Boating in Amalfi has been a dream come true for us. As avid travelers, we have always been drawn to the picturesque coastlines of Italy. And when we finally had the chance to visit the Amalfi Coast, we knew that we had to experience it by boat.
There is something truly magical about exploring the coast from the water. As our boat glided along the turquoise waters, we were struck by the stunning scenery surrounding us. The colorful towns perched on the cliffs above, the rugged coastline dotted with hidden coves and secluded beaches, and the crystal-clear sea stretching out to the horizon created a sense of wonder and awe.
Of course, boating in Amalfi isn’t without its challenges. The coastline can be rocky and steep, and the sea can be unpredictable, so planning and taking the necessary precautions is essential. But with a bit of preparation and the right mindset, boating in Amalfi can be a truly transformative experience.
On our four-day trip to the Amalfi Coast, we were able to go boating two times and had two completely different experiences. We want to share those experiences so you can plan your own trip!
Renting a Boat with a Skipper
The first boat that we rented was with a skipper! If you’re not an experienced sailor or simply want to relax and enjoy the ride, renting a boat with a skipper is a great option. Many boat rental companies in Amalfi Coast offer this service, which includes a licensed skipper to navigate the boat and provide guidance on the best places to visit along the coast.
We knew we wanted to have a skipper because we were boating from Sorrento to Capri, and none of us had any boat driving experience, let alone boating in the open seas. We also knew we wanted the adventure to be with just our group of four people, which is why we went on a private tour.
When renting a boat with a skipper, knowing what’s included in the package is important. Typically, the rental fee covers the boat rental, fuel, and the skipper’s fee. Depending on the rental company, the package may include snacks, drinks, and snorkeling equipment.
We rented our boat through PDG Boat Tours based out of Sorrento. The package was called Capri Full Day Private Boat Tour. The tour was 8 hours, and the price included the skipper, fuel, HiFi system, canopy (sunroof), soft drinks, and beers.
Since the skipper was at our disposal and the tour was private, we could customize it (how much time on land, on the sea, time for swimming and snorkeling, etc.). The flexibility made the trip even more incredible!
The total price for this tour was 600€, which we thought was a great deal, averaging 150€ per person for the whole day. Although we rented this boat in the middle of July, we did not make the reservation until the end of June. I would advise making a reservation earlier, but it worked out for us!
This was the perfect, most enjoyable boat tour for us. It was great that we did not have to navigate the sea, and the skipper knew where to take us and what to see. He would stop at different places if you wanted to and was very flexible with time spent in different locations. There was the option to visit the Blue Grotto, but we decided to pass it up since the line was so long.
And I am glad we did. The skipper took us to this little swimming hole where there were no other boats, just us. The little swimming hole had a staircase you could walk up and jump off of, and it was like our own private swimming hole.
The Capri disembarkment was through a table reservation at one of the Seaview restaurants in Marina Grande in Capri to avoid paying the 100€ disembarkment tax, which was not included in the price. The restaurant, however, was very expensive and we spent just about 100€ on the food. But, it was in a great location overlooking the sea.
After lunch, we were free to explore the island as we pleased. The skipper stayed on the boat, and we texted him through WhatsApp when we were ready to get onto the boat and swim again.
I don’t know if all skippers are like this, but our skipper let us bring alcohol and snacks too. I will also say that the on-ship bar was not great, and they only had a few war beers and sodas, but that was our only issue.
Overall, this day was a ten out of ten, and I highly recommend getting a skipper, especially if you are boating from Sorrento to Capri. It was a fantastic way to experience the beauty of the Sorrento and Capri Coast without having to worry about navigating the boat by yourself. With the help of an experienced skipper, we could sit back, relax, and enjoy.
Renting a Boat by Yourself
We also rented a boat by ourselves, and this was a spur-of-the-moment adventure before we left Amalfi town.
Brandon and I were walking along the coast, passing all these boat rental shops, so we decided to stop and check it out. We didn’t think any place would have any rentals because visiting in peak summer time. But, luckily, we were wrong!!
We walked right up and asked if they had any boats and, if so, what was their cheapest one. They said they had one for $200 for four hours (not including gas) available and asked if we wanted it, and we said yes!
Reminder, neither of us has any boating experience or boating license.
The company talked to us for about 10 minutes about different boating etiquette, like how far away to anchor your boat, how far away from the shore you should drive, and how to drive over big waves. They told us that if we lost the anchor, we would have to pay for it, and then they took us to our boat.
Let’s just say both of us were very nervous, but we were too deep. They showed us the boat controls and sent us out to sea.
The first 15 minutes were stressful, I won’t lie, but you quickly get the hang of it! The company suggested different routes and swimming holes, and sites to see. We picked the path that followed the coast from Amalfi to Salerno.
I swear, my jaw was on the floor most of the time, looking at the stunning beauty of the coast. It felt completely different from the perspective of the boat driving by the giant cliffs.
We loved the freedom that we had driving the boat by ourselves. We could pull over and check something out whenever we saw something exciting and swim for however long we wanted.
You can also disembark at different cities, but we needed more confidence and time for that.
After cruising along the coast, we returned to port, where they took the boat to fill up with gas. Our four-hour adventure cost us 40 euros to fill the tank. And just like that, our solo boat ride was done.
Again, this is a ten out of ten experience. If you are nervous about doing this because you are not a boat driver, don’t be. Anyone could do it, and it was very straightforward. A little stressful at first, but you will settle in.
I also loved how hassle-free it was. The company was very easygoing and gave us the tools we needed to succeed!
You will see the coast in a new light and create memories that will last a lifetime. Boating in the Amalfi coast was definitely a highlight of our trip, and we hope you all can have that experience too!
