Palermo boat tour: Swim in caves and nature reserves

Swim inside a sea cave instead of watching it from the boat

A private boat tour on the Palermo coast takes you to Capo Gallo nature reserve and Grotta della Regina, where you stop to swim in crystalline water and explore sea caves. The tour runs four to five hours with a live guide in your choice of language, includes brunch, snacks and drinks, and departs from Tonnara Florio Villa Igea. Children under 10 are not permitted. Minimum age is 17.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour along Palermo coast

• Depart from Tonnara Florio Villa Igea
• Navigate along Addaura coast and Mondello
• Swim in crystal clear waters
• Navigate along Capo Gallo nature reserve
• Stop at Grotta della Regina Arenella Igiea
• Swim inside the cave and admire colors

The experience

The boat leaves Tonnara Florio Villa Igea and heads toward the Addaura coast, where the first stop lets you swim in clear water before moving on to Capo Gallo nature reserve. The reserve sits along the shoreline with caves carved into the rock, and the route takes you past them by water so you see the openings and the geology as you approach. The real stop is Grotta della Regina Arenella, where you actually get in the water inside the cave, not a viewing platform or a photo stop from the boat, but swimming in the grotto itself and watching how the light hits the stone and the water changes color in the enclosed space.

Brunch, snacks, bottled water and one alcoholic drink per person come with the tour. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or one of two other languages depending on which option you book, and the boat itself is described as luxurious. Pickup is included in at least one of the four available options (the half-day tour, the full-day private tour, the Island of Ustica option, or the sunset tour), so confirm which one you are choosing at checkout, since private transportation varies by selection.

The tour is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy. Smoking is prohibited on the boat, and children under 10 cannot join. The nearest public transportation is available if you need to reach the departure point on your own.

What’s included

• Brunch and snacks.
• bottled water.
• one alcoholic beverage per person.
• free WiFi.
• a live guide in your choice of language.
• swimming stops at Capo Gallo nature reserve and Grotta della Regina cave.
• private transportation in at least one option.

Options for this experience

4 options

Sunset ToursUp to 8 per booking · Guide in 6 languages · 17:00Lasting 3 hours. Sunset.

Boat tour of half a day along the Palermo coastUp to 8 per booking · Guide in 6 languages · 09:30, 14:30 and 15:00Elegant exclusive boat, lasting 4 hours, with brunch and one drink. Half day.

Private tour for the full dayUp to 7 per booking · Guide in 6 languages · 10:00Full-day boat tour lasting 7 hours. Lunch and drinks, with a drink included. Costa Addaura and nature reserve. Motorboat.

Island of UsticaUp to 6 per booking · Guide in 6 languages · 08:00Lasting 8 hours. A day at Ustica: island of Ustica and a circumnavigation of the entire island with unlimited stops.

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 day6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 17:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (17 to 80 years) · Under 17: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Russian

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Sea tour Palermo

Is this one for you?Book the half-day tour if you want the caves and swimming without the full-day commitment, or choose the sunset option if you prefer to arrive at the water as the light changes. Each option departs at a different time and some include private pickup while others don't, so pick the one that fits your schedule and transport needs.

Traveler reviews

4.97★★★★★★★★★★

118 verified traveler reviews

5 ★116

4 ★0

3 ★2

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Russian.

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 exactly happens when we stop at Grotta della Regina?

Grotta della Regina is a sea cave where you swim inside the grotto itself, not from the boat. You get in the water and see the cave's interior and the colors the light creates on the stone and water surface.

How long is the boat tour and what time does it start?

The tour runs four to five hours. The specific departure time depends on which option you book (half-day, full-day private, Island of Ustica, or sunset tour), so check your confirmation for the exact time.

What's included in the price?

Brunch, snacks, bottled water and one alcoholic drink per person are included. Pickup is part of at least one option, so confirm whether your selection includes private transportation.

Can children go on this tour?

No, children under 10 are not permitted. The minimum age is 17.

What is Capo Gallo and what do we do there?

Capo Gallo is a nature reserve along the Palermo coast with caves in the rock face. The boat navigates along the reserve so you see the caves and geology from the water, and you stop to swim in the crystalline water nearby.