Sorrento: Kayak Tour to Bagni Regina Giovanna & Roman Villa

Summary

Kayak Sorrento’s coast to ancient pools & Roman villa ruins at sunset

You’ll kayak along Sorrento’s coast with a local guide, slip through rocky passages into the emerald pool at Bagni Regina Giovanna, swim beneath ancient Roman ruins, and share laughs with fellow travelers as sunset colors spill across the water. This small-group adventure brings history close enough to touch—and leaves you with salt on your skin and stories in your pocket.

What’s the experience like?

“If you fall in, just laugh — the water’s clean enough to drink,” our guide Marco grinned as he handed me a paddle. I’d never kayaked before, but somehow his lopsided smile made it feel like less of a big deal. We set out from Sorrento’s little harbor, salt already sticking to my arms. The sea was that deep blue you see in postcards but never expect to find for real. There were only eight of us — couples, a family with a chatty kid who kept asking about jellyfish, and me, solo but not really alone.

The rhythm of paddling is weirdly soothing. You hear the slap of water against plastic and sometimes the distant echo of scooters back in town. Marco pointed out where the cliffs drop straight into the sea, little caves where fishermen hide from storms. And then suddenly we slid through this narrow gap in the rocks — I scraped my paddle and winced — and there it was: Bagni della Regina Giovanna. The natural pool looked almost green under the late sun, ringed by crumbling stone walls from some Roman villa. The air smelled sharp and mineral, like wet limestone and old stories.

I jumped in (cold at first!) and floated on my back staring up at what’s left of Pollio Felice’s villa — arches tangled with wildflowers, graffiti from who knows when. Marco told us Queen Giovanna used to swim here too, centuries ago. Maybe she liked that feeling of being hidden away from everything else? I tried saying “Bagni della Regina Giovanna” properly; Li laughed when I butchered it in Italian. We took turns posing for photos (they send them for free later), but honestly I mostly remember how quiet it got for a minute — just water lapping and someone giggling softly nearby.

Paddling back toward Sorrento as the sky went pink-orange felt slower; arms tired but mind kind of buzzing. I still think about that view over my shoulder — ruins glowing gold behind us, sea stretching out forever. It wasn’t perfect paddling or anything fancy… just good company and that strange sense you get sometimes that you’re exactly where you should be.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kayak tour to Bagni Regina Giovanna

• Receive introductory kayaking lesson
• Kayak along Sorrento coastline
• Explore Roman villa ruins by kayak
• Enter and swim in natural pool
• Take photos of ancient mosaics and frescoes
• Enjoy sunset views from kayak

Top questions

Is this Sorrento kayak tour suitable for beginners?

Yes, no kayaking experience or swimming skills are required—guides give an intro lesson before starting.

How long is the kayak tour from Sorrento to Bagni Regina Giovanna?

The guided tour lasts about 2 hours along the Sorrento coast.

What do I need to bring for this kayak trip?

Everything needed is provided: kayak, paddle, life jacket, dry bag, waterproof phone case—just wear comfortable clothes.

Are there showers or changing rooms available after kayaking?

Yes, access to hot showers and changing areas is included after your tour.

Can children join this kayak tour?

Yes—infants sit on an adult’s lap (with special seats available), so families are welcome.

Is swimming required during the tour?

No—you don’t have to swim if you don’t want to; swimming is optional at Bagni della Regina Giovanna.

Are professional photos included in this experience?

Yes—free HD photos and videos are taken during your tour and sent afterward.

What’s included

Your day includes use of a kayak with paddle and life vest (PFD), an introductory lesson from certified bilingual guides (English/Italian), waterproof phone cases plus dry bags for your things, bottled water for after paddling, free HD photos and videos from the experience itself—and when you’re done exploring Bagni Regina Giovanna by kayak, you can use hot showers and changing facilities before heading back into Sorrento’s lively streets.