Scilla boat tour: Swim Chianalea and Castello Ruffo

Sail past clifftop ruins and swim in coves only reachable by boat

A two-hour boat tour from Scilla along the Calabrian coast visits Chianalea, Castello Ruffo and Marina Grande, with stops to swim and snorkel in colored seabeds. The boat departs from Scilla's port, passes under a sea cliff stacked with medieval ruins, and reaches a submerged cave at the Strait of Messina entrance where you can dive into a sheltered inlet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Two-hour boat tour along Scilla coast

• Depart from Scilla port
• Visit Chianalea, Venice of the South
• Pass under Castello Ruffo cliff
• See Marina Grande and Sirene beach
• Stop at Saracen tower and submerged cave
• Swim in the inlet
• Free time and commute between sights

Stops and time spent at each 4 stops

1. Chianalea di Scilla 30m
2. Castello Ruffo di Scilla 20m
3. Spiaggia Di Scilla 20m
4. Torre Saracena 30m

What’s included

• Two-hour guided boat tour with live commentary in English or Italian.
• stops to swim and snorkel at Chianalea, Castello Ruffo, Marina Grande and a submerged cave.
• deck shower with hot water.
• onboard wifi.

Times

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• Every day 10:30 14:30 16:30 18:30

Information

Two-hour boat tour along the Calabrian coast from Scilla with stops to swim at Chianalea, Castello Ruffo and a submerged cave.

Group Up to 42

Live guide English and Italian

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. See the exact address

Book up to the start time

Ages Adult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free 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.

Good to know

Low physical effort Not recommended with heart problems Not recommended with back problems

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

3.67 ★★★★★ 9 verified traveler reviews

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The experience

The boat leaves Scilla's port and heads north along the coast, skirting Chianalea: the neighborhood locals call the Venice of the South because its houses sit directly on the water. From the boat you see the scale of the place: narrow buildings stacked against the shoreline, laundry strung between windows, the whole village built into the rock. The route then passes under Castello Ruffo, a medieval stack that rises sheer from the sea, and continues to Marina Grande, where the Sirene beach spreads across the water below cliffs.

Swimming happens at two stops. The first is a Saracen tower and submerged cave near the Strait of Messina, where the water is shallow enough to see the seafloor and the inlet is sheltered enough to linger. The second is wherever the guide finds clear water and calm conditions on the day you go: the tour builds in time to move between attractions and float in the places that look best. A deck shower with hot water lets you rinse off salt water before the return to port.

The tour runs in English or Italian with a live guide. Wifi is available on board. The two-hour window is tight enough that you can fit it into a morning or afternoon without reshaping the rest of your day in Calabria.

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 Chianalea and why is it called the Venice of the South?

Chianalea is a fishing village on the Calabrian coast where the houses are built directly onto the water's edge, creating the appearance of a miniature Venice. You see it from the boat as you pass along the shoreline.

Can I swim during the boat tour, or is it just sightseeing from the deck?

You can swim at two stops: once at a submerged cave and Saracen tower near the Strait of Messina, and again during free time as the boat moves between attractions. The guide chooses the second location based on water conditions on the day of your tour.

What is Castello Ruffo and what will I see there?

Castello Ruffo is a medieval stack, a tall rock formation, that rises directly from the sea along the Calabrian coast. The boat passes under the cliff where the castle ruins stand, giving you a close view of the structure from the water.

Is there a bathroom on the boat?

Yes, a bathroom is available on board during the tour.

What should I bring for swimming during the tour?

Bring a swimsuit and a towel. A deck shower with hot water is available on board to rinse off after swimming, and there is onboard wifi if you need to stay connected.

Operated by Seaside Tour In Barca. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago