A day on the water, without the crowds. This private Sorrento to Amalfi Coast boat trip is built around cruising past coves, caves, and standout coastline stops like Punta Campanella, then giving you time ashore in Positano and Amalfi. I love the mix of on-the-water sightseeing and actual freedom to swim, and I also like the practical comforts on board, like the cabin, bathroom, and included towels. One consideration: the day is weather-dependent, so if seas are rough you may want to be ready for a slower pace.

I like that this is not a rigid script. The day is flexible, and the skipper leads you to scenic spots such as Marina del Cantone, Crapolla Bay, Conca del Sogno, Fiordo di Furore, and natural caves, while you can choose how much time you want in towns versus swimming off the islands. In a small private group, it feels easier to tailor the day to your family or friends.

If you’re trying to “do Amalfi” in one day, this is a strong way to do it. You get a typical Sorrento gozzo (up to 8 people) and a guide named Salvatore, with crew support including Carlotta, which helps everything feel smooth. And yes, the experience is private, so the biggest decision is where you want to spend your limited shore time.

Key points to know before you go

• Private group on a small gozzo (up to 8), so the day feels personal instead of like a herd
• Coves and natural caves plus swimming breaks where you can choose to hop in or just relax
• Positano and Amalfi time ashore, with free excursion stops built into the plan
• Snorkeling equipment and beach towels included, which saves you hassle and luggage space
• Flex options like the Li Galli islands, Largo delle Mortelle, or Tordigliano if you prefer water time

Your private gozzo day starts in Sorrento, then slows down the coast

This tour is built on one simple idea: the Amalfi Coast is better when you experience it from sea level. You start at 9:00 am in the Sorrento area, board a typical Sorrento gozzo sized for up to 8 people, and then settle in for an approximately 8-hour day. Because it’s private, there’s no need to compromise on timing with strangers.

What I like most is the “you decide” feel. The boat has a cabin and bathroom, plus plenty of room to relax in the sun. When you reach coves and caves, you are not forced into a schedule of wet suits and planned activity stations. You can freely decide to swim, snorkel, or just stay aboard and watch the coastline change as you move.

There’s also a practical nod to reality: you can manage the boat ride yourself, at least in the way the setup allows on a private tour. Even if you don’t take the helm, it adds a different kind of connection to the day than being a passenger in a large group.

Amalfi Coast cruising: coves, caves, and Punta Campanella passes

Once you leave, the day leans hard into coastline scenery. You’ll pass and visit places along the way that include Marina del Cantone, Crapolla Bay, Conca del Sogno, and Conca de Marini. Depending on the day’s conditions and the route chosen, you may also go by Isca Island, then continue toward a protected area of Punta Campanella.

That Punta Campanella pass matters because it’s one of those stretches where the coast feels special and protected rather than just photographed from shore. From the water, you also get a better sense of how cliffs, inlets, and sheltered bays work together. It’s not just “pretty views.” It’s geography you can actually feel when the boat glides into calmer pockets.

Natural caves and inlets are also part of the cruise. The tour includes time around natural cave areas, which is where a small boat size becomes a real advantage. You’re not crammed behind railings or stuck far away from the action. Instead, the day supports a slow pace, where you can look, swim when it makes sense, and then relax again.

Stop 1: The Amalfi Coast segment with swim breaks and optional detours

This portion is where the day earns its saltwater reputation. You get about 6 hours centered on cruising and discovering the “enchanting places” along the coast. The boat layout supports lounging between stops, and the included life jackets make the whole thing feel straightforward and safe.

This part of the day is also where your priorities shape the itinerary. You will have opportunities for swimming off coves and caves, with snorkeling equipment included. You can decide on-the-spot whether you want to jump in, snorkel, or stay aboard to enjoy the view with fewer logistics.

Then there’s the big choice: you can do the classic shore stops for Positano and Amalfi, or you can swap in alternatives that focus more on water time and quiet coastline. If you do not want to spend your time on the main tourist stops, the tour includes options such as:

• a swim off the Li Galli islands archipelago
• a swim or water-time stop around Largo delle Mortelle
• or relaxation around Tordigliano

One consideration: those alternatives can be perfect if you want fewer crowds and more sea time, but they also mean less time walking around town. If you’re traveling with people who want photos on promenades and steps into town streets, make sure the plan keeps at least one shore stop in.

Positano: two hours for the town without turning it into a sprint

Positano is the poster child for the Amalfi Coast, and this tour gives you a real taste of it. After the sea segment, you can go down to Positano beach and admire the small town, with about 2 hours for the stop. Entrance is included for this excursion stop, and the format keeps you from having to choose between “boat day” and “town day.”

Two hours is not long, but it’s enough to get your bearings and do a simple loop. You can focus on the beach area, grab a drink, and take in the stacked buildings that make Positano feel like it’s clinging to the hillside. With a private boat day, you also tend to feel less rushed than you would on a full day bus tour, since your time on the water naturally spaces out the whole experience.

Practical tip: plan what you want to do before you go ashore. If the goal is just views and a quick wander, two hours is ideal. If you want multiple stops for food, shopping, and beach time, you may want to treat that Positano window as a “great highlights only” moment.

Amalfi on your schedule: time ashore plus sea-side passes

The plan includes a stop for a free excursion to Amalfi. You’ll also pass through protected and scenic coastline sections on the way, so Amalfi is not the only moment when the views matter. That matters for value because a lot of day tours treat towns as the main event and the sea as transit. Here, the sea is the core.

Because the exact time allocation for the Amalfi stop is not spelled out in the details I have, I’d treat the town time as flexible within the overall 8-hour structure. In other words, expect to have enough time to step into the town atmosphere and see the main sights from land, but don’t count on a full slow travel day in Amalfi itself.

Where this shines is when you pair the town moment with sea time. Amalfi looks different from the coastline than it does from town streets. The boat view gives you a sense of how the harbor and cliffs sit against each other, and then you can test that mental picture while walking.

The Li Galli, Mortelle, and Tordigliano options if you want more water time

Not everyone wants the same kind of day on the Amalfi Coast. That’s why I like that this private tour includes alternative stops instead of forcing one template.

If you choose the Li Galli islands option, expect a more islands-and-water feel, with a swim off that archipelago area. If you choose Largo delle Mortelle, you’re trading a town walk for water time focused on that coastal stretch. And with Tordigliano, the plan supports relaxation during a calm stop designed more for rest than for sightseeing.

Here’s how I’d decide: if your group is made up of strong walkers and want classic Amalfi vibes on foot, keep Positano and Amalfi in the plan. If your group prefers swimming, snorkeling, and quiet coastline time, consider swapping one town stop for one of these alternatives. With a private tour, you’ll likely get a smoother fit between what you want and how the day feels.

On-board comfort: cabin, bathroom, towels, snacks, and snorkeling gear

What turns a scenic boat ride into a comfortable day is the boring stuff, and this tour covers it. Included items include:

• Fuel (so you’re not paying for the ride in extra pieces)
• Life jackets
• Beach towels
• Restroom on board
• Snacks and Soda/Pop
• Snorkeling equipment

The restroom and cabin matter more than most people expect. Even if you’re excited about swimming and photos, a private boat day can run long, and it helps to have a place to cool down or get out of wind for a bit. The cabin also gives you a sheltered spot if the weather shifts.

Snorkeling equipment being included is another quiet win. You save time and packing. You can go from “maybe I’ll swim” to “okay, I’m in” without a last-minute rental run.

And because towels are included, you can focus on enjoying the water, not thinking about what you’ll do once you get out.

The guide factor: Salvatore and Carlotta make it feel like a real day

This experience is not just about the route. It’s also about how the day runs. The tour is associated with Salvatore, and on the review side, the crew includes Carlotta. In practice, that kind of team matters on a small boat because it keeps communication clear and reduces the stress of decision-making.

One of the best compliments in the review highlights that the crew took great care of a family, and that the day felt like the best way to experience the Amalfi Coast. That tracks with what a private setup offers: fewer moving parts, faster answers, and a smoother rhythm when you’re cruising between coves and making real-time choices about swimming and town time.

If you care about a relaxed, friendly guide vibe, this is a good match. You’ll still want to be the one who sets the tone for what you want, but the crew is there to keep it organized.

Price and value: $1,628 for up to 8 people, not per passenger

Let’s talk money in a way that helps you decide. The listed price is $1,628 for the private experience. Since the boat comfortably accommodates up to 8 people, the value depends on how you fill the group.

If you spread the cost across a full boat, you’re effectively paying less per person than most big-tour options. Even if your group is smaller, it can still be worth it if you’re comparing it to the cost of multiple shore excursions plus time lost in transit. You’re paying for access to a private boat, included comforts, and the ability to steer the day toward swimming, caves, and shore stops that fit your interests.

The other value factor is time. This is roughly an all-day outing, so you’re not just buying a short sightseeing cruise. You’re getting a full Amalfi Coast day with a real mix of sea experiences and at least some town time.

Who this tour is best for (and who should reconsider)

This is a great fit if you want:

• a private Amalfi Coast day with flexible pacing
• meaningful time on the sea, not just a quick boat hop
• included snorkeling gear and beach towels
• a small-group setup on a gozzo that supports caves and coves

It also works well for families, based on how the tour was praised for caring for a family group. If you have kids who enjoy being on the water and adults who want great views without juggling buses, this style of day can click.

Who should consider rethinking it: if your group wants a long, leisurely day in towns only, a boat-first itinerary might feel too time-boxed. Two hours in Positano is a taste, not a deep day. Amalfi time exists, but it is still part of an 8-hour program that includes plenty of sea stops.

If you’re the type who hates sea time and wants to stay on land all day, you might be happier with a town-based tour instead.

Should you book this private boat tour with Il Tiglio?

Yes, if your ideal Amalfi Coast day is a mix of sea coves, caves, and at least one or two town moments. I like that you’re not forced into a single plan. You can do classic Positano and Amalfi time, or swap in more water-focused options like Li Galli, Largo delle Mortelle, or Tordigliano.

I’d also book it if the small comfort details matter to you: cabin, bathroom, life jackets, towels, snacks, soda, and snorkeling gear included. Those are the differences between a pretty boat ride and a genuinely enjoyable day.

One last decision tip: tell Salvatore what your group wants most. If it’s swimming and caves, lean into that. If it’s photos and strolling, keep the shore stops. Because this is private, your choices can steer the day toward a win for everyone.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 8 hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is a private tour, and only your group participates.

How many people can the boat accommodate?

The typical Sorrento gozzo can comfortably accommodate up to 8 people.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes fuel, life jackets, beach towels, a restroom on board, snacks, soda/pop, and use of snorkeling equipment.

Does the tour include Positano and Amalfi stops?

Yes. It includes a free excursion to Positano and a free excursion to Amalfi, and you can also choose alternative stops depending on preferences.

What other stop options are available besides Positano and Amalfi?

Alternative options include a stop off the coast of the Li Galli islands, Largo delle Mortelle, and Tordigliano.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes, the tour features a mobile ticket.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, there is no refund.