Palinuro Sea Caves: Small Boat Tour & Swim Stop

Summary

Traditional boat tour of Palinuro’s caves with swim break

You’ll board a classic gozzo boat with a local sailor from Palinuro’s harbor, explore famous sea caves like the Blue Grotto and Grotta Argento up close, then stop for a swim at secluded Buondormire beach. Expect salty breezes, real stories from your guide, and quiet moments you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the slap of water against the wooden hull — that hollow, echoing sound you only get from old boats. We’d just left the port of Palinuro, and our sailor, Antonio, was already pointing out shapes in the cliffs. He had this way of squinting into the sun and then suddenly grinning when he spotted something — like the “crocodile head” rock (I still can’t see it, but maybe that’s just me). The air smelled faintly salty and piney at once, which surprised me. Maybe it was drifting down from those forests above?

I’d heard about this day trip to the sea caves around Capo Palinuro, but I didn’t expect how close we’d get to the rock. Sometimes Antonio would cut the engine and let us drift right up to a cave mouth — cool air rushing out, almost damp on my face. The Blue Grotto really does glow from below; it’s not just a trick of Instagram. Inside, everything went quiet except for water lapping and someone whispering “wow” in Italian. We saw silver flickers on the walls in Grotta Argento and that weird reddish light in Blood Cave (the name fits). At one point I tried to ask about prehistoric bones in my best Italian — Antonio laughed and answered half in dialect, so who knows what I actually asked.

The last stop was Buondormire beach — only reachable by sea. We jumped off for a swim; sand soft as flour underfoot, water so clear you could count your toes. There were families picnicking under umbrellas and a couple of kids chasing each other along the shore. I floated for a while just watching sunlight ripple over my arms. Honestly, I didn’t want to leave yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Palinuro Cave and Beach Tour

• Depart from Palinuro port
• Board typical “gozzo” boat
• Visit Blue Grotto cave
• Explore Silver cave
• See Blood cave
• Visit Sulphurous cave
• Explore Cave of Bones
• See Cave of the Monks
• View La Finestrella and Natural arch
• Swim break at Buondormire (Good Sleep) beach (30)

Top questions

How long does the Palinuro sea caves tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours.

Is swimming included on this Capo Palinuro boat tour?

Yes, there is a half-hour swim break at Buondormire beach.

What kind of boat is used for this tour?

A traditional wooden “gozzo” boat is used for the excursion.

Are guides or sailors included on this day trip?

Yes, an expert local sailor leads the tour.

Which caves are visited during the tour?

Caves include Blue Grotto, Grotta Argento (Silver), Blood Cave, Sulphurous Cave, Cave of Bones, and Cave of Monks.

Where does the tour depart from?

The excursion departs from Palinuro port.

Is this suitable for families with children?

Yes; infants can ride in strollers or sit on an adult’s lap.

What should I bring on this boat trip?

A cap or hat, water bottle, and sunscreen are recommended.

What’s included

Your experience includes departure from Palinuro port aboard a traditional gozzo boat with an expert sailor guiding you through several coastal caves plus a stop for swimming at Buondormire beach before returning to port.