La Spezia & Portovenere boat tour and the 3 Islands with aperitif

The best part of this small-group boat tour is its easy pace. From La Spezia, you cruise toward Portovenere, stop for swimming and snorkeling near Palmaria, then continue around the other islands with music, Ligurian focaccia, and a glass of local wine. Skipper Giacomo adds just enough coastal history without turning the ride into a lecture.

I like the limited group size, which keeps the boat from feeling crowded, and I like the mix of sightseeing and time in the water. The main thing to consider is the short length: two and a half hours gives you a fine taste of the Gulf of Poets, but not a full day to explore Portovenere on foot.

Key points

• Small boat, maximum 12 people: You get a more personal ride than on a large harbor cruise.
• Two opportunities to swim: The route includes a stop near Palmaria and another around the remaining islands.
• Portovenere from the water: You see the village, coastal buildings, caves, and the church area from a useful viewpoint offshore.
• Giacomo at the helm: He is known for a relaxed manner, clear communication, and local stories.
• Ligurian snacks included: Focaccia, pizzetta, soft drinks, music, and wine turn the ride into an informal aperitif on the sea.
• Practical timing: The trip lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes, returns to the starting point, and requires good weather.

Setting out from La Spezia’s Mirabello port

Your boat trip begins at the Mirabello port in La Spezia, at the meeting point identified by the map code 4R2H+7J. The activity returns to this same point, which makes planning easier if you are using La Spezia as your base.

The first minutes are about getting out of the harbor and into the Gulf of Poets. This is not simply a transfer to Portovenere. The boat ride itself is the main event, giving you views of the coast from an angle that roads and walking paths cannot provide.

The boat is described as a typical Ligurian boat, and the group limit is 12 people. That number matters. You can hear the skipper, move around more easily, and avoid the packed feeling common on large sightseeing boats. Some departures may be much smaller, depending on bookings, which can make the outing feel almost private.

Giacomo is the skipper most often named by people who took this trip. His style is relaxed and friendly, with commentary about the places you pass rather than a constant stream of facts. You should expect a social ride with time to look around, not a formal guided tour with a fixed speech at every point.

Seeing Portovenere from the water

The boat follows the coast toward Portovenere, one of the Gulf of Poets’ most striking towns. The approach from the sea gives you a clear sense of how the village sits between the water and the rocky shore.

The first planned stop is between Portovenere and Palmaria, the largest of the three islands. This position is useful for both sightseeing and swimming. You can look back toward the town, see the island close by, and appreciate how the protected gulf opens toward the wider sea.

The coastal route also includes views of sea caves and old buildings. From a boat, these details come into view in quick succession, and the skipper can point out local history as you pass. The setting is more about broad views and coastal character than about entering museums or spending long periods ashore.

If the water is warm enough, the group stops here to swim and use the snorkeling equipment provided. If the water is still cold, the plan may shift toward going into Portovenere village for photographs and a short visit. This flexibility is helpful, but you should understand that the exact balance between swimming and land time depends on conditions.

Portovenere is particularly good for a boat-based visit because its relationship with the sea is central to its identity. You see the waterfront, historic structures, and rocky coastline together, rather than viewing them as separate sights. The tradeoff is simple: you may get a strong visual introduction without having time for a full town walk.

Palmaria and the two smaller islands

After the Portovenere and Palmaria stop, the boat continues toward the other two islands. The route is designed to show you the three-island group from the water, with another stop for swimming around one of them.

This second stop gives the outing a different rhythm. The first part is mainly about Portovenere and the meeting point of town, island, and coast. The later part is more open and relaxed, with time to get into the water, use a mask and snorkel, or simply sit aboard and enjoy the view.

Snorkeling equipment is included, but towels are not. Bring your own towel and plan for wet swimwear after the stop. The supplied information does not promise a particular marine life sighting or underwater attraction, so think of snorkeling as a pleasant extra rather than the central reason to book.

The sea conditions and temperature will shape this part of the tour. A warm, calm day may make both swim stops the highlight. Cooler water or poor weather can change the plan, which is why the operator requires suitable conditions and may offer another date or a full refund if the trip is canceled.

One particularly appealing possibility is seeing dolphins. A past outing included dolphins swimming near the boat, but that is a lucky wildlife encounter, not a scheduled part of the experience. Book this for the coast, the islands, and the swimming stops, with dolphins treated as a bonus.

The aperitif: focaccia, wine, and music

The food and drink are modest but well chosen for a short Ligurian cruise. You receive local snacks such as focaccia and pizzetta, along with soft drinks and wine. Several people specifically enjoyed the fresh focaccia and Prosecco while listening to music on the boat.

This is not a full meal. It is an aperitif, meant to fit naturally between the sightseeing and swimming. That makes sense for a 2-hour and 30-minute tour. You can have a snack without losing much time from the route, and the local focaccia adds a taste of the region without making the outing feel formal.

The wine also shapes the mood. The ride is meant to be calm and sociable, with a glass in hand, music playing, and the coast sliding by. If you do not drink alcohol, soda is included as an alternative. You should still keep your expectations realistic: the main value is the boat outing, and the snacks are a welcome part of it rather than a reason to skip lunch.

Families can enjoy this setup, too. The food is casual, the boat has a small group, and the swim stops give teenagers something active to look forward to. Parents should remember that the tour includes time on the water and swimming, so children need to be comfortable with that setting.

Why the group limit improves the ride

A maximum of 12 people is one of the strongest reasons to choose this experience. You are not joining a large vessel with hundreds of people, where the best view may belong to whoever reaches the rail first.

On a small boat, the skipper can speak to the group directly. You can ask a question, hear the coastal stories, and keep an eye on the shoreline without competing with a crowd. The atmosphere also suits couples, families, and small groups who want an outing that feels personal but does not require chartering a private boat.

There is one small-group tradeoff. The boat may feel less structured than a large excursion, and the experience depends more on the skipper’s style and the group sharing the space well. In this case, the strongest praise is directed toward Giacomo’s calm, welcoming approach, which appears to set the right tone.

The group limit also makes this a good choice for people who dislike loud, hurried excursions. The activity is not built around checking off many stops. It gives you one coastal route, two possible swim periods, commentary, and an aperitif.

What the two and a half hours really gives you

The duration is long enough for a proper coastal outing, but short enough to fit into a busy La Spezia day. You can see Portovenere and the islands without committing an entire morning or afternoon.

You should view the trip as an introduction to the Gulf of Poets. The boat covers the coast, reaches the Portovenere area, visits the island group, and returns to La Spezia. It does not provide hours for wandering through Portovenere, touring churches, or sitting in a waterfront café.

That makes the tour easy to pair with other plans, but it also means the schedule can feel quick if you want extensive time ashore. The itinerary allows a village visit for photos when swimming is not suitable, yet it does not promise a long land stop.

I would choose this timing if your priority is seeing the coast from the sea and getting in a swim. I would choose a longer land-based visit, or a longer boat charter, if Portovenere itself is your main target.

Price and overall value at $83.01

At $83.01 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the area. The value comes from combining several elements in one compact outing: a small boat, a skipper, the coastal route, snorkeling equipment, swim stops, music, snacks, and drinks.

The group size is important when judging the price. You are paying for a more intimate boat experience rather than simply a seat on a large ferry. The included focaccia, pizzetta, soda, and wine help, but the real cost is the access to the coast and the limited number of people aboard.

For a family, the price adds up quickly, so I would book it when everyone is interested in the boat ride and swimming. If only one person wants to get on the water while others prefer museums or shopping, the value is weaker.

The rating is 4.6 out of 5, with a 92 percent recommendation rate. That matches the strongest parts of the experience: the skipper, the relaxed pace, the small group, the scenery, and the simple food and drink. It is a good fit for someone who values atmosphere over a long list of formal stops.

Practical details to sort out before you go

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the meeting point is near public transportation. You should still allow time to locate the exact port meeting place, since waterfront marinas can have several nearby access points.

Bring a towel. It is the clearest item missing from the inclusions, and you will want one after swimming. Comfortable clothing and a swimsuit make sense, but the supplied information does not specify a dress code or particular boat facilities, so pack only what you need for a short outing.

Most people can participate, though the activity is built around boarding a boat, sitting aboard, and possibly swimming. If you need a specific accessibility arrangement, confirm it directly with Desirée Boat Tour’s before booking, since no detailed accessibility information is provided.

Weather matters. The experience can be canceled because of poor conditions, with a choice of another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted, and the tour also requires a minimum number of participants.

Who should book the Portovenere boat tour

I would recommend this outing to you if you want:

• A short, scenic boat trip from La Spezia
• A small group instead of a crowded cruise
• Swimming and snorkeling in the Gulf of Poets
• Portovenere views without planning a complicated coastal excursion
• A friendly skipper and light local commentary
• A casual aperitif of focaccia, pizzetta, soft drinks, and wine
• A family activity that gives teenagers time in the water

I would be more cautious if you need a full Portovenere sightseeing day, dislike boats, or want guaranteed warm water and calm seas. The experience is weather dependent, and the balance between swimming and visiting the village can change with conditions.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a relaxed, social way to see Portovenere and the three islands from the water. The combination of Giacomo’s easygoing hosting, a maximum of 12 people, two possible swim stops, and Ligurian focaccia makes the experience feel more personal than a standard harbor cruise.

Skip it if your main goal is a detailed tour of Portovenere on foot or a full meal at sea. For a half-day taste of the Gulf of Poets, though, it offers good value and a welcome mix of views, water time, and local flavor.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at the Mirabello port area in La Spezia. The meeting point is identified by the map code 4R2H+7J La Spezia, SP, Italy.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point in La Spezia after the tour.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

How many people can join?

The activity has a maximum of 12 participants.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The tour includes snacks such as Ligurian focaccia, soft drinks, music, and wine. The experience information refers to white wine and the provided details also mention Prosecco.

Is a towel provided?

No. Towels are not included, so bring your own if you plan to swim.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.