei Marini, Furore fjord, Praiano | Punta Campanella, Li Galli, Positano, Amalfi |
What travelers say
On the Positano or Amalfi boat
We did the early (930am) trip in September. We thought a later time would be too hot. I think we were right!
Cory_K, September 2026, via Viator
The pit stops in Positano and Amalfi were timed really well so we felt like we had a nice chance to explore without being too rushed.
Julia_T, September 2026, via Viator
On the Sorrento boat
Great boat trip to Amalfi, Positano and then a very welcome swimming stop for 45 mins.
Emma_S, September 2026, via Viator
Stops in Amalfi and Positano were ok but very crowded.
Nona_A, September 2026, via Viator
The complaints on both are the kind you get on any boat. One reviewer of the four-hour tour found the ride back noisy at the rear of the boat; one reviewer of the Sorrento tour said the swim stop was moved closer to Sorrento because the sea was choppy. Sit toward the front if engine noise bothers you, and take the swim when it is offered.
How either fits an Amalfi Coast trip
A boat day pairs well with a slow day on land. Our guide to choosing where to stay on the Amalfi Coast helps with the base, and the Amalfi Coast travel guide covers the towns. If you are coming from Naples for the day instead, the Pompeii and Amalfi Coast day trip covers the coast by road. For Capri, see what to see on Capri and the Pompeii and Capri day trip.
Staying in Sorrento? Compare the Capri boat tours from Sorrento: a small-group boat or a semi-private boat for eight with lunch.
Staying in Sorrento? See things to do in Sorrento: boat days on the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Pompeii and the fall ferry schedules.
For a boat with only your group on board, compare the options in our Amalfi Coast private boat tour guide, from a full day at sea to a sunset cruise.
Questions travelers ask
Which Amalfi Coast boat tour should I book?
Take the four-hour boat from Positano or Amalfi if you are staying on the coast: it is rated 4.9 and leaves half the day free. Take the Sorrento boat if you are staying in Sorrento and want a full day on the water.
Is lunch included on Amalfi Coast boat tours?
No, on neither tour. Both include soft drinks, beer, Prosecco and fruit, and both stop in Positano and Amalfi, where you can eat.
Can you swim and snorkel?
Yes. The Positano or Amalfi boat includes masks, snorkels and floats and stops to swim; the Sorrento boat includes masks and a swim stop of about 45 minutes.
Are there extra fees?
On the Sorrento boat, yes: an embarkation assistance and reception fee of €10 per person, paid on the day. The Positano or Amalfi boat lists no extra fee.
How many people are on the boat?
Twelve at most, on both tours.
What happens if the sea is rough?
The Sorrento boat’s provider states it may reschedule or cancel with a full refund for safety. Both tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
Choose by your base, not by the photos: from Positano or Amalfi take the four-hour boat, from Sorrento take the full day. And book a morning departure if you can: one reviewer chose the 9:30 am boat in September to avoid the heat, and was glad of it.
Editorial assessment by Italy2Love, September 2026. Departure points, durations, routes and stop lengths, inclusions and on-site fees, group caps, sea-condition policies, meeting points, accessibility, prices on September 2026 dates, ratings, review counts and cancellation terms read on both Viator product pages (product codes 257027P2 and 42612P6), September 2026. Reviews quoted with attribution to their authors and to Viator. Next review March 2027, or sooner on any change to either operator’s fees or departures.