Private Boat Tour to Cinque Terre & Portovenere on the Nimbus W9
Departure port: La Spezia.
Boarding at La Spezia at approximately 10:00 a.m., return at approximately 5:00 p.m. — a 7-hour private day on the water aboard the Nimbus Weekender W9, with a maximum of 6 guests on an exclusive charter. After boarding and a short briefing with the captain, the Nimbus sets sail south towards the UNESCO-listed archipelago of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto — three spectacular, undeveloped islands that mark the entrance to the Gulf of Poets and the beginning of one of the most protected marine coastlines in Italy.
The first named stop is Portovenere, where the boat anchors in front of the oldest and most spectacular part of the village: the Church of San Pietro, built in the 13th century and positioned at the very tip of the ancient promontory above the small cove known as Byron's Cave. After a stop to admire the medieval waterfront — the tall colourful terraced houses, the castle above, the sea cave below — the Nimbus continues northwest along the coast.
Inside the Cinque Terre Marine Park: Authorised Inshore Access
The route continues to the Cinque Terre — the five legendary fishing villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Their colourful houses suspended on sheer cliffs above crystal-clear water form one of the most iconic coastal landscapes in the world, and the view from the sea is the one that no land-based visit can replicate.
A critical detail of this tour: the Nimbus W9 holds the official authorisation from the Cinque Terre Park Authority to enter the Marine Protected Area. This means the boat can sail close inshore under the cliffs, moor at the designated buoys inside the park, and — weather and conditions permitting — allow guests to disembark in Vernazza via the authorised taxi boat for approximately 1 hour ashore in the village. Boats without this authorisation must remain at a distance of approximately 2 miles from the coast.
After the Cinque Terre, the Nimbus returns to the Gulf of Poets. Guests have the option to disembark on Palmaria Island for a typical local lunch (optional, not included) and/or land in Portovenere for a stroll through the picturesque medieval alleys of the village. Throughout the day, multiple stops for swimming and relaxing in the sun are scheduled along the route. Return to the port of La Spezia at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Itineraries are subject to weather and sea conditions. The skipper may modify the route at any time to ensure the safety of all guests. Punctuality at boarding and disembarkation is required: delays will incur a charge of €120 per hour. In case of unjustified delay, the captain reserves the right to depart without the late guests.