Sicily · SEA CAVES BOAT TOURS

15 Sea Caves Boat Tours in Sicily Worth Booking Early

28 tours  ·  from $23 a head

Sicily rewards a plan. These 15 sea caves boat tours are priced and timed so you can choose in a few minutes and get back to arguing about where to eat.

Syracuse: Boat Trip of Ortigia Island and Sea Caves - Arethusa Spring and Castello Maniace from the coast
Boat Tours in Sicily, Cruises & Boat Tours, Ortigia Tours, Sea Caves Boat Tours, Sicily Tours, Tour Reviews

Syracuse: Boat Trip of Ortigia Island and Sea Caves

1.Boat Trip of Ortigia Island and Sea Caves

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 937 reviews · from $23Our pick

Circle Ortigia’s coast with a skipper who points out its bridges, monuments and sea caves, then take a swim stop if conditions allow. This one-hour trip enters Syracuse’s big and small harbors and the canal beside the island. Guides including Otto, Ninni and Davide have led outings in English and Italian.

“Our guide was extremely welcoming and fun. He provided a ton of information on the city and let us jump in and swim. Highly recommend, absolutely loved it.”

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Tour of the island of Ortigia and exploration of sea caves with baths. - Into Syracuse’s coastal caves
Ortigia Tours, Sea Caves Boat Tours, Sicily Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tour of the island of Ortigia and exploration of sea caves with baths.

2.Tour of the island of Ortigia and exploration of sea caves with baths.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 668 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $24Top rated

In about 70 minutes, a local skipper takes you around Ortigia’s landmarks, into Syracuse’s coastal caves and out for a swim in the Ionian Sea. Groups are capped at 15. Guides such as Franco, Laura and Steven have been praised for their commentary, though spoken English can vary.

“Awesome! ! Perfect amount of time! We did a tour around the island and had short time to swim. The guide was great”

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Siracusa: Ortigia Boat Tour with Marine Grotto - Round Maniace Castle and head for the caves
Boat Tours in Sicily, Cruises & Boat Tours, Ortigia Tours, Sea Caves Boat Tours, Syracuse Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Siracusa: Ortigia Boat Tour with Marine Grotto

3.Ortigia Boat Tour with Marine Grotto

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 617 reviews · from $45

See Ortigia’s waterfront, Arethusa Spring, Maniace Castle, and coastal caves on a two-hour boat trip from Siracusa. The route includes time to swim and snorkel, plus seasonal fruit and prosecco or juice. Guides such as Salvo, Stephen, and Giovanni have led trips in Italian, English, and Spanish.

“Wonderful day out - highlight of our trip to Sicily. We were lucky to find Ortiga and fell in love with the town. We booked the boat tour and were happy with our 10-15 minute swim in the crystal clear Mediterranean - prosecco and fruit provided on the way back to town and the views were spectacular. My boys aged 8 and 11 adored the captain who had limited English but was fun! We highly recommended this trip to everyone who would listen when we returned back to our family and friends. Only thing I wish was that finding the correct place to go to find the boat was a…”

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Naxos: Isola Bella, Blue Grotto, & Mazzarò Bay Boat Tour - Isola Bella brings the swim stop
Boat Tours in Sicily, Cruises & Boat Tours, Isola Bella Tours, Messina Tours, Sea Caves Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Naxos: Isola Bella, Blue Grotto, & Mazzarò Bay Boat Tour

4.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.”

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Boat tour Giardini Naxos Taormina Isola Bella Blue Grotto - Isola Bella, a nature reserve with a layered past
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Boat tour Giardini Naxos Taormina Isola Bella Blue Grotto

5.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!”

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Siracusa: Ortigia & Sea Caves Speedboat Tour with Swim Stop - Sea caves bring a change of pace
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Siracusa: Ortigia & Sea Caves Speedboat Tour with Swim Stop

6.Ortigia & Sea Caves Speedboat Tour with Swim Stop

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 499 reviews · from $34

From the waterfront near A Surgiva, a skipper guides you around Ortigia’s bastions, baroque shoreline, Fonte Aretusa, and Castello Maniace, then along the Siracusa coast to sea caves and a swim stop. Guides have included Antonio, Antonino, and Chris. The 90-minute ride costs $34 per person, with water and safety equipment provided.

“Our guide on the (slow) speed boat was Chris, formerly of the British army, who was a hoot and a talented boatman. And, his 9:00 tour had only 2 people - me and my daughter - so it was excellent value. We had an excellent time and enjoyed being away from the throngs of tourists”

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Boat tour of Ortigia Island and sea caves - A swim can be a welcome extra
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Boat tour of Ortigia Island and sea caves

7.Boat tour of Ortigia Island and sea caves

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 407 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Set out from central Syracuse for a roughly one-hour boat circuit of Ortigia, with coastal views, historic landmarks, and visits to sea caves when conditions allow. Captains such as Ninni and Nunzio have shared local history and practical tips in English. Swimming may be possible, but it is not guaranteed.

“We were walked from the meeting point to the boat quickly and with a friendly guide. He brought us eight to the boat and made sure we got on safely. We were the only two on the small boat with Numzio, our captain. He showed us all of the sites, special rock formations, historical areas and brought us into 3 caves. Nuncio answered all of our questions in perfect English and translated some words for us in Italian. This trip was about an hour, 20 minutes and was worth the cost.”

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Syracuse: Pillirina, Ortigia, and Sea Caves Tour by Boat - The skipper makes the difference
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Syracuse: Pillirina, Ortigia, and Sea Caves Tour by Boat

8.Pillirina, Ortigia, and Sea Caves Tour by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 348 reviews · 2 hours · from $47

Leave Ortigia’s waterfront with a local skipper for a two-hour circuit past Maniace Castle, coastal caves, and the Pillirina area. You can snorkel with the supplied masks and swim from the boat when conditions allow. Skippers such as Francesco and Alessandro have used a phone translator to share commentary in English.

“Our guide was so knowledgeable and friendly, the tour was a highlight of our stay in Ortigia!”

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Syracuse: Ortigia Island and Sea Caves Boat Tour with Drinks - A Short Swim, Then a Prosecco Toast
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Syracuse: Ortigia Island and Sea Caves Boat Tour with Drinks

9.Ortigia Island and Sea Caves Boat Tour with Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 337 reviews · from $23

Starting at Via Malta 26, this one-hour boat trip circles Ortigia and visits Syracuse’s sea caves, including the heart-shaped cave. You’ll pass Castello Maniace and Fonte Aretusa, with a chance to swim when conditions allow. Expect English or Italian guiding, safety gear, a freshwater shower, and a glass of Prosecco. Guide Alessandro is one of the captains you may meet.

“Very nice people and they translated everything for us in our own language! The boat trip was great with a lot of explanation by the captain. Would recommend and would very much do it again!”

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Syracuse: Coast and Sea Caves Full Transparent Boat Tour - Along the Syracuse coast and into the caves
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Syracuse: Coast and Sea Caves Full Transparent Boat Tour

10.Coast and Sea Caves Full Transparent Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 330 reviews · 50 min · from $47

Join Sirakù - Sea Experience for a 50-minute ride along Syracuse’s coast aboard a transparent boat with an awning. Your skipper guides you past sea caves and coves, with views through the hull and a swimming stop. English and Italian are spoken; guides have included Antonio, Antonino, and Stefano.

“Antonino was great! We enjoyed the experience so much and definitely recommend it! Amazing!”

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Syracuse: Pillirina, Ortigia, Sea Caves and snorkeling - Swimming at Pillirina Grotto
Ortigia Tours, Sea Caves Boat Tours, Snorkeling Tours in Sicily, Syracuse Tours, Tour Reviews

Syracuse: Pillirina, Ortigia, Sea Caves and snorkeling

11.Pillirina, Ortigia, Sea Caves and snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 133 reviews · 2 hours · from $47

Sail from Ortigia along Syracuse’s coast with an Italian skipper, passing limestone sea caves and stopping near the Pillirina Grotto for a swim. Drinks and goggles are included; bring your own snorkel tube, towel and sunscreen. An English audio guide is included, though spoken commentary from the skipper may be limited.

“A great experience. The boat was comfortable and the coast and caves were pretty, but the best part was swimming in the crystal clear water alongside what seemed to be hundreds of fish! I'm glad I chose a tour where swimming masks were provided. The captain did not speak all that much English, but that was ok. After the tour, the organizer was very kind and helped me with some practical things. Highly recommended activity!”

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Syracuse: Ortigia and Sea Caves Excursion by Boat - Arethusa Spring and the castle from the sea
Boat Tours in Sicily, Cruises & Boat Tours, Ortigia Tours, Sea Caves Boat Tours, Syracuse Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Syracuse: Ortigia and Sea Caves Excursion by Boat

12.Ortigia and Sea Caves Excursion by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 112 reviews · 1 hour · from $23

From Ortigia’s entrance, a captain guides you along the Syracuse coast past Arethusa Spring, Maniace Castle and the island’s landmarks, then into sea caves. You get onboard water and music, historical commentary in English or Italian, and a chance to swim or snorkel. The tour costs $23 per person and lasts one hour, though weather or sea conditions can change the plan.

“It was a great trip, we loved every moment of it!”

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Taormina: Kayak Coastal Tour to Isola Bella and Blue Grotto - Paddling into the Blue Grotto and nearby caves
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Taormina: Kayak Coastal Tour to Isola Bella and Blue Grotto

13.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😊”

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Siracusa: Ortygia Island Boat Tour with Grotto Visit - Inside Syracuse’s sea grottos
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Siracusa: Ortygia Island Boat Tour with Grotto Visit

14.Ortygia Island Boat Tour with Grotto Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 106 reviews · 1 hour · from $29

In one hour, an Italian- and English-speaking skipper takes you around Ortygia’s landmarks and into sea caves on Syracuse’s north side. Look for stalactites, stalagmites and coral formations, with a short swim stop when the weather permits. Choose a shared or private ride. Skippers named by past passengers include Beppe, Salvo and Stefano.

“It was an awesome way to see the sights. Great guide, knowledgeable. However, the boat broke down and we had to transfer to another boat. Still, it was wonderful.”

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Syracuse Boat Excursion with Snorkeling to the Sea Caves - Swimming below the castle
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Syracuse Boat Excursion with Snorkeling to the Sea Caves

15.Syracuse Boat Excursion with Snorkeling to the Sea Caves

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 100 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $37

Join a skipper for a two-hour boat trip from Ortigia, with a swim stop beneath the castle and a visit to Syracuse’s sea caves, including the large stalactite cave when conditions allow. Snorkeling is advertised, but masks and snorkels may be limited, so ask about equipment before boarding. Captains have included Carmelo, Enzo, Gianni, Otto, Corrado, and Michelangelo.

“Gianni was a great guide, he made us all feel totally at home. Delicious fruit and a lovely glass of Prosecco to finish the trip. A highlight of our short visit to Ortigia. Would highly recommend!”

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New in Sea Caves Boat Tours

★ 4.2Boat tour of the island of Ortigia and the sea cavesFrom $294 reviews
★ 4.8Snorkeling+Pillirina, Ortigia & sea caves boat tourFrom $5918 reviews
★ 4.8Private boat tour of Ortigia and sea caves8 reviews
★ 4.8Ortigia +sea caves +Pillirina +fishing experienceFrom $795 reviews
★ 4.4Pillirina, Ortigia, Sea caves: Boat Tour and SnorkelingFrom $517 reviews
★ 4.6siracusa boat tour with visit to sea caves and ortigiaislandFrom $2334 reviews
★ 4.62.5-HOUR BOAT TOUR ORTIGIA+SEA CAVES+PILLIRINA+FRUIT DRINKFrom $655 reviews

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