The 15 Best Syracuse Boat Trips

1.Syracuse: Boat Tour with Captain Mirko, Snorkeling & Caves

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 746 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $35Our pick

Join Captain Mirko, or another member of his friendly crew, at Riva della Posta for a 90-minute cruise around Ortigia. See Maniace Castle, Aretusa Fountain, the Grand Harbor, and the Umbertino Bridge, then enter sea caves and stop to swim. English and Italian commentary, masks, and fresh water are included.

“A great boat trip around syracuse to the caves. Mirko is really charming, although he only spoke italian. Well worth the money!”

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2.Siracusa: Ortigia Boat Tour with Marine Grotto & Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 726 reviews · 2 hours · from $47

See Ortigia from a 12-person boat, passing the Umbertino Bridge, Arethusa Spring, Maniace Castle, and sea caves. Your skipper speaks Italian, English, or Spanish, with fruit, juice, prosecco, snorkeling gear, and swim time included. Captains such as Michelangelo, Gaetano, Salvo, and Gianni are known for friendly hosting and lively music.

“A great experience! The people are very friendly. I made a double booking (exploring Etna and this boat exploration). It was no problem to reschedule the booking, while we were absent, to the next day. The boat trip was unforgettable. A captain who lives for the sea and loves to sing, with great energy. Explaining the surroundings in Italian, while recording the explanations in Google translate, which caused some funny moments while playing these after his Italian explanatory, in English. The views from the boat are exceptional. and the water was clear and warm. Go for it!”

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3.Siracusa: Ortigia & Sea Caves Boat Tour w/ Prosecco & Fruit

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 723 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35

Meet outside A Surgiva restaurant near Ortigia’s new pedestrian bridge. A local skipper such as David, Stefano, Antonino, or Emiliano takes you beneath Umbertino Bridge, around the island’s historic walls, and into coastal caves. You’ll have time to swim and snorkel, then enjoy seasonal fruit, prosecco, soft drinks, and music aboard a shaded speedboat.

“Absolutely loved this tour! The guide was really knowledgeable about the area and we learnt a lot. The swim stop was great with snorkelling gear included and the fresh fruits and prosecco were the perfect way to finish the trip.”

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4.Syracuse: Ortigia Island & Sea Cave Boat Tour with Prosecco

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 418 reviews · 1 hour · from $23Best value

Start near Via Malta and circle Ortigia by boat with an English or Italian guide. You’ll pass sea caves, the heart-shaped cave, Maniace Castle, Fonte Aretusa, and Porta Marina, with time for a short swim and a Prosecco toast. Enzo and Alessandro have led highly praised departures, and private groups are available.

“Brilliant. Only a couple other people on the boat with us, trip was a little longer than expected. We had a lovely time”

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5.Syracuse: Pillirina, Ortigia, and Sea Caves Tour by Boat

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

See Syracuse from the water on a two-hour cruise around Ortigia, Castello Maniace, and the Plemmirio Marine Protected Area. Your skipper leads you into sea caves, points out coastal sights, and stops for swimming and snorkeling near Pillirina. Guides such as Francesco and Alessandro use English or a phone translator when needed. Masks, fuel, and fresh water are provided.

“the water is crystal clear,the captain is funny, sweet and helpful! I had a great time!”

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6.Syracuse: Coast and Sea Caves Full Transparent Boat Tour

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

Cruise Siracusa and Ortigia aboard Crystal Boat, a transparent vessel with views above and below the water. Your English or Italian-speaking skipper, often Antonio, Antonino, or Stefano, takes you past marine caves and coves, pauses for a swim, and can take underwater photos from inside the boat. The trip lasts 50 minutes.

“It worth every penny!! Was so fun, definitely recommend ❤️”

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7.Syracuse: Ortigia Sunset Cruise with Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 291 reviews · 2 hours · from $71

Set out from Ortigia with an English, Italian, or Spanish-speaking guide such as Michelangelo, Salvo, or Enzo. Explore coastal grottoes, enjoy a generous Sicilian platter and prosecco, swim near Maniace Castle, then watch the sun set before passing under Umbertino Bridge. The two-hour cruise costs $71 per person.

“Beautiful sunset boat trip, not too crowded with wonderful Michelangelo as our tour guide”

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8.Syracuse: Boat Trip with Lunch, Wine, and Swimming Stops

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 191 reviews · 4 hours · from $106

Spend four hours on a guided boat trip from Syracuse with Roberto, Mauricio, Laura, or Nino and a small crew. See sea caves, Plemmirio, Pillirina Gulf, Ortigia, Maniace Castle, and the Aretusa Spring. Swim several times, enjoy homemade Sicilian food, seasonal fruit, wine, prosecco, and soft drinks onboard.

“It was fun unfortunately the weather was not cooperating the the strong winds kept us from getting into the caves and small swimming spots. We were also the only people on the boat...it would have been more fun if there were some other people to share the experience with. The Captain was delightful and informative and tried to make the most out of our situation. Food was good and plentiful.”

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9.Syracuse: Ortigia and Sea Caves Excursion by Boat

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

Meet at the blue flag by Dolphin Excursion and Rental for a 1-hour cruise around Ortigia. Your captain points out Arethusa Spring, Maniace Castle, forts, sculptures, bridges, and sea caves, with music, drinking water, and a swimming stop. English and Italian tours are wheelchair accessible, weather permitting.

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

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10.Siracusa: Ortygia Island Boat Tour with Grotto Visit

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

Meet your Italian or English-speaking skipper beside Zefiro Solarium for a one-hour cruise around Ortigia and Syracuse’s sea caves. Guides such as Beppe and Salvo explain the sights, from Maniace Castle to Fonte Aretusa. You may enter several grottos and stop for a swim when weather allows. Sunset departures are especially attractive.

“A good introduction cruising around Ortigia thanks to Salvo. We hard a wonderful Time! We highly recommend👍✨👏”

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11.Siracusa: Ortigia & Sea Caves Boat Tour with Sunset Apertif

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 94 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $77Top rated

Spend 2.5 hours cruising from Ortigia along Syracuse’s coast, with cave visits, swimming stops, local food, and Prosecco at sunset. Captains such as David, Chris, Antonio, and Stefano add stories and music, while the route may change with sea conditions. The fixed aperitif menu cannot handle dietary restrictions.

“Mattea was an excellent guide. He was so personable and knowledgable about the area. Skipper Franco was an excellent skipper. Swimming was gorgeous and so very refreshing. The aperitif was amazing and the champagne was delicious. The sunset was beautiful! Highly recommend this activity!”

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12.Syracuse: Ortigia Boat Trip with Caves and Pillirina

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 77 reviews · 2 hours · from $47

Spend two hours circling Ortigia, passing Castello Maniace, Arethusa Spring, Pillirina, the Plemmirio coast, and Syracuse’s sea caves. Your English or Italian guide, often Ninni or Nuncio, explains the sights, pauses for swimming, and takes you beneath bridges through the island canal. Bring swimwear and a towel.

“We had 2 hour boat tour at 10am today. It was the best experience we had in Syracusa. Ninni was very knowledgeable and caring! He stopped us twice for swimming spots (each spot with around 10-15min swimming)and showed us around lovely caves and sea coast. Listening to the history of the city while relaxing on the boat with beautiful views was just perfect. It was definitely worth the money and it is a shame we couldn't give him some tips after the tour as we didn't bring our wallets! Highly recommend :)”

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13.Syracuse: Boat tour Ortigia island,seacaves and Explanations

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 71 reviews · from $23

Start at the Ortigia canal with an Italian or English skipper, then cruise past Arethusa Spring, Castello Maniace, Syracuse’s sea caves, and the island’s historic waterfront. You’ll pass under the Ortigia bridge, hear live commentary, and stop for about 10 minutes to swim. Skipper Nuncio has earned particular praise for his friendly handling of the boat.

“Easy to find the meeting point, friendly staff, great guide with local knowledge. Just what we were wanting on a sunny day in Ortigia.”

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14.Syracuse: Picnic boat tour of Pillirina, Ortigia & sea caves

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 59 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $94

Spend 2.5 hours cruising from Ortigia along the Syracuse coast, entering sea caves when conditions allow and stopping to swim in clear Sicilian water. Your skipper, possibly Stefano, Antonio, Emilio, Franco, or another local captain, serves a fixed picnic of Sicilian food with prosecco or wine. The boat has an awning, safety gear, and English or Italian guidance.

“Loved being on water and the caves and the marina. Picnic lunch was too much food and very low quality”

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15.Syracuse:Boat tour Ortigia,Pillirina and seacaves

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 38 reviews · 2 hours · from $47

Set out from Syracuse’s Ortigia canal with guide Lucia and captain Diego, when scheduled, for a two-hour coastal ride past Maniace Castle, Pillirina, Minareto, and the sea caves. Expect English and Italian explanations, one or two swim stops, and a close look at Syracuse from the water. Private groups are available.

“The captain let us swim twice during the tour, and very patient.”

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