Boat hire & yacht charter in Italy

Hire a boat with or without a skipper in Italy

with SamBoat. Choose from a wide selection of sailboats, motorboats, RIBs, catamarans, yachts and canal boats. We offer a huge range of boats to hire from 50€/day. With the best offers, SamBoat helps you to find the ideal boat hire for the perfect vacation.

Sailing in Italy

Italy is a country rich in history and known for the monuments of many of its cities. The best time to hire a yacht is during the months of September and October, thanks to the mild climate and ideal sea temperature for sailing. Sail along the Amalfi Coast, which has six UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can also hire a boat in Italy and visit the small island of Procida. This island is located in the bay of Naples and is famous for its quietness. Go onboard and chill out with your friends or family.

For those who want to enjoy the sea, exotic colours and cuisine that will surely please the palate, Italy is the ideal destination. Italy is a peninsula surrounded by 7,458 kilometres of coastline on the Mediterranean Sea. A shortened coast reveals magnificent charms, hidden bays, sandy beaches, and coves that make it perfect for any kind of vacation. In our opinion, the best way to experience the marvellous country is to hire a boat and see it from a diffehire perspective. The coast offers line-of-sight cruising and picturesque seaside towns.

Without a doubt, you will know the historic cities of Rome, Florence, and Venice and surely you’ll know the fashion, gastronomy and cultural heritage. While this may seem to be enough for one single country, Italy has still much more to offer. Beautiful landscapes, a beautiful coastline and idyllic fishing villages are vital to the richness of the region. Hire a yacht in Italy and make sure to discover untouched paradises that are only accessible by boat. Your sailing possibilities are countless in Italy. Hire a sailboat in Viareggio, in Sardinia, Elba, Gulf of Naples, Pontine Islands or sailing in Sicily just to name a few.

What makes Italy a dream destination for most sailors are the glamorous port towns all along the western coast of the country. If you're there during the high season, you'll be thankful you're on a boat because you'll be able to discover quiet beaches all along the coast that are only accessible by boat. What would a trip to Italy be without trying the local cuisine? The Italian art of gastronomy is rich in pasta, fish, local fruits and vegetables and centres itself around simplicity and diversity. As you’ll learn, Italian chefs focus on the quality of the ingredients, instead of relying solely on the complexity of the overall dish. At any moment while sailing, you will be tempted to drop anchor and experience some of the best snorkelling spots in Mediterranean waters and after, stop in at any of the restaurants to try the signature Italian seafood dishes. One of the main destinations for this is Naples, where you can combine sailing and on-land experiences. Hire a yacht from Naples and explore the Italian coast! 

Pricing and Information on hiring in Italy

In Italy, the high season generally starts at the end of May and goes into the first weeks of September. During this period, you will pay a premium due to improved sailing conditions and the high demand of boats. Depending on the type of boat you would like to rent, average prices range from 192€ to 400€ for larger catamaran hires in Italy. For the majority of boats in Italy, you can hire them with a skipper or as a bareboat. Be sure to check each boat for the specific pricing for skippers. The average price varies on the kind of boat you wish to hire as well as the duration.

As described earlier, the high season of May into September will require booking well in advance. If your project is a yacht hire for the high season, you will have to book well before March. Like most popular destinations, much of the fleet is already booked by mid-March. Normally, planning should start in November or December to give you enough time to sort out your project. After March, more than 50% of the boats in Italy are booked. The numbers will fluctuate depending on the port of departure. You can still find a wide selection of boats and SamBoat is here to help you with that.

For motorboats for daily outings, availability becomes scarce when booking last minute. For dayboats, we suggest looking into the hire 2 to 3 months before the date of your project. At SamBoat, we can help you find the boat by your intended activity, cabins, size or even if you want a boat with a skipper.

Do you need a license to hire a boat in Italy? 

The legislation regarding licenses in Italy differ than in most countries in Europe. Depending on the type of boat you're looking to rent, there will be differing laws applied. For sailboats in Italy, a license is required if you plan on driving your sailboat more than 6 miles beyond shelter. In either case, you will be asked to present your nautical CV detailing your previous experience in regard to what types of boats you captained and what waters you sailed. For motor boats, you do not need a license if the boat has less than 40hp. In the case that it has more, you will need to present a valid license to operate the boat. 

If you do not feel comfortable or do not have enough experience, you can hire a boat with a skipper. This way, the skipper will captain the boat and since they will be most likely a local, they will show you the hidden gems of Italy. 

Overview of Italy

When renting a boat, you can anchor at many natural landmarks or take advantage of the numerous ports that will certainly suit your needs. One spot not to miss is the Port of Messina, which is the largest in the Mediterranean including an approximate area of 820,000m². One thing that will definitely not give you trouble is finding a marina or port that offers high-quality services throughout the year. The coasts of Italy were made for nautical lovers and explorers. If you're looking to sail in the south, Hire a yacht in Sicily and explore the entire area in one week. This is the preferred route for most sailors and for good reason. The coast along with the beautiful waters presents one of the most memorable vacations. Another good idea is to hire a boat in Liguria and sail to Piombino.

The Italian coastline has numerous beautiful islands to visit such as Capri. Whether it’s for a day trip or an entire week, boat hire can be your way to go ! Explore the Italian coast with Samboat aboard a skippered yacht or bareboat sailboat and spend an amazing sailing holiday.

There are many famous sailing spots in Italy. One of the most popular for boat hires in Como and Lake Garda. Over there you can live the finest Italian experience (meaning great weather, food and wine) while having the time of your life on the dock of your boat. The coastline is absolutely magnificent and charter companies are numerous in this region. 

However, the Amalfi coast is not the only gem of Italy for boating. We also advise you to set sail to Costa Smeralda. Iconic villages and lovely harbours are close to each other, making it easy to navigate with your yacht hire in Italy. Those areas are very popular in terms of sailing destinations so make sure to book your boat in advance during the summer months.

This is just a glimpse of the sailing possibility in Italy. Boat hire in La Spezia, Punta Ala, La Maddalena, and dozens of great marinas await you. This country has huge potential regarding boating and hiring a boat and there is surely the recipe for having a great time. Gather your friends and family and head over to live the great Italian boating experience. If it’s your first sailing experience, do not worry. When renting a boat in Italy with SamBoat, you can ask for a skipper too! Then, you’ll have a stress-free holiday. From the luxurious yacht with a lot of interesting services like a chef on board and water sports activities to a 15 feet sailboat, a skipper can help you to captain the boat. Moreover, he or she generally knows the sailing area and will be happy to give you tips about it. Indeed, Italians are really proud of their coastline and are happy to share their experiences with everyone regarding their boating culture. If a skippered yacht is not your thing, you can still hire a bareboat.

Information about boat rental in Italy

Boat responsibly

The sea gives us unique moments. Enjoying it also means respecting it: protecting marine ecosystems, reducing our impact, and preserving the places we explore. Discover how SamBoat is working alongside Fondation de la Mer to protect marine biodiversity, preserve coastal ecosystems, and fight plastic pollution.