Taormina boat trip and Castelmola: caves and swimming

The boat carries you past the Blue Grotto and the Lovers' Grotto, then stops so you can swim in Isola Bella's turquoise water.

A full-day tour from Messina that combines a boat excursion along Taormina's rocky coast with a visit to the medieval hilltop village of Castelmola and the Messina Cathedral's astronomical clock. The boat trip includes stops for swimming at Isola Bella, passage through sea caves, and a refreshing aperitif with Sicilian products served on board. A live guide in English, Spanish or Italian leads the group; private transportation and an air-conditioned vehicle are included in pickup from Messina. You choose whether to add Isola Bella to the itinerary at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Taormina and nearby attractions

• Visit Taormina's ancient ruins and beaches
• Take a boat trip along Taormina coast
• Swim at Isola Bella island
• Visit medieval village Castelmola
• See Messina Cathedral and bell tower

The Experience

Taormina sits on Sicily's eastern coast and the boat trip is the heart of this tour. You'll travel by water past a succession of small beaches, bays and sea caves carved into the rocky walls—the Blue Grotto, the Lovers' Grotto and others mark the stretch between Taormina and Giardini Naxos. The boat heads toward Isola Bella, a nature reserve reached by a thin strip of sand at the foot of Taormina, where you stop to swim in the crystalline turquoise water and see the Grotta dell'Amore. On the return, the boat passes the Bay of Mazzarò and the Bay of the Sirens, where you can see the long beach of Letojanni and the hotels that line the coast.

Back on board, you're welcomed with a refreshing aperitif and typical Sicilian products while the boat returns to the starting point. After the water excursion, the tour moves inland to Castelmola, a small medieval village defined as one of the most beautiful in Italy, perched above the coast. The guide—who also drives—handles all transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, and bottled water and WiFi are available throughout the day.

If time remains when you return to Messina, the driver takes you to the Cathedral of Messina near the cruise port. The bell tower there holds the largest and most complex astronomical and astrological clock in the world, a working mechanism that has tracked time and celestial movements since its construction. The tour runs 6 to 7 hours total.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Messina with an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a shared boat excursion along the Taormina coast with stops for swimming.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• WiFi on board.
• a refreshing aperitif with typical Sicilian products served during the boat return.
• a live guide in English, Spanish or Italian who also drives.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Private transfer sicily

Is this one for you?Choose the version with Isola Bella if swimming is part of your day; without it, you'll spend more time on Castelmola and coastal views instead.

Top questions

What exactly is the boat trip like on this tour?

The boat excursion travels along Taormina's coast past sea caves including the Blue Grotto and the Lovers' Grotto, then stops at Isola Bella so you can swim in turquoise water and see the Grotta dell'Amore. On the return journey, the boat passes the Bay of Mazzarò and the Bay of the Sirens, where you see the hotels and beaches of Letojanni. The whole boat portion includes a refreshing aperitif and Sicilian products served on board.

Is Isola Bella included in every option, or do I choose?

Isola Bella is included in the Tour Taormina, Castelmola and Isola Bella option but not in the Tour Taormina Castelmola option—you pick which one suits your day when you book.

What is Castelmola and how much time do we spend there?

Castelmola is a small medieval village perched above the coast and recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. The itinerary includes a visit to the village, though the exact time spent there depends on the tour's overall pacing and the boat excursion schedule.

Does the tour stop at the Messina Cathedral clock?

The Cathedral of Messina and its astronomical bell tower are included if time remains at the end of the tour when you return to Messina. The bell tower holds the largest and most complex astronomical and astrological clock in the world and sits near the cruise port.

Is a guide included, and what languages do they speak?

A live guide is included and leads the tour in English, Spanish or Italian. The guide also acts as the driver, so transportation and narration come from the same person throughout the day.

What's included in the price and what do I need to arrange?

The tour includes private transportation from Messina, the shared boat excursion, bottled water, WiFi on board, and an air-conditioned vehicle. Pickup is included, so you don't arrange your own transport to the starting point. Tips are optional.