Santa Maria di Leuca: 3-Hour Boat Tour & Cave Swimming

Swim Inside Caves Where Two Seas Meet Off Lecce's Southern Coast

You board a small boat at Santa Maria di Leuca and spend three hours swimming in sea caves on both sides of Salento's southern point, with snorkel gear, life jackets, and an aperitif included. The boat holds only 12 people and has shade, cushions, and a shower on board. You return to the same marina by early afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour of Santa Maria di Leuca caves

• Meet captain at Leuca Tourist Port
• Board comfortable 9m boat
• Sail along Santa Maria di Leuca coast
• Use provided snorkel equipment
• Swim in Adriatic caves
• Swim in Ionian caves
• Stop and swim at Grotta del Soffio
• Swim in three-creek cave on Ionian side
• Pass by coastal village villas
• Pass by Monumental Waterfall
• Pass by Santa Maria di Leuca Lighthouse
• Visit Punta Ristola promontory
• Visit Punta Meliso resort
• Return to port

The experience

You board at the Marina of Santa Maria di Leuca, where Captain Mino greets you on a 9-meter boat built for comfort: wide solarium, cushioned seating, a tent for shade when you need it. The boat holds a maximum of 12 people, which means no crowding, no shouting over a hundred voices. Once everyone's settled, you push off toward the caves that line both the Adriatic and Ionian sides of this southern tip of Puglia.

The three-hour boat tour takes you past limestone cliffs carved into dozens of sea caves, each one named and each one worth stopping for. On the Adriatic side you'll see Terradico, Gabbiano, Verdusella, and the Cathedral cave, so called because of how the light falls inside. The Ionian side has its own collection: Devil's Cave, Three Doors Cave, Giants' Cave, and others with names that stick with you. You stop near Grotta del Soffio, the Breath Cave, and swim inside it. The water is clear enough to see the rock formations below. Snorkel gear is provided, and life jackets too if you want them. The crew hands you fins and a mask, and you slip into water that feels colder and cleaner than you expected.

Between the caves, you pass the Monumental Waterfall carved entirely into rock (the end point of the Apulian aqueduct), and the lighthouse at Punta Meliso, which stands 47 meters high and is one of Europe's tallest. The boat slows near Punta Ristola, a rocky point that catches the light differently depending on the hour. All of this happens while you're sitting down, aperitif in hand, with a hand shower on board if you want to rinse off salt water. The boat returns to the same pier where you started, and the whole thing takes three hours flat.

What’s included

• Your three-hour boat tour includes pickup at the Marina of Santa Maria di Leuca, snorkel masks and fins, life jackets on request, an aperitif served on board, and a hand shower to rinse off.
• The boat has a large solarium area with cushions, a shade tent, a music system, and a minibar.
• Swimming stops are made at multiple caves on both the Adriatic and Ionian sides.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 14:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (30 to 80 years) · Senior (81 and older) · Youth (11 to 29 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 12

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 effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Leuca Explorer

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the caves and swim without arranging your own boat or timing multiple stops. The fixed three-hour loop handles the route, the stops, and the gear, and the small group size means you're not jostling for space or waiting for others to finish.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 29 years); Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3): free.

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 caves do you visit on this boat tour?

The Adriatic side includes Terradico, Gabbiano, Verdusella, Ortocupo, Vora, Breath, and Cathedral caves. The Ionian side has Devil's Cave, Three Doors, Giants' Cave, Nativity Scene, Stable, Lovers' Cave, and Dragon's Cave, among others.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Masks, mouthpieces, and fins are provided. Life jackets are available on request for both adults and children.

How many people go on the boat?

Maximum 12 passengers per trip, which keeps the boat uncrowded and allows for comfortable movement.

What's included in the price?

The three-hour tour, snorkel equipment, life jackets if needed, and an aperitif on board.

Can you swim in the caves?

Yes. You stop near Grotta del Soffio and other caves where you can swim and snorkel in the water.

Is the boat accessible for people with mobility issues?

Yes. The boat and all areas are wheelchair accessible, and infants can sit on an adult's lap.

What time does the tour depart?

The tour departs from the Marina of Santa Maria di Leuca. Specific departure times are available when you book.

What if I don't want to swim?

You can stay on board and enjoy the views, the shade tent, cushions, and the aperitif while others swim.