Taormina Boat Tour — An Amazing Sicilian Excursion
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Sicily is the perfect example of why Italy is such an amazing destination: even after you’ve seen Italy’s famous sites, the country still finds ways to surprise you.
The largest island in the Mediterranean, Sicily lies just off the southern tip of Italy, across the Strait of Messina.
LIKE MOST OF THE REGIONS OF ITALY, SICILY HAS ITS OWN DISTINCT IDENTITY.
Sicilians take a lot of pride in their autonomy and historical ties to great civilizations like the Greeks and Romans.
The interior of the island is dominated by hilly terrain, sparse plains, and volcanic formations like the famed Mount Etna.
Driving across Sicily led us through the remote countryside dotted with occasional olive groves and wheat fields.
THE COASTLINE, BY CONTRAST, IS MUCH MORE INVITING.
The sandy beaches and azure waters look like something out of a postcard, while the stabilimenti, or private beach clubs, invite you to relax amidst these beaches’ natural beauty.
It’s no surprise, then, that experiencing Sicily by sea is my number one recommendation to exploring this part of Europe.
Cefalù is a fantastic beach town, but Taormina, nestled high above the beach, is an absolute stunner and a must for any visit to Sicily’s eastern coast.
AND THERE’S NO BETTER WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE STUNNING VIEWS AND CRYSTAL CLEAR WATERS OF TAORMINA THAN WITH A BOAT TOUR.
Here’s a rundown of my favorite Taormina boat tours and why you should add them to your itinerary.
Taormina Boat Tour — An Amazing Sicilian Excursion
My Recommended Taormina Boat Tour
⏰ Don’t have time to read the entire post? ⏰
THE TAORMINA BOAT TOUR THAT I WOULD RECOMMEND IS THE SMALL GROUP TAORMINA BOAT TOUR.
It’s an affordable 2-hour excursion that will show you the highlights of Taormina’s coastline and main attractions.
If you’re looking for other fantastic choices, skip ahead to the Best Taormina Boat Tours.
Highlights of a Taormina Boat Tour
A Taormina boat tour is the best way to see major attractions like the Isola Bella, Grotta Azzurra, and the dramatic coastal cliffs just below the town itself.
When the tide is low, a narrow path connects Isola Bella to the main beach.
Isola Bella is a small island that sits just below Taormina off the rocky shores of Mazzarò Beach.
The island is also known as The Pearl of the Ionian Sea, and when the tide is low, a narrow path connects it to the main beach.
The Grotta Azzurra, or Blue Grotto, is named for the unbelievably brilliant blue of its water.
THE GROTTA AZZURRA IS A SEA CAVE WITH STRIKINGLY BRIGHT BLUE WATERS.
It’s located near Isola Bella and is only accessible by boat.
In addition to these specific attractions, the general surroundings are beautiful, with countless coastal cliffs and dramatic rock formations.
How to Get from Taormina to the Giardini Naxos Cruise Port
THE TOWN OF TAORMINA SITS MORE THAN 200 METERS ABOVE THE BEACH.
This means that catching a boat tour will require a descent down to the Giardini Naxos port, where the majority of tours depart from.
The majority of boat tours depart from the Giardini Naxos port. The walk from Taormina can take more than an hour, so it’s a good idea to arrange a taxi or private car in advance.
The walk takes about an hour and fifteen minutes.
It can be an enjoyable stroll if you’re setting out in the morning when temperatures are cool.
If you’re setting out at midday, though, or if you don’t like the idea of walking down hills which can occasionally be rather steep, I would recommend taking a taxi or private car.
Best Time to Visit Taormina and Take a Boat Tour
THANKS TO THE HBO SHOW “THE WHITE LOTUS,” TAORMINA HAS BECOME VERY POPULAR DURING THE SUMMER SEASON FROM JUNE TO AUGUST.
September is perhaps the best time to visit Taormina - the weather is still hot during the days, but the crowds have disappeared.
As for a boat excursion, the best time of day depends on your own itinerary and your pace of travel.
Many boat tour companies offer a morning and afternoon departure time.
There are also special tours set to coincide with dusk and the setting sun.
What to Bring on a Taormina Boat Tour
I FIND IT’S BEST TO ALWAYS WEAR A SWIMSUIT, USUALLY UNDERNEATH A SUNDRESS, WHENEVER I TAKE A BOAT TOUR.
One of the amenities of a boat tour in Taormina is that the captain will often stop for a spell and allow passengers to hop into the water for some swimming or snorkeling.
Remember to pack a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses!
Most Taormina boat tours include complimentary snacks and, my personal favorite, prosecco.
Most tours include snacks and beverages, but I always like to have a bottle of water just in case we hit rough waves and I start to feel a bit seasick. 🤢
Here are the Best Taormina Boat Tours
Now that you know what to expect from a Taormina boat tour, how to get to the Giardini Naxos Port, and what to bring onboard, there’s only one question remaining.
WHICH SPECIFIC BOAT TOUR SHOULD YOU TAKE?
Here are the Best Taormina Boat Tours - the ones with optimal departure times and good price to value ratios, which have tons of rave reviews.
There’s sure to be one that’s a perfect fit for your itinerary, so read on below!
Small Group Taormina Boat Tour
I did this small group boat tour on my second afternoon in Taormina, and it was honestly the best way to escape the heat and crowds in town.
WE SAILED OUT FROM GIARDINI NAXOS, AND THE VIEWS OF TAORMINA’S COAST WERE ABSOLUTELY UNREAL.
The rugged coastline that encircles Taormina is the perfect backdrop for an afternoon on the water.
The boat took us past some incredible spots like the Grotta dell’Amore and Capo Taormina, but the highlight for me was swimming off Isola Bella.
The water was so clear, so cool, and I still can’t get over the tingly sensation on your skin after emerging from the super salty waters of the Mediterranean.
To top it off, we got to snack on Sicilian sweets and sip on Prosecco while relaxing by the swimming spot.
IT WAS THE PERFECT MIX OF ADVENTURE AND CHILL VIBES.
If you’re looking for a laid-back way to see the coastline and avoid the packed beaches, this is the way to go.
The White Lotus Boat Tour
Okay, if you’re a fan of the hit HBO show White Lotus, then this White Lotus Boat Tour is a must.
EVEN THOUGH I HAVEN’T DONE THIS ONE YET, I’M DEFINITELY BOOKING IT NEXT TIME.
You get to cruise around the same spots where they filmed the show, plus you’ll stop at some local highlights like the Grotta del Giorno and Baia delle Sirene.
They even give you time to swim and snorkel in the bay, which I highly recommend.
From what I’ve heard, the guides are super fun and the views are next level.
Taormina and Isola Bella Day Tour
If you want to pack in a full day of sightseeing, this Taormina and Isola Bella Day Tour is your tour.
It’s a fantastic excursion that also allows plenty of time for taking it easy, the perfect mix of exploring and relaxing.
The day starts with a bus ride into Taormina where you can wander through Corso Umberto, check out the Ancient Greek-Roman theater, and grab a coffee with views of Mount Etna in the background.
THEN, IT’S OFF TO ISOLA BELLA BY BOAT, WHERE YOU GET TO SEE BAIA DI NAXOS AND GROTTA AZZURRA ALONG THE WAY.
The tour moves at a nice pace, so you won’t feel rushed, and the guide will be able to fill you in on Taormina’s rich local history.
Semi-Submarine Tour to Isola Bella
This Semi-Submarine Tour to Isola Bella is for all the marine life lovers out there!
I HAVEN’T DONE THIS TOUR YET, BUT I SAW THIS RED SUBMARINE WHILE OUT ON MY OWN BOAT TOUR, AND I KNEW I WANTED TO LEARN MORE!
The bright red semi-submarine allows you to got an up close view of fish and other marine life.
On this tour, you’ll hop aboard a semi-submarine (yes, it’s as cool as it sounds), where you can watch the underwater fish and other marine life up close.
The water around Isola Bella is full of marine life – barracudas, octopuses, and maybe even a dolphin or two.
This tour is like going to an aquarium, but way better because you’re able to watch these species in their natural habitat.
Plus, if you’re into photography, I’ve heard that views of the caves and the Blue Grotto from below are absolutely stunning.
Sunset Dolphin Watching Cruise
Now, this Sunset Dolphin Watching Cruise is an absolute dream.
You’ll board the boat in the late afternoon, just as the sun is starting to set.
The first part of the tour takes you past spots like Isola Bella and Grotta Azzurra, and then it’s time to relax with some local snacks like arancini, and sip on Prosecco.
The highlight, of course, is when the dolphins emerge above water, jumping and playing near the boat.
Watching the sunset while dolphins swim alongside? 🐬
IT DOESN’T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THAT.
Conclusion
Whether you want to explore caves, snorkel in crystal-clear waters, or just relax with a glass of Prosecco as the sun sets, Taormina has a boat tour for you.
I’ve had some unforgettable experiences on boat tours – there just isn’t a better way to explore the coastline - and I’m already planning which ones I want to try the next time I’m in Sicily.
IF YOU’RE HEADED TO TAORMINA, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND GET OUT ON THE WATER—YOU WON’T REGRET IT!
Until next time, xx,
Angela
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