Boat hire in Cinque Terre

Rent a boat in Cinque Terre

Italy has hundreds of kilometers of glorious coastline, and Liguria has its fair share of the most spectacular coastal panoramas, especially the Cinque Terre which have been a part of the Unesco World Heritage since 1997. Cinque Terre is considered a National Park and its beautiful coastline and sea are a Protected Marine Area. Originally, these five lands were just five fishing villages with just mule tracks or footpaths connecting them; even today accessibility by car is limited. The best way by far to get to these historic destinations is by boat. Fortunately, Cinque Terre boat rental is readily available at affordable prices, with skipper or without. 

You can choose to rent a boat with skipper or without, at an affordable price. In Liguria, sailing boats are very popular, from small boats for just a few people to large sailing vessels that need a crew to run them. The bigger sailing boats can accommodate up to fifteen people, and they are floating homes with sitting rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms, kitchens and dining areas. Engine powered yachts can fit up to ten people, mostly with three cabins. Motorboats and speedboats are also popular here: zipping along with the spray flying is an exhilarating way to get to the various points of interest along the coast of the Cinque Terre.

How much does it cost to rent a boat in Cinque Terre? 

Cinque Terre boat rentals vary in price depending on the boat type, characteritics of the boat, the season among other things. 

Cinque Terre yacht charters in low season cost from £1,521 per day and £13,941 per week. In high season the cost is from £2,154 per day and £15,081 per week. 

Catamaran rentals in Cinque Terre instead during low season can cost £1,394 per day and £4,056 per week. In high season the prices go up and cost from £2,408 per day and £7,097 per week. 

Is it possible to rent a boat in Cinque Terre with or without a skipper?

It is possible to make a boat hire in Cinque Terre with or without a skipper. It is a great idea to do a bareboat boat rental in Cinque Terre if you want to be in charge of your own sailing. You will need a valid nautical license.

You may also choose to do a boat charter in Cinque Terre with a skipper. This is also a great idea if you are looking for a relaxing way to enjoy the water without worrying about the technicalities of sailing. 

What to do in Cinque Terre?   

Cinque Terre is made up of five small fishing towns: Vernazza, Manarola, Riomaggiore, Monterosso, and Corniglia. The best way to move around the area is with a Cinque Terre boat hire so you don’t miss out on the beautiful scenery. There is something about moving around on the water and finding the next town with its colourful houses. 

The mix of the Mediterranean sea, the gelato and the mountains are an amazing experience that you won’t want to miss. You can choose to start your boat trip from La Spezia to Cinque Terre. This is a great option for those who want to avoid the crowded train rides or walking many kilometres between each town. 

Monterosso al Mare, the largest town of the five, is ideal for those looking for a larger beach. Moor here and visit the 14th century Loggia del Podestà and parish church of San Giovanni Battista. The medieval Torre Aurora was built to protect the town from frequent pirate attacks. 

Vernazza, thought to be the prettiest of the five villages, is in between rocky cliffs with colourful houses that seem almost stacked on top of each other. Moor here to look at the little piazza (square) and admire the boats that bob around in the water. The best view is from your Cinque Terre boat charter. The second best? Climb the steps to the headland opposite of the round tower!

Corniglia, the only town without a harbour, stands 182 meters above sea level. This city is beautiful to see from your boat as you head to the next town. You can also drop your anchor to jump into the water for a bit!

Manarola is our personal favourite. Moor here and view the church, bell tower, 16th-century watchtower. Stop here to try the fresh fish! There are restaurants in this town that catch their own fish in the morning and fry them in the afternoon. This part is also ideal for those who want to get into the water to refresh themselves from the warm weather. 

Last, Riomaggiore! Riomaggio is the easiest to reach filled with colourful houses. The artists and photographers drawn to the village due to the natural beauty of the village. The 14th century church San Giovanni is a beauty to check out with its carved marble pulpit. 

It is a great idea to start your boat rental in La Spezia and move towards Cinque Terre. This is the best choice to admire the beautiful landscape of the Ligurian villages. It is worth traveling this way once at least. The best part is no need to follow anyone’s schedule or be in crowded and sweaty train rides. All you have to do is enjoy the views!

How is the weather and sailing conditions in Cinque Terre?

The weather in Cinque Terre follows that of the Mediterranean. The summer from May to October is warm with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 29°C. The winter from November to April has a minimum temperature of 5°C and highs of 15°C. If you are looking to run away from crowds, the months of April, May, August and September are the best times for a Cinque Terre boat charter. 

Which are the most popular ports in Cinque Terre?  

 The most popular ports in Cinque Terre to rent a boat are:

• Marina del Fezzano
• Marina di la Spezia

Other places to visit nearby are:

• Portofino 
• Chiavari
• Livorno
• Genova

How to get to Cinque Terre?    

If you are coming from outside of Italy, we recommend flying to Pisa Airport (PSA), Genova Airport (GOA) or Florence Airport (FLR). From any of these airports you can either take a train, shuttle bus or taxi to La Spezia. In La Spezia you can start your journey! The best way to travel is by boat, so why not rent a sailboat in Cinque Terre!