Tropea & Capo Vaticano: Small Group Boat Tour, Snorkeling & Aperitif

Summary

Swim ancient caves snorkel Roman ruins taste Calabria’s sea

You’ll swim through hidden caves along Calabria’s Coast of the Gods, snorkel above ancient Roman ruins near Tropea, and share an easygoing aperitif with local wine as you drift beneath dramatic cliffs. With a small group and expert skipper guiding you to places you’d never find alone, this day trip leaves room for laughter—and maybe even tasting fresh sea urchin if you’re brave.

What’s the experience like?

“You want to try?” our skipper grinned, holding out a spiny sea urchin he’d just cracked open. I hesitated—raw seafood isn’t usually my thing—but everyone else was already laughing and passing around little spoons. We were anchored somewhere between Tropea and Capo Vaticano, the water so clear you could see every ripple of sand below. The sun was sharp but not harsh, and honestly I’d lost track of time after our first swim near the old Roman port—Forum Erculis, I think he called it. The ruins are just… right there under you, with fish darting in and out. It’s strange how quiet it gets when you put your face in the water; all you hear is your own breath and sometimes someone giggling through their snorkel.

I didn’t expect the Pirate Lagoon to be so bright—the cliffs are white as chalk and there’s this echo when someone shouts from the boat. Our group was small (maybe eight people?), so nobody felt crowded or rushed. At one point we floated into Skeleton Cave, which sounds creepy but it’s just cool inside, with light bouncing off the walls in weird patterns. Someone tried to say “Praja di Fuoco” like our guide did—total fail, but he just laughed and poured more wine for us later. The aperitif wasn’t fancy but tasted like something homemade: salty cheese, sweet little pastries, cold white wine that went down easy after swimming.

The last stop was under Tropea’s cliffs where those old houses look like they’re glued to the rock—kind of wild when you see them from the water. I caught myself staring up at Santa Maria dell’Isola Monastery while drying off in the sun; there was a breeze that smelled faintly of rosemary from somewhere inland. We lingered longer than planned because nobody really wanted to leave yet. I still think about that view sometimes—how blue everything looked from down below.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Boat tour from Tropea to Capo Vaticano

• Embark at Sea Sports jetty #1
• Snorkel at ancient Roman port Forum Erculis
• Swim in Skeleton Cave
• Snorkel in Pirate Lagoon and caves
• Visit Praja di Fuoco beach
• Swim in bay of Grotticelle
• Snorkel in natural canyon
• Enjoy aperitif on board at Tropea island bay
• Disembark at Sea Sports jetty #1

Top questions

How long is the boat tour from Tropea to Capo Vaticano?

The tour lasts about 3.5 hours from departure to return.

Is snorkeling equipment provided on this tour?

Yes, sanitized snorkeling gear including mask and tube is included for everyone.

Are drinks or food included during the trip?

A light aperitif with local specialties, wine, soft drinks, and bottled water is served on board.

How many people are on each boat tour?

The group size ranges from 6 to 12 people maximum (plus one infant allowed).

Can children join this day trip from Tropea?

Yes, children of all ages can join; infants may ride in a pram or stroller.

What are some highlights of this day trip?

You’ll swim in caves like Skeleton Cave, snorkel at Forum Erculis Roman ruins, visit Pirate Lagoon and Praja di Fuoco beach.

Where does the boat depart from in Tropea?

The starting point is Sea Sports Offices on jetty #1 in Tropea marina.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup at Tropea marina’s jetty #1, all snorkeling equipment (with sanitized mask and tube), life jackets for everyone onboard—even kids—plus a light aperitif featuring local wine and both sweet and savory Calabrian snacks along with bottled water and soft drinks before heading back ashore.