Paddle Boarding Tour: Bagni Regina Giovanna Roman Ruins

Paddle to a Roman villa hidden inside a cliff

A small-group paddle boarding tour from Marina Grande in Sorrento to Bagni della Regina Giovanna, where you paddle to a Roman villa dating back to 41–54 AD, swim in a natural heart-shaped pool with emerald water, and explore the ruins on foot. A certified instructor leads the tour in English, Spanish or Italian, and the whole experience takes about two hours. Equipment, life jacket, bottled water and a shower are included.

The experience

The tour starts at Marina Grande with a short safety and technique lesson before you push off on a rigid paddle board. From there you paddle toward Punta del Capo, where the Roman villa of Pollio Felice emerges from the cliff face: also known as Bagni della Regina Giovanna. The villa dates to the 1st century AD and sits partly submerged, its opus reticulatum walls and mosaic fragments still visible after nearly two thousand years. You reach it by paddling through a small opening in the rock.

Once you arrive, you can swim in the natural heart-shaped pool, which fills with emerald-green seawater. The ruins sprawl across the site: frescoes, mosaics, and the bones of rooms where Roman guests once bathed. You have time to explore freely, take photographs, and move between the water and the ancient stonework without a fixed schedule pushing you along. A certified instructor stays with the group throughout.

The paddle back to Marina Grande is leisurely, following the same route. You return to the starting point, rinse off with a shower, and store your gear in a locker. The whole outing runs about two hours. Rigid boards, life jackets, bottled water and dry bags are provided. You bring a valid ID and a willingness to paddle at an easy pace.

What’s included

• Rigid paddle board.
• life jacket.
• certified instructor in English, Spanish or Italian.
• bottled water.
• dry bag.
• locker for personal items.
• shower after the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:00 and 14:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish 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 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Sorrento SUP - Paddle board & Kayak experience

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, Spanish or Italian, so you follow the commentary comfortably in your language. Small groups stay under a dozen people, which means the instructor can adjust the pace and answer questions without rushing anyone along.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish 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 Bagni della Regina Giovanna and why is it worth paddling to?

Bagni della Regina Giovanna is a Roman villa built between 41 and 54 AD on the Sorrento coast, famous for a natural heart-shaped pool filled with emerald-green seawater. The ruins include opus reticulatum walls, mosaics, and frescoes that blend with the wild cliff landscape, and you can swim in the pool and walk through the site freely once you arrive by paddle board.

Do I need paddle boarding experience to join this tour?

No. The tour is designed for all skill levels, from first-timers to experienced paddlers. A certified instructor gives a safety and technique lesson before you leave Marina Grande, and the pace is leisurely throughout.

What's included in the paddle boarding tour?

The tour includes a rigid paddle board, life jacket, certified instructor, bottled water, a dry bag, a locker for your belongings, and a shower at the end. You do not need to bring or rent equipment separately.

How long does the paddle boarding tour take?

The tour takes about two hours from start to finish, including the safety lesson, the paddle out to the Roman villa, time to swim and explore the ruins, and the return paddle to Marina Grande.

Can I swim at Bagni della Regina Giovanna during the tour?

Yes. Once you reach the site, you can swim freely in the heart-shaped pool and the surrounding water. The tour includes time for swimming and exploring the ruins without a fixed schedule.