Snorkeling in Palermo: Queen's Cave & Mondello with food
Snorkel two stops and eat Sicilian street food while the captain cooks on deck
A 4-hour boat snorkeling trip from Palermo reaches Queen's Cave and Mondello with masks, snorkels and underwater scooters included. The captain prepares an authentic Sicilian aperitif on board (sfincione, arancine, panelle, croquettes and cannoli), while you float in the water. Departures run at 09:30, 14:30 or 19:30 daily from Marina Yachting. The boat holds either 7 people (vintage Lady Grace) or up to 17 (modern Baloo), and the route shifts with weather to keep conditions safe.
Step-by-step itinerary
Boat tour with snorkeling and local food
- Depart from Trapezoidal Pier
- Stop at Queen's Cave for snorkeling
- Sail to Mondello for snorkeling
- Enjoy Palermo street food and Aperol Spritz
The experience
The boat leaves Marina Yachting at one of three fixed times and heads straight for Queen's Cave, where you enter the water with provided masks, snorkels and underwater scooters. The cave itself is the draw: a natural rock formation you swim into and around, with enough light and depth to make the snorkeling worthwhile without being technical. After an hour or so in the water, the boat moves to Mondello, the second snorkeling stop, where the real difference shows: while you're still in the water, the captain sets up an aperitif on deck. Sfincione (Sicilian pizza), arancine (fried rice balls), panelle (chickpea fritters), croquettes and cannoli come out alongside Aperol Spritz for adults and Coca-Cola for children, plus unlimited fresh water.
You climb back on board when you're ready and eat while the boat stays anchored. Vegan and gluten-free versions of the street food are available if you request them 24 hours ahead. Wine, beer and prosecco can be ordered separately if you want more than what's included. The whole outing runs 4 hours from start to return, so it fits into a morning or an afternoon without eating the whole day. The boat choice depends on how many people book: Lady Grace is a vintage-style vessel capped at 7 passengers, while Baloo is modern and holds up to 17. Either way, the minimum departure is 3 to 4 people, so solo travelers and small groups do run.
A live guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian or French depending on the group. Identification documents are mandatory for the entire journey. The route can shift if weather turns rough, but that's the trade: the captain picks the stops that keep the water calm enough to actually enjoy being in it.
What’s included
- Use of snorkeling masks, snorkels and underwater scooters.
- Sicilian street food including sfincione, arancine, panelle, croquettes and cannoli.
- Aperol Spritz for adults and Coca-Cola for children.
- unlimited fresh water.
- a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian or French.
- vegan and gluten-free food options available with 24 hours notice.
Information
Lasts 4h, runs every day at 09:30, 14:30 and 19:30, from € 144.99 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.
Prices and times updated yesterday
Operated by Palermo in Boat
Is this one for you?Pick the 09:30 or 14:30 slot if you want snorkeling at two sites plus a Sicilian aperitif cooked aboard, all within a morning or afternoon. Choose 19:30 if you prefer the same route at sunset instead.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 10 years); Infant (under 2).
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 Queen's Cave like when you get there to snorkel?
Queen's Cave is a natural rock formation you swim into with your snorkel and mask. The cave sits along Palermo's coast and offers enough light and depth to make the snorkeling the main event of the first stop, not just a quick dip.
Can I bring my own snorkeling gear or do I have to use what's on the boat?
The boat provides masks, snorkels and underwater scooters as part of the package. You use the equipment supplied on board.
What time should I arrive at Marina Yachting before the boat leaves?
Departures are at 09:30, 14:30 or 19:30 daily from the Trapezoidal Pier at Marina Yachting. Arrive early enough to board before your chosen departure time, though the exact arrival window isn't specified in the booking details.
Is the Sicilian food included or do I pay extra for it?
The authentic Sicilian aperitif (sfincione, arancine, panelle, croquettes and cannoli) is included in the price, along with Aperol Spritz for adults and Coca-Cola for children. Wine, beer and prosecco are available to order separately on board.
How many people usually go on this boat?
The boat is either Lady Grace, a vintage-style vessel with a maximum of 7 people, or Baloo, a modern boat that holds up to 17. The captain assigns which boat based on the number of participants. A minimum of 3 to 4 people is required for the trip to depart.
What happens if the weather is bad on the day I book?
The stops may vary depending on weather conditions to ensure maximum safety and relaxation. The captain chooses which snorkeling sites to visit based on sea conditions on the day.
Snorkeling in Palermo: Queen's Cave & Mondello with food
4h · EN · ES · FR · IT
from € 144.99 per person
≈ US$ 165 in your currency