Boat rental in Rimini — Riccione, Cattolica, the San Bartolo cliffs, Cesenatico and tips for 2027

Rimini is the capital of the Riviera Romagnola: some 15 kilometres of sandy beaches lined with colourful beach clubs, a Roman bridge and arch in the old town and a harbour canal full of fishing boats. From the water you can follow the coast south to Riccione and Cattolica and on to the green cliffs of Monte San Bartolo, or north to the canal towns of Bellaria and Cesenatico. This guide covers where boats leave from, where to go, the rules and when to come.

Where boats leave from

Boats leave from the harbour canal at the mouth of the Marecchia river, a short walk from the old town and the Borgo San Giuliano district, and from the Marina di Rimini at the harbour entrance. Many smaller boats and fishing-tourism trips start here too. Further along the coast, the harbour canals of Riccione, Cattolica, Bellaria and Cesenatico are easy to reach.

Where to go

• The Rimini beaches (1–5 NM): from Viserba and Torre Pedrera in the north to Marina Centrale, Bellariva and Miramare in the south, a long line of beaches you can see from a short trip.
• Riccione (about 5 NM): a lively resort with a harbour canal and a busy seafront. See the boats in Riccione page.
• Cattolica and Gabicce Mare (about 10–12 NM): the last stretch of the flat coast, at the foot of the first hills. See the boats in Cattolica page.
• Monte San Bartolo (about 12–15 NM): the only high cliffs on this part of the Adriatic, a natural park between Gabicce and Pesaro with small pebble coves at the foot of the slopes. See the boats in Pesaro page.
• North to Cesenatico and Cervia (about 10–15 NM): Cesenatico's harbour canal, designed by Leonardo da Vinci, with its historic sailing boats, and Cervia with its salt pans. See the boats in Cesenatico page.

For more of the Adriatic, read our guides to boat rental in Ravenna and boat rental in Venice. If you are touring Emilia-Romagna by campervan, see our Bologna campervan guide.

Rules and tips

• Licence. Without a licence you can drive a boat up to 10 m with an engine of up to about 40 hp, within 6 nautical miles of the coast. Larger boats need a licence or a skipper.
• Swimming areas. In summer a strip along the beaches is reserved for swimmers; boats may only cross it slowly through the marked corridors, so check the local ordinance.
• Mussel farms. A few miles offshore there are mussel farms marked with yellow buoys; go around them, never through them, as the lines can foul your propeller.
• Shallow water. The coast is low and sandy, with sandbars near the shore; watch the depth when approaching the beach or a harbour entrance.
• Harbour canals. The harbour entrances are narrow and busy with fishing boats; keep to the right, go slowly and give way to working boats.

Wind and weather

In summer the morning is usually calm, and a sea breeze from the east builds in the afternoon. The bora from the north-east can blow suddenly and raise short, steep waves, especially outside summer, and the scirocco from the south-east brings a longer swell. Summer thunderstorms can arrive quickly in the afternoon, so check the forecast every morning.

When to go

The season runs from June to September. In August the sea reaches about 25–26 °C, but the beaches and harbours are at their busiest. June and September are quieter and still warm. In early summer, La Notte Rosa brings concerts and fireworks along the whole Riviera, and many people watch them from the water.

A boat in Rimini with Crystalium Booker

We are still building up our boat offer in Rimini. Send us your date and number of people through the contact page and we will look for a suitable boat, and keep an eye on the boats in Rimini page for new listings. Do you rent out a boat in or around Rimini? List it with us.