Caves of Santa Maria di Leuca: Boat tour with skipper

The caves here are only reachable by water.

A customizable boat tour of the caves at Santa Maria di Leuca with a live skipper guide and small groups of up to eleven people. You pick which caves to visit and spend two hours exploring them from the water. Bottled water is included. The guide speaks English, Italian or French.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour of Santa Maria di Leuca caves

• Board boat with skipper
• Customize cave tour route
• Explore characteristic caves
• Enjoy expert guide commentary

The experience

The caves of Santa Maria di Leuca sit at the southern tip of Puglia where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet, and the only way to see them is by boat. You board with a small group and a skipper who knows the coastline. The tour runs two hours and you decide which caves to visit based on what interests you and the conditions on the day. The boat holds up to eleven people, so it stays intimate even when full.

The skipper navigates close enough to the cave entrances that you can see the rock formations, the water color inside them, and the way the light plays across the stone. Some caves open into chambers you can peer into. Others are narrow slots in the cliff. Bottled water is provided, and the guide speaks English, Italian or French so you can ask about what you're seeing as you move along the coast.

What’s included

• Customizable cave route with live skipper guide.
• bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to Saturday5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 17:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to1h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French 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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Alexander Leuca

Is this one for you?The boat stays on the water the entire tour, so there's no swimming, climbing or getting wet unless you choose to. Just sitting and looking as the skipper takes you past the rock formations and into the caves.

Traveler reviews

4.93★★★★★★★★★★

61 verified traveler reviews

5 ★59

4 ★1

3 ★0

2 ★1

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French 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.

Can I choose which caves we visit on the tour?

Yes. The tour is customizable, so you and the skipper decide which caves to explore based on your interests and the sea conditions that day.

How many people fit on the boat?

The boat holds a maximum of eleven people, keeping the group small and the experience personal.

What's included in the two hours?

Bottled water is provided. The tour covers the boat ride and the skipper's narration as you visit the caves. You don't need to bring your own water or snacks.

Is this tour suitable for young children?

Yes. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and small children sit on an adult's lap. The tour suits all fitness levels since you stay on the boat the whole time.