Cala Violina Boat Tour: Snorkel Three Coves

Anchor at three hidden coves, snorkel the seabed, taste Tuscan wine on the water

A private boat tour of the Tuscan coast reaches three secluded coves (Cala Civette in the Bandite di Scarlino nature reserve, Cala Martina with its frame of maritime pines, and Cala Violina, famous for its musical sand and red starfish), where you swim, snorkel and eat lunch on the water. The guide speaks English or Italian and tailors the outing to mark a birthday, anniversary or any moment you want to make special. Four hours, departing and returning from the boat.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour to Tuscan coves

• Depart on private boat
• Visit Cala Martina cove
• Swim and snorkel at Cala Violina
• Visit Cala Civette cove
• Taste Tuscan products on board
• Relax in the sea and sun

The experience

How do you reach the coves nobody drives to? The boat leaves from the coast and drops anchor at each stop, so you swim straight into water so clear the seabed is visible from the surface. Cala Civette sits deepest inside the Bandite di Scarlino nature reserve: the hardest cove to reach on foot, which is exactly why the boat gets you there. Cala Martina opens onto a sandy bottom ringed by maritime pines, a setting so intimate it carries the weight of history: Garibaldi landed here. Cala Violina, the most famous of the three, takes its name from the sound its sand makes underfoot, a high note like a violin string. The water there sits over posidonia beds where red starfish live close enough to spot while snorkeling.

Snorkeling gear comes with the tour, so you enter the water equipped to see what lives below. The guide speaks English or Italian and knows the coves well enough to point out what matters: the starfish, the fish that gather in the shallows, the shape of the rocks. Lunch arrives on the boat: cold pasta, fresh seasonal fruit, and local white wine, all tasted while anchored in one of the coves. Soda, pop and bottled water are available throughout the morning.

The tour runs four hours and can be shaped around what matters to you: a birthday, an anniversary, a quiet morning you want to mark. Infants and small children travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available. The boat itself is described as beautiful, comfortable and elegant, built to carry a private group without the noise and crowd of a larger vessel.

What’s included

• Private boat transportation to all three coves.
• snorkeling equipment.
• cold pasta lunch and fresh seasonal fruit.
• local white wine.
• soda and bottled water.
• live guide in English or Italian.
• fuel.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30Last departure this season: 31 Dec

Book up toStart time

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Sole Meo - Charter & Boat

Is this one for you?The boat is private, so your group travels alone and the guide shapes the stops around what you want to see: ideal if you're marking a special day or prefer the pace and attention of a smaller outing rather than joining a larger group.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

17 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What makes Cala Violina different from the other two coves?

Cala Violina is the most famous because of its sand, which emits a sound like a violin when you step on it: locals call it musical sand. The seabed there holds large banks of posidonia where red starfish live, and they're easy to spot while snorkeling.

Is snorkeling equipment included, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkeling gear comes with the tour, so you arrive ready to enter the water and explore the seabed at each cove.

What's included in the lunch served on the boat?

Lunch is cold pasta and fresh seasonal fruit, served with local white wine. Soda, pop and bottled water are also available throughout the tour.

Can I customize the tour if I'm celebrating something specific?

Yes, the tour can be tailored to mark a birthday, anniversary or any special moment you want to make memorable: mention it when you book.

How difficult is it to reach Cala Civette compared to the other coves?

Cala Civette is the most difficult cove to reach on foot because it sits deepest inside the Bandite di Scarlino nature reserve. The boat is how most visitors get there, and the seabed is worth the journey.