The 12 Best Marzamemi and Vendicari Tours

1.Avola: Vendicari Capopassero Group Boat Tour and Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $92Our pick

Spend about five hours aboard a small boat from Avola, stopping at Lido di Noto, Vendicari, Calamosche, Capo Passero, Marzamemi, and Calabernardo. Expect snorkeling gear, Roman columns under the sea, a Sicilian aperitif, and guidance from skippers such as Vincenzo or Alberto.

“Esperienza a dir poco mozzafiato . Non ci sono parole per descriverla . Voglio sottolineare la professionalità e la gentilezza dello skipper Vincenzo che ci ha fatto da guida (anche molto preparata). Davvero tutto eccezionale”

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2.Boat tour from Avola to Portopalo with a stop in Marzamemi

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $108

Spend about five hours on a small boat from Avola, stopping at Lido di Noto, Marzamemi, and Portopalo. Swim above Roman columns, explore sea caves, use the provided snorkel gear, and enjoy fresh drinks with a captain such as Corrado, Salvo, or Vincenzo.

“We had the best day on the water with Salvo! The kids loved it, the other guests we really friendly! We saw the entire cost with many swimming stops to enjoy the gorgeous water. I would recommend this trip for a refreshing day on the water.”

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3.HALF DAY excursion – Marzamemi and Capo Passero by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $95

From Avola, Birrico Tour takes you to Marzamemi’s active tonnara and Portopalo di Capo Passero. Expect village time, a tuna tasting, local guidance from staff such as Fabio, and a short boat ride to the nearby island. The day ends back in Avola.

“We did the three tours in the title, we found ourselves very well both in the organization and in the explanations offered by the three competent guides (Rita, Fabio and Giuseppe).”

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4.Syracuse, Ortigia & Marzamemi Full-day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.1 · 15 reviews · from $124

Travel from Catania by air-conditioned van to Marzamemi, Ortigia, and Syracuse’s Neapolis Archaeological Park. You get multilingual audio commentary, central pickup, and free time to explore independently. Entrance tickets, meals, and a local guide are not included.

“I had initially booked a different route, which then could not take place because there were not enough participants. I was called several times in advance to find an alternative solution. That was great. The tour itself, however, was catastrophically organized. First the driver was late, then instead of the previously stated two hours in Syracuse we only got just over an hour, which of course was far too short. Because I was rebooked, I ended up in a group with Italian and Spanish speakers. The driver spoke practically no English. Fortunately, there were fellow passengers who translated for me here and there. Conclusion: this tour definitely needs guides in…”

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5.Vendicari natural reserve – PRIVATE

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Meet your multilingual guide at Piazza Pantheon in Syracuse for a private four-hour visit to Vendicari. Walk the reserve, look for birds through Federico’s spotting scope, and examine the old Tonnara fish trap. The reserve entrance costs €3.50 per person, payable by card.

“Frederico was amazing! So knowledgeable! He provided us with so many interesting facts about the preserve. His love of nature was so evident. Highly recommend!!”

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6.Noto, Portopalo and Marzamemi tour from Syracuse with private driver

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · 6 hours (approx.)

Travel from Syracuse with a private driver in an air-conditioned Mercedes to Noto, Isola di Capo Passero, and Marzamemi. You get hotel pickup, water, and English or Italian driver escort. Sebastiano has provided helpful local context and a good Marzamemi restaurant tip, but this is not a guided tour.

“All three destinations are fantastic. The general consensus was that Portopalo was the best part of the tour. The meeting of the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean was beautiful. And there were many friendly Italian families enjoying the gorgeous sandy beach. However, Marzememi and Noto definitely are worth visiting. Our driver Sebastiano was a great person to spend the day with. He provided a lot of details before touring each area, so that we could appreciate what each place offered. Plus he gave a great restaurant recommendation in Marzememi, where we had an excellent lunch.”

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7.Vendicari Nature Reserve Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $108

Walk Vendicari Nature Reserve with an English-speaking guide, from the shore and birdwatching points to Pantano Piccolo, the tonnara, and ancient garum basins. Giuseppe can help you spot details you might miss, and you may have time for a swim and Corrado’s famous granita.

“Our guide, Giuseppe, was very knowledgeable about the area and pointed out many things we would not have noticed on our own. We weren't rushed and had time to have a swim at the beach and a granita before heading back to the starting point. We were very happy with the tour and would definitely recommend it.”

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8.Vendicari – Sicily’s best coast nature reserve ( Birdwatching & Archeology )

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $218

Leave Syracuse by private vehicle for a four-hour visit to Vendicari Nature Reserve. Walk through marshes and dunes, watch for pink flamingos, see the old tuna factory and Spanish tower, view Roman mosaics, and possibly swim at a pristine beach with a local guide.

“Found this guided visit through Viator and for us this trip was one of the highlights of our holiday. Price was very reasonable and only minimum of two people was required. Many other destinations require more attendants to be realizeRead more”

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9.Excursion- FULL DAY – By boat Marzamemi

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $154

Set out from Porto Fossa di Marzamemi with a small group of up to 10. Corrado, Loredana, or Fabio may guide you along Portopalo, Capo Passero, and Vendicari, with swims, grilled fish, bruschetta, fruit, wine, and transport included.

“Professionalità, cortesia e simpatia, sempre disponibile ad accontentare e trovare la soluzione ideale per noi viaggiatori! Consigliatissimo!!!!”

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10.Vendicari Nature Reserve Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $105

From Piazza Pantheon, guide Frederico or a fellow English or Italian-speaking guide takes you by van to Vendicari for a four-hour small-group walk. Expect wetland birdwatching with a spotting scope, easy coastal paths, a swim break, the old tuna factory, and Aragonese tower.

“This tour was absolutely fantastic thoroughly enjoyed it. Our guide was excellent and showed us lots of amazing local wildlife. Incredible views of flamingos, caspian terns and so many beautiful insects. Could have stayed all day! I would hugely recommend for any nature enthusiast. Richard and Vicki”

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11.Marzamemi & Portopalo (departure from Syracuse area)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5 reviews · from $65Best value

Travel from the Syracuse area in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to Marzamemi and Portopalo. A local guide, possibly Salvatore, leads you to a traditional tuna workshop producing bottarga and under-oil specialties, with time for seaside stops and local treats.

“Booked trip with English speaking guide got notified day before that it would be Italian only but accepted this. Also Viator sent me a pick up time of 1.30pm pick up time and vehicle arrived at 8am showed them the documentation and he agreeRead more”

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12.Buscemi – Palazzolo Acreide – Marzamemi Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $232

Travel from Catania in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to Buscemi’s living museum, Baroque Palazzolo Acreide, and Marzamemi’s old tuna-fishing village. You get free time at each stop, WiFi and water onboard, and may be guided by Giuseppe, who is praised for making the day memorable.

“We enjoyed Buscemi and seeing what life was like for people there. And it was beautiful in Marzamemi. The weather was perfect for our lunch by the sea.”

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