Boat Tours from Genoa: Discover the City and the Coast from the Sea

In Genoa, the relationship with the sea isn’t just scenic—it's part of the city's identity. Seeing it from the water, aboard a boat leaving from the Porto Antico, means redrawing its geography and reading its history from a different angle. Boat tours from Genoa follow various routes, often heading eastward: Camogli, the secluded abbey of San Fruttuoso, Portofino. During the milder months, it’s also possible to venture offshore into the heart of the Cetacean Sanctuary for whale watching. A straightforward way to experience the city within its natural landscape.

Why Take a Boat Tour from Genoa

Looking at Genoa from the sea is an exercise in perspective. The facades of noble palaces, the cranes of the port, the arches of the Cotton Warehouses—all unfold along the coastline in a pattern that’s hard to grasp from the city center. A boat tour gives you just enough distance to see the complex shape of Genoa from the sea, where urban layering meets open horizon.

Tours depart from Genoa’s Porto Antico, a symbolic intersection of history and transformation. Among the Aquarium, historic ships, and the outlines of industrial structures, the boats begin their journey eastward along a stretch of coast full of contrasts: cliffs, coves, tiny harbours, and villages perched between sea and hillside. From the water, this landscape reveals connections that remain invisible on land.

How to Reach the Porto Antico and Boarding Docks

From Hotel Astoria in Genoa, reaching the Porto Antico is quick and easy. By car, the most direct route passes through Via Fiume and Via Balbi, arriving at Calata Mandraccio or Calata Salumi. Several paid parking options are available nearby, including Park Mercanzia (next to the Cotton Warehouses) and Marina Park, both just a short walk from the docks.

For those using public transport, the metro from Brignole station (linea unica) stops at "San Giorgio" or "Darsena," both right by the Porto Antico. Alternatively, several city buses connect Via XX Settembre with Via Gramsci, just a few steps from the boarding areas.

A taxi ride takes under ten minutes in normal traffic and drops you directly at the piers for boats heading to Camogli, Portofino, or whale watching.

The Most Scenic Routes: Where a Boat from Genoa Can Take You

Boats departing from Genoa offer a network of maritime connections linking the city to coves, villages, and protected natural areas along the Ligurian coast. Here are some of the most popular routes, available from spring through summer.

From Genoa to Camogli and San Fruttuoso

The route from Genoa to Camogli is among the most popular. With its seafront promenade and historic center overlooking the bay, Camogli is ideal for a day trip. From there, it’s possible to continue by boat to the abbey of San Fruttuoso, nestled between cliffs and the green slopes of the Portofino headland. These tours depart from the Porto Antico and are available in the warmer months, weather permitting.

From Genoa to Portofino: A Timeless Classic

Sailing to Portofino is a must-do experience. The boat follows a panoramic route along the headlands of Quinto, Nervi, Bogliasco, Recco, and Camogli. Once in Portofino, visitors have free time to explore the village, the small harbour, the lighthouse, or the walk to Castello Brown. Some operators offer combined tickets with the option to hop off and reboard at intermediate stops. Departures run daily from April to October, depending on sea conditions.

The Two Gulfs Tour: Between Paradiso and Tigullio

Among the most complete itineraries offered by Golfo Paradiso is the “Two Gulfs Tour”, active during summer. The route combines the main stops of the Golfo Paradiso and Golfo del Tigullio in a single afternoon excursion departing from Genoa’s Porto Antico.

The navigation includes brief stops in Camogli, San Fruttuoso, and Portofino—three iconic villages of eastern Liguria. The tour allows time to visit historic centers, the abbey on the hidden bay of San Fruttuoso, and Portofino’s harbour, before returning to Genoa in the late afternoon. The tour must be booked in advance and is subject to favourable weather conditions.

From Genoa to the Cinque Terre

One of the most in-demand tours is the boat trip from Genoa to the Cinque Terre, offering the chance to explore one of the most striking coastal stretches of Liguria. Departing from the Porto Antico, the journey includes a stop of about three hours in Monterosso, the largest of the five villages that make up the Cinque Terre.

If you're lucky, dolphins and other marine wildlife can be spotted along the way, adding to the magic of the experience. The service runs from June to September, weather permitting, with additional departures from Recco and Camogli.

Whale Watching in the Cetacean Sanctuary

Whale watching from Genoa is a nature-focused experience that takes passengers offshore into the heart of the Ligurian Cetacean Sanctuary—a marine protected area home to dolphins, sperm whales, fin whales, and striped dolphins. The trips last between 4 and 5 hours and include marine biologists on board who explain animal behaviour and the ecosystem’s characteristics. Boats leave from the Porto Antico and head southwest into open sea between Liguria, Corsica, and Tuscany.

Practical Information

Boat tours from Genoa operate from spring through early autumn, with the highest frequency from May to September. All departures are weather-dependent, so it’s always a good idea to check conditions ahead of time, especially for longer routes or offshore navigation.

The duration of boat excursions from Genoa varies by itinerary. Routes to Camogli or San Fruttuoso usually take half a day, while the Two Gulfs Tour or Cinque Terre trips occupy the entire afternoon. Whale watching outings last approximately 4 to 5 hours.

For a smooth experience on any boat tour in Liguria, practical clothing is recommended: comfortable shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a light jacket or windbreaker. For destinations where swimming is possible—like San Fruttuoso or Monterosso—bring a swimsuit and towel as well.