The Amalfi Coast, but from the water. This private 28ft boat day keeps things personal, with an English-speaking skipper and built-in swimming stops with snorkeling gear. I especially like how the route mixes famous towns with quieter stretches of coastline, so your time doesn’t feel stuck in one crowded place. One thing to plan for: there’s a €300 fuel fee that’s not included in the price.

From the moment you meet at Cooperativa Azzurra in Sorrento, the whole day feels like you’re driving the schedule. You’ll start at Marina Grande, then move town to town—Amalfi, Positano, and the dramatic sea cliffs around Fiordo di Furore—while the boat gives you direct access to places ferries can’t reach as easily.

The “premium” part here isn’t about fancy dining. It’s about control: private boat time, towels and drinks on board, and a skipper who can adjust stops to how the day is running.

Key highlights you’ll feel on the water

• Private for up to 4: your group sets the pace for an 8-hour coast cruise.
• Snorkeling gear included: you get what you need for swim stops.
• Drinks on board: soft drinks and bottled water, plus Prosecco and local limoncello.
• A mix of towns and coves: Amalfi and Positano, plus quieter bays to cool off.
• Professional skipper, English speaking: helpful info while you watch the cliffs slide by.
• 28ft boat comfort: a smaller vessel than the big sightseeing boats, so the day feels more hands-on.

Private 28ft Boat From Sorrento: what an 8-hour day really means

This is a full, practical chunk of time on the Amalfi Coast: about 8 hours on a private boat, departing and returning to the same meeting point in Sorrento. Your group is capped at up to 4 people, which matters because it changes the feel instantly. You’re not sharing decision-making with strangers, and the skipper can keep your day running smoothly around swim and town stops.

The boat itself is a 28ft size, so it’s big enough to be comfortable for a full day but small enough that you still feel connected to what’s happening outside—low cliffs, narrow bays, and those postcard views of Sorrento’s waterfront. Also, the meeting point is at Via Marina Grande, near public transportation, which helps if you’re timing buses or trains around your start.

One detail I appreciate: you’ll need to show your ID on the tour day. It’s a small ask that prevents last-minute stress when you’re already trying to enjoy the sea air.

Skipper Tony, English info, and the swim rhythm that keeps it fun

What makes this tour work is the rhythm. The boat doesn’t just transport you between stops—it sets up chances to get in the water. Included snorkeling gear means you can plan for at least a few swim moments without scrambling for rentals at the last minute.

There’s also safety equipment and life jackets on board, plus towels so you’re not stuck drying off with whatever you brought from the hotel. That sounds basic, but it makes a difference when you want to jump in and out and still feel comfortable during town time.

You’ll also have soft drinks and bottled water during the day, plus Prosecco and local limoncello. This is the kind of add-on that feels like a vacation rather than an activity checklist. It’s especially nice between swim stops—when everyone’s drying off and you’re watching coastlines shift from one color of light to another.

From the reviews, the staff emphasis is clear. People specifically call out an attentive, polite skipper—often named Tony (spelled Toni in at least one review). Even when traffic caused timing trouble on one day, the company adjusted timing, which tells me they’re paying attention to how your morning and your sea time actually line up.

Marina Grande to Praiano: the route starts with Sorrento’s real harbor

Your day begins at Marina Grande (Sorrento’s harbor). The stop is short—about 10 minutes—but it’s the right kind of start. You’re getting your bearings at the water’s edge before you move out into the wider Amalfi scenery.

From there, you’ll head along the coast and get brief viewpoint time at a sequence of places, including Praiano. Praiano’s stop is also about 10 minutes. This is a “look and breathe” moment—cliffside architecture, coastline views, and the sense that the Amalfi coast isn’t just one destination. It’s a chain of small places stacked into the rock.

The value of quick stops like Praiano is that you keep momentum. You’re not doing long transfers that eat the day. You also get variety—views and photos at multiple points, then longer stretches where you can actually swim or walk.

Marina del Cantone and Cala di Mitigliano: where you slow down

If you want the day to feel like a vacation and not just a sightseeing circuit, these are your stops. Marina del Cantone is around 1 hour, and it’s one of the more relaxing parts of the route: a sheltered fishing harbor setting where you can unwind and choose your pace.

Many seaside restaurants are reachable directly by boat here, and you can even request lunch at one of those spots. Lunch isn’t guaranteed as part of the package cost, but the setup is convenient: you can keep the day rolling without spending extra time transferring yourself from harbor to restaurant and back.

Then there’s Cala di Mitigliano, about 30 minutes. This one is all about seclusion and calm. The cove arrangement is the payoff—you get a brief, focused window to enjoy turquoise water, rugged cliffs, and the simple pleasure of swimming from the boat to a quiet shore. The stop is short, but it’s timed well so you’re still fresh for later town time.

Practical takeaway: if you like the idea of swimming, prioritize these water-focused moments. They’re where the included snorkeling gear actually feels useful rather than decorative.

Fiordo di Furore: the cliffs make the stop feel dramatic

Fiordo di Furore (also called the Furore Fjord) is another short stop—about 10 minutes—but it’s scenic in a way that lasts longer than the time slot. The experience here is mostly visual: the boat glides into a dramatic cliff setting, and the natural “fjord” shape makes the coastline feel even more sculpted.

Think of this as your photo-and-savor moment. You’re not meant to treat it like a full walkabout; you’re meant to watch it from the water long enough to understand why people keep coming back to this particular coastline bend.

And since your day is already heavy with towns later, these shorter scenic stops help balance it out. You get contrast: water drama now, city wandering later.

Amalfi (1 hour) and Positano (1.5 hours): town time without a full day of ferries

Amalfi gets about 1 hour. This is enough time to hit the key streets and sights without burning half your day on transit logistics. You can explore the historic center, including the cathedral and the charming streets. The boat drop keeps things efficient: you’re not arranging everything around a ferry timetable.

Then comes the portion of the day that’s designed for a slower meal. There’s 1 hour 30 minutes allocated for “Costiera Amalfitana,” and the idea is that you can take a leisurely seaside lunch at a waterfront restaurant accessible by boat. Lunch is optional, not included, but it’s a smart option because it turns the coast cruise into an actual food break instead of snack-and-go.

Next up: Positano with 1.5 hours. This is your proper wander window. You’ll be able to explore the vibrant streets, savor local cuisine, and relax on beaches. Since Positano is one of the most well-known stops on the coast, the best strategy is to use your time for what you care about most: quick photos and a short walk if you’re packed into views overload, or longer beach time if you want the day to feel more like swimming first and walking second.

Also, the route includes passing by beaches such as Tordigliano, Recommone, and Nerano on the way to Positano. Even if you don’t stop at all of them, the passing moments are part of why a private boat day feels special.

Li Galli and Bagni Regina Giovanna: sirens, snorkeling, and Roman-era photos

Li Galli is about 30 minutes, and it’s a real “wow, that’s close” kind of stop. These islands are linked to Greek mythology as the ancient home of the sirens, and you’ll see sheer cliffs rising from clear water. From the boat, it’s the kind of setting that makes the whole Amalfi day feel more legendary than just scenic.

There’s also an opportunity for snorkeling and swimming here, and because snorkeling gear is included, it’s one of the stops where you can actually put that gear to work without improvising. If you like fewer crowds and more open water, this is the segment that tends to make the day feel memorable.

At the end, you’ll get a brief 10-minute photo stop at Bagni Regina Giovanna, on the outskirts of Sorrento. It’s associated with Queen Giovanna and a Roman-era summer residence. The location is tied to the idea that she could watch over Tiberius, who had self-exiled to Capri. Even though it’s short, it gives your day a neat historical footnote to match the myth feel of Li Galli.

Price and logistics: does $953.13 per group hold up?

Let’s talk value honestly. The listed price is $953.13 per group, for up to 4 people. That’s the part you can compare to other excursions. The big “gotcha” is the fuel fee: there’s an extra €300 fuel fee you pay before departure at the office.

So your real question is whether you’re paying for convenience and access.

Here’s what you’re getting that helps justify it:

• Private boat time for your own group, not a shared tour cattle-car.
• A professional English-speaking skipper who guides the day and helps you make the most of each stop.
• Snorkeling gear, plus towels, safety equipment, and life jackets.
• Drinks onboard: soft drinks, bottled water, Prosecco, and limoncello.
• A route that combines towns (Amalfi, Positano) with water time (Cantone, Cala di Mitigliano, Li Galli).

If you’re traveling as a couple or small family and you want a day that includes real swimming time, this starts to look like good value. If you’re mainly interested in long city walks and only one or two short photo stops, you might question whether the private boat is worth it versus something more land-focused. The boat format rewards people who actually use the water time.

Also keep in mind the tour needs good weather. If conditions aren’t right, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Who should book this Amalfi Coast Private Boat Tour from Sorrento

This works best for you if:

• You want a small-group private experience with no shared pacing.
• You care about swimming and snorkeling rather than just sightseeing from a deck.
• You want time in Amalfi and Positano but without doing all the back-and-forth on your own.
• You like the idea of a day that mixes myth (Li Galli), Roman-era trivia (Bagni Regina Giovanna), and classic Amalfi towns.

It may be less ideal if:

• You want a mostly land-based itinerary with long museum-style stops (this is built around sea access and timed town windows).
• You’re traveling with more people than the up-to-4 limit and would need extra arrangements.

Based on the way the company handles timing issues in at least one review and the consistent praise for the skipper’s attentiveness, I’d also say it suits families. One review specifically mentions a family with children and notes that the day worked well for them—short stops plus swim breaks are a good mix for younger travelers.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want the Amalfi Coast the practical way: direct access to swimming spots, short town bursts where you can still enjoy the highlights, and a skipper-led day that doesn’t feel like a rushed checklist. The value is strongest when your group actually uses the water time—because that’s where the included snorkeling gear, towels, and swim stops pay off.

If you’re the type who hates boats, or you want slow, deep time in just one town, you might feel the pacing is too structured. But if you’re aiming for a memorable, efficient, sea-first day from Sorrento, this one hits the mark.

FAQ

How many people are in a group for this tour?

The tour price is per group for up to 4 people.

How long is the boat tour?

The duration is about 8 hours.

What’s included on board?

Soft drinks and bottled water are included, along with Prosecco and local limoncello. You also get snorkeling gear, beach towels, and safety equipment such as life jackets.

Is lunch included?

Lunch at a seaside restaurant is optional, not included.

Is the fuel fee included in the price?

No. There is a fuel fee of €300 that you pay before departure at the office.

Do I need an ID to go on the tour?

Yes. It’s required to present an ID on the day of the tour.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

If you want, tell me your travel dates and whether you’re mostly swimmers or more town-walk people, and I’ll suggest how to time your day around this route.

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