From La Spezia: Portovenere and 3 Islands Boat Trip

The best part of this trip is the way it brings the Gulf of Poets into view from the water. You pass fishing villages, old coastal defenses, marble cliffs, sea caves and the three islands of Portovenere before reaching one of Liguria’s prettiest villages.

I like the small 12-seat boat, which gives the ride a friendly, personal feel, and I like the chance to see places that are hard to reach from land, including Scola Tower, Tino’s old monastery ruins and the Blue Grotto. The main drawback is time: Portovenere is given about 75 minutes, and several people wished they had longer in the village or more time for swimming.

Key points to know before booking

• Three islands in one short cruise: See Tinetto, Tino and Palmaria, each with a different character and past.
• A fast, intimate ride: The new boat has 12 padded leather seats, making this a far smaller outing than a large sightseeing vessel.
• Portovenere stop: You get roughly 75 minutes to walk the harbor, see the church and explore the old lanes.
• Swimming is weather dependent: Bring a towel, but do not count on a long swim. Time in the water may be brief.
• No restroom onboard: Use facilities before boarding, especially if you are traveling with children.
• Good value at $81: The price covers a 2.5-hour coastal trip, captain, boat and village stop, but not food or drinks.

Why this Gulf of Poets boat trip is different

La Spezia is best known as a gateway to Cinque Terre, yet the coast in the opposite direction offers a quieter and less obvious outing. This tour heads west into the Gulf of Poets, a broad sweep of water named for the writers and artists who were drawn to the area.

You begin at the HopHop Boat floating platform along Passeggiata Morin. The platform is roughly halfway along the waterfront promenade, and it doubles as a place to wait before boarding. That is a useful touch because you are not left standing on a busy dock with nowhere to sit.

The boat is a new speedboat built for comfort in mixed conditions. It has 12 padded leather seats and a ladder for getting in and out of the water. The small size matters. You can hear the captain, ask questions and enjoy the coast without the feel of a large excursion boat.

The captain speaks Italian and English and provides local information during the ride. You may also be able to book a private group. The operation has earned a 4.7 out of 5 rating from 224 ratings, and 90 percent of ratings give it a perfect score. That points to a consistently strong experience, especially for the boat handling, friendly service and scenery.

Leaving La Spezia through the fishing villages

The first section gives you a new view of La Spezia. Instead of looking inland from the station or waterfront, you see the city recede as the boat follows the western side of the gulf.

Cadimare comes first, followed by Fezzano and Le Grazie. These are traditional maritime hamlets known locally as the Borgate Marinare. You pass rather than stop, so do not book this trip expecting time to wander their streets. Their value here is visual: small harbors, waterside homes and a sense of how local life is tied to the sea.

The ride is quick, and the boat’s speed lets you cover a good stretch of coast in a short time. That also means the trip can feel active rather than leisurely. If you prefer a slow sail with long pauses, this is not quite that. If you like moving from one view to the next, the pace works well.

The coast becomes more rugged as you leave the built-up parts of the gulf. Keep your camera ready for the contrast between the calm harbor and the rougher cliffs beyond it.

Scola Tower and the first taste of coastal history

Scola Tower is one of the most memorable sights early in the route. The ruined sea fort sits alone in the water, a compact block of stone surrounded by open sea.

The Republic of Genoa built it in the 17th century as a watch and defense post. From the boat, you can understand its purpose immediately. It occupied an exposed position where approaching vessels could be watched before reaching the settlements farther inside the gulf.

You only pass by, so there is no landing or interior visit. The reward is the view from the water, where the tower appears as an isolated relic rather than one more building in a crowded town. It is a good example of why this trip works best as a coastal sightseeing ride. Several historic sites are most striking when seen from offshore.

The three islands of Portovenere

The route then reaches the three islands that give the outing its shape: Tinetto, Tino and Palmaria. They are close together, but they offer three distinct stops on the boat’s story.

Tinetto

Tinetto is the smallest of the three. The island is associated with the remains of a sixth-century chapel, a reminder that this coast was used for religious retreat as well as defense and trade.

You pass it from the boat, so your view is brief. Still, the ruins add an older layer to the trip. Tinetto is not about a major monument or a long visit. It is about seeing a small, isolated place with traces of an early Christian site.

Tino

Tino is protected and is home to the remains of an ancient monastery. It also has Italy’s oldest active lighthouse, giving the island both a religious and maritime identity.

Again, you do not go ashore. The island is best appreciated as part of the wider view, with the ruins, lighthouse and rocky shoreline coming into focus as you cruise past. If you are especially interested in the monastery or lighthouse, keep your expectations in check because this is a sightseeing pass, not an archaeological visit.

Palmaria

Palmaria is the largest island and gets the most attention. Its wild coast includes dramatic rock faces and former marble quarries. The marble is no longer being worked, but the pale cliffs remain a major visual feature of the trip.

This is one of the strongest sections for photographs. The changing color of the rock, the open water and the steep coastal walls create a sharper, more rugged scene than the sheltered villages near La Spezia.

The boat also passes the old Ronca coastal anti-aircraft battery and the Stella Maris statue. Stella Maris is a statue of the Virgin Mary placed near a submerged reef, acting as a sea guardian. These details can pass quickly, so listen when the captain points them out.

Blue Grotto and Byron’s Grotto from the sea

The Blue Grotto of Palmaria is another pass-by sight. Its turquoise water is best viewed from outside, since this outing does not promise an interior cave visit.

That distinction matters. You will see the opening and the water inside, but this is not a cave-swimming expedition. The boat keeps the schedule moving, and conditions at sea can affect exactly how close it can approach.

Near Portovenere, the boat reaches Byron’s Grotto. The cave is linked with Lord Byron, who is said to have swum across the bay to Lerici. The story gives the place extra character, but the real pleasure is the combination of cliff, water and the village ahead.

Then comes Le Bocche, the narrow strait between Palmaria and Portovenere. This is one of the visual high points. As the boat threads the passage, you get a strong view toward Portovenere and St. Peter’s Church, perched at the end of the village beside the sea.

The approach is worth watching closely. Portovenere looks especially handsome from the water, with its colorful waterfront buildings and old stone church forming a compact coastal picture.

Seventy-five minutes in Portovenere

The stop in Portovenere is self-guided, with about 75 minutes to use as you please. That is enough for a quick walk and a snack, but it is not enough for a relaxed, full visit to every corner.

Start near the harbor and walk along the waterfront. The village is compact, so you can quickly reach the main street and the historic lanes behind it. St. Peter’s Church is the essential sight, both for its position and for the view back toward the gulf.

You can also use the stop for food. Focaccia and cannoli are practical choices when time is tight, and the village is a good place to pause for a drink if you are not in a hurry to cover every alley.

The key limitation is the clock. A short stop works well if you want an introduction to Portovenere after seeing the coast from the boat. It will feel rushed if your main goal is a long village visit, a full meal or detailed sightseeing.

One person who took the trip wished for more time in Portovenere after finding the food and village especially appealing. That is a fair criticism. If Portovenere is high on your list, consider returning independently for a longer visit rather than treating this boat trip as your only time there.

Swimming, Palmaria and the return to La Spezia

If you are not interested in visiting Portovenere, you can ask the captain about stopping at Punta Secco on Palmaria near Gabbiano Beach. This offers a more relaxed alternative, with the chance to sit by the water or swim when conditions allow.

The published timing includes swimming and sailing, but the actual time in the water can be limited. One person wanted more than a few minutes to swim, while another enjoyed swimming off the coast as part of the outing. The practical lesson is simple: bring your towel and swimsuit, but treat swimming as a possible extra rather than the main purpose of the trip.

The sea can be lively. A careful captain is important on a small, fast boat, and the experience includes a trained captain familiar with local waters. One outing had some larger waves but only a few splashes, while another ride was described as bumpy at first and smoother later. Conditions change, so nobody can promise a glassy ride.

Children may need to ask for life jackets. If you are bringing children, make that request before setting off rather than assuming equipment will already be on each seat.

The return passes the mussel farms before reaching La Spezia. These floating marine farms are part of the gulf’s working character, and they provide a final reminder that this is not just a scenic postcard. The water supports local food and local jobs.

Is $81 a fair price?

At $81 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Portovenere. You are paying for a small boat, a 2.5-hour route, a captain, local commentary, several offshore sights and a village stop.

The value is strongest if you want to combine many sights in one compact outing. In a little over two hours, you see the western gulf, three islands, historic ruins, sea caves, Palmaria’s cliffs and Portovenere. A larger boat might carry more people, but the 12-seat format gives you a more personal ride and better access to the captain.

The value is weaker if you want a long Portovenere visit or a dedicated beach afternoon. You will have only about 75 minutes in the village, and swimming time depends on the schedule and the sea. Food and drinks are not included, so add those costs if you plan to eat in Portovenere.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make it easier to fit into a changing itinerary. The trip runs rain or shine, although the route can change with sea and weather conditions. The key sights are intended to remain part of the experience.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would choose this for a first look at the Gulf of Poets, especially if I had only one afternoon in La Spezia. It suits you if you want scenery, history and a little speed without committing to a full-day excursion.

It is also a good fit for people who have already seen Cinque Terre and want a different side of Liguria. The fishing hamlets, working mussel farms, defensive towers and island ruins show a coast with more than postcard villages.

Families can enjoy the short duration and lively ride, but you should prepare children for the lack of a restroom and ask about life jackets. People who are sensitive to motion should know that waves can make the boat bounce, even though the captain aims to keep the ride safe and controlled.

The outing is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the boat also uses a ladder for easy water access. If you have specific mobility needs, confirm the boarding arrangement before booking.

Wear flat shoes, since high heels are not allowed. Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen and a towel. You should also use a restroom before reaching the floating platform.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a compact coastal overview with a small group, a fast boat and a useful stop in Portovenere. The strongest reasons are the range of sights, the personal size of the boat and the chance to see Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto from the water.

Skip it if your priority is spending half a day in Portovenere, swimming for a long stretch or traveling on a completely calm sea. For most people, $81 is reasonable for the amount of coastline covered, as long as you understand that the village stop is a taste, not a full visit.

FAQ

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat leaves from the HopHop Boat floating platform along Passeggiata Morin in La Spezia. Look for the platform about halfway along the promenade.

How long is the experience?

The boat trip lasts 2.5 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $81 per person.

Which languages are available?

The captain and tour service are available in Italian and English.

How much time do you get in Portovenere?

The Portovenere stop is listed as about 75 minutes of free time for a self-guided visit.

Can I swim during the trip?

Swimming and sailing are included in the timing, but the amount of swimming time depends on the schedule and sea conditions. Bring a towel if you would like to swim.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

No. There are no restrooms onboard, so use one before departure.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen and a towel. High-heeled shoes are not allowed.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.