A Conero boat tour shows you the Riviera del Conero, the stretch of white cliffs and coves south of Ancona in the Marche, from the one angle the road can’t give you. Two tours from the port of Numana lead Viator. The shared boat tour of the Conero Riviera is rated 4.9 across 152 reviews, from about $58. The private traditional sailboat tour is rated 5.0 across 28 reviews, from about $164.
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The verdict
Choose by budget and by how much time you want in the water. The shared boat tour is our pick for most travelers. In two to three hours it cruises past Sirolo, the Due Sorelle sea stacks and Portonovo, stops for a swim and serves an aperitif of sparkling wine and snacks. One reviewer found the commentary was not in English but was given written descriptions of each stop, and another paid more online than guests who booked on board.
The private sailboat tour takes up to six passengers on a traditional sailboat. You can try the helm, swim and snorkel off Spiaggia Mezzavalle and, if you pick the lunch option, eat a platter of local cured meats, cheeses and olive all’ascolana with Verdicchio white wine. All 28 reviews are five stars.
Both leave from the port of Numana and offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Availability depends on the season and on sea conditions: check dates on Viator.
Monte Conero drops straight into the Adriatic, and the beaches below it sit at the foot of steep cliffs. From a boat you see the whole riviera in one outing instead of driving between beach car parks. For more coast by boat, see our guide to the best boat tours in Italy.
Which one is for you?
Take the shared boat tour if
- You want the lower price, from about $58.
- You want to see the whole riviera in one trip.
- You like a social boat with an aperitif.
- You have half a morning or afternoon.
Take the private sailboat if
- You want the perfect score: 5.0 from 28 reviews.
- You want the boat for your group only.
- You want time to swim and snorkel.
- You want to try sailing a traditional boat.
What each price covers
The shared boat tour, from about $58
Included: the shared boat with its skipper and fuel, snacks, sparkling wine, bottled water, fruit juices, and buoyancy aids for adults and children.
Not included: nothing extra is listed; one reviewer notes the commentary was in Italian, with written descriptions in English.
The private sailboat, from about $164
Included: snorkeling gear, an inflatable mattress, bottled water and, with the lunch option, a platter of local cured meats, cheeses and Ascoli olives with Verdicchio white wine and local craft beer.
Not included: nothing extra is listed; lunch depends on the option you select.
Where both tours start
- Shared boat tour: the port of Numana, Piazzale Silvio Massaccesi. Walk 30 meters past the port barrier to the first floating dock.
- Private sailboat: the Numana tourist port, at the gazebo with the information point. It ends back there.
Side by side
| Shared boat tour | Private sailboat | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.9 from 152 | 5.0 from 28 |
| Five-star reviews | 140 (92%) | 28 (100%) |
| Price | from about $58 | from about $164 |
| Length | 2 to 3 hours | 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Format | Shared motorboat | Private sailboat, up to 6 |
| Swim stop | Yes | Yes, at Spiaggia Mezzavalle |
| Food and drink | Aperitif: sparkling wine, snacks | Lunch option, wine and beer |
| Start | Port of Numana | Numana tourist port |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before | Free up to 24 hours before |
What travelers say
On the shared boat tour
The tour wasn’t in English as stated on the Viator site, but we were given written descriptions of each site
Beth_S, July 2024, via Viator
I’ve paid 13€ more than other people who purchased the experience on board
Elisabetta_B, August 2025, via Viator
On the private sailboat
We had the opportunity to swim, take in the gorgeous Adriatic Sea, learn about the area with his expertise
Rebecca_S, August 2026, via Viator
Fabio took us on a wonderful 3 hour cruise of the Conero coast.
Keena_B, September 2020, via Viator
The shared boat tour has 92% five-star ratings, and five of its 152 ratings are three stars or lower. The complaints we read concern the language of the commentary and a price difference with tickets sold at the dock. The private sailboat has 28 five-star reviews out of 28. Neither tour is wheelchair accessible, and the sailboat is not recommended for travelers who get seasick or for children under five.
More of Italy’s coast by boat
Farther south on the Adriatic, compare the Polignano a Mare boat tour in Puglia. On the Tyrrhenian side, see the Tropea boat tour and the Cinque Terre boat tour.
For planning, read the best beaches in Italy and our overview of boat tours in Italy.
Questions travelers ask
Which Conero boat tour should I book?
For most travelers, the shared boat tour from Numana, rated 4.9 from 152 reviews on Viator, from about $58 (checked September 2026). For your group only, the private traditional sailboat tour, rated 5.0 from 28 reviews, from about $164.
Where do Conero boat tours leave from?
Both leave from the port of Numana, on the Riviera del Conero south of Ancona.
Do the tours stop for a swim?
Yes. The shared tour includes swimming time, and the private sailboat stops at Spiaggia Mezzavalle for swimming and snorkeling, with gear provided.
Is the commentary in English?
One reviewer of the shared tour reports that the commentary was in Italian, with written English descriptions of each stop. Ask the supplier before you book if this matters to you.
Can I cancel a Conero boat tour?
Both offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
Book the shared boat tour to see the riviera for less; book the private sailboat for a slower morning at sea with your own group.
Editorial assessment by Italy2Love, September 2026. Itineraries, inclusions, meeting points, prices, ratings, review counts and cancellation terms read on both Viator product pages (product codes 482057P1 and 276701P1), September 2026. Reviews quoted with attribution to their authors and to Viator. Next review March 2027, or sooner on any change to either option.