Private Boat Tour Isola Bella Giardini Naxos: Swim & Snack

Sail past sea caves and private beaches, then anchor to swim in the bay

A private boat tour departing from Giardini Naxos carries up to 8 people (or up to 32 with advance notice) along the Taormina coastline for 2 hours, with stops at Isola Bella nature reserve and swimming spots. The boat includes a snack of fresh fruit, almond paste and prosecco, and the captain provides commentary in English, Italian or Romanian as you pass sea caves, the Bay of Mazzaro and the Bay of Sirens. The tour can be extended to include lunch on board.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private boat tour around Taormina coast

• Depart from Giardini Naxos port
• Sail on the Mediterranean Sea
• Admire Isola Bella nature reserve
• Pass by La Grotta degli Innamorati and Grotta Azzura
• Observe coral colonies at La Grotta del Corallo
• View Bay of Mazzaro and Bay of Sirens
• Admire luxury hotels and private beaches
• Stop for swimming
• Enjoy snack with almond paste, fresh fruit, and prosecco

The experience

The boat departs from the port of Giardini Naxos and heads into the Mediterranean with music and the captain's explanations as your backdrop. You'll pass the Grotto of Love, the Blue Grotto and the Coral Grotto (where coral colonies are visible in the water), and sail along the Taormina coast past luxury hotels and private beaches that have no land access. Isola Bella nature reserve appears as the tour's centerpiece, a protected island you approach by water alone.

The tour stops for a swim in one of the bays, and the crew brings out fresh fruit, prosecco and almond paste, a local almond-based dessert, while you're in the water or back on board. If your group wants more time, you can extend the tour and order lunch served on the boat instead of the snack. The Bay of Sirens, Atlantis Bay and the dramatic Cape of Taormina round out the route, each one visible only from the water.

The price covers the whole boat for 2 hours, so a group of friends, family or a celebration (anniversary, birthday, bachelorette party) splits one cost. Children can ride in a stroller if needed, and service animals are welcome on board. If your group is larger than 8, contact the operator to add capacity up to 32 people.

What’s included

• Fresh fruit, prosecco and almond paste snack.
• bottled water.
• live captain commentary in English, Italian or Romanian.
• one swim stop in a bay along the route.
• music on board.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Apr 2027

Book up to2h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Italian and Romanian

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 today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Kristal Boat

Is this one for you?The boat departs on a fixed 2-hour schedule with a swim stop built in, so you're in the water and back on deck without deciding the pace yourself: good for groups who want a celebration or a break from planning, and for anyone who'd rather float and eat than navigate a beach.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Italian and Romanian.

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 exactly is Isola Bella and why is it part of this tour?

Isola Bella is a nature reserve island off the Taormina coast that can only be reached by boat. The tour sails around and past it as the centerpiece of the route, giving you views of the protected landscape and the sea caves nearby.

Do we actually get in the water, or is this just a sightseeing boat ride?

The tour includes a swim stop in one of the bays along the route. You can swim in the water, sunbathe on deck or relax in the shade while the crew serves the snack and drinks on board.

What's included in the snack, and can we get a meal instead?

The 2-hour tour includes fresh fruit, prosecco and almond paste, a local almond-based dessert. If you extend the tour beyond 2 hours, you can order lunch on the boat instead of the snack.

How many people can fit on the boat, and what's the price for a larger group?

The standard tour price covers the whole boat for up to 8 people for 2 hours. Groups larger than 8 can be accommodated up to 32 people. Contact the operator to arrange capacity and pricing for your group size.

Can we bring small children or babies on the boat?

Yes, infants and small children can ride on board. Babies must sit on an adult's lap, and strollers or prams are welcome if you need them.