Taormina Bay private boat tour: Isola Bella, grottoes & swimming

Swim in sea caves and anchor off Isola Bella on your own boat

A private boat tour of Taormina Bay for up to a group of your choosing, with a live guide in English or Italian, visiting Isola Bella, the Blue Grotto, Mazzarò Bay and two sea caves over 3.5 hours. The boat is newly built (May 2025), equipped with snorkeling gear, restroom and WiFi. The skipper provides fresh fruit, snacks, drinks and champagne throughout the day, with time to swim in the bay's clear water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour of Taormina Bay

• Visit Giardini Naxos bay
• Explore Blue Grotto of Taormina
• Visit Mazzarò bay
• Pass by Cave of the Day and Cave of Love
• Admire Isola Bella and swim

The experience

Isola Bella anchors the route: you'll circle the island from the boat, hearing its history and local stories from your guide while taking in every angle of the rocky outcrop that rises from the Marine Park. The Blue Grotto sits just offshore, a small natural cavity carved into the rock face. Mazzarò Bay opens up a few meters away, a sheltered inlet where the water stays calm enough for swimming. The Cave of the Day and Cave of Love complete the stops: small sea caves you approach by water, each one a different pocket of the coastline.

The boat itself is the difference: newly built, designed for total privacy with your group alone on board. A restroom, WiFi, snorkeling equipment and a full spread of fresh fruit, snacks, champagne and cold drinks come as part of the day. Your skipper handles navigation and commentary, leaving you free to swim when the boat stops, to sip a glass of wine on deck, or simply to watch the shoreline pass. The 3.5-hour loop gives you time at each stop without feeling rushed.

You'll need your own way to the boat, there's no hotel pickup included, but public transportation runs nearby. Infants travel free on an adult's lap, and the tour suits all fitness levels since you're on the water the whole time, swimming only when you choose to.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• fresh fruit and snacks.
• bottled water, soda and champagne.
• background music.
• on-board restroom.
• WiFi.
• live guide commentary in English or Italian.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30 and 14:00

Book up to3h before

GroupPrivate

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 yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Giovanni

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Italian, so you'll follow the commentary comfortably in whichever language you choose. The boat is yours alone, meaning no schedule to sync with other groups and no waiting for strangers to board or swim.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English 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 the Blue Grotto of Taormina?

The Blue Grotto is a small natural cave set into the rock face of the Marine Park at Isola Bella, accessible only by boat. Your guide will bring you close enough to see inside the cavity carved by the sea.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes, the boat stops for swimming in the bay's clear water, and snorkeling equipment is provided. You swim when you want to. It's not mandatory.

What's included to eat and drink?

Fresh fruit, snacks, bottled water, soda and champagne are all provided throughout the 3.5 hours. You can also order a glass of wine to enjoy while swimming or on deck.

How do I get to the boat?

Hotel pickup is not included, but public transportation options are available near the departure point. You'll need to arrange your own way to meet the boat.

Is there a restroom on board?

Yes, a restroom is available throughout the tour, and WiFi is also provided if you need to stay connected.