Ortigia to Plemmirio: Sailing Tour & Snorkeling Caves

Sail ortigia’s coast into plemmirio caves and snorkel wild blue waters

You’ll set sail from Ortigia’s old harbor on a vintage boat toward Plemmirio Marine Protected Area, stopping to snorkel in clear coves with local guides who know every fish by name. Expect easy laughs with your crew and a quiet moment or two as you drift back under full sail: salt on your skin and Sicily in your memory.

Options for this experience

2 options

From € 49 to € 75 per person, depending on the option and date you choose. See options & prices

Snorkeling aboard a sailboat Available from 17 May 2027 Guide in English, Spanish or Italian

Exclusive Available from 1 Apr 2027 Guide in English, Spanish or Italian Reserved boat just for you, 4 hours, sailing south of Plemmirio

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Step-by-step itinerary

Sailing and snorkeling in Plemmirio

• Depart from Ortigia bay
• Visit Plemmirio caves by support boat
• Explore northern Maddalena peninsula
• Snorkel with crew support
• Discover marine fauna of the park
• Sail back using wind power

What’s included

Your day includes all snorkeling gear provided by the friendly crew, support in the water from trained local guides who know Plemmirio inside out, plus time relaxing onboard a classic wooden sailboat as you cruise between Ortigia and the marine reserve before returning by wind power in late afternoon.

Times

7 similar tours departing soon ›

Next departure: 1 Apr 2027

Information

Feel the sea breeze as you sail from Ortigia to Plemmirio, explore hidden caves, snorkel with local guides, and enjoy vintage boat vibes, equipment included.

Group Up to 7

Live guide English, Spanish and Italian Another language? ›

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. See the exact address

Book up to 12h before

Ages Adult (14 to 70 years) · Under 14: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free 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.

Good to know

Moderate physical effort Public transport nearby Not recommended during pregnancy Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

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The experience

The first thing I noticed was the creak of wood under my feet. This old sailboat had stories, you could just tell. Leaving Ortigia behind, the water turned that glassy Sicilian blue I’d only seen in postcards. Our captain, Paolo, pointed out a crumbling stone fort on the shore (I missed the name, he said it fast), and then we were out past the bay, salt spray on my lips. I kept thinking how different the air smelled: briny but also a bit like sun-warmed rope and lemon from someone’s bag.

We stopped near these jagged rocks along the Maddalena peninsula (Pillirina, Paolo called it), and swapped our shoes for fins. The crew handed out snorkeling gear (all included, thankfully, since I never pack mine). There was this quick lesson about what fish to look for: Giulia tried to teach me “donzella pavonina” but I probably mangled it. Slipping into the water was colder than I expected at first. But then you see these flashes of silver darting between shadows, and everything else just fades away for a bit.

After swimming around Elephant Rock (it really does look like one if you squint), we climbed back on board. Someone passed around a bag of taralli biscuits (I’d never had them salty before), and we let the wind do most of the work sailing home. The sound of water against wood gets in your head after a while. I still think about that view back toward Ortigia as the sails filled up. It felt quieter than usual, somehow.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish 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.

Is snorkeling equipment provided on this tour?

Yes, all snorkeling equipment is included with your booking.

Where does the sailing tour start?

The tour begins from Ortigia’s harbor in Syracuse.

How long does it take to reach Plemmirio Marine Protected Area?

The boat reaches Plemmirio from Ortigia within about 30 minutes, depending on sea conditions.

Are there guides during snorkeling?

Yes, trained staff accompany guests in the water and help identify marine life.

What are some places visited during this tour?

You’ll visit Maddalena peninsula’s north side, Pillirina cove, Elephant Rock, and coastal caves near Plemmirio.

Is lunch or snacks included?

No formal lunch is included. Sometimes light snacks are shared onboard.

Is this tour suitable for beginners at snorkeling?

A moderate level of fitness is required. Guides assist beginners but some swimming ability helps.

Can pregnant travelers join this sailing trip?

No, pregnant travelers are not recommended to join due to safety reasons.

Operated by Snorkeling In Barca A Vela. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago