Palermo Boat Tour: Queen’s Cave Snorkeling & Street Food

Summary

Palermo boat tour with snorkeling street food and Sicilian aperitif

You’ll float along Palermo’s coast with a local captain, snorkeling at Queen’s Cave before relaxing at Mondello Beach over classic Sicilian street food and an Aperol Spritz. Expect laughter, fresh cannoli filled right on board, and time to soak up those wild Mediterranean colors—you might find yourself thinking about it long after you’ve left.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the smell—sort of salty but sweet too, like sunscreen mixing with the sea. We met our captain at the Trapezoidal Pier in Palermo (I’d never even heard of that shape before), and he just grinned when I asked if it was always this busy. He said something about “everybody chasing the sun” and shrugged. The boat wasn’t fancy—ours was called Lady Grace—but honestly, it felt right for a half day out on the water. A couple from Milan joined us, plus two kids who kept giggling every time a wave hit.

Our first stop was Queen’s Cave. I’m not sure what I expected—maybe something dramatic?—but it was quieter than I thought. The water was so clear you could see your own feet dangling off the side. Our guide handed me a snorkel mask and just said “Vai!” which made me laugh because I hesitated (I don’t love cold water). But once you’re in, you forget about that. There were little flashes of silver everywhere—fish darting around—and the only sound was our breathing through the snorkels and someone’s underwater squeal when they spotted something big (turned out to be a rock).

After we dried off in the sun (and yes, I got sunburned on my nose again), we headed toward Mondello Beach. The colors there are unreal—like someone turned up the saturation on real life. The captain spread out this wild selection of Palermo street food: arancine still warm inside, panelle that kind of melted on your tongue, sfincione with that oregano smell clinging to your fingers. They poured Aperol Spritz for us adults (the kids got Coke) and passed around fresh cannoli that had been filled right there on board—I swear I could taste the ricotta for hours after.

I tried saying “grazie” in my best Sicilian accent and totally failed—our guide Li laughed so hard she almost dropped her drink. It all felt easy, like nobody cared if you pronounced things wrong or dripped sauce on your shirt. On the way back to Palermo, everyone just sort of leaned against each other or watched the coastline slide by in silence. There’s something about being out there that makes you feel lighter—I still think about that view sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Boat tour with snorkeling and aperitif

• Depart from Marina Yachting pier
• Snorkel at Queen's Cave
• Snorkel at Mondello Beach
• Enjoy Sicilian aperitif and street food

Top questions

Where does the Palermo boat tour depart from?

The tour departs from the Trapezoidal Pier at Marina Yachting in Palermo.

What food is included on this Palermo boat tour?

You get Sicilian street food like arancine, panelle, croquettes, sfincione, and fresh cannoli prepared on board.

Is snorkeling equipment provided during the tour?

Yes, snorkeling equipment including masks and scuba scooters is included for all participants.

Are drinks included for children?

Yes, children receive Coca Cola while adults are served Aperol Spritz as part of the aperitif.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Vegan and gluten-free options are available if requested at least 24 hours in advance.

How long does this Palermo half day boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately half a day with departures at 9:30 am or 3:00 pm daily.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; departure is from Marina Yachting's Trapezoidal Pier in Palermo.

How many people are needed for departure?

A minimum of 3-4 participants is required for each departure.

What’s included

Your day includes departure from Marina Yachting in Palermo with a local captain choosing between two boats based on group size; all snorkeling equipment provided; unlimited water; an onboard Sicilian aperitif featuring street food favorites like arancine and panelle; fresh cannoli prepared right there; Aperol Spritz for adults and Coke for kids—with vegan or gluten-free options if you let them know ahead of time.