La Spezia is right on the water in the Gulf of Poets, within easy reach of Cinque Terre and other must-see destinations like Porto Venere and Lerici.
The often calm Mediterranean waters are warm enough for a swim in summer, and the coastline is spectacular. It’s easy to see why a boat tour is a popular choice for a day trip to explore this part of the Ligurian Riviera.
In this La Spezia Guide, Insider Guide blog post, I am sharing our pick of the best La Spezia boat tours that offer a unique experience.
Savvy Travel Tips: We almost always use Get Your Guide to book tours. I recommend booking with this platform because it’s reputable AND when you book an activity the cancellation and refund policy is clearly stated.
Other articles that you might find interesting:
- Unforgettable PRIVATE BOAT TOURS in the Gulf of Poets
- Boat trips to Cinque Terre from La Spezia.
5 of the Best La Spezia Boat Tours
Some of our most enjoyable days out have been on the water around the Gulf of Poets. What many visitors may not realize is that the coastal landscape makes many of the most beautiful beaches and swimming spots inaccessible on foot.
Getting out on a boat gives a unique perspective and the opportunity to visit hidden grottos, secluded beaches, and tucked away coves.
We've done a few boat tours in and around La Spezia. Below is a list of some of the best boat tours for a memorable experience.
1. Gulf of Poets Boat Tour Including Portovenere, Lerici and Tellaro
Jumping aboard a comfortable modern boat operated by Sirius Boat Tours, you can enjoy this half-day tour, which treats you to a boating excursion with views of some of the most beautiful towns around the Gulf of Potes.
If you’re a little short on time in the area, then this is a smart way to indulge in multiple local experiences in one tour.
Per Person Price: From €100
Tour Length: 4 Hours
Departing: Porto Mirabello, La Spezia
Group Size: Max. 10
What People Like About This Tour:
- Welcoming host and multi-lingual information
- Hidden coves and towns
- Time to sightsee in Portovenere
More Details: Get Your Guide
Tour Highlights:
- Swim stop in pristine waters
- Chance to explore Portovenere AND Lerici on foot
- Evocative views of Tellaro
- Unique photo opportunities
- Local history and story telling
What Makes This Boat Tour Special?
This is a complete experience on board a beautiful boat. The youthful guys who captain the boat have created a genuinely unique tour where you’ll hear tales of local legends, take time for a swim, and discover hidden coves (calette). The tour includes spectacular views of the coastline and allows time for sightseeing in Portovenere AND Lerici!
As a bonus, it’s one of the few tours that includes the fairytale-like pastel colored town of Tellaro, which sits precariously upon a rocky outcrop.
If you’re only in the area for a day or two, I highly recommend this boat tour, it is a fantastic way to discover the area. Although (a word of warning) it will be like opening up a treasure chest, that will only leave you wanting more!
I must admit that any boat trip that includes the chance of a swim is a winning formula for me! On a warm day the swimming stop at Lerici Caletta is a memorable experience and is an opportunity to soak up some Mediterranean sun.
La Caletta is a small, secluded cove that is difficult to access, making it exclusive to boats and a few people willing to hike in.
Insider Tip: Lu and I (and our dog Cooper) have hiked into some of these hidden coves (le calette) for an afternoon swim. The walk to water is pretty steep and rugged, and the scramble back up the cliff will have you using your hands, reminding us of our rock climbing days (but without a rope)!
So, if you don't have the time to hike in (or don’t feel like risking a twisted ankle, or worse) a visit by boat is the best way to experience the coves and coastal scenary!
2. La Spezia: Sunset Boat Tour with Aperitivo and Snacks
This small group boat tour operated by Kaleidos Boat Tours is a short 2-hour tour trip to enjoy the sunset whilst cruising past several photo-worthy sights and historical locations around the Gulf of Poets.
Per Person Pricing: From €60
Tour Length: 2 Hours
Departing: Porto Mirabello, La Spezia
Group Size: Max. 11
What People Like About This Tour:
- Friendly service
- Delicious snacks
- Beautiful scenery
More Details: Get Your Guide
Tour Highlights:
- Views of historic military and industrial structures such as the Torre Scola built in the 16th century!
- Gulf of Poets and UNESCO island scenic tour with opportunities for ‘Golden Hour’ photos.
- Aperitivo with prosecco and snacks!
What Makes This Boat Tour Special?
Lu is a lover of great photography. So, for photography enthusiasts, this sunset boat trip provides plenty of opportunities to capture stunning images. The changing light conditions, dramatic colors, and reflections on the water present endless possibilities for creative expression.
And, let’s face it, who doesn’t enjoy a sunset boat tour with a glass of prosecco?
3. La Spezia Sunset Cruise with Aperitivo and Dinner
Spend an atmospheric evening aboard a classic Italian boat, which includes breathtaking views of the coastline, with typical local dishes, pasta, and some Italian fizz.
This boat excursion is operated by M.L.G. Tours and cruises around Portovenere and the UNESCO islands of Palmaria, Tino, and Tinetto.
Per Person Pricing: From €90
Tour Length: 3.5 Hours
Departing:Porto Mirabello, La Spezia
Group Size: Max. 12
What People Like About This Tour:
- Great value for money
- Generous with food and drinks
- Fun and welcoming captain/guide
More Details: Get Your Guide
Tour Highlights:
- Tour of the famous sights, including the Church of San Pietro.
- Time to relax and take photographs of the setting sun.
- Opportunity for a swim.
- An enjoyable dinner in a beautiful setting.
What Makes This Boat Tour Special?
From UNESCO wonders to hidden beaches, a sunset aperitvo on the sea, and a delicious dinner with drinks, this tour delivers unparalleled beauty and great value.
Most of the tours around offer light snacks and drinks, but this is one of the few that includes a full meal of local specialties (mussels, pesto, limoncino) and UNLIMITED drinks!
4. La Spezia Boat Trip to Cinque Terre, Portovenere, Lerici, & Palmaria Island
This tour is operated by Arbaspaa and is aboard a classic sailboat. This is a full day sailing tour of Cinque Terre and the Gulf of Poets (including the evocative coastline of the villages of Lerici, Portovenere, and the islands of Palmaria and Tino)!
Per Person Pricing: From €178
Tour Length: 7 Hours
Departing: Porto Mirabello, La Spezia
Group Size: 6 to 10
What People Like About This Tour:
- Beautiful views
- Full day with time to relax and swim
- Onboard bathroom facilities
More Details: Get Your Guide
Tour Highlights:
- Opportunity to see Cinque Terre and The Gulf of Poets in one trip.
- Stops for a swim.
- Includes a lunch of local produce and Italian wine.
What Makes This Boat Tour Special?
This is one of only a few sailboat tours. If you have good sea legs and a sense of adventure, then this is an immersive experience that consistently gets 5-star reviews.
I must admit that any boat trip that includes the chance of a swim is a winning formula for me! In warm weather, this full-day tour is an enticing option to slow the pace and soak up some Mediterranean sun.
5. Boat Tour of the Gulf of Poets Including UNESCO Islands and Hidden Grottos
This adventure is aboard a classic Italian wooden boat, and includes breathtaking views, hidden grottos, and secluded bays.
This tour operated by L'Acciughina is a full-day boat tour of the Gulf of Poets that includes the UNESCO islands of Palmaria Island, Tino, and Tinetto and lesser-known coastal vistas including Punta Pineda to Le Rosse, from the mythical rock of Ferale.
Per Person Pricing: From €150
Tour Length: 8 Hours
Departing: Fezzano (5km from La Spezia)
Group Size: Max. 7
What People Like About This Tour:
- Professional service
- Local insights and authentic experience
More Details: L'Acciughina
Tour Highlights:
- Snorkeling and swimming stops.
- Visit hidden caves and bays around the Gulf of Poets.
- Enjoy local food specialties onboard the boat.
What Makes This Boat Tour Special?
There are dozens of boat trips going to Cinque Terre, but only a few that make a full day trip of the surrounding areas.
If you’ve already visited Cinque Terre and want to become more authentically acquainted with the Gulf of Poets, then this is the right excursion for you.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This boat tour leaves from Fezzano. If you have a car, then you can easily drive to Fezzano. Otherwise, a similar tour departing from La Spezia is a (small group) all-day Portovenere and Islands Boat Experience.
Interesting and Unusual Boat Tours
Pesto Boat Tour of the Gulf of Poets
Aboard this small boat, you can enjoy a casual group tour that takes an excursion around the Gulf of Poets.
This tour by Global Navis has a special focus on the history of the area and, drum roll… a class in traditional pesto making! A slightly unusual pairing for a boat tour BUT, fun and interesting! Personally, I love pesto, so I thought it was a great addition.
Per Person Pricing: From €50
Tour Length: 3 Hours
Departing: Porto Mirabello, La Spezia
Group Size: Max. 6
What People Like About This Tour:
- Friendly and relaxed hosts
- Beautiful scenery
- Knowledgeable Captain with local insights
More Details: Get Your Guide
Tour Highlights:
- Swimming stops at various locations.
- Historical information.
- Includes all the key locations of the Gulf of Poets (Portovenere, Palmaria island, Lerici, Tellaro, and Le Grazie).
- Pesto making class, using traditional methods.
Looking for other fun and interesting Ligurian foodie experiences? There are lots to choose from! Immerse yourself in the local traditions, with pasta making, classic Italian cooking lessons, and wine tasting and tours.
What Makes This Boat Tour Special?
You can find basil pesto in almost every tourist shop around Liguria. But I must admit that I prefer a fresh home-made pesto. If you’re a fan of pesto, then using traditional techniques and learning about Ligurian pesto history is an authentic experience that any slow traveler will appreciate.
This same operator also offers a private Mussel Boat Tour with a stop at the mussel farms in the Gulf of La Spezia. Fresh mussels… it just keeps getting better and better! 😉 This tour gives a special cultural insight into the local mussel industry that has been an integral part of the life of many families living in the gulf.
Other Options for La Spezia Boat Tours
The following are worth a notable mention and are worth your consideration:
- Porto Venere and Islands: Highlight Tour with Sunset & Prosecco – This 3-hour tour is a classic sunset tour to relax at the end of the day. Enjoy the scenery and stop at Porto Venere. There are opportunities for an early evening dip in the sea and stops for photos.
- La Spezia Gulf of Poets Boat Trip on the HopHop Boat – Experience the Gulf of Poets on a half-day tour with 2 port stops and a chance to swim in the hidden coves near Lerici.
Detailed info: Porto Mirabello is the marina area in La Spezia. Some boats depart from this location. Others depart from the marina which is close to the harbor foreshore/Passeggiata Morin.
Check with your tour operator for an exact pickup location.
Looking for other things to do around La Spezia and Cinque Terre? You may enjoy these articles:
Wrap Up
La Spezia is situated on the Gulf of Poets and is an ideal base to start a day out on the water.
Ironically (even though we live in La Spezia) our last boat trip was departing from Riomaggiore. It was a perfect day on the water, cruising around the Cinque Terre coastline and making a stop at Monterosso. But it added extra travel time and costs to our day trip!
So, if you’re already in La Spezia, why not start your boat trip here? There are many great boat tours departing from Porto Mirabello and some unique and authentic experiences away from the tourist masses.
