Private 3-Hour Boat Tour: Of Polignano a Mare Caves

Caves, cliffs and the Grotta degli Innamorati from the water

A private 3-hour boat tour of Polignano a Mare's caves and coastline in a 7-meter open boat with a skipper, departing from Calaponte Marina. You visit all the major caves (Cala Paura, Lama Monachile, the Blue Cave), and reach the Grotta degli Innamorati further along the coast, with a swimming stop and an aperitif on board.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour of Polignano a Mare caves

• Depart on private boat
• Visit Cala Paura cove
• See Lama Monachile beach
• Explore the Blue Cave
• Stop for swimming and aperitif

The experience

Three hours on the water means you see the whole coast from a perspective the town itself doesn't offer. The boat holds up to 10 people, so it stays small and maneuverable enough to slip into caves that larger tour boats can't reach. An expert skipper who speaks English and Italian narrates the route and handles the boat while you watch the cliffs rise and the water shift from turquoise to deep blue as you move between the coves.

Lama Monachile is the postcard view of Polignano (the beach where Domenico Modugno's bronze statue stands on the cliff above), and from the boat you see the Grotta della Piana, a rocky tunnel accessible from the beach whose exit opens to the sea. The Blue Cave sits below the Bastion of Saint Stephen and glows because of how light plays between the water, sun and rock. You pass Scoglio dell'Eremita and keep going until you reach the Grotta degli Innamorati, the suggestive cave further down the coast that gives the tour its emotional anchor.

A bathing stop happens at a panoramic point where the water is clearest, and you can jump in whenever you want during the tour: no fixed schedule for the swim. An aperitif of prosecco and Apulian taralli comes on board. If you need a beach towel, you can rent one on request. Infants sit on an adult's lap. The tour suits all fitness levels.

What’s included

• A glass of prosecco and Apulian taralli.
• an expert skipper speaking English and Italian.
• a bathing stop at a panoramic point.
• beach towel rental on request.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 9 Oct 2027

Book up to2h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Pugliamare

Is this one for you?Three hours leaves room for other activities in Polignano on the same day (a meal in town, a walk through the old quarter), but commits the morning or afternoon entirely to the water. Book this if you want the full arc of the coast without rushing between caves.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

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 is the Grotta degli Innamorati and why is it part of this tour?

The Grotta degli Innamorati is a cave further along the coast from Polignano's main attractions, and it is the destination point of the tour. The suggestive final stop that gives the experience its name and emotional weight. The boat reaches it by passing the other major caves first.

Can I swim during the 3-hour tour, or is it just sightseeing from the boat?

You stop at a panoramic point and can dive into the water whenever you wish during the tour. The swim is built into the experience, not an optional add-on.

What are Cala Paura and Lama Monachile, and do we visit both?

Cala Paura is a cove (not a cave) where a famous wrought-iron inscription reading "I'll be back" is set into the rock, thought to be the work of a visiting Iranian sculptor. Lama Monachile is Polignano's most photographed beach, the postcard view of the town with Domenico Modugno's bronze statue on the cliff above it. Both are stops on the route.

How many people fit on the boat, and do I need to book a whole boat or can I join a group?

The boat holds a maximum of 10 people per boat. This is a private tour, meaning you book the full boat for your group. For large groups, the operator can arrange multiple boats sailing together.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes the skipper's narration in English or Italian, a bathing stop at a panoramic point, a glass of prosecco and Apulian taralli on board, and full use of the private boat. Beach towel rental is available on request for an extra charge.