Snorkeling in Ortigia: Sea caves and swim stops

Dive into the caves where the water changes color

A 2-hour boat tour from Syracuse takes you around Ortigia island and into sea caves, with stops to snorkel in clear water and a skipper who speaks English or Italian. The boat holds a maximum of 12 people. Tours run subject to favorable weather. If conditions cancel the trip, you get a full refund or can reschedule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour around Ortigia and swim

• Discover Syracuse coast and Ortigia
• Admire sea caves and marine flora
• Stop for swim in crystal-clear waters
• Sail along island perimeter
• Admire majestic palaces from boat

The experience

Ortigia sits at the heart of Syracuse, and this tour approaches it from the water: the angle that shows the island's palaces and the Maniace Castle as they rise from the sea. The boat takes you along the perimeter, then into sea caves where the marine growth gives the water colors you won't see from land. You're on a small boat with up to 11 others, which means the skipper can navigate into spaces a larger vessel can't reach.

The tour includes a stop where you slip into the water to snorkel in the Sicilian sea. Snorkel masks and life jackets are on board. If you want to bring your own pipe, you can choose that option at checkout. The water is clear enough that you'll see what's below. The whole outing runs 2 hours, so it fits into a morning or an afternoon without consuming your whole day.

Weather decides whether the tour runs: if conditions turn, you get a full refund or the chance to reschedule for another day. The skipper speaks English or Italian, so you'll get the story of what you're seeing as you go.

What’s included

• Snorkel masks.
• life jackets.
• fuel and skipper.
• a stop to swim in the sea.
• entry to the sea caves around Ortigia.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00, 12:30 and 15:00Last departure this season: 31 Mar 2027

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Youth (11 to 12 years) · Child (7 to 10 years) · Infant (under 7): free

GroupUp to 45

Live guideEnglish and Italian

Audio guideSpanish, French and German

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 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sicily in Travel

Is this one for you?You operate the snorkel gear yourself in the water, so this suits anyone comfortable swimming and diving on their own, not a guided underwater tour, but a boat trip where you explore the water during the stop. The small group of up to 12 means the skipper can find the best caves and clearest spots without the constraints of a larger vessel.

Traveler reviews

4.45★★★★★★★★★★

94 verified traveler reviews

5 ★62

4 ★17

3 ★12

2 ★1

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 12 years); Child (7 to 10 years); Infant (under 7): 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's the Maniace Castle, and do we get close to it on the boat?

The Maniace Castle is a fortress that overlooks Ortigia from the water. The tour sails along the perimeter of the island so you can see it rise from the sea, though the boat doesn't dock at the castle itself.

Is the snorkeling stop long enough to actually see something underwater?

The tour includes a dedicated stop where you have time to dive in and explore the clear water around you. It's not a quick dip, but a real pause built into the 2-hour itinerary.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day I book?

The tour runs only in favorable conditions. If weather forces a cancellation, you receive a full refund or can reschedule for another date at no extra cost.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear, or is it provided?

Snorkel masks are included on the boat. Life jackets are also on board. You can add your own snorkel pipe as an option at checkout if you prefer your own equipment.

How many people will be on the boat with me?

The boat holds a maximum of 12 people total, so your group will stay small enough that the skipper can navigate into the sea caves and find good snorkeling spots.