San Vito lo Capo Boat Tour: Gypsy Reserve & Swimming

Two sea caves and the Scopello stacks in one morning or afternoon, swimming between them.

A 4-hour boat tour from San Vito lo Capo along Sicily's western coast, with stops at the Gypsy Reserve and the Tonnara di Scopello. You swim and snorkel at two separate coves — one with a sea cave accessible only by water — and finish with an aperitif of local bread and wine at the Scopello stacks before returning to the starting point. Groups stay under 13 people, which is what keeps the caves uncrowded and the boat's shaded sofas available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour from San Vito lo Capo

• Start at Nautical Club La Traina
• See old tuna fishery of San Vito
• Pass Impiso Tower
• View outside of old San Vito trap
• Arrive at Gypsy Reserve entrance
• First swim and snorkel stop at sea cave
• Second swim stop with guided sea cave tour
• Final swim stop at Faraglioni di Scopello
• Aperitif with local products served
• Return to San Vito lo Capo starting point

The Experience

The boat leaves from the nautical club La Traina in San Vito lo Capo and heads south along the coast. Within the first 35 minutes you pass the old tuna fishery of San Vito — disused now but once the economic heart of the town — and the Impiso Tower, a centuries-old lookout that still marks the water. The skipper navigates by landmarks and by memory; the route itself is the point, not a checklist of stops.

The first swimming stop comes at the Gypsy Reserve, where you get 30 minutes in water clear enough to see the seabed. The staff will show you a sea cave reachable only by swimming and take you to its entrance if you want; the early departure time means you arrive before the other boats, so the cave is yours alone. The second stop is another 30 minutes in a different cove with a guided tour into a sea cave with colors the limestone only shows from the water. Both stops are built around snorkeling or swimming at your own pace — no schedule within the stop, no waiting.

The final stop is at the Tonnara di Scopello, the former tuna trap that defines the Trapani coast. You have 30 minutes to snorkel here too, and while you're in the water the crew sets out an aperitif: pane cunzato (Sicilian bread with tomato and oil), wine, and water. The boat stays at sea the whole time — you never touch the mainland — and the return to San Vito lo Capo takes the same route back, so you see the coast from a different angle in the afternoon light.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment and life jackets for all ages.
• skipper commentary in Italian or English.
• two 30-minute swimming and snorkeling stops at sea caves in the Gypsy Reserve.
• 30 minutes at the Tonnara di Scopello with an aperitif of pane cunzato, wine and water.
• restroom on board.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Marlin Tour

Is this one for you?The tour is led in Italian or English, so choose the language that matches your comfort level. Groups stay under 13 people, which means the two sea caves stay uncrowded and the boat's shaded sofas are actually available — if you've booked other boat tours in Sicily and spent the day standing in the sun with forty others, this one changes that equation.

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Top questions

What exactly is the Gypsy Reserve and what will I see there?

The Gypsy Reserve is a protected stretch of coast between San Vito lo Capo and Scopello, named for the coves and inlets carved into the limestone. You'll see the reserve from the boat as you sail along it, and at the first swimming stop you'll enter one of those coves to snorkel and swim to a sea cave that opens directly from the water.

Can I snorkel at both swimming stops, or is one just for swimming?

Both stops are open for snorkeling and swimming. At the first stop in the Gypsy Reserve, the staff will guide you to a sea cave if you want to explore it. At the second stop, you'll have a guided tour into a different sea cave. You choose how deep to go and how long to stay in the water at each one.

What is the Tonnara di Scopello and why is it the final stop?

The Tonnara di Scopello is a former tuna trap — a structure used for centuries to catch migrating tuna — and it's the most recognizable landmark on this stretch of coast. The Faraglioni (stacks) of rock that frame it are visible from far out at sea. It's the final stop because it's where the coast changes character, and the aperitif there marks the turning point before the return journey.

How long is the boat ride from San Vito lo Capo to the first swimming stop?

The boat reaches the Gypsy Reserve after about 35 minutes of navigation from the nautical club La Traina. You'll pass the old San Vito tuna fishery and the Impiso Tower along the way, so the journey itself is part of the tour.

What's included in the aperitif at Scopello?

The aperitif includes pane cunzato (traditional Sicilian bread topped with tomato and oil), wine, and water. It's served while you're in the water for the final 30-minute swimming stop, so you can take a break and eat on the boat between swims.

Is snorkeling equipment provided, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkeling equipment is included with the tour. Life jackets are also provided for all ages, and there's a restroom on board. You don't need to bring gear unless you prefer your own mask and fins.