Sicily · SEA CAVE TOURS IN SYRACUSE
The good sea cave tours in Syracuse go early in a Sicilian summer and the great ones go earlier. Below: the 8 to book first, what each includes and how they differ.
Spend two hours circling Ortigia with an English, Italian, or Spanish-speaking skipper. See Maniace Castle and Arethusa Spring, enter sea caves, swim and snorkel, and enjoy seasonal fruit, juice, and Prosecco aboard a comfortable boat.
“Great couple of hours spent going around the bay seeing caves and stopping for a 20 minute swim. Fresh fruit and Prosecco and a nice little boat. We had a lovely time.”
Meet your English or Italian-speaking skipper outside A Surgiva for a 1.5-hour ride around Ortigia and Siracusa’s coast. Expect ancient walls, Fonte Aretusa, Castello Maniace, sea caves, music, and a swim stop. Antonio, Antonino, and Chris have guided many outings.
“Wonderful guide - very funny and played fantastic music. A bit of history without it being the focus of the trip. Lovely, fun experience!”
Spend two hours circling Ortigia with a local skipper, visiting sea caves, Maniace Castle, Arethusa Spring, and Plemmirio’s Pillirina cove. Swim and snorkel from the boat, with masks, fresh water, shade, and Italian or English guidance. Captains such as Francesco and Alessandro may use a translator app.
“The boat tour was great and we loved the opportunity for a swim in the warm Mediterranean waters!”
You’ll cruise from Via Malta around Ortigia with an Italian or English-speaking guide, passing sea caves, the heart-shaped cave, Castello Maniace, Fonte Aretusa, and Porta Marina. The hour includes a short swim stop, onboard safety gear, a freshwater shower, and a glass of Prosecco.
“The hour long trip was perfect! We delayed our trip by one day on the advice of the trip provider because of the high sea. That meant we were able to access two of the sea caves which were amazing and not to be missed! Nice touch to have the Prosecco during the trip too. So lovely to see Ortigia from the sea.”
Cruise Siracusa’s coast and Ortigia aboard Crystal Boat, a fully transparent boat with a shaded awning. English or Italian-speaking skippers such as Antonino and Stefano guide you past sea caves, coves, and the seabed, with time for a swim and an underwater photo.
“it was fun and on time . and get to stop for few minutes to swim too”
Spend two hours by boat around Ortigia, the Arethusa Spring, Castello Maniace, and the Plemmirio coast. Your Italian skipper handles the route while recorded English commentary explains the sights. Expect karst caves, cold prosecco, and a swim near Pillirina Grotto. Bring your own snorkel tube.
“Fantastic! Everything was perfect from tour company, to captain, to beautiful Mediterranean Sea! Highly recognized company!”
Spend one hour circling Ortigia Island by boat, passing under Umbertino Bridge, Arethusa Spring, the Duomo, and Maniace Castle. Stop for a 10-minute swim, then visit the Capuchin, Coral, Big, and heart-shaped Love caves. English and Italian guides, skipper, and music are included.
“Molto piacevole, peccato che un’ora sia veramente poca”
Set out from Via Eritrea 2 for a relaxed boat ride around Ortigia and Syracuse. Your skipper takes you to sea caves, Pillirina, Cala Rossa, and Arethusa Spring, with two snorkeling stops, seasonal fruit, prosecco, water, juice, and music on board. Italian and English are spoken.
Pick a coast, a volcano or a kitchen.
