Boat Tours and Cruises in Sorrento

The Museo Correale, the perfectly preserved old town and a citrus grove in the heart of the city: there is no shortage of reasons to visit Sorrento. It's a peaceful destination, on the shores of a blue sea and perfumed by the scent of lemons.

Among the things to see and do in Sorrento, it is impossible not to include a mini-cruise on the waters that surround the city. Among them are those that visit Capri, the most famous island of the archipelago.

The classic of classics. Capri, the most famous island of the archipelago is about 30 minutes by boat from Sorrento.

This island is the most popular destination for tourists and there are several excursions to Capri from Sorrento, both by boat and by other means of transport.

Its flagship is undoubtedly the famous Blue Cave. It was already known in Roman times and was adorned with a statue of Neptune, god of the sea, and his son Triton.

Another Capri landmark is the iconic Faraglioni, the guardians of the island. They are three huge rocks - Saetta, Stella and Scopolo - formed by a karst phenomenon that has eroded the coastline.

Before disembarking, the boat will cruise around the island allowing you to see its charms. These tours usually include a glass of limoncello and a free transfer from your hotel in Sorrento.

• Duration: about 8 hours
• Price: around €60
• Recommended for those who want to see a classic of any trip to Campania.

On this excursion, the boat leaves Sorrento in the morning and heads towards Li Galli, a small undisturbed archipelago. It consists of three islands - La Rotonda, Gallo Lungo and La Castelluccia - surrounded by a breathtaking blue sea. According to tradition, here lived the mermaids who tried to stop Ulysses' voyage.

After leaving this paradisiacal spot behind, the boat arrives at Amalfi, the town that gives its name to this stretch of coast.

You will have a few hours free to explore Amalfi at your own pace and the first stop could be the famous Piazza del Duomo. Here you will find the Cathedral of St. Andrew with its peculiar mix of styles.

For lunch you can opt for a regional classic: pizza. At Donna Stella you can enjoy this delicacy under a suggestive pergola (Salita Rascica 2). Other highly recommended restaurants are Da Maria (Via Lorenzo D'Amalfi 14) and Da Memé (Salita Marino Sebaste 8).

Before returning to the ship, you can take a stroll along the rione Vagliendola, a fascinating seafaring quarter. Once on board, you will pass in front of Furore, a village known for its picturesque fjord. According to legend, this cove is the work of the devil who had tried to take over the souls of the inhabitants.

Before returning to Sorrento, the boat stops in Positano, a town known not only for its beaches and mountains but also for its typical sandals and colourful clothes.

You'll usually have an hour to explore the old town and if you're interested in fashion, I recommend Nanà Positano (Via Pasitea 164) and Antica Sartoria Positano (Via del Brigantino 9/13).

• Duration: about 8 hours
• Price: around 50 €.
• Recommended for those who want to spend a day exploring two of the most beautiful places in the south of Italy.

This stretch of coastline is famous for the cultivated terraces that slope down to the sea. In these plots of land grows the "ovale di Sorrento", a round or elongated lemon with a thicker skin than usual. Its juice, rich in mineral salts, is used to make a liqueur famous all over the world: limoncello.

The beauty of the area means that there are several alternative tours to the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento.

At the beginning of the sailing, the crew will have you taste the local limoncello, which is still made according to the traditional method. In the meantime, you will learn about the history of the region.

These boat tours will give you the opportunity to admire the coastline and its natural beauties. You will pass in front of the villages of Puolo and Massa Lubrense, pass Cape Corbo with its enchanting waterfall and continue sailing to Punta Campanella. According to the Odyssey, this is where Ulysses met the Sirens.

As usual, the ship stops at Punta Campanella for passengers to enjoy a swim. This stretch of the Amalfi Coast is perfect for snorkelling. Normally, the price includes the rental of snorkelling equipment.

By the way, if you want to go home with a bottle of artisanal limoncello, I recommend the Giardini di Cataldo, an urban farm with a centuries-old tradition.

• Duration: about 2 hours
• Price: between 30 € and 40 €.
• Recommended for those who want a short boat trip but still want to see some wonderful scenery.

There are so many things to see that it is not uncommon for some destinations to be overlooked. Ischia and Procida are a perfect example. Both suffer from competition from Capri, but that doesn't mean their charms are any lesser.

Ischia is a good-sized island and its coastline is dotted with sandy beaches. After seeing its silhouette from the sea, you'll come ashore to climb up to the Aragonese Castle, the island's undisputed symbol. The remains of the fortress are located on an islet connected to the coast by a narrow strip of land.

These boat trips usually include a stop to snorkel in the Grotta Verde, a sea cave that ends in a very shallow inlet. The reflection of the sun creates a magical atmosphere.

You will also have time to enjoy a visit on your own. You can take the opportunity to eat something typical without spending too much. Good choices are Cap' E' Fierr (Via Venanzio Marone), Da Ciccio (Via Luigi Mazzella, 32) or Da Assuntina (Via Francesco Buonocore 29).

The sailing continues to Procida, the hidden gem of the Gulf of Naples. From the boat you will see Terra Murata, the historic village of Procida and the beating heart of the island. It was built about 90 metres above sea level to protect the population from pirate attacks.

Once ashore, I recommend a stroll through Marina della Corricella, a seaside village with its charming pastel-coloured houses. If you fancy a refreshing ice cream, you can grab a cone at the Chiaro di Luna ice cream parlour (Via Marina di Corricella 87).

These excursions usually include swimming breaks and a small snack- don't forget your swimming costume at the hotel and bring sunscreen!

• Duration: 10 hours or more
• Price: around 150 €.
• Recommended for those who want to discover two unjustly forgotten destinations.

The route for under 30s. A boat will pick you up in Sorrento and, after sailing along the coast, you will arrive in Capri where you will have a guided tour of the most emblematic places and free time to explore it on your own.

Before returning, you'll take a ride on a banana boat, an inflatable boat attached to a motorboat. Holding on is a real challenge and any fall is a source of laughter. But I'm sure you know that better than I do. These experiences usually include snacks, drinks and snorkelling equipment.

• Duration: between 7 and 8 hours
• Price: around 100 €.
• Recommended for those under 30 years old

The perfect option for any trip as a couple, but not to be dismissed if you have travelled to Sorrento with children. Boats cruise along the coastline at sunset and offer travellers a small aperitif.

Sipping a glass of prosecco as the sun sinks into the sea is priceless. These routes often include stops for a dip in the sea.

• Duration: 2 hours or a little more
• Price: about 70 €.
• Recommended for those who want to surprise their partner

Yes, of course! A mini-cruise is a small adventure that children usually love. Just bear in mind the classic recommendations: protect them with sun cream in summer, put a hat on them and keep them hydrated. Bear in mind that the vast majority of beaches are suitable for them.

In case you want to visit the city buried by the ashes of Vesuvius, I recommend you to read the post that explains how to visit Pompeii with children.

In case of bad weather or rough sea, the excursion fee will be refunded. If you stay more days in Sorrento, you may be offered a change of date.

In case of rain, you can take advantage of the cancellation to see the Museo Correale, an art gallery containing works from the 16th to the 18th century (Via Correale 50).