San Foca to Otranto by boat: 3 swimming stops, 4 hours

Roca Li Posti, the Faraglioni, and white-sand coves: a private boat traces the Salento coast in four hours

A private boat tour departing San Foca and traveling 4 hours along the Adriatic coast to Otranto, with three swimming stops and panoramic passages past wild cliffs, sea stacks and hidden bays. The boat holds a maximum of 7 people and is captained by an experienced guide who speaks English or Italian. Three 20–25 minute swimming stops are included at Torre dell'Orso (the Faraglioni sea stacks), Sant'Andrea (rocky cliffs and an ancient staircase carved into the rock), and Baia del Mulino d'Acqua (a white-sand cove with a cave accessible by swimming). Fresh water and a souvenir photo are provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour along Adriatic coast

• Depart from San Foca port
• Pass by Roca Li Posti near Grotta della Poesia
• Swim at Torre dell'Orso near Le Due Sorelle
• Swim at Sant'Andrea fishing village
• Pass by Conca Specchiulla coast
• Pass by Frassanito wild coast
• Pass by Baia dei Laghi Alimini
• Pass by Baia dei Turchi
• Swim at Baia del Mulino d'Acqua bay
• End tour at Mulino d'Acqua Bay in Otranto

The experience

Roca Li Posti opens the tour: low cliffs and turquoise water framing the Grotta della Poesia, the Poetry Cave, close enough to photograph from the boat. The route then passes Conca Specchiulla and the Frassanito coast, both wild and unspoiled stretches of sheer cliffs and hidden sea caves, before reaching the Alimini Lakes Bay, where sandy dunes and protected coastal lakes meet crystal-clear water. The final passage runs past Baia dei Turchi, one of Salento's most famous beaches, before the boat arrives at Mulino d'Acqua Bay in Otranto itself: a tranquil cove with low rocks and a view of the fortified city and its Aragonese Castle on the horizon.

Three swimming stops break the route. The first is at Torre dell'Orso, where the legendary Faraglioni, the Two Sisters, rise from the water a few meters from the Grotto of San Cristoforo. The second is Sant'Andrea, an ancient fishing village with rocky cliffs and bays. Locals carved a staircase into the rock centuries ago, and it still leads directly to the water below. The third is Baia del Mulino d'Acqua, a white-sand bay with a cave you can swim to. Each stop lasts approximately 20–25 minutes. The captain is experienced, the boat is comfortable, and the group never exceeds 7 people, so the pace stays unhurried and the boat does not feel crowded.

Fresh water is provided throughout the tour, and you receive a souvenir photo at the end. The boat departs from the port of San Foca. Life jackets are available for children, and infants sit on an adult's lap. The tour runs 4 hours in total.

What’s included

• Three swimming stops at Torre dell'Orso, Sant'Andrea, and Baia del Mulino d'Acqua.
• an experienced captain speaking English or Italian.
• fresh water throughout the tour.
• fuel surcharge.
• and a souvenir photo.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:30

Book up to1h 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

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by escursionisanfoca.it

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a private boat and a small group. The maximum of 7 people means the captain can adjust the pace and spend extra time at any stop you want to linger at, and the boat does not feel crowded even when full.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

23 verified traveler reviews

5 ★23

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide 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 are the Faraglioni at Torre dell'Orso?

The Faraglioni, known as the Two Sisters, are two sea stacks rising from crystal-clear water south of Torre dell'Orso bay, located just a few meters from the Grotto of San Cristoforo. They are one of the most photographed landmarks on the Adriatic coast of Salento and the first swimming stop on the tour.

Can I swim at all three stops, or are some just for looking?

All three stops are swimming stops. You swim at Torre dell'Orso under the Faraglioni, at Sant'Andrea in the Baia del Bastimento bay near the ancient staircase carved into the rock, and at Baia del Mulino d'Acqua, where you can swim to a cave inside the white-sand cove.

How long do we spend in the water at each stop?

Each swimming stop lasts approximately 20–25 minutes, giving you time to swim and explore without feeling rushed.

What happens if the weather is bad or the sea is rough?

The tour is subject to sea conditions. The operator guarantees 100% reliability, but specific policies for rescheduling or refunds in poor conditions are not detailed in the tour information. Contact the operator directly before booking if weather is a concern for your travel dates.

Is this tour just for strong swimmers?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Life jackets are available for children, and you control how much time you spend in the water at each stop. The coves are sheltered and the water is calm, so even modest swimmers can enjoy the stops.