Private Boat Tour of the Amalfi Coast
How To Do it Without Breaking the Bank
We are not luxury travelers.
Neither my husband or I were raised with extravagant vacations, nor do I think that travel requires luxury accommodations or experiences to be enjoyable. But on our latest trip to the Amalfi Coast, we sprung for a private boat tour of the Amalfi Coast, and it was everything we could have hoped for.
Pick Your Provider
A boat tour of the Amalfi Coast is a must, and there are many ways to experience one, from very affordable to extreme luxury. The most common is a group tour, which you can find through Viator, Trip Advisor, Airbnb and multiple other providers. This is a great option for budget travelers, as many of the boats seat only up to 8 people so the experience is still quite private. However, while the cheapest option I found was a steal at $52, the average price per person for a group tour is still around $100-$150, which is no small fee. So Joe and I started looking into private half-day tours. After hours of research, we settled on Blue Star Positano.
Booking with Blue Star Positano
Blue Star Positano is a family owned company that operates from the main beach of Positano. You can book some of their tours through Trip Advisor, but only a few are shown, and they may give you a bit of sticker shock (the $909 Amalfi Coast Private Boat Tour had me running for the hills). But their reviews were glowing so we decided to contact the company directly and inquire about a half-day private tour. Prices may vary a bit from high season to shoulder season (we went in September which is considered shoulder season) but we were quoted £350 total for four hours (10:00am - 2:00pm) including snacks, beer and prosecco. Not cheap, but also not exorbitant. And when you consider a group tour would still cost you at least $200 for two people, the idea of a private tour becomes more appealing. Plus, if you are traveling in a group of four or more, you would probably save money booking a private boat through Blue Star than booking single tickets on a group tour.
We confirmed via email with Elizabeth, the owner, and we were set. We booked about three weeks in advance, and I wouldn't recommend waiting any longer as they do fill up quite quickly. In the confirmation email they asked us to check in at the beach the day prior to our tour to confirm the reservation and complete payment, which we did not see until the day of, but they were very accommodating and everything started off without a hitch.
Where You Go
The best thing about a private tour is that you can go wherever and see whatever you want. I asked our tour guide to pause for pictures of the Positano shore line just before we set out, so we would not be rushed or distracted later on. He was understanding and friendly and even took pictures of my husband and I together. We then set off for the beautiful trip along the coast, passing Praiano, Marini, Amalfi, Atrani (pictured above), and Minori. We relaxed with our bottle prosecco, and stopped in a few caves along the way to jump in for a swim. Our guide gave us the option to stop for a tour of the Emerald Grotto (extra cost) and a brief visit of Amalfi town, but we didn't want to waste any of our allotted time not on the boat. However if you do have the boat for the full day, a stop in Amalfi town would be the perfect add-on. The beautiful town pictured above is Atrani and is is a short 10 minute walk from the Amalfi pier.
Private Boat Tour of the Amalfi Coast: Is It Worth It?
In a word: Yes. The Amalfi Coast is not a budget destination, and this is not a budget experience, but honestly you cannot visit the Amalfi Coast without seeing it from the water. Group experiences are wonderful as well, and can add a bit of fun, but if you have extra room in your budget or you are visiting for a honeymoon or anniversary, I highly recommend a private half-day tour. It is one of the most beautiful and romantic experiences, and definitely one you will not regret.
