Boat Hire in Genoa — 2027 Guide: Portofino, San Fruttuoso, Camogli and the Cinque Terre

Genoa has one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean, but just a few miles from its cranes begins one of the most beautiful coastlines in Italy. East of the city lies the Riviera di Levante: the fishing village of Boccadasse, Nervi, the colourful houses of Camogli, the abbey of San Fruttuoso in a cove that can only be reached on foot or by sea, Portofino and the Gulf of Tigullio. Further on are the Cinque Terre. This guide explains where you can go by boat from Genoa, what to watch out for and when the sea is at its best.

What we currently offer

To be upfront: there are currently no published boats or trips in Genoa on the location page, so this guide does not list prices. It is meant for guests who are planning a trip and want to see what awaits. If you want a boat in Genoa, send us an enquiry through the contact page and we will check what can be arranged.

Where you can go from Genoa

• Boccadasse and Nervi (a few nautical miles east of the port): a tiny fishing village of coloured houses inside the city, and the seafront promenade and parks of Nervi.
• Camogli (about 12 nautical miles): tall, painted houses along the harbour, fishing boats and a pebble beach under the church. See also our Camogli location page.
• San Fruttuoso (about 15 nautical miles): a medieval abbey in a small bay on the Portofino promontory, with a beach and restaurants. About 17 metres below the surface stands the bronze Christ of the Abyss, a well-known dive site.
• Portofino (about 18 nautical miles): the famous small harbour with its piazzetta, the lighthouse and Castello Brown. The harbour is small and busy in summer, so a short stop or a look from the water is often the best option. See also our Portofino location page.
• Gulf of Tigullio: Santa Margherita Ligure and Rapallo, sheltered towns with marinas just beyond Portofino, and Sestri Levante a little further east.
• Cinque Terre (Monterosso about 38 nautical miles): the five villages are a long day from Genoa and much closer from La Spezia; see our La Spezia location page.

Rules and tips

• Licence. In Italy you can usually drive a boat up to 10 metres with an engine of up to about 40 hp without a licence, within 6 nautical miles of the coast. For larger boats or longer trips you need a licence or a skipper.
• Portofino marine protected area. Around the promontory there are zones where navigation, anchoring and fishing are restricted or forbidden, and speed limits apply near the coast. Use the marked mooring buoys and follow your skipper's instructions; the Cinque Terre have a protected area with similar rules.
• Pelagos Sanctuary. The Ligurian Sea is a protected area for whales and dolphins. If you meet them, keep your distance, slow down and do not cut across their path.
• Swimming zones. In summer the buoyed bathing areas along the beaches are closed to boats; use the marked access channels and slow down near the shore.

Season and weather

• June to September is the main season: warm sea and mostly calm mornings.
• May and October are quieter and often still pleasant.
• Wind. The libeccio from the south-west can raise a heavy sea along the whole Ligurian coast, sometimes within hours. The tramontana from the north blows offshore and brings clear air but gusts near the coast. The skipper always checks the forecast.
• August is the busiest month, especially around Portofino and the Cinque Terre; set off early.

For more of Italy by boat, see our guides to boat hire in Naples and boat hire in Palermo.

Boat hire in Genoa with Crystalium Booker

We are still building our offer in Genoa. Send us your dates, group size and what you would like to see through the contact page, and keep an eye on the boats in Genoa page for new listings. Do you rent out a boat or run boat trips in Genoa or on the Riviera? List it with us.