Boat trips with Zorro

Lampedusa’s best views often come from the water, and this full-day trip makes the sea the main event. You’ll cruise past coves and caves, stop for swims and share a leisurely lunch prepared aboard by captain Gianni.

I like two things in particular: Gianni’s long experience around the island and a schedule that leaves room to swim without rushing back aboard. The included lunch is another real draw, with several courses and traditional treats, not just a quick sandwich between stops.

One consideration: the north-coast caves and some stops depend on the weather. The day is built around swimming, so rough conditions can change the route, and you should be comfortable spending much of the day on a boat.

What to know before you book

• A captain who knows these waters: Gianni has been a fisherman since age 13 and has 30 years of experience at sea as a sailor and captain.
• A full day afloat: The schedule gives you time for several coves, swimming and lunch, rather than a short sightseeing loop.
• Tabaccara is a highlight: This is the first named stop, and the clear water there is a major reason many people choose a boat trip around Lampedusa.
• Lunch is part of the experience: Expect antipasti, a first course, coffee, cannoli, fennel liqueur and fruit.
• The north-coast route is weather dependent: If conditions allow, the boat continues around the island to visit caves and additional coves.
• It is listed as a private activity: Only your group participates, according to the tour details. The listed price is $116.

Leaving the port for a day at sea

The boat leaves Lampedusa port at 9:30 a.m. and returns at about 4:30 p.m. The experience is described as lasting around eight hours, though those stated times make for a day of roughly seven hours on the clock. Treat the schedule as a guide, not a promise of an exact return minute.

This is not a trip where the boat simply circles the coast while you take photos from the rail. The plan is to stop in sheltered coves and give you time to swim. That slower rhythm suits you if you want a day in the water, and it means you will spend less time racing between viewpoints.

Gianni’s background matters here. He has worked at sea as both a sailor and a captain, and he has fished since he was 13. A local captain can make the island’s coast feel more legible: you are not just seeing names on a map, but moving through familiar waters with someone whose working life has been tied to the sea.

The operator describes the activity as private, with only your group taking part. That can make the day feel more personal than a large boat excursion, though you should confirm how the private arrangement applies to your booking and party size before you pay.

Tabaccara, Cala Pulcino and the swimming stops

The first stop is Tabaccara, a much-loved stretch of coast known for its clear water. The tour details give the first stop an odd translated name, but the place is also identified as Tabaccara. It is a useful early stop: you can get into the water while the day is still fresh and see why approaching Lampedusa by boat changes your sense of the island.

Next comes Cala Pulcino, followed by the Acque swimming pool. The itinerary does not give exact times or lengths for these stops, so expect the order and time ashore, or rather in the water, to depend on the day. The central pleasure is simple: swim, dry off, and take in the coastline from a different angle.

A boat trip is especially worthwhile if you want access to coves that are difficult to appreciate from land. The water is the reason to come, but do not expect a beach day with a long stretch of sand and facilities. You will be swimming from the boat, and you should be ready for a day organized around getting in and out of the sea.

If you are not a confident swimmer, ask about safety arrangements before booking. On at least one trip, a passenger who did not swim was given a life jacket and was able to join a swim stop. That is encouraging, but it is not a substitute for checking your own needs and confirming what help is available on your chosen date.

A generous Sicilian lunch aboard

Around midday, the boat pauses for lunch. The meal includes antipasti and a first course, followed by coffee and cannoli. Later in the afternoon, fruit is served, along with fennel liqueur. Some accounts also describe coffee with cream and fish dishes served in generous portions.

Food is a prominent part of the day, not a minor inclusion. That matters when you compare the $116 price with a bare-bones boat ride: lunch is included, and the meal appears to be a substantial, carefully presented part of the outing. If you prefer a light midday meal, the portions may be more than you need, but for many people a proper lunch makes the long stretch on the water easier and more enjoyable.

The meal also gives the day a social pause. Rather than hopping from cove to cove without a break, you get time to sit, eat and enjoy the boat. Cannoli and fennel liqueur add a distinctly local finish, while the fruit later on provides a lighter snack before the return.

The exact menu can vary. The experience description promises the courses and treats, while fish and other local dishes feature in accounts of particular trips. If you have dietary restrictions, contact the operator before booking rather than assuming a particular dish will be available.

North-coast caves and the afternoon route

If the weather allows, the boat continues around the island to visit caves along the north coast. The additional listed stops are Mare Morto, Cala Creta and Cala Francese. This extension is what gives the day its sense of a full island circuit, rather than a short run to one popular swimming spot and back.

Caves offer a different view of Lampedusa from the open coves. From the water, the coast’s openings and rock formations become part of the journey, and the boat can show you stretches that are easy to miss from shore. The details do not promise a stop at every cave or a set amount of time at each place, so keep expectations flexible.

Weather is the deciding factor. The route is explicitly conditional, and a captain may need to adjust the plan if conditions are unsuitable. That is a sensible trade-off: a safe, comfortable day matters more than checking off every named stop. If the sea is unsettled, the experience may offer fewer stops or a different route.

The boat is scheduled to return to port at 4:30 p.m. If you have a firm connection or another timed activity that afternoon, leave a buffer. The tour is a day on the sea, and conditions can shape how the schedule unfolds.

Is $116 a fair price?

At the listed $116, the value depends on what you want from a day out. You are paying for a full-day boat experience, a captain with decades of sea experience, multiple swimming stops and lunch with several courses and sweets. If you would otherwise book a boat trip and buy lunch separately, the included meal adds meaningful value.

The price is less compelling if you want only a short cruise or prefer to spend the day on land. This outing takes up most of the day and its main activity is swimming from the boat. You are paying for time on the water, access to coves and a generous meal, not transport around the island or a quick guided walk.

Private activity is another potential advantage, since the tour details say only your group participates. That can be valuable for families or friends who want a more personal outing. Still, check the booking details to understand how the stated price works for your group, as the information provided does not clarify whether $116 is per person or for the whole party.

Private transportation is not included. You need to make your own way to Gita In Barca Zorro at Via Alessandro Volta in Lampedusa. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, and the location is near public transportation.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would consider this trip if you want to see Lampedusa from the sea, swim at several coves and make lunch part of the day. It suits people who like an unhurried schedule and do not mind spending hours aboard a boat. The range of stops also makes it a strong choice if this is your main chance to explore the island’s coastline.

Families may find the day appealing: children have swimming stops to look forward to, and the meal gives everyone a break from the water. The activity information says most people can participate and service animals are allowed. If anyone in your party has mobility, swimming or dietary needs, ask the operator directly for details, since the available information does not explain the boat’s facilities or menu adjustments.

This may be a less suitable choice if you dislike boats, want a fixed and tightly timed itinerary, or need to avoid swimming. You can still enjoy the coastline from aboard, but swimming is central to the day, and the route can change with the weather.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from 127 reviews, with 98 percent recommending it. That strong record is consistent with the features that define the experience: Gianni’s hospitality, a relaxed pace, time in the coves and a lunch that is treated as a highlight rather than an afterthought. It is still wise to judge the trip by your own priorities, especially the weather dependence and the amount of time you want to spend on the water.

Booking details to keep in mind

Confirmation is provided at booking. The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If it is canceled because of poor weather or because the minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted. Cut-off times follow local time in Lampedusa.

Should you book Boat trips with Zorro?

Book it if you want a full day of swimming, coastal scenery and an ample Sicilian lunch, with a local captain at the helm. Tabaccara, the other coves and the possible north-coast caves give you a rewarding look at Lampedusa from the water, while the meal makes the day feel complete.

Think twice if you need a guaranteed route, are uncomfortable aboard a boat, or would rather keep your day short. For a relaxed, sea-focused day with food included, Zorro looks like a strong-value way to experience the island’s coast.

FAQ

How long is the boat trip?

It is listed as approximately eight hours. The stated schedule is a 9:30 a.m. departure and a return to port at about 4:30 p.m.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Gita In Barca Zorro, Via Alessandro Volta, 92010 Lampedusa AG, Italy. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with antipasti, a first course, coffee and cannoli. Fruit and fennel liqueur are served in the afternoon.

Which places does the boat visit?

The planned stops include Tabaccara, Cala Pulcino and the Acque swimming pool. Weather permitting, the boat continues to caves along the north coast and stops at Mare Morto, Cala Creta and Cala Francese.

Does the north-coast route always happen?

No. The tour details make the north-coast circuit conditional on the weather.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The activity is described as private, with only your group participating.

Is transportation to the meeting point included?

No. Private transportation is not included, so you must arrange your own way to the meeting point.

Can I bring a service animal?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of bad weather?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund. A full refund is also offered if the tour is canceled because its minimum number of participants is not met.