Boat tour from Monopoli to Polignano a Mare sea caves

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.65 (153 reviews) 78% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell out

1/5

Duration2h

GroupUp to 9

LanguagesEN · IT

Mobile ticketAccepted

See the caves and the coast from the water, then swim in one of them

A 2-hour boat tour from Monopoli to the sea caves of Polignano a Mare, with a swimming stop in one of the caves and a small aperitif served on board. The route passes the 16th-century Castle of Charles V, the Grotta Palazzese restaurant built inside a cave, and the famous cliff-diving beach, with a live guide in English or Italian.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour from Monopoli to Polignano a Mare

See ancient port of Monopoli
Pass by Castle of Charles V
View coast and sea caves
Appreciate terraces overlooking sea
See Grotta Palazzese restaurant
Visit famous Polignano beach
View statue of native singer
Enjoy swimming stop and aperitif

The Experience

The boat leaves Monopoli and runs the coast south toward Polignano a Mare. You'll pass the ancient port and the Castle of Charles V, a 16th-century fortress that anchors the Monopoli waterfront, then move into the stretch of limestone cliffs and sea caves that make this coast distinctive. The water is clear enough that you see the rock formations below the surface as the boat slows to point out each cave.

One stop is the Grotta Palazzese, a restaurant carved directly into a cave mouth — the kind of place that looks impossible until you're floating in front of it. The tour also passes the postcard beach of Polignano a Mare, where the Red Bull Cliff Diving festival takes place each summer, and a statue in the water dedicated to a famous singer from the town. The guide narrates in English or Italian, so you get the history and the names of what you're looking at.

Partway through, the boat anchors at one of the caves for a swimming stop. You can jump in or stay on board; either way, a small aperitif and snacks come out. The whole thing runs 2 hours, which is long enough to see the full stretch of coast without the day becoming a boat ride.

What’s included

Bottled water.
snacks and a small aperitif on board.
live guide in English or Italian.
swimming stop in one of the sea caves.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by ImbarcaTour

Is this one for you?Small groups work well here — the boat is intimate enough that you hear the guide and see the caves without fighting for space. Pick this tour if you want the coast and the caves without renting a boat or driving the cliff roads yourself.