Private Boat Tour Palermo Coast: Swim in Hidden Caves

Swim into caves most visitors never find

A private boat tour departing from Marina Villa Igiea in Palermo takes you along the coast to three swimming stops: the Grotto of the Queen, the Bay of Mondello, and the Grotta dell'Olio, a domed cave accessible only by water with a natural skylight illuminating crystal-clear depths. The tour runs 4 hours and includes snorkeling gear, fresh seasonal fruit, drinks and a live guide in your choice of language.

Step-by-step itinerary

Coastal boat tour and cave visits

• Depart from Marina Villa Igiea jetty
• Admire Florio family historic residence
• Visit Grotto of the Queen cave
• Continue along Addaura Reserve coast
• Stop for bath at Bay of Mondello
• Enjoy fresh fruit and drinks
• Explore Grotta dell’Olio cave by swimming
• Return to Marina Villa Igiea

The experience

The boat leaves Marina Villa Igiea, the jetty next to the historic Florio family residence, which you'll see from the water before heading toward the Grotto of the Queen. This rock-cut cave sits just offshore, framed by natural openings that throw light across the water in shifting patterns. You'll swim here and have time to explore the shallow interior where the stone shows centuries of use.

From there the route follows the Addaura Reserve coastline, where mountains rise straight from the sea, until you reach the Bay of Mondello for a longer stop. This is where you swim, snorkel and rest on the boat with fresh seasonal fruit and cold drinks. The crew provides snorkeling equipment and the water here is calm enough for a real break in the day.

The final stop is the Grotta dell'Olio in Cape Gallo Nature Reserve: the cave most of this coast keeps to itself. Part of the entrance sits underwater, so you swim in rather than walk. Once inside, the vault opens above you, more than 10 meters high, with a single ray of natural light hitting the water and turning it an intense blue. The silence and the geometry of the space are what stay with you. You return to Marina Villa Igiea after 4 hours.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment and SUP board.
• fresh seasonal fruit and cold drinks.
• bottled water and soft drinks.
• alcoholic beverages.
• on-board restroom.
• fuel surcharge.
• live guide in English, Spanish, Italian or French.

Options for this experience

3 options

Aperitif at sunsetGuide in 4 languages · Available from 23 Nov · 19:00Lasts 3 hours, about 2.5 of them at sea. An aperitif with wine is served, featuring a platter of cold cuts and cheeses or typical Sicilian delicacies, plus beer. The route follows the Palermo coast toward Mondello, where you can swim and enjoy the aperitif. Travel is by inflatable boat.

Private half-day boat tour along the Palermo coastGuide in 4 languages · Available from 23 Nov · 09:00, 09:30, 14:30 and 15:00

Full-day trip on a RIBGuide in 4 languages · Available from 23 Nov · 09:00, 09:30, 10:00 and 10:30Lasts 8 hours. Snacks and lunch feature Cunzato bread and a typical Sicilian roasteria, with drinks included. An extra stop is made at Isola delle Femmine, located off the coast of Palermo.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 19:00

Book up to3h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Kalapà - Escursioni In Gommone

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to swim and snorkel in caves most Palermo visitors miss, with the boat and guide handling the route and the stops. You just show up at the jetty and spend the morning in the water.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, 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.

What's the Grotto of the Queen actually like to swim in?

The Grotto of the Queen is a shallow rock-cut cave just offshore from Marina Villa Igiea, with natural openings that frame views of the sea and create plays of light across the water. You'll swim inside and have time to explore the stone interior at your own pace.

Can I snorkel on this tour?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and you'll use it at the Bay of Mondello and inside the Grotta dell'Olio, where the water is clear enough to see the cave's underwater entrance and the illuminated vault above.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs 4 hours total, starting and ending at Marina Villa Igiea. You'll have swimming and snorkeling time at three stops, plus time to rest and eat between them.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes snorkeling gear, fresh seasonal fruit, bottled water, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and use of a SUP board if you want it. A restroom is available on board, and fuel is covered.

Is the Grotta dell'Olio difficult to reach?

The Grotta dell'Olio entrance is partly submerged, so you swim in rather than walk. Once inside, you're in a domed vault with a natural skylight. The cave is in Cape Gallo Nature Reserve and is suitable for all fitness levels, though you need to be comfortable swimming to enter.