Boat tour Sicily: Isola Bella, Blue Grotto, dolphins at sunset

Two hours on the water, from sea caves to the search for dolphins

A two-hour boat tour along eastern Sicily's coast, departing from the beach near Taormina and Naxos, with stops at Isola Bella, the Blue Grotto, and the Bay of Sirens. The captain navigates to spots where corals and colorful fish are visible, and the boat includes a swim stop at Isola Bella. A live guide speaks English or Italian. Sicilian desserts, Prosecco, water, tea and orange juice are served. The sunset departure is timed for dolphin-watching.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat excursion along Sicily coast

• Board boat at the beach
• Sail along eastern Sicily coast
• Admire corals and colorful fish
• Swim at Isola Bella
• Enjoy refreshments on board
• View Bay of Mazzaro and Bay of Sirens
• Admire hotels and Letojanni beach
• Search for dolphins at sunset

The experience

The boat leaves the beach and heads toward the Blue Grotto and the Grotto of Lovers, where you can see corals and fish in the shallows. The captain knows the spots where the water stays clear enough to watch the seabed, and he takes the boat close enough that the detail is visible without diving. From there the route moves to Isola Bella, where you swim and cool off. The boat waits while you're in the water.

After Isola Bella, the tour continues past the Bay of Mazzaro and the Bay of Sirens, where the long beach of Letojanni and the hotels along the shore come into view. The whole route takes two hours. Refreshments (Sicilian desserts, Prosecco, water, tea, orange juice) are served on board, and the guide points out what you're passing as you go.

The sunset departure is built around dolphin-watching. The boat stays out as the light changes, and the captain watches for the animals that sometimes move through these waters. Whether they appear or not, the return happens in time for the evening.

What’s included

• Sicilian desserts and Prosecco.
• water, tea and orange juice.
• a live guide in English or Italian.
• a swim stop at Isola Bella.
• views of the Blue Grotto, the Grotto of Lovers, the Bay of Mazzaro and the Bay of Sirens.

Options for this experience

3 options

Boat tour departing from the Blue Grotto and heading on to the Bay of MermaidsGuide in English or Italian · Available from 1 Mar 2027

Searching for dolphinsGuide in English or Italian · Available from 1 May 2027Duration: 2 hours. Aperitif with pizza and drinks, plus a boat trip to search for dolphins

Private boatGuide in English or Italian · Available from 1 Mar 2027Private boat: booking is exclusive, and you choose the number of participants, from 1 to 10 people. Duration: 2 hours. Dolcino and prosecco or another drink, on a private boat reserved exclusively for you: private tour

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Mar 2027

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Child (1 to 13 years)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Czech, Hungarian, Japanese, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Slovak and Swedish

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 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Mykonos Beach

Is this one for you?Choose the shared boat if you want the guide and the route without arranging a captain yourself. Pick the private boat option if your group wants the same stops and the same two hours without other passengers. The sunset departure is built for dolphin-watching, so book that timing if the search for them matters more than the hour of day.

Traveler reviews

4.95★★★★★★★★★★

40 verified traveler reviews

5 ★39

4 ★0

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years); Child (1 to 13 years).

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 can I see in the water on this boat tour near Taormina?

The Blue Grotto and the Grotto of Lovers are the main underwater attractions, where corals and colorful fish are visible in the shallows. The captain positions the boat so you can see the seabed clearly without entering the water.

Do I get to swim during the boat tour?

Yes, the tour includes a swim stop at Isola Bella, where you can cool off in the water while the boat waits for you.

What's included to eat and drink on the boat?

Sicilian desserts, Prosecco, water, tea and orange juice are served during the two-hour tour.

What time does the sunset dolphin-watching departure leave?

The sunset tour is timed for dolphin-watching in the evening hours, though the exact departure time depends on the season and the sunset time. Check with the operator for the specific schedule when you book.