Boat Tours from Sorrento: Day Trips and Rentals

Some of the finest views of the Sorrento coast are the ones you only get from the water — hidden coves, sea grottoes and cliffs that drop straight into the blue. There are three easy ways to get out there: join an organised day tour to Capri, Positano and Amalfi, hire a private boat with a local skipper, or rent a small dinghy and explore under your own steam. Here’s how each one works.

Organised day tours

The simplest option is a full-day group tour. Boats leave Sorrento harbour each morning for classic itineraries — typically Sorrento to Positano and Amalfi, or a loop around the island of Capri — with a swimming stop and free time to explore the villages. The two main operators from the harbour are NLG (Navigazione Libera del Golfo) and Alilauro (Gescab). For the individual itineraries with times and indicative prices, see our boat tours: itineraries and 2026 prices guide.

• NLG – Navigazione Libera del Golfo Daily boat excursions to Capri, Positano and Amalfi.
• Alilauro (Gescab) Capri and Amalfi Coast excursions and fast ferries.

If you’d rather travel independently and simply hop on a scheduled ferry, you’ll find all the routes and how they work in our how to get around guide.

Private boats with a skipper

For a more flexible day, hire a boat with a local skipper: you choose the route, stop to swim wherever you like, and reach quiet coves the big tours skip. It’s ideal for families and small groups, and the skipper does all the work.

• Rent a Boat Sorrento Boat hire with or without a skipper · tel. +39 347 440 2073.
• Fernando’s Boat Private tours with skipper Fernando · +39 389 5496433.
• Capitano Ago Private boat excursions along the coast and to Capri.
• You Know Boat Sorrento-based private boat tours and charters.

Self-drive dinghies

If you’d like to be your own captain, several outfits around the Massa Lubrense marinas rent small dinghies (gommoni). Lower-powered boats can usually be driven without a licence — perfect for reaching coves and swimming spots that can only be approached from the sea.

• Cinque Mare Marina di Puolo, Massa Lubrense.
• Cooperativa S. Antonio Nerano / Marina del Cantone, Massa Lubrense.
• Cooperativa Marina della Lobra Marina della Lobra, Massa Lubrense.

Good to know: book ahead in high summer, especially for Capri, and bring sun protection, water and a light cover-up. Prices vary with the season, the size of the boat and whether fuel is included, so confirm what’s covered when you book.