Boat Rental Amalfi — 2027 Guide: Positano, the Emerald Grotto, Gozzo Boats and No-Licence Boats

Amalfi was one of Italy's four maritime republics, and today it is a small town in a valley between steep cliffs, with the Cathedral of Saint Andrew and the Marina Grande beach in front of the harbour. The only road along the coast, the Amalfitana, winds high along the cliffs and is slow in summer. That is why the Amalfi Coast is best seen from the sea. This guide describes the routes from Amalfi itself westward, to Positano, Li Galli and Capri, and what you need to know about the boats, the rules and the crowds.

Where the boats leave from

All the boats we offer for Amalfi leave from a private pier in Minori, a quiet town about 2 nautical miles (NM) east of Amalfi. Boarding is also possible in Maiori and Marmorata di Ravello. A half day runs from 9:00 to around 12:30, or about three and a half hours in the afternoon, and a full day from 9:00 to around 17:00.

Routes along the coast

Distances are approximate and measured from Amalfi; from Minori add about 2 NM.

• Atrani (about 0.5 NM): the smallest town on the coast, with a square and a church right by the beach, just around the headland east of Amalfi. On the way from Minori you also pass the Marmorata waterfall below Ravello.
• Conca dei Marini and the Grotta dello Smeraldo (about 2.5 NM): you enter the Emerald Grotto in rowing boats from the landing in front of the cave, and the light coming in below sea level turns the water green. Entry is paid. A little further on is the Capo di Conca headland with its Saracen tower.
• Fiordo di Furore (about 3.5 NM): a narrow gorge opening to the sea, with a small pebble beach and a few fishermen's houses below the high bridge of the Amalfitana road.
• Praiano (about 4.5 NM): rocky coves and the small harbour of Marina di Praia, good for a swim when Positano is crowded.
• Positano (about 8 NM): colourful houses tumbling down the cliff to the Spiaggia Grande beach. See also the page boats in Positano.
• Li Galli (about 11 NM): three small islands off Positano, privately owned, so you swim from the boat in the clear water around them. For Li Galli, with swims along the way and the return trip, a full day is best.
• Capri (about 17 NM): a full-day trip past Punta Campanella, with the Faraglioni and the caves along the island's coast. See also the page boats in Capri.

Gozzo, cabin boat or no-licence boat

• The gozzo is the traditional wooden boat of the Sorrento Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast, wide and stable. The Aprea boatyard in Sorrento has been building them for generations, and "Cima" in our offer is exactly such a 10-metre gozzo.
• Cabin motorboats of 7.5 to 9 metres have a toilet, shower and shade, so they are comfortable for a full day or a trip to Li Galli and Positano.
• No-licence boats of 5.5 to 6.2 metres with a 40 HP engine are enough for the coast between Maiori, Minori, Atrani and Amalfi, the Marmorata waterfall and the Furore fjord. For Positano, Li Galli and Capri it is better to take a boat with a skipper.

Prices in our listings

Prices are for the whole boat, and fuel, beach towels and drinks (water, soft drinks, beer) are included. The owner also accepts card payment.

• Key Largo (5.5 m, up to 5 people, no licence): half day €140–170, full day €260–280. View listing.
• Perla Blu (6.2 m, up to 5 people): without licence half day €160–180, full day €270–280; with skipper for up to 4 people half day €300–420, full day €480–600. View listing.
• Ginevra (9 m, up to 10 people, with skipper, cabin, toilet and shower): half day €600–650, full day €850–900. View listing.
• Aprea Sorrento 32 "Cima" (10 m gozzo, with skipper, 2 × 325 HP): half day €1,020–1,140, full day €1,320–1,440, for groups of up to 6 people. View listing.

The lower price applies in April, May and October, and the higher one from June to September.

Rules along the coast and summer crowds

• Licence. In Italy you can drive a boat with an engine of up to 40 HP without a licence, close to the coast.
• Swimming zone. In summer, marked swimming zones in front of beaches are off limits to boats; you approach a beach only through a marked corridor and very slowly. A speed limit also applies along the coast under the harbour office (Capitaneria di porto) ordinance.
• Ferries. Scheduled boats call at Amalfi, Positano, Minori and Maiori and raise a big wake; don't stop in their path and keep away from the piers.
• Crowds. In July and August, especially around Ferragosto on 15 August, many boats wait in front of Positano and the Emerald Grotto in the middle of the day. Leave at 9:00 and head to the farthest point first, leaving the places closer to Amalfi for the way back.
• Sea and wind. The coast faces south, so the sea is usually calm in the morning, and a sea breeze picks up in the afternoon. The skipper chooses the route based on the forecast, and no-licence boats stay in the shelter between Maiori and Furore.

Season

Boats in Amalfi run from April to October. In April and May the coast is green and the sea still cool; from June to September the water is warm and the days long, but that is also when it is busiest. October is often still lovely, with lower prices and fewer boats in front of Positano.

If you are coming from Salerno or Naples, read our guides to boat rental in Salerno, with routes to Cetara and Vietri, and to boat rental in Naples, with Capri, Ischia and Procida.

Boat rental in Amalfi with Crystalium Booker

See all seven boats on the page boats in Amalfi. Send an enquiry with your date and number of people; we check availability with the owner, you pay us the reservation, and you pay the rest to the owner on the day of the rental. Need advice on a route or a boat? Get in touch via the contact page. Do you rent out a boat in Amalfi or elsewhere on the coast? List it with us.