The 15 Isola Bella Tours in Taormina Most Worth the Money

1.Boat Tour with Aperitif on Isola Bella

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 647 reviews Our pick

From Giardini Naxos, take a two-hour boat trip past Taormina’s bays and sea caves, including the Blue Grotto, with time to swim near Isola Bella. Your skipper shares local sights as you cruise, then serves fruit, almond paste, and drinks. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you want to look underwater.

“Very good value for money. Get to see Naxos and Taormina from the coast. Very beautiful. We were also lucky and saw many dolphins on our tour. Would recommend but especially if short on tome and want to see the full beauty of this Ionian coast”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Isola Bella, Blue Grotto, & Mazzarò Bay Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 568 reviews · 2 hours · from $43

Sail from Giardini Naxos past Taormina’s sea caves and the Faraglioni, with a swim stop near Isola Bella and photo stops at the Blue Grotto and Mazzarò Bay. The two-hour trip includes snacks and a welcome drink. Guides such as Francesco and Antonio have earned warm praise, but the crew can vary.

“Small group, comfortable boat, helpful guide. Saw lots of stunning places around Comino as described, and plenty of stops for snorkeling and swimming along the way.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Boat tour Giardini Naxos Taormina Isola Bella Blue Grotto

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 541 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $48

Set out from Giardini Naxos on a roughly two-hour group cruise along Taormina’s coast. Your crew points out Isola Bella, Mazzarò and the coves, with a chance to swim and, when conditions allow, approach sea caves. Prosecco and Sicilian almond sweets add a light treat. English-speaking guides have included Kevin, Andrei, Francesco and Gianluca.

“We had so much fun on the Kristal! The captain knew a lot about the area and very skillfully drove our boat into grottoes and caves. We opted to snorkel and had a blast seeing the fish and swimming in the sea. We would definitely recommend this experience to others!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Semi-Submarine Tour to Isola Bella

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 280 reviews · from $44

From Marina di Schisó, cruise past Giardini Naxos, Isola Bella, and the Blue Grotto aboard a bright-red semi-submarine. Watch the seabed through large submerged windows, then head to the open deck for views of the coast. An Italian- and English-speaking guide leads the one-hour trip. Fish are likely; dolphins and other larger sea creatures are possible, not guaranteed.

“We loveed it. Saw lots of fish and went into two caved. Great boat ride with family. We were lucky to have boat to ourselves.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Snorkeling Tour Coast to Coast Taormina and Isola Bella

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 223 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $50

Set out from Giardini Naxos for a coastal boat ride toward Isola Bella, with Mount Etna on the horizon. After a safety briefing, use the supplied snorkel gear to explore two bays and look for Mediterranean fish, octopuses, sponges, and coral. Crew names associated with trips include Peppe, Alessandro, Angelo, and Antonio, though the crew may vary.

“Very fun, awesome to see tropical fish and Jellyfish you could touch! Great price for a few hours excursion.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Isola Bella and Grottos Cruise with Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 161 reviews · 2 hours · from $47

From Giardini Naxos, join a skipper-led, two-hour boat trip past Capotaormina, Isola Bella and several coastal grottos. You’ll stop for a swim, then enjoy prosecco, soft drinks and Sicilian almond paste. Boats carry up to 14 people; English and Italian commentary is available. Captains on recent trips have included Nando, Nuncio, Pepe and Roberto, though your skipper may differ.

“Incredible! We found it tricky to find the lady at the start (she’s sat inside a restaurant!) but other than that it was easily to best thing we did whilst in Sicily. Beautiful and so much fun!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Taormina and Isola Bella Day Tour with Boat Trip from Messina

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 146 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $145

Travel from Messina to Taormina by air-conditioned bus with a local guide, then explore Corso Umberto and the ancient Greek-Roman theatre. A coastal boat ride brings you close to Isola Bella, sea caves, and swimming spots. The day lasts about seven hours; boat stops and swimming depend on conditions.

“The 2 hour speedboat portion of the trip was excellent. The views are beautiful and all the caves in the bay were accessible to view. Swimming for 30 minutes was fun. The second part of the tour is a walking portion and If you want to shop this is not the tour for you. The town of Tourmina is bustling with many stores and opportunity for shopping, which you do not have on this tour. The Greek theater is right there in the town to see. The tour guide recommended the best handmade cannoli bakery: Laboratory Kitchen and a reasonably priced excellent place for lunch called: Cyclopo on the main…”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Escursioni in barca Taormina Giardini Naxos Isola bella

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 124 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $42Top rated

Set out from Giardini Naxos on a roughly two-hour coastal boat trip past Isola Bella, Taormina’s Faraglioni, the Grotta Azzurra and several bays. You’ll have about 15 minutes to swim near Isola Bella, with prosecco and Sicilian specialties served along the way. The boat carries no more than 27 people; the skipper and crew vary.

“Fantastic boat excursion. Our family trip around the beautiful island was exceptional. The staff were not only fun and friendly, but they also ensured a safe and memorable experience for all of us. Highly recommend for anyone looking to enjoy a great day on the water”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Kayak Coastal Tour to Isola Bella and Blue Grotto

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 111 reviews · 2 hours · from $60

Paddle a roughly 7 km circular route from Giardini Naxos to Isola Bella, the Blue Grotto, Grotta degli Innamorati, and Fico Rock. An English- or Italian-speaking instructor leads a small group of up to 10, with time to swim at Isola Bella. Guides have included Ernesto and Davide.

“Great way to tour for the active, with nice friendly staff and Davide was a great tour guide! Had an amazing time, completed something off my bucket list! You see all the locations up close that you can’t see on a boat and they gave us a traditional Sicilian sweet treat at the end. Would definitely recommend this activity😊”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Taormina, Isola Bella, and Castelmola Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 99 reviews · 8 hours · from $79

Travel from Catania by van to Isola Bella, Taormina, and Castelmola on an eight-hour day trip with free time at the stops. An audio guide is available in six languages, while your driver speaks Italian and English. Plan for a long stairway down to Isola Bella beach, and bring beachwear if you want to swim.

“Ao ruínas do teatro são magníficas. A vista é maravilhosa. Passear por Taor6é simplesmente mágico.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Exciting PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience Isola Bella Marine Park Taormina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 96 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $193

Spend about six hours with Sea Spirit near Taormina, learning scuba basics with a PADI-certified instructor before two guided underwater sessions in Isola Bella Marine Park. The day includes a boat ride past the Blue Cave, fruit and drinks between sessions, and Sicilian wine with almond biscuits afterward. Groups are capped at eight.

“The crew was very nice and professional - perfest for first doving experience. Isolla bella is a beautifull location that brought a lot of great memories”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Boat Trip Isola Bella with Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 89 reviews · 2 hours · from $65

Join a skipper and crew for a two-hour boat trip from Giardini Naxos along the Taormina coast to Isola Bella. The group is limited to 10, with snorkeling gear, fins, wetsuits when needed, soft drinks and snacks included. Swim in the marine reserve or relax on deck, weather permitting.

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Isola Bella-Blue Grotto: Boat Tour, Snorkeling & Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 87 reviews · 2 hours · from $53

Set out from Giardini Naxos for a two-hour coastal boat tour with an Italian- and English-speaking guide. Visit Grotta dell’Amore, Isola Bella, the Blue Grotto, and two bays, with time to swim and snorkel. Dolphins may appear, but sightings are not guaranteed. The trip ends with Sicilian treats and drinks aboard, often timed for sunset.

“It was wonderful. Nice atmosphere at the boat, beautiful views and in the end we saw lots of dolphins!”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Tour di Giardini Naxos/Taormina, Isola Bella, Grotta Azzurra

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 49 reviews · 2 hours · from $41Best value

Spend two hours by boat along Giardini Naxos and Taormina, passing sea caves, Capo Taormina and Isola Bella. Your skipper, Antonio or a member of his team such as Carmelo, shares local sights and serves prosecco with almond pastry. There is a 20-minute stop to swim or snorkel in the bay.

“Antonio, profesjonalista. Jest miłym człowiekiem, przekazał nam wiele informacji. Pokazał nie tylko groty, ale również rozgwiazdy, pomidory morskie, kolorowe ryby, koralowce. Widoki niesamowite, turkus wody, możliwość kąpieli (niestety nie skorzystałam i bardzo żałuję), kiedyś tam wrócę. Poczęstunek, muzyka. Łódź wyposażona w drabinki, więc powrót z kąpieli bezpieczny, bez zbędnej gimnastyki🤣.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Taormina, Isola bella & Castelmola tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 46 reviews · 8 hours · from $84

Travel from central Catania by van to Isola Bella, Taormina, and hilltop Castelmola. You get free time at each stop, with audio commentary available in six languages. The driver speaks English and Italian. Bring sturdy shoes, water, and water shoes if you plan to swim at Isola Bella.

“Il tour è bello e lo consiglio. Taormina e Isola bella assolutamente da visitare. Personalmente Castelmola è una tappa che avrei evitato e un ora di sosta era troppo. Da migliorare l’organizzazione dell’uscita perché l’audio guida che viene indicata alla prenotazione in realtà è solo una musicassetta che spiega alcune note storiche durante il tragitto con il pulmino ma il più delle volte saltava l’audio o non corrispondeva al posto in cui ci si trovava in quel momento . Peccato solo questo.. in ogni caso ripeto i posti sono meravigliosi e guai non visitarli!!”

Check availability →Read our full review