La Spezia Cinque Terre Boat Tours: Review & Guide with Swim Stops

If you’re thinking about seeing the Cinque Terre, Italy, that five-village string along the Ligurian coast, a boat tour really could be just the ticket, especially with stops to swim in that clear, blue water. Loads of tours go out from La Spezia, too it’s almost a perfect jumping-off point to see these postcard-picturesque towns from the water. But very which one do you pick? What’s worth it, and what could you skip? Here’s what you want to think about.

Why Choose a Boat Tour from La Spezia?

La Spezia really does give you some bonuses as a starting point for a Cinque Terre boat trip. It’s bigger than the Cinque Terre villages themselves, so getting to it could be that little bit simpler, particularly if you’re rolling in with suitcases or without your own car. There’s a train station that’s pretty well connected, and getting around town is usually not too tricky, yet the harbor really is teeming with options. Another benefit is that, in some respects, parking tends to be easier and possibly more affordable in La Spezia compared to the sometimes quite cramped Cinque Terre villages.

Plus, that initial cruise out of the harbor really is quite lovely! You see the city from a different angle, and the whole bay kind of opens up as you head toward the open sea. Some trips hug the coast so, too it’s almost like you get a sneak peek at some villages from the sea even before you get to the actual Cinque Terre. As I was saying, with boat tours being fairly abundant from La Spezia, there’s a good spread of tour companies, boat sizes, and tour lengths. You might be on a bigger boat with heaps of other people, or on a smaller, more intimate tour—it all sort of hinges on what you fancy. Also, naturally, some tours throw in extras, like lunch or drinks, and those swimming stops, that, might just clinch the deal!

What to Look for in a Cinque Terre Boat Tour with Swim Stops

Okay, so you’re hooked on the thought of a boat trip, right? Here’s what to mull over to get that tour just right for you.

Tour Length and Itinerary

Firstly, it could be you want to decide how long you want to be bobbing about on the water. Tours differ by how much time they take, from half-day jaunts to all-day voyages, more or less. That longer time at sea lets you kick back and relax a bit more as you visit all five towns, or it may be just hang out swimming and see hidden spots along the coastline, like your private slice of paradise.

Boat Size and Comfort

Bear in mind, boat size can shift the vibe of the tour pretty massively. A larger boat will give you extra space to roam about, and also will tend to have facilities like toilets and covered areas which, of course, you appreciate on a long day. But it is also the case that a smaller boat, very that tends to max out passenger numbers at around 12 people, gives you far more of a close-up, friendly vibe. And, frankly, it can usually wiggle into those hidden coves that those larger boats can’t get close to.

Swim Stops and Snorkeling Opportunities

Make very sure swim stops are part of the tour if getting wet is your thing! Some tours include them, but others very simply buzz along the coastline. And, for instance, if you enjoy snorkeling, suss out whether the tour provides gear or whether you have to bring your own.

Included Amenities

See just what is bundled into the tour. As I was saying, a few include lunch, drinks, or snacks, which can very save you cash and the fuss of needing to plan those yourself. Very many provide sunbeds for catching those rays as you are bobbing along. Besides, some boats also stock towels, so perhaps see what’s offered!

Tour Guide Expertise

Think about whether you need some information on those villages as you pass by or, more or less, would prefer just to enjoy the views quietly. Also, suss out whether the guide is speaking in your language; after all, there really is little point if you’re struggling to follow along!

A Few Popular La Spezia Cinque Terre Boat Tours

Here’s a glance at a few trips doing the rounds to get those ideas churning.

Full-Day Cinque Terre Cruise from La Spezia

These cruises usually visit all five villages, with some free time in perhaps two or three of them. You might be, if you are that way inclined, be able to jump off, walk around, grab some lunch, and then meet the boat at the next village. As a matter of fact, a tour of this length will typically include numerous swim stops, too it’s almost great for a solid day out on the water. You do get time to experience those picturesque villages. This also usually brings that bigger boat feel with many other travelers, so if you fancy meeting new people, this really could be the perfect tour. What is very great with the longer trips really is how you get to see the shoreline slowly, with the light very, very gently changing, highlighting various colors of the Cinque Terre buildings and shoreline.

Half-Day Cinque Terre Boat Tour with Swimming

Very good if you only have a restricted time frame or would rather prefer not to be on a boat for a whole day. This tends to just zoom into two or three villages, with a greater emphasis on swimming and chilling. In the same way as above, lunch probably won’t be provided on tours of this length, so remember those snacks! The boats doing these faster, more streamlined jaunts very often do fit fewer people on board.

Private Boat Tours of Cinque Terre

Very this is where you get that bespoke, flexible itinerary, very it is good if you’re part of a gang or want things tailored. You could usually shape your day so that you could be, for example, spending more time in particular villages or finding those hidden swimming spots, plus you also get a far more individual feel.

What to Expect on Your Boat Tour

Alright, so what should you be expecting on that day itself?

Typical Itinerary and Stops

As noted above, expect to cruise past the lovely colorful villages. Most tours usually point out bits of info, like details of buildings, or background titbits of data on Cinque Terre’s history. If that tour features time in the villages, bear in mind the boat sometimes cannot dock straight in there, depending on the weather and sea conditions. Meaning it could very involve getting into a smaller dinghy to get to shore.

Swimming and Snorkeling Experience

Those swim stops are the highlight for lots of folk. The boat finds a sheltered bay, drops anchor, and you leap straight in! And by the way, very remember to use reef-friendly sunscreen to save those precious underwater ecosystems, it is what many tourists prefer.

Onboard Facilities and Services

This depends massively on the boat size, as already mentioned, more or less. That larger tour boat will come equipped with loos, a snack bar (possibly), and both sunny and sheltered areas. However, as I was saying, the smaller boats tend to be pretty stripped back, you understand, though generally perfectly comfy enough for a shorter hop. I’d recommend also checking in advance about things like accessibility if anyone in your group might struggle with steps or tight spaces.

What to Bring Along

Here’s a rapid rundown of what you would want in your day bag:

• Towel(s): Seriously, especially if your tour doesn’t stock them.
• Swimsuit: Obvious, although do bear in mind you might fancy swimming from the boat without going back to the village, in the same way as above, you may not find anywhere to change in comfort, so maybe wear it under your day clothes.
• Sunscreen: Keep topping that up!
• Hat and sunglasses: The sunshine, too it’s almost reflects off the water and gets everywhere!
• Water: Okay, staying hydrated’s seriously crucial, especially on hotter days, of course, keep it sustainable by bringing your refillable bottle, so to speak.
• Snacks: Particularly if your tour doesn’t bundle in lunch, yet even when it does, that little nibble between meals really is golden.
• Camera: Don’t forget your camera, or that fully charged smartphone, for those incredible pictures.
• Waterproof bag: To shield that tech from splashes, you understand.

Making the Most of Your Cinque Terre Boat Tour

A couple of closing thoughts for you.

Best Time to Go

Arguably, spring (April-May) and early autumn (September-October) seriously provide ideal weather. You avoid that searing heat of high summer, there aren’t as many holidaymakers crowding, plus the water could be nice enough to swim in. Obviously, do check weather predictions right before you go so you’re aware of potential choppy seas or heavy rain.

Tips for a Smooth Experience

• Get there with time to spare: Traffic around La Spezia might get chocka, especially in peak season. Give yourself leeway.
• Double-check meeting location: In the harbor, the meeting places are a puzzle until you see them! Confirm with that tour operator exactly where you should be.
• Bring seasickness remedies: Those calm seas can get choppy quickly. If you know you’re prone to seasickness, come prepared.
• Respect the marine environment: This is simple – just don’t chuck any garbage into the sea and appreciate those incredible underwater ecosystems, of course, leave it pristine for everyone else!
• Be flexible: Weather may shift the route or the timetable; also, remember, just kick back and go with any shift-ups.

Capturing the Best Photos

Morning or early afternoon sunlight offers a seriously beautiful glow on the villages as you are approaching from the sea. Hunt for those angles that will make sure the sunlight illuminates those buildings. It’s simple, when snapping whilst on the move, up that shutter speed, also just hold your camera super still to sidestep blur. Basically, try different spots on the boat so you will snag those different perspectives as you cruise by, for instance, what would be great would be that panoramic setting if you are using a phone, of course, it could snag all five villages in a single picture.

Frequently Asked Questions