Local Captain’s Tips on How to Choose the Best Boat Tour on the Amalfi Coast

Taking a boat tour along the Amalfi Coast is on almost every visitor’s bucket list. But with so many operators and types of boat tours to choose from, it can be challenging to find the best one.

That’s why I decided to sit down for this Q&A with a local expert.

Captain Andrea of Il Canto del Mare smiling while operating his boat for private Amalfi Coast tours.

My interviewee is Captain Andrea Grillo.

Andrea is a young, inspiring captain with a passion for boats and an immense love for the sea, along with more than a decade of boating experience.

Born and raised in Amalfi, Andrea has worked on boats since his teenage years. Since 2023, he’s been running his own business Il Canto del Mare Charter, offering private boat tours along the Amalfi Coast. I hope his expert advice will help you choose the best boat tour with confidence.

He’ll also share with us behind-the-scenes insights into operating a boat tour business on the Amalfi Coast. And of course, precious local tips on how to get the most out of your Amalfi Coast trip.

Q&A

How flexible is the itinerary for private charters? Can guests request specific destinations or activities along the Amalfi Coast?

We offer an exclusive service to all our guests. That means that we try to make the itinerary as flexible, respecting our guests’ desires. So of course, our guests can request specific destinations or activities. Then -always for safety reasons- the captain decides whether it is possible, depending on weather, sea conditions, and marine traffic etc…

We always communicate with our guests and try to make their wishes come true.

Captain Andrea's elegant and fast boat anchored in the turquoise waters near Maiori on the Amalfi Coast. — Photo courtesy of *Il Canto del Mare Charter*

What types of custom experiences or special events can you arrange for guests on your boat tour?

We can arrange romantic tours for couples during the day or at sunset; assist our guests in buying flowers, any specific drinks, cakes and decorations if needed. For a wedding proposal we can arrange music to create a romantic atmosphere. We can also host birthday parties; hen parties; etc.

And if a guest wishes we have our go-to photographer to capture your events on the boat.

Montage of photos from Il Canto del Mare Charter: on the left, the boat is on turquoise waters with Maiori in the background. In the center upper image: cushions featuring the Il Canto del Mare embroidery and fresh lemons on the boat.In the center lower image: Andreas' fiancée opening a bottle of champagne. On the right: bright crystal-clear water with a small grotto in the rock,- a perfect spot for snorkeling. — ^{Photo courtesy of Il Canto del Mare Charter}-Follow them on Instagram @cantodelmarecharter for more stunning pics!

So, if requested in advance, we try to help and do whatever is possible to ensure you have a perfect, exclusive boat tour experience!

What amenities are included on board during the boat tour (like towels and aperitivo)?

Couple relaxing on a boat, enjoying a sunset cruise with aperitivo. They are hugging each other with prosecco in hand, while watching the setting sun and the Amalfi Coast mountains silhouette in the background.

During any tour we provide towels, cushions, and free water, a bottle of prosecco, soft drinks, beer and light snacks on board of our boat.

We have snorkelling equipment on board and floaties for swimming.

We search for the best spots for swimming and snorkeling along the Amalfi Coast and Capri Island. And bring our guest to the most photogenic, unforgettable spots.

For more luxurious experience our boat is equipped with a high-tech stereo system, Bluetooth and wi-fi if necessary.

What types of boats do you use for your tours?

We use a Baia 40 motorboat for our tours, built in Naples. It’s 12 meters long. Fast, spacious and elegant.

Made with a fibreglass hull, wooden and steel inox finishes. A perfect balance of durability and elegance. Speaking from my personal experience, this kind of boat is one of the most stable I have ever operated. Its suggested capacity is 10 people max. The boat has a bedroom, a kitchen and a bathroom with a shower.

Close up on hand operating the throttle control on the boat to adjust the engine speed. — _{^{Photo courtesy of Il Canto del Mare Charter}}

How long have you been working on boats?

I have been working with boats since I was 14. I was born in [the town of] Amalfi and the sea has always been my passion. When I was a little boy, I spent all my time at sea on any kind of boat. Even before I was old enough to work, always tried to help my friends or the locals and fishermen.

At a young age, I decided that navigating would become my career, my goal, and my life.

When did you start your boat tour company, and what inspired you to do it?

I want to be completely honest with you. So I would like to emphasise that it took me a lot of time, energy, sleepless nights and overcoming obstacles and stressful situations to start my own business. As I said before I had dreamed of opening my own boat company since I was a kid. This was my goal and passion.

Luckily, I managed to fulfill my dream in June 2023 when the boat was finally ready to sail.

Of course everything started earlier – in the winter 2022. The day when I made the difficult decision to buy the boat. It took me months to prepare and conclude everything. I needed to go through a long and complicated bureaucratic process.

When you want to start from zero on your own, an honest and professional business is always an arduous and challenging race – and also a huge risk, almost like going to a casino.

What are the odds? One day you are lucky, and the next, you can try your best and still lose a lot – if not everything. Of course, this is a bit of an exaggerated comparison, but sometimes we try our best- being professional and passionate about what we do – and still fail. So no risk no profit!

Speaking of inspiration I must tell you that the biggest motivation and muse for starting the business was the fact that I was born in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

I wanted to show and share the Amalfi Coast with as many people as possible. Knowing that all I had to do was apply my passion and love for boats, navigation and tourism.

I can’t imagine my life without the sea and boats, what else could motivate me better ?

Smiles, excitement, and positive feedback from our guests are the spiritual engine of our small and humble business.

Aerial view of the company's boat. A woman is lounging on the comfortable mattress at the front (bow) of the yacht. — *_{^{Photo courtesy of Il Canto del Mare Charter}}*

Do you have a favorite memory from a boat tour?

Every boat tour with the guests who say “I’ve been dreaming about seeing Amalfi Coast or Capri for years! Thank you for making my dreams come true!” is my favorite memory.

But I will never forget the first private boat trip we did. It was in June 2024 and my girlfriend and I were very nervous and excited about this first experience. Our first guests were a big Filipino-American family. They were nice and friendly people. So everything went smoothly, and we cried tears of joy. I will remember that day forever because it marked the beginning of our journey.

Of course, I can’t help but mention that my girlfriend (and my future wife) has always been my biggest supporter. None of this would have happened without her help and hard work.

Often, we work together and she is the cultural soul of every tour. She takes care of every aesthetic aspect of the boat and takes care of our guests with passion and dedication. She is a licensed tour guide. So, our guests are pampered with her stories about the rich history and culture of this unique area.

Captain Andrea and his fiancée, the crew of Il Canto del Mare Charter, smiling at the camera on their boat. — ^{Photo courtesy of Il Canto del Mare Charter}

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in the yachting industry?

I would like to answer this difficult and delicate question saying that the nowadays reality is that we are living in the era of mass tourism.

What does this mean? This means that the number of people travelling around the world is insane. And it is increasing rapidly, almost getting out of control.

So the Amalfi Coast tourism has also changed significantly in last 10 years.

In 2010, there was approx. 50% fewer boats and services available compared to todays. Is this a positive thing? Well it’s relative. For sure, more tourists means more jobs and more income but it’s not as easy as it seems… Now the biggest challenge for us is that there is too much competition. Everyone wants to start his/her own business. So sometimes the offer is higher than the actual demand.

Captain Andrea and his fiancée, the crew of Il Canto del Mare Charter, standing next to each other and smiling at the camera on their boat.

Now we have to compete with many big and small companies and it’s very hard.

Secondly, the boat, like a car, can easily break down, sometimes unexpectedly. And the costs to repair any boat are very high. Generally speaking, maintaining a 40-foot boat is very expensive, no matter what you need to do inside or outside the vessel.

Last but not least trying not to get political, I must confess that tax system in Italy doesn’t help much. Especially for small businesses often the costs can be higher than the profits.

Unfortunately, this is our harsh reality, but we don’t give up.

Can you Share with us a “local tip”?

Well, my local tip is to listen to the locals’ advice ! (laughing).

The Amalfi Coast and Capri are very busy during summer. From May ’till October is all high season here. We suggest to our guests to avoid popular touristic destinations during rush hours. For example if you want to visit the center of Capri or Positano: Don’t do it at midday. It will be incredibly crowded. Of course, the best way to explore these areas is by boat: no lines no crowds, – only you and the panorama. If you want to see Capri, stay there overnight. And go to Positano after 7 PM or before 11 AM in the morning.

My other tip is: don’t arrive at the Amalfi Coast unprepared! Be ready for hot weather, quite high humidity, and plenty of steps and slopes.

The Amalfi Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its unique location on steep cliffs makes it quite difficult to move around, but it is worth the effort!

Arrange your transfers and be informed about the local public transport system. Don’t forget that the traffic on the only road will be crazy!

Also, don’t stop at the most central bars or restaurants. Don’t just shop in the stores located in the main square. Explore the town, and get lost in the narrow streets and alleys. See how people live here.

Ask for the local food, it is amazing!

There are many local celebrations almost everywhere and every week. Every small village has its own day of the patron saint. It’s celebrated with fireworks, processions, singing and dancing. Be informed about local traditions.

What’s your favorite hidden gem along the Amalfi Coast that most tourists don’t know about?

My favorite hidden gem along the Amalfi Coast is a hidden sea inlet. It’s a spectacular bay called Baia Cavallo Morto. Close to the town of Maiori, but only reachable by boat.

And a beautiful grotto that almost no one knows about: The Grotto of Pandora.

Do you have any other passions/hobbies besides yachting, and what are they?

My other hobby apart from boats and navigating is music. I play the accordion. I have been doing this since I was little boy and I will tell you more: When I was younger I even wanted to attend the conservatory and to make a career in music. Well, a lot of things didn’t go as planned, so now I play the accordion only for fun, and I am also quite good at singing.

My other hobbies are space science and everything that regards spaceships, planets, stars and space exploration. I also like modeling airplanes, traveling, and attending local sports events and traditions.

How can tourists make sure they’re booking a safe and reliable boat tour?

I can imagine that nowadays it can be quite difficult to understand whether a boat tour company is reliable and professional.

If you don’t want to book your boat tour through a travel agent, check if it is listed on one of the online platforms (like Viator, Get Your Guide or Click and Boat).

Check them on TripAdvisor. If the company isn’t very young, then normally there will be some reviews. But consider that when we started two years ago we had zero reviews. It took us a lot of time and effort to gain confidence and trust from our potential guests.

Luckily at the beginning we were suggested to clients by our colleagues and friends who already worked with me as captain. So yes, nowadays the best way is to check online, at least a website or a registration on google should be present.

Girl sitting on a boat, at the sea and smiling. On the background is the Coastline of Amalfi, with the typical vertical houses of Positano towering on a steep mountain. — _{Photo courtesy of Il Canto del Mare Charter}

How far in advance should people book an Amalfi Coast boat tour?

It’s better to plan your tour at least 1-2 months in advance. You should be aware of the risk of unfavorable weather conditions.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of the tour?

If the sea conditions aren’t good, then your captain will offer you to either postpone or anticipate your boat trip.

If rescheduling your boat trip isn’t possible, you will be refunded 100% of the amount you paid.

How long do typical boat tours last, and what routes do they cover?

Our tours range from 2 to 7 hours. A full-day boat tour along the Amalfi Coast or to Capri Island lasts 7 hours. A half-day boat tour lasts 3.5 hours, while a sunset boat tour along the Amalfi Coast lasts 1.5 to 2 hours.

Left: Andrea navigating his boat along the Amalfi Coast.
Top center: A group of tourists posing for a happy photo on a boat tour.
Bottom center: A couple enjoying an aperitivo on a sunset boat tour.
Right: A woman posing on a private boat tour with the Faraglioni of Capri in the background. — _{^{Photo courtesy of Il Canto del Mare Charter}}

What is the most popular itinerary of a private boat tour?

The most popular itinerary is this one along the Amalfi Coast: Normally we start around 9-10 in the morning. If we start from Positano side, we navigate towards Amalfi.

On the way, we pass by hidden inlets and admire beautiful villas from the sea, including hotels like Villa Treville, Hotel San Pietro, and much more.

We can stop in front of Positano for a swim and snorkeling.

After Positano, there is the small town of Praiano. Praiano is famous for its beautiful Church of Saint Gennaro. The church’s cupola is decorated with majolica tiles. We see The Hotel Tritone, ancient watch towers, more hidden beaches and spots that can be seen only from the boat, like Marina di Praia.

Next town is Furore with its unique fjord and its famous arched bridge, where every year a cliff diving competition takes place. We stop to take pictures.

Bird's eye view of the Fjord of Furore and it's famous arched bridge. — ^{Photo courtesy of Il Canto del Mare Charter}

Then we pass by Conca dei Marini, a small town near Amalfi. Where you can see one of the most beautiful examples of modern architecture on the coast: Hotel Borgo Sant’Andrea which looks like a Saracen castle. There is also an ex-monastery, now a hotel: The Monastery of Saint Rosa with an incredibly beautiful infinity swimming pool. Naturally formed caves, grottoes, restaurants and villas.
During the full-day boat trips we stop by one of the restaurants in this village (Conca dei Marini). It’s located by the sea and can only be reached by boat.

On a half-day boat trip the last stop will always be Amalfi. Amalfi’s famous church, dedicated to Saint Andrew, and its bell tower, with majolica tiles, can also be seen from the sea. After finishing in Amalfi, on a half-day tour, we return to Positano to drop you off around 1 or 2 PM.

In the case of a full-day boat excursion after Amalfi, we can show a bit more of the Amalfi Coast owns. Atrani is the smallest town in Italy, with the colorful church of Maria Magdalena. It’s a postcard view of the Amalfi Coast. Also the guests will see parts of Ravello, Minori and Maiori.

The best way to see the unique cultivation of the famous Amalfi Coast lemons, on terraces clinging to the steep cliffs, is from the sea. The entire area of Amalfi Coast is a world heritage UNESCO site.
A full-day boat tour finishes around 4 or 5 PM.

Final Thoughts

So, dear reader, I hope this interview with Captain Andrea has given you valuable insight into choosing the perfect boat tour along the Amalfi Coast (hint: you’ve already found it!). A huge thank you to Andrea for taking the time to answer my questions and share so many useful tips with us. And of course, a special thanks to his fiancée, Olga, for providing me with photos and reviewing my transcript so quickly. Grazie!

More info for your Amalfi Coast and Capri Vacation planning:

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links through my partnership with Viator and Booking. But this is not a sponsored post. I am not sponsored by Il Canto del Mare Charter, but I recommend them based on my experience and trust in their services.

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