Boat Tour in the Gulf of Poets: La Spezia, Portovenere, Lerici and the Islands
Sail through one of Italy's most storied coastlines, where cliffs meet crystal water and ancient villages cling to the sea.
This boat tour in the Gulf of Poets takes you along a stretch of Ligurian coastline that has inspired writers and travellers for centuries, from the colourful facades of Portovenere to the quiet drama of the archipelago islands. Rated easy in terms of physical demand, the experience is designed for anyone who wants to explore this coast at a comfortable pace. Four and a half hours on the water give enough time to absorb the scenery without rushing from one stop to the next.
The route passes through places that rarely feature on standard tourist circuits, including the quiet village of Fezzano, the red cliff face known as Le Rosse, and the hidden beaches tucked between the rocks near Lerici. Swimming and snorkelling stops are built into the schedule wherever conditions allow, giving passengers time in the water rather than just views of it from the deck.
Local food and wine are served on board during the rest stop, and music plays in the background throughout. The skipper, born and raised in this area, adjusts the route based on sea conditions and passenger interests, drawing on detailed local knowledge of every cove and headland along the way.
Weather and sea state can affect the planned itinerary. Passengers are contacted a few days before departure with updated information, and alternative routes along more sheltered sections of coast are available if conditions change.
Tour Highlights
Swimming and snorkelling stop at Le Rosse, a striking red cliff formation with clear, rocky shallows ideal for exploring underwater.
Close-up views of Portovenere from the sea, including the clifftop church of San Pietro and the famous Grotta Byron below it.
Circumnavigation of the Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto islands, passing sheer southern cliff faces and reaching waters accessible only by boat.
A view of Tellaro from the sea, one of Italy's designated most beautiful villages, perched directly above the waterline on its rocky headland.
On-board service of local food, wine and other drinks during the mid-tour rest stop, with passenger-chosen background music.
Views of working mussel and oyster farms along the inner gulf, a lesser-known feature of this stretch of Ligurian coast.
Arrival into Lerici from the water, taking in the castle, the pastel-painted harbour buildings and the sailing boats moored in the bay.
Itinerary
The tour begins in La Spezia and heads toward Fezzano, a small village inside the gulf that offers a quieter alternative to the more visited towns nearby. Passengers have time to photograph the waterfront before the boat moves on along the coast past the breakwater and the oyster and mussel farming structures.
The boat reaches Portovenere, one of the most recognisable settlements on the Ligurian Riviera, where coloured terraced houses rise directly from the water. From the sea, passengers can photograph the Church of San Pietro on the headland and look down into the Grotta Byron, the sea cave that gave inspiration to Lord Byron and other poets associated with this coast.
Le Rosse is a section of cliff distinguished by its reddish colour, caused by a high iron content in the rock. The water here is clear and the rocky seabed makes it a good spot for snorkelling. Local food and drinks are served on board during this stop.
The route continues around the three islands of the Portovenere archipelago. Palmaria is the largest and its southern face drops sharply into deep water. Tino is administered by the Italian Navy and is topped by a lighthouse that has served as a navigational landmark for centuries. Tinetto, little more than a large emerging rock, sits just off Tino and is reachable only by sea.
Tellaro is viewed from the water, its buildings stacked on a cliff edge above the sea in a setting that has earned it a place on Italy's list of most beautiful villages. The boat then follows the coast toward Lerici, passing small sandy beaches hidden among the rocks in a stretch of largely undeveloped shoreline.
The final section of the tour provides a sea-level view of Lerici, including its medieval castle on the promontory and the harbour below lined with sailing boats and coloured facades. The boat then returns to the departure point in La Spezia.
What Is Included
Included
- Guided boat tour with local skipper
- Local food served on board
- Wine and non-alcoholic beverages
- Swimming and snorkelling stops
- Background music during navigation
- Personalised route adjustments based on conditions
Not Included
- Snorkelling equipment (bring your own if desired)
- Port taxes or additional fees if applicable
- Travel insurance
- Transport to and from the departure point
Important Information
Ready to Set Sail?
Join a local skipper who knows every corner of this coastline and experience the Gulf of Poets the way it deserves to be seen — from the water.
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