Discover everything you need to know about a Cinque Terre boat tour: tips, photography, proposals, best companies, swimming, and more.

Cinque Terre Boat Tour photographer

We decided to share our experience regarding Cinque Terre boat tours because we want our expertise as professional Cinque Terre boat tour photographers to help you understand whether this activity is the right choice for you. A boat tour is a great idea for both couples and families—it inspires a sense of adventure and is an original way to discover the Cinque Terre. Below you’ll find some useful information that will help you evaluate whether this experience is a good fit for you.

Why choose a Cinque Terre boat tour?

Let’s be honest. Compared to the big ferries—where the rule is to maximize profits—choosing a private boat tour means choosing an exclusive experience. It’s true, the cost is definitely higher than the ferries, but the experience is worth the price of the ticket. If your only goal is to move from one village to another, then yes, the ferry might be the right option, an alternative to the train. But if you want to enjoy a slow-paced ride by sea, with time for a swim or to admire the sunset—and who knows, if you’re lucky you might even see dolphins—booking a private Cinque Terre boat tour means choosing a personalized service. By booking a private boat, you make sure the crew follows your preferences. We once documented the experience of a couple who had already visited all the villages and preferred to minimize the navigation time to enjoy more swimming and simply relax while sipping a glass of prosecco. This is something you absolutely can’t do on the ferry. So if you, too, want to make sure you live this kind of experience, the Cinque Terre boat tour is definitely something you should add to your list of things to do in the Cinque Terre.

Do you recommend a Cinque Terre boat tour for documenting a marriage proposal?

Absolutely yes. But at the same time, it’s important to reflect on a few aspects that can be crucial for the outcome of your boat tour experience. Let us tell you about a guy who decided to book a Cinque Terre boat tour to propose in front of Vernazza. After giving him all the information on how to plan the surprise, the big day finally arrived. Everything was perfect: bright sun, calm sea, ideal temperature, trains on time—it really couldn’t have been more perfect. But there was one small, yet decisive, detail he hadn’t considered: he never told us that his partner had never been on a boat before. The proposal went well, but unfortunately the girl felt unwell throughout the entire navigation, and they had to end the boat tour an hour and a half earlier than planned. Despite everything, we were careful and thoughtful, and still managed to take beautiful photos with the villages in the background. Once we docked in Monterosso, she started feeling better, and after recovering a bit, we continued with a few photos on land. It was definitely an adventure, and had we known in advance that she had never been on a boat, we would have advised against choosing this moment as her first experience. We would have suggested documenting the proposal inside one of the villages instead, and then letting them book the boat tour directly on site after testing the waters—perhaps starting with a kayak—and making a decision together. Proposing in the Cinque Terre during a boat tour is absolutely romantic, but you must also understand if this experience truly suits you. Another important detail is the outfit. We’ve worked with couples who had reserved a dinner after the boat tour. The partner obviously didn’t know it was the big moment, but since they planned to go to a restaurant afterwards, she didn’t want to swim because she didn’t want to ruin her makeup or get her hair wet. So if you also want to combine the boat tour with a dinner afterwards, keep this detail in mind! Some companies offer the possibility to shower and change directly inside the cabin—an excellent solution if you don’t want to give up a celebratory swim and don’t have time to return to the hotel/apartment. We still recommend confirming this with the company before booking so you know exactly which options are available.

There are many Cinque Terre boat tours— which companies are the most reliable?

In the Cinque Terre there are many companies offering boat tours, and consequently there are many different approaches to customers. Some try to maximize profits and offer tours even when sea conditions aren’t ideal—they only care about filling their pockets. Others genuinely care about providing you with a good experience. They take pride in their work (and we understand them!). They want to provide a professional service that meets their standards, and if conditions aren’t great, they prefer canceling the tour rather than giving you a disappointing or unsafe experience. They are professionals because they want to ensure the boat tour is completely safe and that travelers get the best out of this beautiful experience. Over the years, we have built strong collaborations with two companies we trust and highly recommend: Hello Cinque Terre and Fish & Chill boat tour. If you decide to book with them, trust what they suggest. They know exactly what they’re doing—and they do it very, very well! You’ll be in excellent hands.

Can we swim during the Cinque Terre boat tour?

The best months for swimming are from June to September. May and October can also be suitable, depending on the year—for example, in 2023 we took our last swim of the season on November 1st! You should also consider the duration of the boat tour you book. Some companies offer packages that include swimming time. Make sure to ask about this detail if swimming is important to you—don’t assume it’s included. Remember: the Cinque Terre is a national park, and boats cannot exceed a certain speed. This means that to visit all five villages by sea, there are specific timings to follow. So make sure to ask if swimming time is included in the tour. And if you’ve already visited all five villages and prefer anchoring in front of just one of them to spend more time swimming, tell the captain!

Cinque Terre or Portovenere?

Some companies offer packages that include both the Cinque Terre and Portovenere, but if your time is limited, we recommend choosing the Cinque Terre with departure from Monterosso. This doesn’t mean Portovenere isn’t beautiful—on the contrary, it’s extremely charming and a great plan B when sea conditions in the Cinque Terre are unstable. Portovenere is more sheltered because it’s inside a gulf. So if you’ve already booked a Cinque Terre boat tour but sea/wind conditions aren’t favorable, Portovenere is definitely the perfect alternative if you still want to enjoy a boat experience. However, in case of good weather, we definitely recommend visiting the Cinque Terre by sea.

When should you book your Cinque Terre boat tour? Sunset, morning, or daytime?

There’s no right answer—it all depends on your tastes and interests. Sunset is definitely the most popular time, especially for proposals, but for example we also absolutely love the vibrant daytime colors. At noon, the sun is at its highest point, making the sea turn into a bright turquoise, like a swimming pool—something that doesn’t happen at sunset. The colorful houses also light up beautifully under the midday sun, showing those vivid shades many people loved in Disney’s Luca. At sunset everything turns golden—the famous golden hour—where warm light embraces everything. If you want to swim, early morning might not be ideal, especially if you get cold easily like we do. In that case, opt for the afternoon or sunset.

I love sunsets—should I enjoy them from land or from a boat?

Each village offers several panoramic viewpoints where you can admire the sunset. But keep in mind that if you’re planning to enjoy an intimate moment with your partner or family, you won’t be alone. As you can see in the image below, which we took in Riomaggiore, a crowd of people gathers on the rocks every evening to watch the sun go down. This happens in every village during high season. It’s still magical to share that moment with others, but if you’re looking for more privacy, then the boat tour is definitely an experience to consider.

Is a Cinque Terre boat tour suitable for children?

Here the same applies as with proposals on board: make sure your little ones are comfortable, and don’t risk taking them on a boat if they’ve never tried any kind of watercraft before. The idea of a family boat tour is amazing, let’s be honest, but it’s important to make sure the experience doesn’t turn into frustration or discomfort for them. We’re parents ourselves, so we truly get it. A piece of advice: if your kids have never been on a boat, before booking a Cinque Terre boat tour, try renting a paddle boat or kayak for just an hour from one of the local beach clubs. Give it a try and see how it goes. There are many Cinque Terre boat tour companies, so we don’t think it will be hard to find availability if you choose to book directly in person after testing the experience. The key is flexibility. If you can try a boat ride where you live, even better—this way you can book your Cinque Terre boat tour well in advance.

Why hire a local photographer for your Cinque Terre boat tour?

Whether it’s a marriage proposal, a honeymoon, an anniversary, or simply a special moment with your family or friends, hiring a photographer for your Cinque Terre boat tour allows you to enjoy the experience without spending the whole time holding your phone to take selfies. At the end of the day, what will remain? The authentic memory—unfiltered by a screen—of a moment spent with the people you love in a magical place like the Cinque Terre. And once you’re back home, you can display high-quality printed photos that will bring back the memory of that relaxing navigation. Remember, we’re local — which means no extra travel fees and no stress about delays or unexpected issues that can happen when hiring a photographer from another part of Italy.

“We had the absolute best experience with David as our engagement proposal photographer in Cinque Terre! From the very first message, he was responsive, professional, and genuinely excited to help plan the moment. He guided us on the perfect spot and timing, and captured every emotion flawlessly. The photos turned out stunning—beautifully composed, natural, and full of the magic of Cinque Terre. He made us feel comfortable, supported, and celebrated throughout the whole experience. Our engagement was done on a sunset boat tour, and David worked with the boat company to discreetly board the boat and capture the most amazing photos during the 3-hour ride! If you’re looking for someone to capture a once-in-a-lifetime moment, David is the one. Highly, highly recommend Lovvia Memories for every photoshoot occasion!”

James

For info and bookings, you can write us at: lovviamemories@gmail.com

---

HOME | KIND WORDS | CONTACT | PORTFOLIO | PROPOSAL IN CINQUE TERRE