Sicily · SICILY APERITIF EXPERIENCES
The 15 best sicily aperitif experiences you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is first for a reason; start there.
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 Antonio and Mariella for a three-hour shared boat cruise from Giardini Naxos. You’ll see Taormina’s bays, Isola Bella, caves, and Etna, stop to swim, enjoy pizza or arancini with prosecco, and search open water for dolphins.
“We had the most fantastic time from the check in at the office till the end of our boat ride. We saw dolphins swimming and jumping right in front of us. Antonio, our captain, Mariella and Sonia were delightful, courteous and super attentive. The views of the Etna, Taormina, Isola Bella, the caves, well... everything!! were wonderful. They served us pizza and prosecco while we stopped to jump in the water. Amazing experience for the whole family. Even our 3-year-old boy dared to jump and swim with the fish. We loved it and will definitely recommend it to everyone. We hope to come back soon. Grazie mille e arrivederci!”
Spend two hours circling Ortigia by boat, entering sea caves, swimming near Maniace Castle, and watching the sun sink over Syracuse. Your guide may be Michelangelo, Enzo, Salvo, or another local skipper. A Sicilian antipasti platter, prosecco, music, and photos are included.
“Excellent tour ! Great value for money and our captain was outstanding !”
Spend two hours aboard the Kristal from Giardini Naxos, cruising past Taormina, Isola Bella, and the Blue Grotto. Guides such as Gianluca and Danielle add local stories and music, with a swim stop, Prosecco, and a Sicilian almond sweet included.
“It was so fun and we went to some really beautiful places! I highly recommend this excursion!!”
Take a five-hour afternoon 4x4 tour of Mount Etna with guides such as Luca, Ciccio, Alessio, or Pierpaolo. Visit lava flows, side craters, the Valle del Bove, and a lava tube before finishing with Zibibbo wine and Sicilian sweets at sunset.
“We had a fantastic tour with Luca, our guide, who was so knowledgeable, fun, and kind. He picked us up in Taormina and drove us halfway up Mt. Etna, chatting all the time and answering all of our questions. We then "hiked" - only one part of this walk was really steep, but still pretty easily doable for us (we are 65 and 75 years old) up to a crater and saw the incredible view of the coast of Sicily. After that, we drove to the caves, or "lava tube" area, and went down under. Luca shared his jacket with my husband. It was cold in the tube, but we…”
Sail from Catania with a skipper and guide toward Aci Trezza, passing Aci Castello and ancient lava rocks. You get time to swim, snorkel, or try the SUP, followed by Prosecco, cheese, cold cuts, dried tomatoes, bread, and local spreads. Boats hold up to 10 people, with guides speaking English and Italian.
“This was awesome, perfect weather and a nice swim. We were very fortunate to see dolphins along the way. The aperitif was very good 👍 Props to the staff who was very nice 👌 If you are in Catane you have to Book here !”
Set out from Giardini Naxos on a shared boat for a 2-hour run past Capotaormina, Isola Bella, the Blue Grotto, Mazzarò, and the Bay of Sirene. Swim in the marine park, hear stories from your skipper, and enjoy prosecco, soft drinks, and almond sweets.
“Cracking morning out on the boat!! Really informative, and fun. Prosecco on the way back was a lovely touch. No toilets onboard though”
Join Francesco and his small crew for a three-hour cruise from Eolo Café in Cefalù. You’ll stop at Kalura, Mazzaforno, and Cefalù for swimming and snorkeling, then enjoy Sicilian snacks, fruit, and an alcoholic or non-alcoholic aperitif aboard a boat with a toilet, cabin, and shower.
“A fabulous day out. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing the coastline from the water, stopping and snorkelling in multiple beautiful locations, having fun jumping off the boat into crystal clear water. Best day of our trip so far.”
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”
Spend four hours sailing from central Palermo to Vergine Maria, Mondello, Capo Gallo, and Grotta dell’Olio. You’ll swim, snorkel, enjoy music and an aperitivo, and travel with up to 10 people. Guides may include Joseph, Giuseppe, Salvo, Gaspare, or Sofia.
“Really loved all the swimming spots and how amazing Joseph was, creating such an experience out in the water and making a beautiful memory”
Captain Alex takes you along Cefalù’s coast aboard the mini yacht Étolie, with views of the old fishing village, swims at Mazzaforno and Kalura, snorkeling gear, music, games, and a fresh Sicilian aperitivo with prosecco.
“Was so amazing being on the boat, learning about Cefalu, and soaking in the sun. Definitely was the highlight of our trip and I would HIGHLY recommend to anyone wanting a relaxing beautiful adventure. We got to jump off deck and sunbathe as well.”
Sail from Palermo’s Cala with Stefano or Salvo on a four-hour coastal trip limited to seven people. Swim at Virgin Mary and Mondello, see Villa Igiea and Casa Florio, then enjoy Sicilian food and Prosecco at Grotta della Regina.
“The trip and the captain was so amazing. We loved the food, drinks and experience so much. The captain was fun and funny and joined in on our fun with us. I would highly recommend this trip. We loved that it was small and intimate, incredible stops and one at a cave.”
Spend three hours on a private sailboat off Catania with English or Italian-speaking crew, coastal views, a swim stop, Sicilian appetizers, and Prosecco. The route can include views toward Aci Trezza and the Cyclops rocks. Meet at Club Nautico, with free parking nearby.
“Beautiful sailboat with a friendly skipper and his friend. The only thing that was not acceptable was the area we anchored to swim. It was far from the coast, in strong currents, and caused our group to drift far from the boat. The skipper had to actually move the boat closer to us because of the strong currents taking us away. It was scary for several of us in our group, which included children. In addition, the water was very dark, so snorkeling was not even an option. It would be great if swimming was offered somewhere less dangerous, in a location that is more ideal for leisure swimming and…”
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 !”
Pick a coast, a volcano or a kitchen.
