Camogli/Santa Margarita

There are ferries just like at CT, and that’s a great economical way to enjoy the sea views.
https://traghettiportofino.it/en/useful-info/boarding-points/san-fruttuoso
Private boat operators are around as well I’m sure. We primarily hiked while there, but you could head over to Rapallo for a day, where I read about a cable car that sounds fun. You could do a day trip to Genoa.
Be sure to use the ferries to assist in your hiking planing, as you can do ferry back after hiking across the park.

Not a boat tour, but you can take a boat from Camogli to the 10th century abbey of San Fruttuoso. We also took the train to Chiavari for the day and liked it so much we stayed there on a later trip. In Chiavari, we visited a woodworking workshop where custom corzetti stamps for pasta are carved --- he did one from a photo of our dog while we watched! We never made it to nearby Recco, but you can walk there from Camogli and sample the different types of Focaccia di Recco made there that are all claimed to be the "real" version. This focaccia is also sold in Camogli, like at Focacceria Revello, but it's fun to go to the place that a food is named for and eat it there.

More about boats and hikes:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/hike-from-portofino-to-san-fruttuoso-abbey

The hike from Camogli to San Frutuosso through the natural park is amazing! There are some hilly parts, at the beginning until you climb up into the forest, and at the end when you are descending back down to the water, but it is a great hike. You can hike to San Frutuosso, have lunch overlooking the beautiful bay there and then take the ferry back to Camogli. It's a great way to spend a day. I also did a fun e-bike tour from Recco, through Camogli and on to Santa Margherita Ligure and Portofino. So much fun! Camogli is a charming little fishing village....just avoid it on the weekend if possible as the Italians swarm the place, especially in nice weather.

Focaccia col formaggio, originally from the nearby town of Recco, is the local delicacy.
You can find it at several places in the village, including Focacceria Revello, located on the front opposite the wide part of the beach before you get to the port.
Sublime! Try it on your first day.

Another vote for Focaccia con Formaggio from the nearby town of Recco. We walked from Comogli to Recco - it’s a bit hilly but the views are very nice.

If there is a concert or performance at the Teatro Sociale Camogli that’s a fun thing to do. The small theater is beautiful!

A day trip (by train) to Genoa is also an option.

If you are interested in taking out a boat yourself (all you need is a driver’s license) - in 2022 we hired a small motor boat from TLM Nautica Noleggio Imbarcazion from the harbor in SML and drove to Camogli - had a great day swimming and driving it along the coastline between SML and Camogli.

Thank you so much for all the suggestions! We are looking forward to our trip .. hoping Camogli was the right choice as to where to stay but from all I have read it sounds like an amazing little town. Any other recommendations for things to see or do or where to eat in the area are greatly appreciated!

It’s really small, but lovely. My recommendations would be a bit too far back anyway, but the town is so small I know you will just be able to wander and find something that appeals. I do a stroll in early evening (during gelato time, lol) and make reservations in person since I find that easier than on the phone.
Though you can take a bus, I’m a bit strange in that I liked walking up the hundreds of stairs to the hamlet above Camogli, where I stayed, ate a couple times, and accessed the park. I considered Portofino missable, but you can do a hike with nice views to there from the abbey and then catch a ferry onward.

There is a boat from Camogli to San Fruttouso -- and then a different boat from there to St. Margharita, Portofino and Rapallo. Portofino is IMHO not worth a visit but we loved San Fruttouso -- had lunch at Georgio the little restaurant on the rocks -- it was wonderful. We stayed in Rapallo and took the boat to SF and back stopping in Portofino on the way back. We did Camogli by train another day -- but there is a boat I don't know if it goes further than SF.

Dig, we too will be visiting that area but not until the fall. I mention this cos research indicates how boats will stop for the season. Maybe just check with the companies when they will be stopping for the year?
I am done. the Santa staying in Santa