Taormina Sailing Tour: Snorkeling & Wine Aperitif from Giardini Naxos

Sail past Isola Bella and taste the coast the way locals do

You sail from Giardini Naxos past Isola Bella and Grotta Azzurra with time to snorkel independently at two stops. A skipper explains the basics of sailing while you're underway. You get snorkeling gear, a Sicilian aperitif with local white wine, and views of Mount Etna and Taormina from the water. The whole outing runs three hours, in a small group, with the option to swap the aperitif for a light lunch if you choose the midday slot.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sailing and swimming around Taormina Bay

• Depart from Giardini Naxos
• Stop at Bay of Isola Bella for swim and snorkel
• Admire Grotta Azzurra from a distance
• Stop at Bay of Villagonia for views and aperitif
• Option to have light lunch onboard
• Return passing San Domenico Palace

The experience

There's something about being on the water that makes you want to pay attention. The sailboat leaves Giardini Naxos and within minutes you're past the harbor noise, and the whole bay opens up. Your skipper handles the boat while explaining how the sails work. Nothing complicated, just the rhythm of it. The first stop is Isola Bella, that small island you've probably seen in photos, lush and protected as a nature reserve since 1990. You get masks and snorkels and time to drift over the sea bottom on your own, watching whatever moves down there. The group stays small, which means nobody's fighting for space or waiting around.

The Grotta Azzurra slides past next. You see it from a distance, that famous blue light playing inside the cave, and your skipper points out what makes it glow that way. Then you're heading toward the Bay of Villagonia, and this is where the sailing tour shifts. Mount Etna shows up on the horizon, Taormina climbs the hillside behind it, and Castelmola sits even higher. The boat slows and anchors, and someone brings out a wooden board with cold cuts, cheese, bread, and seasonal fruit: all local, all preserved the way they do it here. A glass of white wine from Emilio Sciacca's vineyard goes with it, and you're sitting on a sailboat in the middle of the Mediterranean doing exactly this. If you book the 12:45 PM slot instead, you get a light lunch rather than just the aperitif, which changes the whole rhythm of the afternoon.

On the way back to Giardini Naxos, you pass the San Domenico Palace: the Four Seasons hotel that got famous because of White Lotus if you watched that. The boat brings you back to where you started, and you've been out about three hours. You'll need to arrange your own way to the molo (the pier) (taxis run from town, and it's not far), but once you're there, the rest is handled. Bring your ID. The coast guard checks occasionally. If anything changes with your plans, you have to call ahead so they can reach you quickly.

What’s included

• Snorkeling masks and snorkels for independent exploration at Isola Bella and other stops.
• A rustic aperitif made with typical Sicilian products (cured meats, cheese, bread, and fresh seasonal fruit) served on board.
• Local white wine from Emilio Sciacca's vineyard.
• Alternatively, if you book the 12:45 PM. 15:45 PM slot, a light lunch replaces the aperitif.
• Skipper's explanation of sailing basics during the tour.
• Views of Grotta Azzurra, Mount Etna, Taormina, Castelmola, and the San Domenico Palace from the water.

Options for this experience

5 options

Guide in English or ItalianAvailable from 1 Jun 2027

Guide in English or ItalianAvailable from 11 Mar 2027

Guide in English or ItalianAvailable from 1 Jun 2027

See 2 more options

Guide in English or ItalianAvailable from 28 Aug 2027

Guide in English or ItalianAvailable from 28 Aug 2027

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 11 Mar 2027

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Departure point in front of the "Molo Portum" Infopoint in Giardini Naxos, opposite to the BancoBPM.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Fontanedilava

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to snorkel and taste the coast without arranging a boat or worrying about timing. The skipper handles the sailing and the stops are built around the swimming. Plan for three hours on the water and a short taxi ride to the pier beforehand. That's what keeps the group small and the pace relaxed.

Traveler reviews

4.61★★★★★★★★★★

153 verified traveler reviews

5 ★124

4 ★15

3 ★5

2 ★2

1 ★7

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

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 24h before the start.

What time does the sailing tour leave Giardini Naxos?

Departure times vary by season and booking slot. Morning and afternoon options are available, with a 12:45 PM. 15:45 PM slot that includes a light lunch instead of an aperitif. Contact the operator for current schedules, as times may shift after mid-September.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are provided, and you snorkel independently at Isola Bella and other stops during the tour.

What's included in the aperitif?

Local Sicilian products: cured meats, cheese, bread, fresh seasonal fruit, and white wine from Emilio Sciacca's vineyard.

Can I book the lunch option instead of the aperitif?

Yes. If you book the 12:45 PM, 15:45 PM time slot, you get a light lunch on board instead of the aperitif.

Do I need to arrange transport to the pier?

Yes. Transport to Giardini Naxos pier is not included. Taxis are available from Taormina town, and the pier is a short ride away.

How long is the tour?

Approximately three hours on the water, depending on conditions and the time slot you choose.

What should I bring?

A valid ID document (required for coast guard checks). Bring a towel, sunscreen, and a light layer if you're sensitive to wind on the water.

Is this tour suitable for pregnant travelers?

No. The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers.

What's the group size?

Small groups. The exact number varies, but the boat is kept intentionally small to avoid crowding at snorkeling stops.

What if I need to change my booking?

You must contact the operator directly as soon as possible. Provide a direct phone number at booking so they can reach you quickly about any changes.