The Tour to Porto Venere and Palmaria Island
The tour to Porto Venere and Palmaria Island is a sailing experience in the western part of the Gulf of Poets of La Spezia. The homonymous localities will be visited during the tour.
You will discover this corner of our region surrounded by lush nature, natural coves such as the Blue Cave and the Byron Grotto as well as historical monuments such as the Doria Castle. UNESCO listed the Gulf of La Spezia as a "World Heritage Site" in 1997.
By choosing this tour, you will have the opportunity to experience a day of serenity with moments of leisure on land.
Relax aboard and explore the sea.
Go ashore for local wine and food tasting.
Enjoy a stroll through the streets of the town and walk up the promontory to be amazed by a breathtaking view of the magnificent surroundings.
- Travel Itinerary
The tour takes place throughout the day, in a period of time between 10:00 a.m and 5:30 p.m.
We will drift along the coast of the Gulf of Tigullio, sailing past Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo, Zoagli, and Chiavari.
Once in Sestri Levante, we will continue to Punta Mesco where we will stop for a swim in Rocce Rosse, named after the particular shade of the rocks overlooking the sea. This area is ideal for snorkeling.
Departing from Rocce Rosse, we will sail towards Cinque Terre National Park. Crossing the Marine Protected Area, our eyes will be amazed by the green terraced hills planted with vines and olive trees that suddenly dive into the blue sea.
You will discover the natural and panoramic beauties of the entire Cinque Terre district, sailing along the coast of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.
Don't forget to bring along your camera to take splendid photographs of the surrounding panorama!
The crew will sail back to Porto Venere.
Estimated time of arrival in the Gulf of Poets. Based on your preference, our crew will dock in Porto Venere or on Palmaria Island.
Taste a delicious lunch in one of the restaurants located in this area and enjoy the unique flavours of the local cuisine, rich in traditional Ligurian delicacies.
Your skipper will then guide you to the discovery of Palmaria Island, where you can admire exclusive corners and unique glimpses.
Take a refreshing swim in these paradisiacal waters before hopping up onboard again!Return to Portofino with the possibility of one last relaxing bath in the waters of the Gulf of Tigullio.
Estimated time of arrival in Portofino, after a splendid day spent in one of the most evocative scenarios of the Ligurian Riviera.
- Points of Interest and Activities
Porto Venere
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Palmaria Island
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Local Cuisine
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Swimming and Snorkeling
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- Our Fleet
- Terms and Conditions
The details of the tour have been carefully selected by our staff according to their knowledge and experience in this field.
Should you require specific changes in terms of timetable or stops to be made, our team will be delighted to assist you and accommodate your requests whenever possible.
Our exclusive service includes the possibility to reach you and depart from any port of your choice between the towns of La Spezia and Genoa to start your day with a fantastic sailing experience.
All the necessary equipment required by the navigation code is to be found on every boat. Our fleet is also subject to periodic checks and audits performed by authorized bodies.
Photo Gallery
Porto Venere
The village of Porto Venere is on the southernmost end of a peninsula which ends the jagged coastline of the Ligurian riviera, forming the west side of the Gulf of La Spezia, also called the Gulf of Poets.
Three small islands face the tip of the peninsula: Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto.
Porto Venere, together with the islands of Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto and the Cinque Terre, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1997.
The beaches of the area are renowned for their crystal clear waters, thanks to the currents and the depth of the Ligurian Sea in the proximity of the coastline.
The main sights include ancient houses and churches of particular charm, picturesque caves hidden along the coasts, the old Doria Castle connected to the city walls, as well as its characteristic alleyways.
These and many more features yet to be discovered are the aspects that over time have turned Porto Venere from a fishermen village to an internationally appreciated tourist destination with visitors attracted by the uniqueness of both historical and natural panorama that can be admired and photographed.
Palmaria Island
Palmaria Island is located in the Ligurian Sea, at the western end of the Gulf of La Spezia.
With its area of 1.89 square km, it is the largest island of the Spezzino Archipelago and of all the five Ligurian islands.
Located in front of the village of Porto Venere, from which it is separated by a narrow arm of the sea called Le Bocche, it is part of an archipelago that also includes the islands of Tino and Tinetto.
In 1997, the archipelago, together with Portovenere and the Cinque Terre, was designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
On the island, there are also many buildings of a military character and of great historical interest such as several bunkers from the Second World War and the remains of coastal artillery and anti-aircraft mostly inaccessible since abandoned and submerged Mediterranean vegetation.
This island has quite significant landscape differences; the sides facing the Gulf are covered with Mediterranean vegetation while those facing the open sea are characterized by high cliffs overhanging the water in which there are numerous caves such as the Blue Cave - which can be visited by boat - and the Cave of Pigeons, which can be reached only by climbing down ropes.
Local Cuisine
Ligurian cuisine consists of traditional dishes that make use of both local products – such as preboggion, a mixture of wild herbs – and ones imported from areas with which these lands have had frequent contact over the centuries, such as Sardinian pecorino which is one of the ingredients of pesto.
Due to its history, roots, and products, Ligurian cuisine is one of the best expressions of Mediterranean flavours.
It is a relatively poor cuisine made of simple, common and cheap dishes, but it has always been imitated and sought after thanks to its unique traditions and preparations.
The following is a list of the main product categories which best summarizes the great elements of our cuisine:
• spontaneous local wild herbs (marjoram, sage, rosemary, bay leaf, thyme, etc.) and products from locals' home garden (onions, potatoes, basil, aubergines, etc.)
• first fruits from crops and woods (basil, beefsteak tomatoes, trumpet courgettes, asparagus, Albenganese artichokes, mushrooms, truffles from Valbormida, fresh fruit, and dried fruit)
• olive oil
• farinaceous products (focaccia, farinata, savory pies, etc.)
• wide range of dry and fresh pasta
• sea fish (anchovies, shrimps, octopuses, baby octopus, cuttlefish, muscles, mullet, etc.) and game (given the high woodiness)
The combination and preparation of all these elements result in a simple, genuine, and varied cuisine renowned all over the world.
We hope you will stop by one of the restaurant to taste some pesto, pansotti with walnut sauce, the famous focaccia with cheese from Recco, the pasqualina cake, farinata, and other dishes based on local and traditional recipes.
Swimming and Snorkeling
Liguria has been strengthening its position for earning the largest number of Blue Flags for years.
The Blue Flag is an important recognition and award assigned to seaside tourist resorts for crystal clear waters and seaside services at their best. In 2020, 32 Ligurian beaches and 14 landings were awarded the important and prestigious Blue Flag.
This recognizes the important role Liguria has in the national tourist panorama, guaranteeing high-quality assurance both in the safeguard of the environment and in the services provided.
All of these aspects constitute the strong assets of our land, which must be appreciated, enjoyed, and safeguarded at the same time.
Our aim is to share the beauties of the most breathtaking and unspoiled corners of our coasts with our guests, allowing you to relax in one of the stops that you can make for a relaxing dip in clear waters or a short snorkeling excursion to discover the beauties of the underwater world.
