Sailing yacht hire in Genoa – Lavagna, with or without skipper

Genoa and Lavagna are among the most beautiful gateways for a sailing cruise in Liguria. Set about fifteen nautical miles apart, these two bases provide access to Portofino, the Cinque Terre, the Gulf of Poets and, for longer itineraries, to the island of Elba, Corsica and northern Sardinia. Whether you opt for a boat hire in Genoa or a departure from Lavagna, this guide gives you all the information you need to prepare your trip.

The types of boats to hire in Genoa and Lavagna

Two types of sailing yachts are offered departing from Genoa and Lavagna, depending on your sailing plans :

• The monohull sailing yacht — the most widespread and most affordable option on the Ligurian coast. It will be perfect for experienced sailors who want to fully enjoy the thrill of sailing in a sea with varied conditions. The local fleet mainly offers units between 38 and 50 feet.
• The sailing catamaran — for those who favour comfort, space and stability. Its shallow draught is ideal for anchoring as close as possible to the coves of Portofino or the Cinque Terre. Ideal for a family cruise or a group of 6 to 10 people.

The services offered for your hire in Genoa and Lavagna

Four options available depending on your level and your wishes :

• Bareboat (without skipper) — if a member of your crew has sailing experience and the required licences, they can operate the boat. The vessel is entirely private and you enjoy your week in complete freedom.
• Boat with skipper — ideal if no member of the crew is qualified, or simply to sail without any constraints. The professional skipper operates the boat and shares their knowledge of the Ligurian coast, the best anchorages and the seaside restaurants.
• Boat with crew — a service included on larger vessels and optional on certain catamarans. The crew is generally made up of a skipper, a hostess and sometimes a cook. Together they handle navigation, meals and onboard service throughout the stay.
• Cabin cruise — you book a cabin aboard a high-end, human-scale boat, shared with other travellers and a professional crew responsible for navigation, cooking and service. Ideal for travelling as a couple or for discovering sailing without chartering an entire boat. Discover our offers for a catamaran cruise in Italy.

What is the price for a sailing yacht hire in Genoa and Lavagna ?

The table below gives you an order of magnitude of the average prices for a one-week hire in Genoa or Lavagna. These prices may change depending on the season, availability, the model, the age of the boat...

The price includes : the boat hire and the main equipment on board (the sails, the crockery, the wifi, the dinghy, the bed linen and the outboard motor).

The price does not include : insurance, port and mooring fees, the skipper, the hostess, the cleaning which is often included in a compulsory pack, extras (kayak, stand-up paddle…) and provisioning.

If you wish to hire a sailing yacht with crew in Genoa or Lavagna, we invite you to contact us directly to obtain the price list. The price range for this type of model is in fact very wide, from 15 000 € to over 100 000 € per week. Our specialised team will send you a selection of bespoke offers.

We recommend that you take out our cancellation insurance for your hire in Genoa or Lavagna. It covers the entire crew. An individual or bank insurance remains limited to the holder alone.

We also encourage our clients to take out the deposit waiver insurance. On a boat, damage happens even to the best sailors. This insurance will allow you to recover a significant part of your deposit in the event of damage related to navigation.

Where to sail departing from Genoa and Lavagna ?

The Ligurian Gulf concentrates some of the most beautiful stopovers in Italy, accessible within a few hours of sailing from Genoa or Lavagna. Several areas are open to you :

• The Riviera di Levante and Portofino — 12 nautical miles from Lavagna and 15 miles from Genoa, Portofino is the legendary stopover of any itinerary in Liguria. A boat hire in Portofino is the ideal way to discover this bay from the sea. Anchoring in front of the horseshoe-shaped harbour, dinner at the Piazzetta, swimming in the bay of Paraggi. Don't miss a visit to the abbey of San Fruttuoso, accessible only by sea.
• The Cinque Terre and the Gulf of Poets — about 25 to 35 miles from Lavagna. Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore line up their colourful houses above the sea. Further south, Porto Venere and the Gulf of Poets offer one of the most beautiful anchorages in Italy, with the island of Palmaria nearby.
• The Tuscan Archipelago and the island of Elba — for itineraries of 10 days to 2 weeks. Count on about 110 miles from Genoa to Portoferraio. The Tuscan Archipelago, which ranks among the most beautiful islands in Italy, also includes Capraia, Gorgona, Pianosa and Giglio, in a protected national park with waters of great clarity.
• Corsica and northern Sardinia — for cruises of one to two weeks. Opt for a sailing yacht hire in Corsica or a boat hire in Sardinia to explore the area. Cap Corse (Bastia, Macinaggio) is about 95 miles from Genoa, and the Costa Smeralda about 200 miles. A crossing often considered by experienced sailors in June or September.

When to sail in the area ?

The sailing season runs mainly from April to October. The Ligurian climate is typically Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild, bright shoulder seasons. The mid-season months (May, June, September) are often considered the best for sailing : pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds in ports and anchorages, and more affordable rates.

Here is an average of the temperatures recorded in Genoa :

Sailing conditions

The Ligurian Gulf is an accessible sailing area but one that requires vigilance. Conditions can change rapidly, particularly as fronts pass through. Checking the weather daily is essential.

The rocky coast offers few natural shelters between Genoa and La Spezia. The distances between stopovers nonetheless remain short, which makes it possible to adapt to conditions without major difficulty.

Four main winds structure the area : the Libeccio, the dominant south-westerly wind, which can quickly raise a heavy sea and is the most feared in Liguria ; the Maestrale, a north-westerly wind, more regular and associated with clear weather ; the Tramontana, a cold northerly wind blowing in downdraught gusts from the Apennines ; and the Scirocco, a warm, humid wind coming from the south-east, rarer in high season.

The anchorages around Portofino, San Fruttuoso and the Cinque Terre are numerous but often saturated in July-August. It is recommended to arrive early in the afternoon to secure a good spot, or to book harbour berths in advance in the marinas. Note : anchorages in the Cinque Terre national park are regulated and certain areas require prior authorisation.

The documents required to hire without a skipper

You will need a coastal boating licence as well as a VHF certificate (CRR or foreign equivalent) for a bareboat hire in Genoa or Lavagna. In Italy, the French coastal licence is accepted as the equivalent of the patente nautica. To hire a large unit or to sail beyond 12 miles from the coast, an offshore licence or equivalent will be required. The base will check your documents at the time of the departure briefing.

Useful information for your cruise

What language is spoken in Genoa and in Liguria ?

The official language is Italian. The Genoese (or Ligurian) dialect remains present in some local conversations but is not an obstacle. English is commonly understood in the marinas and tourist areas, and French is often spoken at the hire bases.

What currency to use locally ?

The currency used in Italy is the euro (€).

How to get to Genoa or Lavagna ?

Genoa Cristoforo Colombo airport (GOA) is served by several direct flights from Paris. It is located about 15 minutes from the Old Port of Genoa and 45 minutes from Lavagna. The airports of Nice (NCE) and Milan Malpensa (MXP) are also practical alternatives. The train is also an excellent option : the Lavagna station and the Genoa station are served by the national lines, and the Paris-Milan TGV connection makes it possible to reach Genoa by train with a connection in Milan.

How to finalise my booking ?

Once we have received your hire request, an advisor will contact you by phone to understand your sailing plans. They will then send you boat proposals by email. Once the boat is found, you can pay a deposit in your client area to validate the hire and reserve the boat.

What are the departure ports around Genoa and Lavagna ?

Several hire bases are located in Liguria and its immediate surroundings : Genoa (Porto Antico and Marina Genova Aeroporto), Lavagna (the Marina di Lavagna is one of the largest private marinas in the Mediterranean with more than 1 500 berths), Sestri Levante (6 km from Lavagna), Chiavari (4 km away), Rapallo and Santa Margherita Ligure (15 km away, ideal for heading straight to Portofino), or La Spezia (45 km from Lavagna, ideal for setting off towards the Cinque Terre and the Gulf of Poets). The choice depends on your planned itinerary and the availability of the units.

Good to know