Amalfi Coast Private Boat Tour from Sorrento, Positano & Capri

The Amalfi Coast looks best from the water. This full-day private boat tour gives you long stops in Positano and Amalfi, plus swimming, snorkeling, drinks, snacks, and views of coves that are hard to reach by land. I especially like the freedom of a private boat and the chance to split your day between town time and sea time. The main catch is the cost: $605.52 per person, plus a €300 fuel charge per booking, makes this a serious splurge for smaller groups.

I also like that the boat can carry up to 12 people, so the price may work better for a family or group of friends. The crew can adapt the day to your needs, and Simone and first mate Laura have earned especially warm praise for their friendly service. Just remember that the Emerald Grotto entrance fee is extra, and bad weather can force a date change or cancellation.

Key points at a glance

• Two full hours in Positano: You are dropped at Spiaggia Grande, right by the town’s main waterfront.
• One and a half hours in Amalfi: That is enough time for the Duomo, lanes, cafés, and a quick look around.
• Swimming and snorkeling from the boat: Stops include Cala di Mitigliano, Marina del Cantone, and other coastal spots.
• Private service for up to 12 people: Only your own group joins the boat, with a skipper who may speak more than one language.
• Food and drinks included: Water, soda, tea, beer, prosecco, limoncello, towels, snacks, and snorkeling gear are provided.
• Extra costs need attention: Fuel costs €300 per booking, and the optional Emerald Grotto visit costs €8 per person.

Why seeing the Amalfi Coast by boat matters

The coastal road gives you famous viewpoints, but a boat shows you a different Amalfi Coast. You see Positano stacked above the water, Amalfi’s waterfront opening into town, and small coves that cannot be reached by a regular bus or car.

I like the balance here. This is not just a sightseeing cruise where you remain on board all day. You get real time ashore in both Amalfi and Positano, then return to the water for swimming, snorkeling, and a drink in the sun.

The private format is important. On a shared boat, you follow someone else’s schedule and may spend much of the day waiting for other people. Here, your group has one boat and a skipper who can respond to your preferences. The crew has been praised for accommodating requests, arranging swim stops, and suggesting a good place along the water for lunch.

The price still deserves a close look. At $605.52 per person, this is not a bargain excursion. The €300 fuel charge is also separate, so you should calculate the full amount before booking. For two people, the cost is difficult to justify unless privacy matters greatly. For a larger group of family or friends, the private boat and personal service make better financial sense.

Leaving Sorrento for the Sorrento Peninsula

Sorrento is the main departure point and a useful base for this part of Italy. It sits between Naples, Pompeii, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast, so the tour makes good use of its position.

The first coastal stops focus on the Sorrento Peninsula. Marina del Cantone is known for restaurants and for the local pasta dish spaghetti alla Nerano. The stop lasts about 15 minutes, so think of it as a quick coastal look rather than a full meal stop or cooking lesson.

Cala di Mitigliano follows as an early swimming area, with about 10 minutes scheduled there. The supplied details describe it as a striking section of the peninsula’s coastline, and the stop includes access to the water. Because timing can shift with sea conditions and the needs of your group, you should see this as one of several chances to swim rather than your only opportunity.

The boat includes towels and snorkeling equipment, which saves you from packing bulky gear. Bring a swimsuit, though, because the dress code is smart casual and a swimsuit is specifically suggested. You also have water, soft drinks, fresh tea, beer, prosecco, limoncello, and snacks on board. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase, but the included drink selection already covers a useful range.

The Emerald Grotto between Amalfi and Positano

The Emerald Grotto sits between Amalfi and Positano and is one of the coast’s best-known caves. The planned stop lasts around 10 minutes, and the entrance fee is optional at €8 per person.

That short visit means you should not expect a long cave tour. The value depends on your interest in seeing the grotto from inside and on the conditions that day. If you prefer to keep the day focused on swimming and town time, you can skip the extra ticket.

Ask the crew about the exact arrangement before you arrive. The tour includes a boat visit along this section of the coast, but the grotto admission is not part of the listed price. Small extra charges like this are easy to miss when you are comparing excursions, so budget for them in advance.

Amalfi and the Duomo of Sant’Andrea

Amalfi receives about one and a half hours of free time. That is a good amount for a first look, though you will need to choose your priorities.

The Duomo di Sant’Andrea is the town’s central church and its main art site. It sits in the center of Amalfi, making it an easy first stop once you are ashore. You can visit the church without an added admission charge according to the tour details.

I would use the first part of your time for the Duomo, then walk through the nearby streets and return toward the waterfront. Amalfi is compact enough for a short visit, but one and a half hours is not enough for a slow, complete exploration of every lane, shop, and church.

The practical advantage is that the boat brings you close to the town rather than leaving you to deal with a road transfer. After your free time, you return to the boat for the next part of the coast. Keep an eye on your meeting time. A private boat is more flexible than a bus, but it still follows an eight-hour schedule.

Positano from Spiaggia Grande

Positano receives the longest town visit, with two hours at Spiaggia Grande, the main beach and waterfront. Being dropped directly at the beach is a major convenience. Positano is built on steep slopes, so starting at the water puts you near the town’s most famous views and central sights.

The Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta and its medieval crypt are among the principal sights. The church has free admission listed, and the visit can fit easily into your time ashore. Positano is also known for its boutiques, so the two-hour stop gives you room for a little shopping, a church visit, and a walk through the lower streets.

There is a tradeoff. Two hours sounds generous, but Positano’s steep setting can make even a short walk feel demanding. The tour does not promise time to explore every upper lane or viewpoint. If you want the best use of your stop, stay aware of the return time and avoid wandering too far uphill.

Pupetto Beach Club is another listed stop, with about 15 minutes and admission included. It is described as one of the famous beaches along the coast. The brief duration suggests a quick look or short beach break, not a full afternoon at a beach club.

Swimming, snorkeling, and the best part of the day

The water stops are what make this more than a coastal transfer. You can swim and snorkel at places reached from the sea, including Cala di Mitigliano, with additional stops depending on the day’s route and conditions.

The strongest praise for the experience centers on these pauses. Simone was singled out for making the day fun and for choosing good swimming spots. Another group enjoyed jumping into the water several times and found the crew accommodating. That tells you where the tour’s personality lies: the skipper is not simply pointing at the coast, but helping shape the day on the water.

The boat provides snorkeling equipment and towels, so you can keep your packing simple. Still, bring a swimsuit and any personal sun protection you need. The supplied information does not specify the boat model, cabin space, or shade, so you should ask the operator if those details matter to you.

Swimming stops can also affect the timing of Amalfi and Positano. The published plan gives clear town durations, but the crew may need to adjust the route for weather or sea conditions. That is normal for a private boat trip, and it is one reason to treat the schedule as a framework rather than a minute-by-minute promise.

Service from Simone, Laura, and the boat crew

The crew is a major part of the experience. Simone receives praise for being fun, accommodating, and well informed about the coast. Laura, described as first mate on one trip, is praised for her friendliness and for helping make the day comfortable.

That personal attention can matter more than a long list of stops. A good skipper can help you decide when to swim, when to stay on the coast, and how to use your limited time ashore. The tour may be operated by a multilingual skipper guide, while English is the listed language.

Because this is a private activity, only your group participates. The maximum is 12 people per booking. You should expect a more personal day than you would get on a large sightseeing boat, but do not assume that every boat has the same size or facilities. If your group includes children, older relatives, or anyone who needs special arrangements, ask Sorrento Sea Tours before booking.

What the $605.52 price really buys

The advertised price is $605.52 per person. That is high, but the cost includes much more than transportation. You receive a private boat, a full eight-hour day, town time in Amalfi and Positano, swim and snorkeling stops, equipment, towels, snacks, and a range of drinks.

The private format is the key value. Four friends or family members can share one boat and receive direct attention from the crew. One couple pays a much higher effective cost for the same boat, so this trip makes more financial sense for a group.

Do not overlook the separate €300 fuel charge per booking. The Emerald Grotto ticket costs another €8 per person if you choose to enter. Capri’s Marina Grande port fee is also listed as optional, which matters if your departure or route involves Capri. Alcoholic drinks can be purchased, but several drinks are already included.

Capri departures are available, along with departures from Positano and Sorrento. The main route described here focuses on the Amalfi Coast, Amalfi, Positano, and the Sorrento Peninsula. If you are specifically booking from Capri or hoping for a full Capri itinerary, confirm the exact route and port fees before paying.

Who should book this private boat day

I would recommend this tour to a group that values privacy, swimming, and a flexible day more than the lowest price. Families and groups of friends can split the base cost and fuel charge, making the private setup easier to justify.

It also suits you if you want both major towns without spending the entire day on the Amalfi Coast road. The boat lets you approach Positano and Amalfi from the water, then step ashore for independent visits.

You may want a different option if your main goal is a long, detailed cultural tour of each town. Amalfi gets about 90 minutes and Positano two hours, so neither stop allows for a slow, thorough exploration. You should also think twice if swimming is not part of your plan, since the water stops are central to the appeal.

Confirmation arrives at booking, and the experience is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the smart-casual dress code and swimsuit suggestion tell you to prepare for both town visits and time on deck. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Final verdict: a strong splurge for the right group

Book this tour if you want a private day that mixes Positano, Amalfi, and swimming, and if your group is large enough to share the cost. The generous town stops, included refreshments, snorkeling gear, and warm crew service make it more than a simple boat ride.

Skip it if the €300 fuel charge pushes the budget too far, or if you want a lower-cost group cruise with a fixed route. For the right party, though, the private format gives you something valuable on the Amalfi Coast: time on the water, room to adjust the day, and no strangers deciding when you must leave the beach.

FAQ

Where does the Amalfi Coast boat tour depart from?

The main departure point is Sorrento. Departures are also available from Capri and Positano.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your own group participates.

How many people can join the booking?

The maximum group size is 12 people per booking.

How much time is provided in Amalfi?

You have about one hour and 30 minutes of free time ashore in Amalfi.

How much time is provided in Positano?

You have about two hours ashore in Positano, with drop-off at Spiaggia Grande.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The itinerary includes swimming stops, and snorkeling equipment is provided.

Is the Emerald Grotto admission included?

No. Entry to the Emerald Grotto is optional and costs €8 per person.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel costs €300 per booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is also available up to 24 hours before the start time.