5 Sea Cave Boat Tours in Sicily to Build a Day Around

1.Syracuse: Boat Trip of Ortigia Island and Sea Caves

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

Cruise around Ortigia with a skipper such as Otto, Ottavio, or Ninni, passing the Arethusa Spring, Castello Maniace, Syracuse’s ports, and coastal caves. You’ll hear commentary in English or Italian, enter narrow waterways, and usually have time for a swim stop. Bring a towel and swimwear.

“Tons of fun! Got a beautiful view of Ortigia and the caves and had some fun facts from our guide Otto. Would highly recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Boat tour of Ortigia Island and sea caves

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

Join Syracuse Excursion at Via Senatore Giuseppe Maielli 4 for a small-boat ride around Ortigia, with sea caves, coastal views, Castle Maniace, local history, and a possible swim stop. Guides such as Ninni, Nunzio, and Mattia are praised for humor and useful tips, though cave access depends on sea conditions.

“It was so much fun ! Great company we rode in a boat with like 15 people went into the caves ! Saw the beautiful water and sites for ,1 hour I would do it again great tour .”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Syracuse Boat Excursion with Snorkeling to the Sea Caves

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

Set out from Via Eritrea in Ortigia for a two-hour cruise along Syracuse’s coast. Skippers such as Carmelo, Enzo, Gianni, Corrado, and Michelangelo take you beneath the castle, into sea caves when conditions allow, and to calm swimming spots. Expect music, fruit, prosecco, and a relaxed boat ride for up to 15 people.

“Amazing experience! Water is clear, and staff was fantastic, snacks and champagne on the boat, and a beautiful view of the island.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Ortigia Island and Sea Caves Boat Tour with Prosecco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $24

Cruise around Ortigia Island with the 18 Isola Bella crew, viewing Maniace Castle, Fonte Aretusa, and coastal caves from the sea. You get photo stops, a short swim in cool spring and salt water, and one glass of Prosecco. The tour is offered in English, though onboard commentary may also use recorded multilingual information.

“Super friendly captain, ideal stop for bath and glass of wine ideal, fully advisedAuto-translated”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Boat tour in Pillirina, sea caves and Ortigia and prosecco

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 56 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $54

Spend about two hours on the water, circling Ortigia, passing below Maniace Castle, and reaching Pillirina in the Plemmirio marine reserve. Your skipper chooses the swimming spot according to sea conditions. Prosecco, water, soft drinks, fuel, and snorkeling masks are included, but bring your own tube.

“Personale dell'agenzia molto carino e disponibile, il problema però era che a un prezzo così elevato ci saremmo aspettati molto di più da vedere. Mare pulito ma acque scure e non cristalline, grotte quasi inesistenti, bagno in mare aperto in luoghi a caso privi di particolarità da vedere o visitare. Mi aspettavo molto di più”

Check availability →Read our full review