Polignano a Mare: Catamaran Tour with Aperitif & Swim Stop

Summary

Catamaran sailing polignano caves swim stop aperitif onboard

You’ll sail along Polignano a Mare’s cliffs by catamaran, pass under iconic bridges and past hidden caves, then stop to swim in crystal-clear water before sharing an Apulian aperitif on deck. Expect laughter with your guide, fresh local snacks, drinks on hand—and a sense of calm that lingers long after you’ve dried off.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Catamaran tour and swimming stop

• Admire Lama Monachile and Borbonico bridge
• View historic center and caves of Polignano a Mare
• See Hermit rock and cala Portalga
• Swim at beach between Polignano and Monopoli
• Enjoy typical Apulian aperitif
• Use paddle boards on board

Top questions

Is swimming included during the catamaran tour?

Yes, there is at least one stop for swimming between Polignano a Mare and Monopoli.

Are drinks provided on board?

Yes, water (still and sparkling), Coke Zero and regular Coke, iced tea, fruit juice, beer, Prosecco, white wine and rosé are included.

What food is served during the aperitif?

The aperitif includes focaccia, seasonal vegetables, cold cuts selection, mozzarella cheese, friselle bread and fruit.

Can children join this catamaran tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed and infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

Is paddleboarding available during the tour?

Yes, standup paddle boards are available for use during the swim stop.

How long does the tour last?

The exact duration isn’t specified but it includes sailing along key spots near Polignano a Mare plus time for swimming and aperitif.

Which sights do we see from the boat?

You’ll see Lama Monachile with its Borbonico bridge, sea caves under Polignano’s historic center, San Paolo islet (rock of the Hermit), Cala Portalga and more coastline towards Monopoli.

What’s included

Your day includes sailing by catamaran from Polignano a Mare with at least one swim stop between Polignano and Monopoli. On board you’ll have natural or sparkling water plus soft drinks like Coke Zero or iced tea; beer as well as Prosecco or local white and rosé wines are offered throughout. An Apulian-style aperitif is served—focaccia bread still warm sometimes if you’re lucky—alongside seasonal veggies, cold cuts selection (salami really stands out), fresh mozzarella balls, friselle bread soaked just right and sweet fruit to finish. Standup paddle boards are ready to try during your swim break too before heading back along those sunlit cliffs.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed as we stepped onto the catamaran in Polignano a Mare was the way the sea air mixed with the faint smell of focaccia—someone had already opened the box. Our skipper, Marco, waved us on like we were old friends. The cliffs looked taller from the water than I’d expected, especially when we drifted past Lama Monachile and that Borbonico bridge everyone photographs. You could hear voices echoing off the rocks; it felt oddly private out there, even with other boats around.

Marco pointed out little details you’d miss from land—the caves carved into the limestone, bits of history about the RedBull Cliff Diving spot (I can’t imagine jumping from up there). We passed Cala Portalga and he told us about some hermit who used to live on that rock—San Paolo islet? I probably misheard. The sun kept shifting, making everything look different every few minutes. At one point, someone handed me a glass of cold white wine and I realized my feet were still salty from dangling off the side.

We anchored somewhere between Polignano and Monopoli for a swim. The water was colder than I thought but so clear you could see every pebble. There was this moment—everyone quiet except for splashing—when Marco set out plates of mozzarella, friselle soaked just right, and slices of salami that tasted peppery and sweet at once. I tried to paddleboard but mostly just spun in circles; Marco laughed but didn’t judge. It all felt very… slow in a good way.

I keep thinking about that stretch of time after swimming, when the sun started dipping and someone passed around iced tea with lemon. It’s not dramatic or anything—just easy conversation, sea breeze, hands sticky from fruit. If you’re looking for some perfect photo op or big adventure story, maybe this isn’t it. But if you want to feel like you’re part of Puglia for a few hours—even if you can’t pronounce all the names—it’s honestly hard to beat.