Sicily · SICILY APERITIF EXPERIENCES
The 13 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 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”
Captain Filippo takes you from Giardini Naxos along Taormina’s coast, past *White Lotus* and *Le Grand Bleu* filming sites, sea caves, and Isola Bella. Expect a two-hour cruise with swimming, snorkeling gear, prosecco, Sicilian snacks, music, and guides including Gianluca and Chiara.
“The boat ride was amazing! The crew extremely nice and joyful, we loved it!!! The weather was also perfect, everything was perfect, lots of prosecco for everybody! Thank you!”
Join Boat Tour di Alberto Salvo for a 2.5-hour sunset cruise from Marina Arenella. Your skipper anchors near Arenella Bay and the Grotta della Regina while you enjoy a Sicilian meat or fish platter, wine, beer, or a cocktail. You can also swim from the boat.
“The most AMAZING night of my life! The most friendly guide who ended up giving us extra time on the boat, listening to Eminem and 50 Cent! We swam in the Med, drank Prosecco and had the best time. Definitely recommend this if you are in Palermo - don’t miss it!!!”
Pick a coast, a volcano or a kitchen.
