Snorkeling in Palermo: Capo Gallo and Mondello

Four snorkeling stops and a sea cave on the Palermo coast in one day

A full-day snorkeling tour from Palermo's Cala port visits Capo Gallo Nature Reserve, Mondello Beach, Addaura and a hidden cove, with four separate swimming and snorkeling stops, a lunch break in the seaside village of Mondello, and a visit to the Queen's Cave. The boat holds a maximum of 12 people and departs at 10 a.m., returning around 6 p.m. The skipper adjusts the route daily based on wind and sea conditions to ensure the best snorkeling and swimming.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Mondello Beach1h
2. Capo Gallo Nature Reserve1h

Boat tour of Palermo coast and Mondello

• Start tour from Cala di Palermo port
• Swim and snorkel in first cove
• Swim and snorkel at Addaura beach
• Swim and snorkel at Mondello beach
• Visit Mondello village and have lunch
• Swim and snorkel at Capo Gallo Nature Reserve
• Swim and snorkel at Sferracavallo cove
• Visit Queen's cave near end of tour

The experience

The boat leaves Cala di Palermo at 10 a.m. and heads out along the coast, stopping first at a cove with golden sand and turquoise water where you'll snorkel among small fish. The second stop is Addaura Beach, where natural inlets and a populated reef make for a different snorkeling experience. By midday you reach Mondello, the most famous beach in Sicily. You'll anchor there, swim and snorkel, then have time to walk the village and eat lunch at a local restaurant before heading back out.

The afternoon takes you to Capo Gallo Nature Reserve, where crystal-clear water and abundant fish make up another snorkeling stop, followed by Sferracavallo, a hidden cove tucked beneath cliffs. The final stop is the Queen's Cave, a sea cave where Queen Carolina of Austria once bathed during her time in Palermo. The boat itself (a 10-meter dinghy with a canopy covering three-quarters of the deck) keeps you shaded between swims. A local guide leads the tour in English or Italian, and the skipper reads the daily wind to pick whichever route offers the calmest, clearest water.

Soda, bottled water and all taxes are included. You bring your own snorkel gear or rent it separately. The tour runs in all weather, though bad conditions may trigger a cancellation with a full refund or alternative date. There's no hotel pickup. You make your own way to the Cala port in central Palermo.

What’s included

• Local guide in English or Italian.
• bottled water and soda.
• fuel surcharge.
• all taxes and fees.
• four snorkeling stops at Capo Gallo Nature Reserve, Mondello Beach, Addaura and Sferracavallo.
• a visit to the Queen's Cave.
• a lunch break in Mondello village.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Jul 2027

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Italian

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

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Mare and More

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to visit multiple reefs and caves in one day with a guide who reads the wind and adjusts stops accordingly. The small boat size means you're never crowded at any single site.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (under 4): 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 snorkeling like at Capo Gallo Nature Reserve?

Capo Gallo is a protected reserve where the water stays crystal clear and fish populations are dense, making it one of the most rewarding stops on the route. You'll snorkel there in the afternoon after the Mondello lunch break.

How much time do you actually spend snorkeling versus traveling?

The tour includes four separate snorkeling stops plus a lunch break in Mondello village, so most of the eight-hour day is in or near the water. The boat moves between sites but doesn't linger at any one place for more than a swim and snorkel session.

Can I bring my own snorkel gear or do I need to rent it?

You can bring your own snorkel equipment. The tour does not include gear rental, so if you don't have your own, you'll need to arrange that separately before boarding.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?

The tour operates in all weather and you should dress appropriately for conditions. If weather becomes severe enough to cancel, you'll be offered either an alternative date or a full refund.

Does the boat stop at Mondello long enough for a real lunch?

Yes, the boat docks at Mondello port in the afternoon, giving you time to walk through the seaside village and eat at one of the traditional local restaurants there before returning to the water for the final two snorkeling stops.

How many people will be on the boat?

The boat holds a maximum of 12 people, so the group stays small and the snorkeling stops don't feel crowded.