Portofino is Italy’s most photographed village — and one of the most sought-after yacht charter stops in the Western Mediterranean. Its horseshoe-shaped harbor, surrounded by colorful facades, its waterfront restaurants, luxury boutiques, and lush Mediterranean vegetation make it a unique destination — halfway between the French Riviera and Sardinia.
From a superyacht, Portofino reveals a dimension that land-based tourists never see — the bay viewed from offshore, the colorful facades reflected in the water at sunrise, the coves of the peninsula accessible only by sea. It is one of the rare Mediterranean destinations where a yacht is truly the best way to arrive.
International Yachts Charter and Brokerage XXIII offers superyachts available for charter in Italy with a stopover in Portofino — STCW certified crew, full APA estimate within 48 hours.
Portofino is a fishing village that has fascinated artists, writers, and the world’s most influential families since the 19th century. Guy de Maupassant, Friedrich Nietzsche, Rex Harrison — the list of those who have anchored their boats in this bay is as long as the history of Mediterranean yachting.
What makes Portofino unique is not spectacular at first glance — it is a tiny port, a piazzetta with four restaurants, a yellow church, and colorful facades. But it is precisely this restraint that makes it the most desirable address on the Italian Riviera. Here, luxury is not displayed. It is lived.
The village has fewer than 500 permanent residents. In high season, access is regulated — coaches have been banned for decades, cars are limited. The only truly good way to arrive in Portofino is by sea.
Portofino’s harbor is one of the most photographed in the world — its yellow, ochre, and pink facades are reflected in calm, clear waters. Superyachts moor at the central quay or anchor in the bay of Santa Margherita Ligure — a 5-minute tender ride from the village.
Access to Portofino harbor is regulated — units over 40 meters must request prior authorization. Our captain handles these procedures in advance. In high season — July and August — berths are in high demand. Early morning arrival or advance booking is essential.
From the quay, the village is on foot — the Piazzetta is two minutes away, the lighthouse path twenty minutes, and the medieval Doria Castle a ten-minute walk up the stairs.
Santa Margherita Ligure boasts a modern marina capable of accommodating superyachts up to 60 meters — without the access constraints of Portofino. It is the natural base for exploring the Gulf of Tigullio — Portofino is 5 minutes by tender, Rapallo 10 minutes, Camogli 20 minutes.
The town itself is worth half a day — its daily market in the square, its boutiques, its Baroque church of Santa Margherita Vergine, its lively waterfront. The value for money in restaurants here is significantly better than in Portofino, with an Italian clientele that guarantees authenticity.
The Cinque Terre — Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, Monterosso — are UNESCO-listed for their colorful villages clinging to schist cliffs plunging into the sea. The view from a superyacht is the most beautiful way to discover them — without the crowds of land trails, without the hustle and bustle of ferries, with a perspective that walking tourists can never have.
Vernazza and Monterosso have small ports accessible by tender. A stopover in Vernazza — coffee in the small square facing the sea, swimming from the tender, lunch of pesto and focaccia — is one of the most authentic experiences in all of Liguria.
Practical note: the Cinque Terre are 35 to 45 minutes sailing from Santa Margherita depending on the wind. Our captain knows the periods of calm seas — early morning in summer — for a comfortable journey.
Camogli is a fishing village whose colorful facades rise six or seven stories directly on the seafront — spectacular architecture inherited from a time when sailors wanted to recognize their homes from offshore. Its church of San Prospero, its still active fishing port, and its authentic atmosphere make it one of Liguria’s most endearing stops.
San Fruttuoso is a medieval abbey from the 10th and 11th centuries nestled at the bottom of a cove inaccessible by road — only by sea or by a two-hour mountain trail. From a superyacht, it is accessible by tender in 20 minutes from Camogli. The beach in front of the abbey, the crystal-clear waters, the silence — San Fruttuoso is one of the most memorable discoveries of a charter in Liguria.
Ristorante Puny is Portofino’s gastronomic institution — a family-run restaurant on the Piazzetta, managed by the same family since 1953. Trofie al pesto genovese, fresh catch of the day, homemade Ligurian focaccia — the cuisine is simple, precise, and impeccable. Reservations are mandatory several weeks in advance during high season. Our team handles reservations for our charter clients.
Il Pitosforo is positioned directly on the harbor — terrace with views of moored yachts, high-quality seafood cuisine, attentive service. It is the ideal address for an evening dinner overlooking the illuminated port.
Da Puny completes the gastronomic scene of the Piazzetta — authentic Ligurian cuisine, generous portions, relaxed atmosphere. The seafood linguine and fritto misto are two must-try dishes.
Trattoria Concordia is the place locals in Santa Margherita go when they want authentic Ligurian cuisine without paying Portofino prices—homemade pesto, Recco focaccia (the real thing, with cheese inside), and fish from the morning market.
The Portofino marine reserve covers the entire peninsula — its seabed is among the best preserved in the Ligurian Mediterranean. Red gorgonians, groupers, nudibranchs — the underwater biodiversity is exceptional. Our crew can accompany passengers snorkeling from the tender. For scuba diving — our captain knows certified local centers.
From Portofino harbor, a path runs along the peninsula to the Capo lighthouse — a 30-minute walk, with 360° views of the Gulf of Tigullio, the Cinque Terre on clear days, and Corsica on exceptional days. A one-hour round trip for a view that alone justifies the stopover.
Doria Castle has overlooked Portofino since the 14th century — accessible from the village via a 15-minute climb up stairs. Its terraces offer the best view of the harbor and the bay. Open seasonally — free or paid entry depending on temporary exhibitions.
Genoa — capital of Liguria and former Maritime Republic — is 30 kilometers from Santa Margherita. Its UNESCO-listed old town contains Italy’s most beautiful Baroque palaces — the Palazzi dei Rolli, residences of Genoese patrician families. The old port of Genoa, redeveloped by Renzo Piano, and the Aquarium — the largest in Europe — are worth a full day from the Santa Margherita base.
Portofino is ideally positioned on the major Mediterranean routes — neither too far north to be diverted from the French Riviera, nor too far south to extend transit to Sardinia.
French Riviera → Portofino Monaco → Portofino in 5 hours with ASCENSION at 25 knots. The perfect stopover before heading south to Sardinia. Cannes → Portofino in 6 hours.
Portofino → Sardinia Overnight transit of 15 hours — departure from Santa Margherita in the late afternoon, arrival in Porto Cervo the next morning. RILASSATA with its 4,000 NM range handles this transit without a fuel stop.
Portofino → Capri and Amalfi Coast Sailing down the Tuscan and Roman coast — Elba, Giglio, Ponza — before arriving in Capri. A 4 to 5-day itinerary that covers all the coastal heritage of central Italy.
Portofino → Balearics Via the French Riviera — Portofino → Ibiza in 22 hours with ASCENSION. The Italy → Balearics itinerary in one navigation.
| Yacht | LOA | Draft | Highlights | Low Season Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABELY | 33 m | 2.00 m | Unrestricted Portofino port access | €38,000/week |
| RAY | 32 m | 2.71 m | Explorer, Cinque Terre accessible | €90,000/week |
| ASCENSION | 37 m | 2.50 m | Monaco → Portofino in 5h | €100,000/week |
| ANNAMIA | 43 m | 3.00 m | 12 passengers, prestige, Santa Margherita | €120,000/week |
| RILASSATA | 49.8 m | 2.25 m | 4,000 NM range, Sardinia transit | €210,000/week |
| Category | LOA | Low Season | High Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Yacht | 20-25 m | €10,000 – €22,000/week | €18,000 – €38,000/week |
| Motor Yacht | 25-35 m | €22,000 – €60,000/week | €40,000 – €90,000/week |
| Superyacht | 35-45 m | €55,000 – €120,000/week | €90,000 – €200,000/week |
| Mega Yacht | 45-55 m | €110,000 – €230,000/week | €190,000 – €385,000/week |
Estimated APA: 25 to 28% of the base rate — port fees in Portofino and Santa Margherita are moderate compared to the French Riviera.
May and June — the absolute recommendation for Portofino. The vegetation is lush, the light is exceptional, the port is calm, and restaurants are available. Water temperature 18-20°C — perfect for snorkeling in the marine reserve. Low season rates.
July-August — high season. Portofino is livelier but retains its elegance. Berths are in high demand — early morning arrival is mandatory. The Cinque Terre are crowded during the day — prioritize early morning visits from the tender.
September — the connoisseur’s choice. Water still at 24°C, summer crowds gone, restaurants available, magnificent autumnal light on the colorful facades. The marine reserve anchorages are free. Mid-season rates.
Direct access to Portofino harbor is limited to units under 40 meters. For larger units — RILASSATA (49.8 m) and ANNAMIA (43 m) — anchoring is done in the bay of Santa Margherita Ligure, a 5-minute tender ride from the village. Our captain manages all logistics.
May and June offer the best value for money — exceptional light, fewer crowds, low season rates, marine reserve at its best. September is the second recommendation for the same reasons.
Absolutely — it is one of our most requested itineraries. Santa Margherita as a base, daily tender excursions to Portofino, the Cinque Terre, Camogli, and San Fruttuoso. A full week without rushing.
The Portofino marine reserve is divided into zones A, B, and C with different regulations. Anchoring is prohibited in the most protected areas — mooring buoys are available. Our captain knows the authorized zones precisely and manages all logistics.
Portofino in May, June, and September offers exceptional value for money — the best units are available at low season rates in an incomparable setting. July-August weeks are booked 3 to 4 months in advance.
