Sail the Amalfi Coast: Semi-Private Boat Day Trip to Positano & Amalfi

On the Costiera Boat Tour you spend a full day sailing the Amalfi Coast from Castellammare di Stabia, Italy, aboard a semi-private boat that stops at Positano and Amalfi. The nine-hour itinerary blends coastal cruising, secluded swims, and shore visits, giving you a front-row seat to the vertical cliffs and village staircases that define this stretch of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Departing from Castellammare di Stabia (meeting point also available in Agerola or by request), the route follows the Sorrentine and Amalfitan shores. Early passages reveal the ruins of the Villa della Regina Giovanna at Capo di Sorrento and the Scoglio della Tartaruga off Vico Equense. The coastline shifts between raw, steep limestone and layered marl, cutting narrow coves where clear pools invite dives. Past the Capo you'll pass Baia di Jeranto and the scatter of islets called Li Galli; keep an eye out for the jagged Scoglio a Penna and the small rocky Vetara, both classic sea-stack silhouettes. Mid-morning the boat anchors in hidden calette for a swim and snorkel among Positano's offshore shoals. The tour includes time to step ashore at Positano—whose vertical streets tumble down to pebble beaches—so you can shop, wander stairways, or reset with a seaside espresso. Later the vessel continues to Amalfi, the Antica Repubblica Marinara, where you can disembark to visit its cathedral and narrow piazzas without negotiating congested coastal roads. This trip excels as a practical alternative to the region's crowded bus routes: a maximum of twelve guests keeps the experience intimate, and the captain navigates to quieter anchorages accessible only by boat. Expect Mediterranean scrub and lemon terraces clinging to cliffs, resident gulls and cormorants, and the occasional dolphin pod cutting through the wake. The geology here—steep carbonate cliffs with strata exposed by sea erosion—creates dramatic light and shadow at low sun. Practical realities matter: vans used for pickup are not wheelchair-equipped; the ferry can board wheelchairs and medium dogs for an extra fee. The company advises against the tour for pregnant travelers and people with serious respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, and recommends anti-seasickness remedies for susceptible guests. Bring swimwear, reef shoes for wet landings, sun protection, and small change for ice cream or boat transfers. If you want a relaxed day that pairs island hopping with cultural stops, this semi-private Amalfi Coast circuit is one of the clearest, most efficient ways to sample Positano, Amalfi, and the rocky bays between, all from the best vantage—the sea. Local guides often point out seasonal plankton blooms that tint the water, and they can arrange a table at a waterfront trattoria in Amalfi or Positano after disembarkation. Reservations for restaurants and prime beach spots are recommended during July and August to avoid long lines.