Private Boat To Portofino

Overview

This Veditalia excursion runs five and a half hours from a meeting point on Via Fanti d'Italia, a short walk from Genoa's cruise terminal, and is built around cruise schedules with a return timed to the ship. A bus carries the group along the Ligurian coast, with a focaccia tasting along the way, before a boat leg carries you into Portofino for two hours of free time.

Despite the word private in the title, this is a shared excursion capped at fifty travellers, moved by bus and boat. The rhythm is a mix: guided commentary on the bus, roughly self-directed time in Portofino, and, on the extended option, a guided walk through Genoa's historic center after the coastal loop. Reviewers often praise the guides by name and mention helpful food recommendations handed out along the way.

It suits cruise passengers who want Portofino without arranging trains or ferries alone, and anyone who likes a set schedule with some free time built in. It is less suited to travellers expecting a genuinely private boat or a fully guided walk through Portofino itself; reviews note the time there is largely your own.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Via Fanti d'ItaliaMeet at the bus stop on Via Fanti d'Italia in Genoa, about three minutes on foot from the cruise terminal.
2. Bus to the coastBoard a private bus toward Santa Margherita Ligure, with coastal scenery along the route and commentary from the tour leader. A Genoese focaccia tasting is served here.
3. Rapallo, 25 minutesA free-admission stop in Rapallo lasting 25 minutes.
4. Boat to PortofinoTake a scenic boat ride to Portofino's harbor, passing Baia di San Fruttuoso with a passing view or short stop.
5. Portofino, 2 hoursTwo hours of free time with no entry fees.
6. Boat and bus backReturn by boat to Santa Margherita Ligure, then by bus to Via Fanti d'Italia in Genoa, arriving in time for cruise passengers to rejoin their ship.
7. Genoa walking tour (extended option)Guests on the extended option continue with a guided walk of roughly two hours through Genoa's historic center and its UNESCO World Heritage sites.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points recur across the listing and traveller reviews, and they shape what the day actually feels like.

• Group size. The tour caps at fifty travellers, and headsets and earphones are included to help with commentary in a group this size. Expect a shared excursion, not a private charter, despite the title.
• Walking and terrain. The listing says you can hike to panoramic viewpoints in Portofino during your free time, which adds walking to the day. Pushchairs are fine but the tour is not wheelchair accessible.
• Food and drink. Focaccia is included as a snack; lunch, bottled water and tips are not. Several travellers found lunch spots in Portofino easily. Bring water if you want it, since it is not provided.
• Boat ride. The boat legs are a core part of the day. The route passes Baia di San Fruttuoso. Sit back and enjoy the coastal views on the way in and out of Portofino.
• Free time shape. Portofino time is mostly your own for wandering, eating and shopping. Plan roughly what you want to do with those two hours in advance.
• Cruise timing. The meeting point is three minutes on foot from the cruise terminal, and reviewers on cruise stops said the tour returned on time. If you arrive by ship, the listing asks you to give the ship's name when booking so the operator can coordinate.

Common issues. The word private in the listing title is misleading for some: one reviewer described a large group and a boat too small for everyone, with a second smaller vessel used alongside. That same reviewer found the headset audio range poor and the guide hard to hear unless standing close. One reviewer reported wrong meeting point information and slow responses from the operator. The tour needs a minimum number of travellers and is not wheelchair accessible. Lunch, water and tips are extra.

Common Questions