Taormina & Giardini Naxos: Boat Tour with Caves, Isola Bella & Aperitif

Summary

Swim below Taormina cliffs taste prosecco by Isola Bella

You’ll cruise along Taormina & Giardini Naxos coastlines, slip into hidden sea caves, swim in emerald waters by Isola Bella, and snack on almond pastries with prosecco—all with stories from a local guide. Expect laughter, Sicilian sun on your face, and maybe one memory that lingers longer than you expect.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the color—the sea near Giardini Naxos isn’t just blue, it’s this weird, shifting green that almost glows under the boat. Our guide, Salvo (he had sunglasses and that easy Sicilian smile), pointed out Elephant Rock before I even realized what I was looking at. He laughed when I squinted—“It’s better from the water,” he said. He was right. The rock really does look like an elephant if you tilt your head a bit.

I didn’t expect to care about the caves so much, but when we drifted into the Blue Cave and the Coral Grotto, it got quiet except for water slapping against stone. The air felt cooler in there—almost damp—and you could smell salt and something earthy. Salvo told us a quick story about the Cave of Love (I probably missed half of it because I was distracted by how green everything looked). There’s something about being inside a cave on a boat that makes you whisper, even if you’re not sure why.

We stopped for a swim at the Bay of Sirens—twenty minutes goes fast when you’re floating in emerald water with Taormina rising above you. Some people jumped right in; I hesitated (cold!), but then someone handed me a glass of prosecco and an almond pastry and suddenly it felt less intimidating. The pastries were crumbly and sweet—apparently they’re a local thing here. I tried to say “grazie” properly but probably butchered it; Salvo just grinned.

The whole boat tour from Giardini Naxos felt like it moved at its own pace—not rushed, not slow either. We passed Isola Bella (tiny but dramatic) and Capo Taormina where there’s this hotel built right into the rock—looked fancy, but honestly I liked our spot on the water better. Even now I still think about how the sunlight bounced off those cliffs as we headed back, everyone wrapped in towels and a little salty from swimming. It’s hard to explain why that sticks with me more than any postcard view.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Boat tour of Taormina and Giardini Naxos

• Depart from Giardini Naxos
• Visit Giardini Naxos bay
• Pass Scoglio della Croce Taormina
• Pass Cave of Love
• Pass Emerald Grotto and Coral Grotto
• Pass Beautiful South Island
• Pass Blue Cave
• Pass Elephant Rock
• Stop for swimming at Bay of Sirens
• Pass Capo Taormina hotel on rock
• Enjoy aperitif on board

Top questions

How long is the Taormina & Giardini Naxos boat tour?

The boat tour lasts about two hours from departure to return.

Is there time to swim during the boat excursion?

Yes, there’s a twenty-minute stop for swimming at the Bay of Sirens.

What snacks or drinks are included on board?

The tour includes an aperitif with prosecco and local almond pastries.

Are guides local to Taormina or Giardini Naxos?

Yes, guides are locals who share stories about the coastline and caves.

Is this boat tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

Can infants or small children join this boat trip?

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during the tour.

What sights do you see on this day trip?

You’ll see Isola Bella, Elephant Rock, Blue Cave, Coral Grotto, Capo Taormina hotel on the rocks, and more coves along both coasts.

Does this day trip include pickup?

The tour includes pickup options for guests nearby.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup options nearby Giardini Naxos or Taormina ports, two hours cruising with explanations from a local guide, stops at sea caves like Blue Cave and Coral Grotto plus Elephant Rock views; you’ll get an aperitif of prosecco served with crumbly almond pastries before returning to shore—all wheelchair accessible too.