Sicily · BOAT TOURS IN TAORMINA
The good boat tours in Taormina go early in a Sicilian summer and the great ones go earlier. Below: the 15 to book first, what each includes and how they differ.
Set out from Giardini Naxos on a two-hour Sicilian boat ride with an English or Italian-speaking skipper. See Taormina’s bays, the Blue Grotto, Isola Bella, and the marine reserve, with time to swim and snorkel. Guides such as Nunzio, Dario, and Delphino are known for lively commentary.
“We enjoyed very much, our guide was very nice and friendly and the tour was very stunning”
Join Graziella and Captain Saro for a small-group sunset cruise from Giardini Naxos. You’ll pass Taormina’s caves and bays, look for bottlenose dolphins, swim near Isola Bella, and enjoy fruit, snacks, and drinks aboard the Blue Diamond.
“The whole experience was amazing from start to finish! The boat was amazing and Graziella was amazing and her husband was also great! Highly recommend”
Join Enzo and his crew for a two-hour boat trip from Giardini Naxos along Taormina’s coast. You’ll see the Blue Grotto, Grotta dell’Amore, Isola Bella, and White Lotus filming spots, with time to swim, snorkel, and enjoy Prosecco, fruit, music, and Sicilian sweets.
“We had the best time on this trip! Our guides were very knowledgeable and took us by sea to so many beautiful places. They were so happy and fun and welcoming to all aboard the boat. We got to snorkel and have Prosecco on the boat. A really special moment for us was when they called a friend who has a boat at Mazzaro and had him meet us so that we didn’t have to get a cab back home. Just a little boat to boat transfer and we were back at our home beach. I highly recommend this adventure. Excellent boat crew and gorgeous scenery. Do it if you…”
Set out from Spisone Beach for a two-hour cruise along Taormina and Giardini Naxos. Your English or Italian skipper points out coastal sights and local myths, then anchors near Isola Bella for swimming, snorkeling, wine, prosecco, soft drinks, and Sicilian snacks.
“We were lucky and it was just the 2 of us, Great activity”
Travel from Messina port to Taormina with a guide, walk Corso Umberto and the Greek-Roman Theatre, then cruise past Isola Bella, Giardini Naxos, and coastal caves. The boat may include a swim stop, but it does not normally land on Isola Bella. Guides may include Claudia, Roberto, Sara, or Andrea.
“Loved our guide and the tour to Taormina BUT the boat ride could've been a lot nicer if the boat captain wanted to put some effort into the boat tour! Weather conditions were perfect even our tour guide mentioned how it's going to be great due to low winds and how the waters not choppy! So going into the blue grotto and other caves should've been doable....we drove by and that was it! In addition instead of maneuvering the boat to tie down by Isola Bella the island that were supposed to visit he oped to just drop anchor in open water by the train station.....the water had tons of…”
Join an English or Italian guide, including captain Tinauro on some departures, for a two-hour cruise from Giardini Naxos. Visit Lover’s Cave, Isola Bella, the Blue Grotto, and quiet bays, with time to swim, snorkel, watch for dolphins, and enjoy a Sicilian aperitif.
“Un moment inoubliable avec un capitaine au top — attentionné, drôle et vraiment génial avec les enfants 👏 Pause baignade, explications avec références cinéma, apéro fruits frais et prosecco … tout simplement parfait Une expérience à ne pas manquer pour découvrir Taormine autrement !”
Spend two hours on a group boat from Spisone Beach, touring Taormina’s caves and bays with an English or Italian guide. Swim and snorkel near Isola Bella, watch for dolphins, and enjoy wine, beer, soft drinks, and local snacks as Etna glows behind the sunset.
“The meeting point was confusing and this trip would be improved if it picked up in Taormina as the taci cost to the puck up point was 50 euro return.”
Join Boat Experience Taormina from Spisone Beach for a three-hour cruise along Taormina and Giardini Naxos. Your English- or Italian-speaking crew guides you past caves and bays, provides snorkeling gear, and serves Sicilian food with Prosecco, white, and red wine. Guides may include Alan, Davide, Karim, or Federico.
“Our guides were wonderful. Can’t say enough about the locations we were taken to. Amazing! Food was good and wine was plentiful.”
You’ll travel by private car with an English-speaking guide such as Corrado, Alessandro, or Elena from Taormina to Mount Etna, then down to Giardini Naxos for a shared boat trip past Isola Bella, the Blue Grotto, and the Cave of Love. Arancini, water, and boat drinks are included.
“We had an excellent experience with Alessandro! We enjoyed the entire day, and he was wonderful with our 12 and 13 year olds as well. This tour made Sicily one of the best stops of our cruise! We added the boat tour option and that was also a highlight with the beautiful sites.”
Set out from Pontile Pizzichella in Giardini Naxos aboard an ALL 790 motorboat with Francesco, a friendly captain and guide. You will visit Taormina’s caves and bays, stop twice for swimming near Isola Bella, snorkel with supplied gear, and enjoy fruit, drinks, and an alcoholic aperitif.
“Francesco was an amazing skipper and host, making it a fun and informative trip personalised to us and what we wanted to do around the bays. He had really interesting facts about the history of Taormina. A great 3 hours spent seeing the beauty of the Taormina coast - highly recommend!”
Spend 5 to 8 hours with a private English-speaking guide such as Elena, Bruno, Omar, or Maurizio. Visit Bar Vitelli and the wedding church in Savoca, eat a traditional Sicilian lunch, then join a shared boat trip to Isola Bella, the Blue Grotto, and the Cave of Love.
“This started off with a personal pickup from Elena. A wonderful ride to Godfather country. Elena gave us a wonderful tour on the way. We then had a great tour. Elena took us for a wonderful lunch and then we drove to the sea and had an amazing boat ride with David. We had an amazing day with Elena and David. The attention to detail on the tour was terrific. This is a must see!”
Set out from Giardini Naxos with Graziella and Saro, or another live English or Italian guide, for a private cruise past Isola Bella, Mazzarò, and Taormina’s sea caves. Swim or snorkel from the boat, then settle in for fruit, snacks, and drinks.
“The best kept secret of Taormina!! Wish we had booked a longer trip. Gorgeous boat, beautiful couple, great music, drinks and snacks. The trip was unbelievable!! Beautiful scenery, caves and water. Definitely do this!!”
Take the private Queen Mary II motor boat from Pontile Pizzichella along Taormina and Giardini Naxos. Francesco or another English or Italian speaking captain guides your group to Isola Bella, Mazzarò, Blue Cave, Naxos Bay, and other coastal stops, with swimming, snorkeling, refreshments, and time to relax.
“Es el mejor guía, excelente trato, agradable, atento y muy amable con los niños. Excelente para familias también.”
Join skippers Eugenio and Alessandro for an eight-hour small-group boat day from Riposto. Swim at Giardini Naxos, Isola Bella, Mazzarò, the Blue Grotto, and Island of the Sirens, with snorkeling gear, drinks, and time for a seafood lunch in Giardini Naxos.
“This was a fabulous tour! Eugenio and Alessandro were incredibly friendly and welcoming. They guaranteed that everyone in our party was comfortable and happy! My family and I enjoyed a beautiful day swimming, snorkeling, making wonderful memories and taking in breathtaking views. I can’t recommend this tour enough!”
Board the Eureka Erika at Porto di Giardini Naxos for a four-hour catamaran party along Taormina Bay. A DJ provides the soundtrack, bartenders serve three cocktails, and you stop near Isola Bella for 30 minutes of aperitif, brunch, and local snacks. Italian and English service is available.
Pick a coast, a volcano or a kitchen.
