Private Boat Tours in Catania

Most boats leaving Catania sell individual seats: you show up, so does everyone else who booked that date, and the skipper runs a fixed route built for the whole group at once. A private charter flips that. You book the boat itself, and the price covers everyone travelling together on that date, not each person individually. That single difference changes how you should read every price on this page.

What you are paying for is control. You can stay longer in the water, skip the rushed group schedule, choose between the Cyclops Islands, Aci Castello, Aci Trezza, the Ulysses’ Caves and the lava coast, and on many charters shape the day around your group. For a first boat trip from Catania, a private trip of four to six hours toward Aci Castello and Aci Trezza, with at least one proper swim on the Cyclops coast, covers the most. If you only have an evening, a shared sunset sail from Catania harbour fits better.

Private Catania boat tours at a glance

Treat these as starting prices. The size of the boat, the season, the skipper, fuel, food and the booking platform can all change the final amount.

What “Private” Actually Buys You in Catania

The private trip we feature on GetYourGuide prices the whole boat rather than each guest: the Private Sailing tour along Catania & Cyclops coast costs $609 for the whole boat, up to twelve people, plus a skipper fee paid in cash, so the cost per head falls as your group grows. It has only seven reviews so far, so treat its 5.0 rating as early. (our breakdown)

The main reason to go private is time. Luxury comes second. On a shared trip the skipper has to keep to a schedule that suits everyone. On a private boat you can ask for an extra 45 minutes in the water and one stop fewer, tell the skipper you want Aci Trezza and do not care about lunch, or head back early when the children have had enough. That flexibility suits this coast, because there is no single set route. Depending on where you leave from and how long you book, the day might take in Catania harbour and the bay, the Ulysses’ Caves, Aci Castello, Aci Trezza, the Faraglioni dei Ciclopi, Lachea Island, Capo Mulini, Santa Tecla, Stazzo and the Timpa di Acireale, with swimming and snorkelling stops along the way.

If your group is small and you would rather share a boat than pay for a whole one, the Catania sailing tour page covers the per-person alternatives that run the same stretch of coast.

The best private boat route for first-time visitors

If you have never seen the coast north of Catania, the route to ask for is Catania → Ulysses’ Caves → Aci Castello → Aci Trezza → Cyclops Islands → swim → back. It gets better as it goes: you leave the working harbour, pass the lava coast, reach Aci Castello, where the Norman castle rises almost straight out of black volcanic rock, and then the coast opens out at Aci Trezza, with Lachea Island and the jagged Faraglioni standing in the Ionian Sea. That is the view most people picture when they book a boat trip from Catania. The private charter from Vecchia Dogana described further down stops at the Ulysses’ Caves, Aci Castello and Aci Trezza in one day.

What are the Cyclops Islands?

The Isole Ciclopi, or Cyclops Islands, sit just off Aci Trezza: Lachea Island, the Faraglioni sea stacks and a scatter of smaller volcanic rocks, all inside the Isole Ciclopi Marine Protected Area. The scenery is volcanic: black and dark-grey basalt rising out of deep blue water, with Etna behind the coast on clear days. The name comes from the Odyssey: the blinded Cyclops Polyphemus hurled huge rocks after the escaping Odysseus, and the stacks off Aci Trezza became those rocks. The geology is plainer but no less interesting, and from the water the volcanic origin of the whole coast is easy to read. Our Cyclops Riviera boat tours guide covers the route stop by stop.

Why private is particularly good around Aci Trezza

A short shared trip can show you the Faraglioni. A private boat lets you use them: stay near the rocks, swim, snorkel, take photographs without hurrying, carry on toward Capo Mulini or Acireale, and change the route to suit the sea. If you are paying for privacy, look for an itinerary with real time around the stacks and Lachea; a private version of a 90-minute sightseeing loop wastes the money.

One important detail: this is a marine protected area

The water around Aci Trezza is not an unrestricted playground. The Isole Ciclopi Marine Protected Area is divided into zones with their own rules on navigation, anchoring and mooring, and the reserve’s 2026 rules keep the 2025 regulations. Zone A has the strictest protection; anchoring is banned in Zone B; boats must use the designated moorings where they are required; parts of the reserve protect Posidonia seagrass, which anchors damage; and speed is limited inside the protected area.

That matters when you read a listing. A responsible skipper may tell you they cannot anchor exactly where you would like, or cannot enter a protected section under engine. That is not poor service; it is part of protecting the place you are paying to see.

Should you depart from Catania or Aci Trezza?

This is probably the biggest decision when choosing a private boat. Our guide to Catania or Aci Trezza covers the piers and how to get to each.

Depart from Catania if you want the journey

A Catania departure works best if you want to watch the whole coast unfold as you travel north: the harbour, the lava coast, the Ulysses’ Caves, Aci Castello, Aci Trezza and the Cyclops Islands. The drawback is time. On a three-hour charter, a good part of the trip goes on getting north and back.

Depart from Aci Trezza if you want the most swimming time

If what you want is the Faraglioni, Lachea, swimming and snorkelling, start in Aci Trezza. You are already beside the Cyclops Islands, and private boats, self-drive boats and small RIBs work straight out of the harbour there.

Our rule

For three hours, leave from Aci Trezza if the Cyclops coast is the priority. For four to six hours, Catania becomes much more attractive, because there is time to enjoy the journey as well.

Catania vs Aci Trezza departure

What about Aci Castello?

Do not treat Aci Castello as somewhere you simply pass. The castle is one of the best views on the route: it stands on a huge black lava outcrop right beside the sea, and its position makes far more sense from a boat than from the road. Private trips from Aci Trezza often run south to it, and Catania departures pass it on the way north. If you want photographs, ask the skipper to slow down off the castle instead of passing at cruising speed.

How far can you go on a private boat tour?

That depends on the boat and the time you book.

2–3 hours

Stay focused. Either Aci Trezza → Faraglioni → Aci Castello → swim, or Catania → the nearby lava coast → Ulysses’ Caves → swim. Trying to see everything in three hours mostly means time spent moving.

4 hours

The minimum we would book for a substantial private day on the coast. Four hours realistically covers several viewpoints, one or two swim stops, snorkelling, an aperitif and some unhurried cruising. The Private Sailing tour along Catania & Cyclops coast is a four-hour trip of this shape.

5–6 hours

The best length for a serious private trip. Six hours lets a Catania departure reach the Cyclops Riviera without the whole day feeling like transport, with time for the Ulysses’ Caves, Aci Castello and the Faraglioni and a swim at each end.

Full day

A full day lets you go further along the coast. From Aci Trezza or Aci Castello, the route can continue toward Capo Mulini, Santa Tecla, Santa Maria la Scala, Stazzo and the coast below the Timpa di Acireale. If you love being on the water, this is where a private boat pays its way. The Private Sailing tour along Catania & Cyclops coast can be booked up to a full day, with the route agreed with the operator.

The Timpa coast: worth going beyond Aci Trezza?

With six hours or a full day, yes. North of Aci Trezza the coast gets quieter. The Timpa di Acireale is a stretch of high volcanic cliffs with small coastal villages below them, Santa Tecla, Santa Maria la Scala and Stazzo among them. Fewer first-time visitors go there than to Aci Trezza, which is exactly why it suits a private boat. Choose it if you have already seen Aci Trezza, prefer a quieter coast, have a full day, or care more about swimming than famous landmarks. For a first boat trip, we would still put Aci Castello and the Cyclops Islands first.

Private sailing yacht or motorboat?

This makes a bigger difference than most listings suggest.

Choose a sailing yacht for:

• longer trips and relaxing;
• couples and families;
• lunch or an aperitif;
• bigger decks, and a toilet and cabin on board;
• sunset.

On a yacht the boat itself becomes part of the day, which matters when you are at sea for six hours.

Choose a motorboat or RIB for:

• covering more coast quickly;
• short private trips;
• frequent swims;
• small groups;
• getting straight to Aci Trezza;
• keeping the total price down.

The small boats in the Aci Trezza fleets are less glamorous than a sailing yacht, but for three hours of swimming, cruising and the Faraglioni they can be exactly what you need.

Sailing yacht vs RIB

Daytime or Sunset?

The Cyclops-coast charter agrees its timing with you when you book. When we checked in October 2026, no private sunset sail had a reviewed listing on GetYourGuide, so for an evening on the water we would book a shared trip such as the Sunset Sailing Tour with Aperitif: about 3.5 hours from Caffè del Porto with a swim and an hour at anchor off Aci Trezza, from $60 per person plus a €10 skipper fee. The Catania sunset boat tour page compares the evening trips.

A Full Day With Your Own Skipper Toward the Cyclops

For a longer private outing, Private Sailing tour along Catania & Cyclops coast lists at $609 per group of up to twelve. A skipper is mandatory on this charter and is not part of that fare: it is paid in cash on the day, about €140 for a half day or €250 to €280 for a full day, depending on your group size. The stops are worked out with the operator in advance, from the Ulysses’ Caves and Aci Castello for swimming and snorkelling to a stop at Acitrezza for a tasting of local products, and fuel and snorkelling gear are included. Budget for the skipper fee alongside the ticket price before comparing it with the other options here. It is rated 5.0 from seven reviews. (Our breakdown)

How much does a private boat tour in Catania cost?

There is no single useful price for a private boat in Catania, because the market runs from small RIBs to sailing yachts of nearly 50 feet. The private trip we feature on GetYourGuide, checked in November 2026, is priced at $609 per group of up to twelve for the Cyclops-coast charter, plus its cash skipper fee.

Operators who also sell direct sometimes quote different prices on their own websites, and the bigger yachts and longer charters run higher. Use the prices above as a guide and compare the final total, fees included, before you book.

A better way to think about the price

Do not look only at the total. Divide it by the number of people on board:

That is why a private boat is poor value for a couple and good value for two families or a group of friends. For comparison, the shared sailing trips on this site start at $50 to $77 per person.

When does private become better value than shared?

As a rough rule (our small-group vs private boat tour guide has the full per-person table):

• Two people: a shared trip almost always wins on price. Go private for a proposal, an anniversary, privacy, photography or another special occasion.
• Four people: start comparing. Private will cost more, but not always enough to rule it out.
• Six people: always compare private. This is where the sums start to work.
• Eight to ten people: a private boat can cost about the same per person as eight separate premium tickets, and you get the whole boat.

Is the skipper included?

Check carefully. A private tour normally includes a professional skipper as part of the trip; a boat rental, even when it is called private, may not. Pricing structures differ too: the Cyclops-coast charter above includes fuel and snorkelling gear in its price but adds the mandatory skipper fee in cash on the day, while the fishing-boat trip from Aci Trezza includes the boat, the fuel and the driver. Those are two fundamentally different ways of pricing the same kind of day.

The five questions to ask before paying

1. Is the skipper included? Do not assume.
2. Is fuel included? This is the commonest extra.
3. Are harbour or boarding fees included? Check again.
4. What is the maximum capacity? More to the point, how many people is the boat comfortable for? A boat approved for eight may be perfect for four adults and cramped with eight.
5. Is it a tour or a rental? The words are used loosely online. You want to know whether you are buying a set experience, a boat with a skipper, or just the boat.

What is usually included?

A well-equipped private trip may include a skipper, fuel, water, wine or prosecco, an aperitif, snorkelling masks, a freshwater shower, a swimming ladder, a toilet, a fridge, shade and safety equipment. Others are much simpler, which is why comparing only the headline price misleads. The Cyclops-coast charter includes a tasting of local products with a glass of wine, plus fuel and snorkelling gear; the fishing-boat trip includes lunch, dessert and coffee. Neither supplies towels or sunscreen.

Is lunch included?

Sometimes, but do not assume a full day means lunch. Food on private boats falls into three kinds:

1. An aperitif only. Fine for a trip of three or four hours.
2. A simple lunch on board. The best fit for six hours; pasta, local produce and wine are common on sailing boats.
3. A restaurant stop. Possible on longer private routes if the coast allows it.

For most people we would choose a simple lunch on board over losing an hour docking for a restaurant. You booked a boat to be on the sea. Our guide to which Catania boat trips serve a real lunch compares the meals.

Is snorkelling equipment included?

Often, but not always. If snorkelling matters, check three things: that masks are really included, that the itinerary leaves enough time, and that the skipper stops somewhere worth it. “Snorkelling available” means little if you get ten minutes in the water on a 90-minute trip.

Where is the best swimming?

For most visitors, the waters of the Cyclops Riviera. The exact spot should depend on the conditions that day: the skipper may choose sheltered water around Aci Trezza, Lachea, Capo Mulini, Stazzo, the Timpa coast or another protected bay. The best private trips use that flexibility, and if one side of the route is rough, a good local skipper will know a calmer alternative.

Can you swim at Lachea Island?

Trips often advertise swimming around Lachea and the Cyclops Islands, but this is a protected marine area with regulated navigation and access, and anchoring is banned in the most sensitive zones. When an operator promises a swim stop at Lachea, read it as a swim in a permitted area near the island. The boat cannot drop anchor wherever it likes beside it.

Private sunset boat tour: is it worth paying more?

For a couple, this is where private feels most special: a swim, a drink on deck, Etna and the coast changing colour, and nobody else on board. No private sunset sail has a reviewed listing on GetYourGuide at the moment, though, so for a proposal, a honeymoon or an important anniversary, ask the operator of a private charter whether an evening departure is possible before you book. For an ordinary couple on a week in Sicily, a good small-group sunset sail is usually better value anyway.

Private boat or self-drive rental?

Search results mix these up, but they are different products. A private boat tour gives you the boat, a skipper, a route, local knowledge and no responsibility for navigation; it is what we would recommend to most visitors. A self-drive boat is one you rent and drive yourself. Around Aci Trezza, several companies rent small 40 hp boats that can be driven without an Italian boating licence, for up to about six people. It can be great fun, but do not choose it only because it is cheaper. Our guide to Catania boat rental with a skipper or self-drive covers the rules, the boats and the prices.

Should you rent without a skipper?

Only if you are comfortable handling a boat, reading the weather, following anchoring and mooring rules, swimming from a boat with nobody aboard, keeping clear of rocks and swimmers, manoeuvring in a harbour and respecting the reserve’s restrictions. The Cyclops Islands are protected waters with regulated zones, speed limits and anchoring bans, so local knowledge is genuinely useful there. For a first visit, we would pay for a skipper.

Does “no licence required” mean no experience is needed?

No. It means that particular boat can legally be driven without a boating licence under the relevant conditions. It does not turn the sea into a fairground ride. The wind can rise, the sea can change, harbours have traffic, swimmers can be hard to see, and rocks on a volcanic coast are unforgiving. A briefing helps, but it is no substitute for experience. If you have never driven a motorboat, a skipper is usually money well spent.

Half-day vs full-day private boat

Choose a half day if:

• you have only a few days in Catania;
• Aci Trezza matters more than a long cruise;
• children are coming;
• swimming is the main point;
• you have dinner or sightseeing planned for later.

Around four hours is a good compromise.

Choose a full day if:

• boating is one of the main things you came for;
• you are travelling with friends;
• you want several swim stops;
• you would like lunch on board;
• you want to carry on north beyond Aci Trezza;
• you are splitting the cost between six and ten people.

This is where a private charter works best: you stop trying to see everything efficiently and start treating the boat as your base for the day.

Morning or afternoon?

A morning trip suits families, swimming, serious sightseeing and anyone who wants the evening free. An afternoon trip suits slower holiday days and combines swimming with the evening light. A sunset trip suits couples, an aperitif, photographs and celebrations. For a full coastal tour we prefer the morning; for the experience more than the sightseeing, we would go late in the afternoon and stay out for sunset.

Can the route be customised?

Often, within reason. The Cyclops-coast charter works out its stops and timing with you, but “customisable” does not mean the skipper will go anywhere you ask. The route still depends on the time you booked, the weather, the sea, the fuel, the boat, the reserve’s rules and the skipper’s judgement. Tell the skipper your priority, not every waypoint: “We’d like as much swimming time as possible and we definitely want to see the Faraglioni.” That leaves room to build the best route for the conditions.

Best private boat tour for families

For families we would choose four to six hours on a sailing yacht or a comfortable motorboat, with a skipper, shade, a toilet and a swimming ladder. Check the toilet: it sounds trivial until you are four hours offshore with small children. Also check for life jackets in children’s sizes, shaded seating, easy access to the water, a freshwater shower, a fridge and the maximum number of guests. A bigger boat costs more but can be far more comfortable for a family than squeezing everyone into a small RIB.

Best private boat tour for couples

You do not need a big boat. For two, put the money into a good route, an attractive boat, sunset timing, an aperitif and generous deck space, not the largest boat available. At sunset, a small-group sailing boat gives you much of the atmosphere of a private one for a lot less.

Best private boat for groups

This is where private wins. For eight or more, look for a price per boat, not per person, a capacity that fits your group comfortably, enough shade, at least one toilet, a big swimming ladder, a fridge or room for drinks, a clear policy on music, and an aperitif or lunch. The Cyclops-coast charter takes up to twelve, and at that number the cost per person drops close to a shared ticket.

Can you arrange a proposal or celebration?

Yes. Private boats work well for proposals, anniversaries, birthdays, honeymoons, family celebrations and small company groups. For a surprise proposal, contact the operator beforehand: chilled prosecco, your choice of music, a particular swim stop, sunset timing, a photographer or flowers are all reasonable requests. Remember that drone photography may be restricted, particularly over the protected area.

What happens in bad weather?

Private does not mean weatherproof. The skipper can change the route, the departure time, where you swim and how long you spend in each place, and if the sea is unsafe the trip may be cancelled. The advantage of a private boat is that small changes are easier: with no fixed route promised to twenty passengers, the skipper can simply say that the coast to the north is rough today and keep you further south where the water is calmer. That usually beats forcing the original plan.

Don’t book your private boat for your last day

If the trip matters to you, book it early enough in your stay to leave a spare day. That matters most outside July and August, for private sunset sails, in spring and in October. If the wind cancels the first booking, you may be able to move it; if you have scheduled it three hours before your flight home, there is no second chance.

How far in advance should you book?

For a shared boat, a last-minute place is often possible. A particular private boat is different: there is only one of it, and once another family books that time, it is gone. In July and August, book weekends, groups and sunset times at least several days ahead, and earlier if you need a particular date. In spring and autumn you can be more spontaneous, although fewer boats run each day. For a special occasion, book as soon as your plans are fixed.

What to Bring and What Else Might Cost Extra

None of these boats supply towels or sunscreen, so pack your own along with swimwear, sunglasses, a hat, dry clothes, a light windbreaker, a phone or camera, and seasickness tablets if you need them. Gratuities are not included. The Vecchia Dogana dock, where the Cyclops-coast charter meets, sits inside Catania’s working port, a short walk from Piazza Duomo, so there is no need to arrange transport if you are staying in the historic centre. For a tip to the skipper, a small amount per person handed over at the end of the trip is the general Italian custom for a short excursion like this. If your booking runs toward Aci Trezza, keep in mind it is roughly 9 to 12 km from central Catania by road, worth knowing if your charter includes a land pickup instead of a port meeting point.

Do you need water shoes?

Not usually, if you are only swimming from the boat. They help if the day involves getting ashore on rocks, the lava coast or a shallow volcanic seabed: Sicily’s east coast is not soft sand, and volcanic rock can be sharp.

What about seasickness?

A private trip has one advantage here: you can tell the skipper, who can change the route or keep the boat in sheltered water for longer. If you are prone to it, take your usual remedy before you leave, go easy on alcohol early in the day, stay on deck, watch the horizon, keep your eyes off your phone, and say something early. Waiting until someone is unwell helps nobody.

Questions to ask before booking a private Catania boat

Copy this list if you are messaging an operator:

1. Where exactly does the boat leave from?
2. Is the price for the whole boat or per person?
3. Is the skipper included?
4. Is fuel included?
5. Are there any port or boarding fees?
6. What is the maximum number of guests?
7. Is there a toilet on board?
8. Is there shade?
9. Are towels included?
10. Is snorkelling equipment included?
11. Are food and drinks included?
12. Does the route reach Aci Trezza and the Faraglioni?
13. How many swim stops are normally possible?
14. Can the route be changed?
15. What happens if the weather cancels the trip?

If an operator answers those clearly, comparing them gets much easier.

Mistakes to avoid

Booking “Catania” without checking the departure point. Some trips sold to visitors in Catania leave from Aci Trezza, Aci Castello or further north. That is not necessarily a problem, but it changes your logistics.

Comparing prices without the extras. A boat at €400 plus €150 of fuel and fees is not cheaper than a €500 charter with everything included. Compare the final total.

Choosing the biggest boat available. Bigger is not automatically better. For four people, a comfortable smaller yacht can be more pleasant and cost much less.

Trying to see too much. Four hours is not enough to cover the whole coast at leisure. Choose your priority.

Assuming private means unrestricted. The reserve’s rules still apply, the weather still applies, and the skipper is still responsible for the boat.

Paying for a full day when nobody enjoys boats. It sounds obvious, but if half the family is bored after 90 minutes, a beautiful eight-hour charter becomes an expensive day of waiting to go home. If you are unsure, book four hours.

Private boat tour vs shared tour

Who should definitely book private?

• Groups of six or more. The gap in price per person can be surprisingly small.
• Families with young children. The flexibility is worth a lot.
• Celebrations. Privacy changes the feel of the evening.
• Serious photographers. You can ask for time at particular viewpoints.
• People who want lots of swimming. You are not waiting for fifteen other passengers.
• Travellers who hate rigid tours. Far less “everyone back on board in twelve minutes”.

Who should stick to a shared tour?

Book a shared trip if you are travelling alone, you are a couple on a budget, you are happy with a fixed route, you just want to see the Cyclops Islands, or you want a short first look at the coast. A well-run shared trip can be excellent. Private is not better in itself; it is better when you will use the flexibility you are paying for. Our guide to which Catania boat trip is right for you compares the shared options.

Our favourite private Catania itineraries

First private trip: six hours from Catania. Catania harbour, the Ulysses’ Caves, Aci Castello, Aci Trezza, the Faraglioni and Lachea, a swim, lunch or an aperitif, and back to Catania. It covers the signature coast without feeling rushed.

Half day: four hours from Aci Trezza. Aci Trezza, the Faraglioni, Lachea, Aci Castello, a swim and snorkel, and Capo Mulini if the time and the sea allow. Almost none of the time is spent getting to the main scenery.

For couples: a sunset sail from Catania. Catania harbour, the lava coast, the Ulysses’ Caves, a swim, an aperitif and the sunset toward Etna on the way back. You do not need a full day to make an evening on the water feel special.

For repeat visitors: a full day north toward the Timpa. Aci Trezza, Capo Mulini, Santa Maria la Scala, Santa Tecla and Stazzo, with several swim stops. Quieter and less obvious than circling the Faraglioni.

Choosing your private boat

A private boat in Catania is at its best when you use the freedom you are paying for. Do not spend extra just to follow the same route without strangers. Use it to stay longer in the water, reach quieter parts of the coast, set your own pace, eat on board, time the trip around the sunset and decide how much time to give Aci Castello, Aci Trezza and the Cyclops Islands.

For a first visit, our favourite is a charter of four to six hours covering Aci Castello and Aci Trezza, with time for at least one proper swim. For couples, a three-hour sunset sail. For six or more, we would compare the private price almost automatically. And for confident boaters who want freedom more than service, a self-drive boat from Aci Trezza is the cheaper alternative, although in the protected waters around the Cyclops Islands a local skipper’s knowledge is worth a lot.

For a wider look at how these compare to the shared sailings and snorkelling trips on this site, see which Catania boat trip is right for you.

Check dates for the private Aci Trezza boat tour.