Catania Snorkeling Tour

Snorkeling the Cyclops Marine Reserve

If swimming is one of the main reasons you are booking a boat trip in Catania, head north. The best snorkeling is around Aci Castello, Aci Trezza, Lachea Island and the Faraglioni dei Ciclopi, where clear Ionian water meets an underwater landscape of old lava, basalt and rocky reef. You do not need to be an experienced snorkeler: plenty of Catania boat tours combine sightseeing with one easy swim stop, while dedicated snorkeling trips spend much longer in the water, some with a marine biologist as your guide.

Most of the snorkeling on this coast happens inside the Area Marina Protetta Isole Ciclopi, a 628-hectare marine reserve around the Faraglioni dei Ciclopi and Isola Lachea, split into zones with different rules for swimmers and boats. The seabed here is volcanic, not sandy: basalt columns, old lava flows and small canyons shaped by Etna’s earliest eruptions, with Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows filling the gaps between the rock. It’s a different kind of snorkeling from a typical beach dip, closer to swimming through a geology lesson than a postcard lagoon.

This page focuses on trips built around getting in the water. If you want to sail more than swim, our sailing tour page covers the wind-powered trips along this coast; if you want a boat to yourself, see our private boat tour guide. For the village of Aci Trezza itself, including short trips that skip Catania port entirely, see our Aci Trezza boat tour guide.

Quick answer: is Catania good for snorkeling?

Yes, but not along Catania’s city waterfront. The best underwater scenery close to the city is on the Cyclops Coast to the north, especially between Aci Castello and Aci Trezza.

The University of Catania describes the seabed around the Cyclops Islands as highly biodiverse. Even in the top 15 meters you may see blennies sheltering among the rocks, schools of salema, mullet, hydroids and nudibranchs, and local currents help keep the coastal water clean and transparent. That suits boat-and-snorkel tours well: you get the volcanic scenery above the water and more of the same geology below it.

Set one expectation before you go. This is Mediterranean snorkeling, and there is no tropical reef. Come for clear blue water, black lava and smaller marine life; huge schools of brightly colored fish belong to the tropics.

Best places to snorkel near Catania

1. Cyclops Islands Marine Protected Area

Best overall snorkeling area. If we had to choose one place to snorkel near Catania, it would be the water around the Isole Ciclopi reserve at Aci Trezza. The reserve was set up to protect the sea around the Cyclops Islands and holds a wide range of Mediterranean wildlife, but the fish are only part of it. Underwater you’ll find:

• volcanic rock
• lava formations
• crevices and small rocky habitats
• algae
• shallow reef-like structures
• places where the seabed drops away beside the Faraglioni

Above the water are the black sea stacks of the Polyphemus and Odysseus legend. It is one of the few Catania trips where the geology above and below the surface is part of the same experience.

Best for:

• a first snorkel near Catania
• couples
• families with confident swimmers
• anyone combining sightseeing with a swim
• underwater photography when visibility is good

2. Lachea Island

Best combination of geology and marine life. Lachea is the largest of the Cyclops Islands, formed by submarine eruptions in the Gulf of Aci Trezza roughly 500,000 years ago. With the Faraglioni it makes up an integral nature reserve with rich underwater plant and animal life, and the water around it is one of the main stops on local snorkeling trips.

There is a catch. The water around Lachea is not an open swimming area. The reserve controls swimming, boating, anchoring, diving and passenger boats zone by zone, and its 2026 rules are unchanged from 2025. So do not worry if your skipper picks a spot a little away from the one that looks best on the map: authorized operators have to follow the reserve’s rules.

3. Faraglioni dei Ciclopi

Best scenic snorkeling stop. If one image stays with people after an Aci Trezza boat trip, it is this one: snorkeling beneath black volcanic sea stacks with Etna’s coastline behind you. The Faraglioni are the visual heart of the Cyclops Riviera, and even on a day when the fish are shy, the setting makes the swim memorable. The university’s reserve pages explain that the islands and stacks come from ancient submarine volcanic activity, and that the water around them supports extensive underwater plant and animal life.

What you may see

Instead of chasing one species, look closely around the rocks. The University of Catania records blennies, salema, mullet, hydroids and nudibranchs in the shallower parts of the reserve. Local snorkeling guides also report octopus, sea stars and sea bream, but no wildlife is guaranteed.

4. Aci Castello

Best for guided snorkeling. Aci Castello makes the most sense if your priority is snorkeling properly, not just a swim during a boat tour. (For the castle itself from the water, see our guide to Aci Castello by boat.) Dedicated guided trips run from this stretch of coast and take you into the protected water for longer than a 15-minute add-on. The Boat Tour & Snorkeling at the Cyclops Islands with Aperitif (our breakdown), for example, leaves from Aci Castello with a marine biologist who guides the snorkeling stops, from $63 and rated 4.7/5 from 93 reviews. The coast here shares Aci Trezza’s volcanic character, with the rock formations continuing under the surface. It suits people who want:

• guidance in the water
• proper fins as well as a mask and snorkel
• more time snorkeling
• someone to explain the marine life
• possibly a wetsuit outside the warmest months

5. The coast between Catania, Ognina and Aci Castello

Best as part of a sailing tour. We would not spend a whole snorkeling trip here, but it is an enjoyable stretch on the way north from Catania. Several boats leave Catania and pass Ognina, the Ulysses’ Caves and Aci Castello before reaching Aci Trezza, with snorkeling built in: the five-hour Boat Trip with Aperitif, Prosecco and Snorkeling is the best reviewed of them, at 4.9/5 from 826 reviews. The appeal is variety. You watch the city give way to darker volcanic coast before you enter the Cyclops area.

The three main types of Catania snorkeling tour

This is the decision that matters most when booking.

1. Sightseeing boat with a swim/snorkel stop

Typical duration: one to two hours. This is a boat tour with snorkeling included, not a dedicated snorkeling trip. The 90-minute Cyclops Coast Boat Tour with Swim Stop from Aci Trezza, for example, visits:

• Lachea Island
• the Faraglioni
• Aci Castello
• Cannizzaro
• the Ulysses’ Caves when the sea allows

before a swim stop inside the reserve. Masks and snorkels are carried on board, and anyone who does not want to swim can stay on the boat. It costs from $28, though it has only 6 reviews so far (4.3/5); the two-hour Boat Excursion to Acitrezza with the Faraglioni and Snorkeling from the same seafront has the stronger record, 5.0/5 from 33 reviews, from $57.

Choose this if:

• sightseeing matters more than snorkeling
• you are traveling with a mix of swimmers and non-swimmers
• you are short on time
• you want something inexpensive
• you mainly want to see the Faraglioni

Don’t choose it if:

You expect an hour underwater. On a 90-minute trip, snorkeling can only be one part of the outing.

2. Half-day sailing tour with snorkeling

Typical duration: about four hours. This is the best option for most visitors staying in Catania. You sail north along the coast, stop around Aci Trezza or inside the reserve, swim or snorkel, then spend more time relaxing on board.

The half-day trips include snorkeling gear, an aperitif and drinks. The Cyclops Coast Cruise with Appetizer & Snorkeling (our breakdown) takes up to twelve guests on a sailing yacht, with a morning departure at 9am and an afternoon one at 2:30pm, from $75 plus a €15 boarding fee; it is rated 4.7/5 from 986 reviews. The Sail Tour of Cyclops Coast with Sicilian Aperitif combines snorkeling with a stand-up paddleboard and a Sicilian aperitivo, from $50 plus a €20 boarding fee, rated 4.7/5 from 1,042 reviews.

Choose this if:

• you want to snorkel but do not need a lesson
• you are traveling as a couple
• you want a relaxed half day
• sailing appeals to you
• you want food and drinks on board

Our view

For a first Catania boat trip, this format gives the best balance of coastline, swimming and simply enjoying a few hours at sea.

3. Dedicated snorkeling excursion

Typical duration: about three to four hours. Choose this if getting into the water is the main reason you are going. These trips are built around exploring the marine life, not a quick stop for a swim. The Boat Tour & Snorkeling at the Cyclops Islands with Aperitif from Aci Castello spends three hours along the coast with a marine biologist guiding the snorkeling.

Expect more emphasis on:

• proper equipment
• more than one underwater site, or longer swims
• marine life
• guidance
• safety briefings
• swimming ability

Choose this if:

Snorkeling comes before sightseeing, and sightseeing before the aperitivo, in your list of priorities.

Which snorkeling tour should you book?

Snorkeling Trips on This Site

The Cyclops Coast cruise with appetizer and snorkeling (our breakdown) is built around a single swim and snorkel stop off Lachea Island, with gear and a stand-up paddleboard included, followed by a Sicilian appetizer on the sail back to Catania. The Catania boat trip with aperitif, prosecco and snorkeling (our breakdown) gives you the longest time in the water of the group, about 100 minutes off Aci Trezza, on its five-hour run from Blu Marina. The boat tour and snorkeling at the Cyclops Islands (our breakdown) departs from Aci Castello instead of Catania’s port, with a marine biologist on board and guests kitted out in wetsuits for the swim stops.

Two more options round out the list. The Acitrezza Faraglioni snorkeling tour (our breakdown) leaves from Aci Trezza’s own seafront for a shorter two-hour trip. The boat excursion among the Cyclopes Islands with prosecco and snorkeling (our breakdown) adds a stop at the Ulysses Caves to the usual swim stops, and lets guests take a turn at the sails on the way back. Check the meeting address before you book, because these trips start from three different places; our guide to where Catania boat tours leave from maps them. If snorkeling isn’t enough and you’re a certified or first-time diver who wants to go under properly, the Gulf of Catania scuba diving tour (our breakdown) takes you onto the same volcanic seabed with full diving equipment and a marine-biologist guide, in place of a mask and snorkel from the surface.

What marine life can you see?

Keep your expectations realistic and you will probably enjoy the snorkeling more. This is not the Red Sea. What makes the Cyclops Coast interesting is the Mediterranean rocky habitat combined with the volcanic geology.

The University of Catania records shallow-water species such as salema, mullet and colorful blennies, along with hydroids and nudibranchs, and describes a rich variety of fish and of invertebrates living both on the seabed and in the plankton. Local dive and snorkel operators also report octopus, sea bream, grouper, the common two-banded bream, red sea stars and sea sponges among the lava rock and seagrass. None of this is guaranteed on any single trip, since it’s an open marine environment, not an aquarium, but the volcanic terrain itself, submerged basalt columns and small caverns shaped like the rock formations above the waterline, is there on every outing whatever swims past.

Don’t book expecting:

• dolphins
• sea turtles on demand
• rays
• giant schools of tropical fish
• coral reefs

You may occasionally get lucky with something unusual, but none of these is a reliable sighting. For a trip built around dolphins, see our dolphin watching page.

What does the seabed look like?

This is arguably more interesting than the fish. Aci Trezza’s landscape comes from ancient volcanic activity, and much of that history continues underwater. Expect:

• dark volcanic rock
• basalt
• irregular lava formations
• crevices
• stones
• patches covered in algae and marine growth

The University of Catania stresses how intact the underwater environment is here, and the columnar basalt that shapes the islands continues below the surface. Snorkeling here is partly an underwater geology tour.

Is the water really clear?

Often, yes. According to the University of Catania, local currents help keep the water in the Cyclops area clean and transparent, and local dive and snorkel operators commonly report visibility of around 15 to 20 meters in good conditions. “Crystal clear” in a tour description is never a daily guarantee, though. Visibility varies with:

• wind, the scirocco in particular
• waves
• recent storms
• sediment in the water
• boat traffic
• sunlight
• the exact swim spot

Best bet for visibility

If snorkeling matters more than atmosphere, we would usually pick a morning departure when the conditions are good. For a romantic boat trip the late-afternoon light may be lovelier, but that does not mean better visibility underwater.

Best months for snorkeling around Catania

Sicily’s official bathing season runs from 1 May to 31 October. The sea temperatures below are long-term monthly averages for the sea off Catania; our best time for a boat trip guide has the full table.

June

An excellent all-round choice. The sea has warmed to about 23°C on average, enough for most visitors, and the coast is generally less hectic than in August. Good for swimming, sightseeing, family trips and longer snorkels.

July

One of the best months if warm water matters most, with the sea averaging about 26°C. The trade-off is more demand for boats and more people around Aci Trezza, so book small-group tours in advance.

August

The warmest and busiest month, with the sea at about 26°C on average. Ideal if you dislike cold water; less ideal if you dislike crowded harbors, full boats, heat and peak-season prices.

September

Our favorite month for snorkeling here. The sea keeps most of its summer warmth, about 25°C on average, while the holiday crowds slowly thin. If we could pick one period for swimming in warm water outside the busiest weeks, it would be early to mid-September.

October

Still very possible, particularly early in the month, with the sea averaging about 23°C. The issue is less the water temperature than the weather and sea conditions, which change more often. A calm October day can be excellent; a windy one can cancel the tour. By late October, plenty of visitors find the sea has cooled enough that a wetsuit helps.

May

Good for the boat ride, but the sea averages only about 19°C, and late May is generally when it turns comfortable for most swimmers. For serious snorkeling we would go from June onward, unless a wetsuit is provided.

Morning vs afternoon snorkeling

For sunset trips too, see our guide to morning, afternoon and sunset boat tours.

Morning

Best for:

• dedicated snorkeling
• families
• active swimmers
• avoiding the strongest midday heat
• visitors who care most about visibility

Afternoon

Best for:

• relaxing
• couples
• an aperitivo
• combining a swim with the sunset
• photography above the water

The bigger factor: conditions

Do not get too attached to the exact departure time. Local operators decide on the day according to the sea. On the 90-minute Cyclops Coast Boat Tour with Swim Stop, the skipper confirms the departure time the day before and offers a new date or a full refund if the conditions are not suitable.

Do you need snorkeling experience?

Usually not. A standard boat-and-swim tour suits people who have never snorkeled before. The basic technique is simple:

1. Fit your mask snugly.
2. Keep the top of the snorkel above the water.
3. Float face down.
4. Breathe slowly through your mouth.
5. Kick gently and slowly.
6. Stay close to the boat or the guide.

A guided excursion is worth paying more for if:

• you have never snorkeled
• you are nervous in open water
• you want help identifying marine life
• you are bringing children
• you want to spend longer away from the boat

Do you need to be a strong swimmer?

It depends on the trip. On a sightseeing boat with optional snorkeling, usually not: you can stay on board. The 90-minute Cyclops Coast Boat Tour with Swim Stop lets anyone who does not want to swim stay on the boat and provides life jackets for everyone.

Dedicated snorkeling trips are different. If most of the activity happens in the water, expect at least basic swimming ability to be required. Check the operator’s rules before booking; not every snorkeling tour suits non-swimmers.

Is snorkeling safe for children?

It can be, but choose the boat more carefully than you would for adults. Before booking, check:

• the minimum age
• child-sized life jackets
• whether snorkeling is supervised
• how deep the swimming area is
• whether flotation aids are available
• whether children can stay on board
• how easy the ladder is
• shade on the boat
• the total length of the tour

For younger children, a short Aci Trezza boat trip with an optional swim is usually more sensible than a dedicated four-hour snorkeling trip. The guided snorkeling trips are aimed at confident swimmers, so check the minimum age on the listing.

Protected-area rules you need to know

The water around Aci Trezza is not an open playground. The Isole Ciclopi reserve has its own rules for swimming, snorkeling and seawatching, boating, anchoring, diving and passenger boats, and its 2026 regulations carry over those approved for 2025.

Inside Zone B of the reserve, snorkeling and diving are only allowed as part of an authorized guided trip or with the reserve manager’s approval, and anchoring is banned outside the designated buoy fields. Zone A, the tighter ring around Isola Lachea and the Faraglione Grande, limits swimming to two marked areas and bans anchoring outright; landing on Isola Lachea itself is only possible on an authorized guided visit. In practice every snorkeling trip on this site works within the reserve’s rules: gear, timing and stops are already set up to fit what each zone allows. For more on what a day on one of these boats feels like, see our what to expect on a Cyclops Islands boat trip guide.

Don’t assume you can:

• swim anywhere around Lachea
• climb onto protected rocks
• collect shells or marine life
• anchor wherever you want
• take a self-drive rental boat into every zone
• enter a restricted area because another boat seems to be there

An authorized local skipper takes care of most of this. You just swim where the crew tells you it is allowed.

Boat tour vs snorkeling from shore

You do not need a boat to get into the sea around Aci Trezza, but a boat has several advantages.

From shore

Advantages:

• cheaper
• flexible
• no fixed schedule
• easy to stop whenever you like

Disadvantages:

• rocky access
• an awkward way in and out
• limited range
• the best spots are harder to find
• more exposure to local boat traffic

From a boat

Advantages:

• better-placed swim stops
• a crew who know the permitted areas
• gear often included
• several spots in one trip
• you can rest on board
• views of the Faraglioni from the water

For a first visit we would choose the boat. If you are staying several days in Aci Trezza and already know the coast, snorkeling from the shore becomes more attractive.

Catania departure vs Aci Trezza departure for snorkeling

Depart from Aci Trezza

Choose this when time in the water matters most. You start beside the Cyclops Islands, so very little of the tour is spent getting to the main snorkeling area. The 90-minute Cyclops Coast Boat Tour with Swim Stop costs from $28 and covers the Faraglioni, Lachea and Aci Castello with a swim stop and masks and snorkels on board.

Best for:

• travelers on a budget
• families
• the most snorkeling for your time
• shorter trips

Depart from Catania

Choose this when the journey is part of the appeal. The half-day tours run along the coast to Aci Trezza and combine snorkeling with extras such as prosecco, local food or a paddleboard, as on the Sail Tour of Cyclops Coast with Sicilian Aperitif. If you are torn between a half day and a longer sail, our half-day vs full-day boat tours guide compares them.

Best for:

• couples
• a half-day out
• travelers without a car
• anyone who enjoys sailing
• a slower pace

How much do Catania snorkeling tours cost?

Prices move with the season and availability, so think in broad bands. On GetYourGuide in October 2026:

Short Aci Trezza sightseeing + snorkel

From $28 for the 90-minute Cyclops Coast Boat Tour with Swim Stop, and from $57 for the two-hour trips from the Aci Trezza seafront.

Half-day sailing + snorkeling

Usually $50 to $77 per person, plus a cash boarding or skipper fee of €10 to €20 on the day, depending on what is included.

Dedicated snorkeling

Prices vary with the length, the equipment and whether a professional guide is included: the guided Boat Tour & Snorkeling at the Cyclops Islands with Aperitif starts at $63.

Private boats

Usually priced per boat, at several hundred dollars. For a group of six or eight, though, the gap between a private boat and small-group seats narrows a lot. Our private boat tour page works through the sums.

What’s usually included?

Never assume. Check each listing for:

• mask
• snorkel
• fins
• wetsuit
• life jacket
• flotation aids
• skipper
• marine guide
• drinks
• snacks
• an aperitivo
• a SUP (stand-up paddleboard)
• fuel
• port charges

Some sightseeing trips provide only a mask and snorkel, while the specialist trips may provide a full snorkeling kit. The half-day Cyclops Coast Cruise with Appetizer & Snorkeling includes snorkeling gear, a paddleboard and an appetizer, and the Boat Tour & Snorkeling at the Cyclops Islands adds a marine biologist. Snorkeling gear is included on every trip listed on this page except the scuba dive, where full diving equipment is provided instead.

What should you bring?

Even when the equipment is included, pack:

• swimsuit
• towel
• reef-safe or high-SPF sunscreen where possible
• sunglasses
• sun hat
• water
• light cover-up
• waterproof phone case
• dry T-shirt
• shoes that stay on
• motion-sickness medication if you need it

A change of dry clothes helps too, since several of these trips end with an aperitif on board, with nowhere to change but the boat. Some operators charge a boarding or skipper fee in cash at the dock on top of the online price, so check that trip’s listing for the exact terms and carry some cash.

Particularly useful: rash guard

A UV swim shirt is one of the most useful things you can bring. You will probably spend more time with your back to the sun than you expect.

Should you bring your own snorkeling mask?

If you already own one that fits properly, yes. Mask fit matters more than most beginners expect: a rental mask may be fine, but a leaking one quickly spoils a snorkel. Bringing your own also means less time adjusting gear once the boat stops. Fins matter less on a casual swim-stop tour.

Will you get seasick?

Possibly, although the short Aci Trezza routes involve no long open-sea crossings. The risk goes up with:

• wind
• swell
• smaller boats
• lots of time looking down
• an empty stomach
• alcohol before swimming

If you are prone to it:

• eat something light beforehand
• sit where you can see the horizon
• avoid reading your phone
• take a medication you know, before departure

And save the prosecco for after the snorkeling.

Can you snorkel around Ulysses’ Caves?

Some Catania and Aci Trezza routes pass the Grotte di Ulisse, the Ulysses’ Caves, but do not book a tour expecting to always swim or go in there. Access depends on the sea, and the 90-minute Cyclops Coast Boat Tour with Swim Stop enters the caves only when conditions allow. Treat the caves as a sightseeing bonus. For the snorkeling itself, we would put the reserve around Aci Trezza first.

Snorkeling vs scuba diving at the Cyclops Islands

The underwater scenery here is interesting enough for both.

Choose snorkeling if:

• you are a beginner
• you are traveling with family
• you are not a certified diver
• you want scenery above and below the water
• you only have half a day

Choose scuba if:

• underwater life is your main priority
• you want to explore deeper formations
• you are already certified or want a first dive

Diving inside the reserve is regulated and has to follow its authorization rules. The Gulf Scuba Diving Tour with Marine Biologist (our breakdown) takes both first-time and experienced divers onto the lava seabed off Aci Trezza with a marine-biologist guide, from $80 and rated 4.9/5 from 276 reviews. For most travelers, though, snorkeling shows enough of the Cyclops Coast underwater without turning the day into a specialist dive.

Is a snorkeling tour worth it if you only want to swim?

Yes, but do not pay extra for a specialist trip. If your plan is to jump in, cool off, float for 20 minutes and climb back on board, choose an ordinary Cyclops Coast sightseeing or sailing tour with a swim stop, such as the Sail Tour of Cyclops Coast with Sicilian Aperitif. You do not need a snorkeling trip led by a marine biologist. If you want to spend real time looking underwater, the dedicated trip earns its higher price.

Our recommended tour by traveler type

First-time visitor to Catania

Book a three- to four-hour boat or sailing trip from Catania to Aci Trezza with snorkeling included, such as the Cyclops Coast Cruise with Appetizer & Snorkeling. You see more of the coast and still get a good swim.

Serious snorkeler

Go straight to Aci Trezza or Aci Castello and book a dedicated snorkeling tour, such as the guided Boat Tour & Snorkeling at the Cyclops Islands with Aperitif. You pay for time underwater, not for the transfer, the prosecco and the sightseeing.

Couple

Book an afternoon sail with snorkeling, an aperitivo and the late light, such as the afternoon departure of the Cyclops Coast Cruise. The swim is good enough to make the trip feel substantial, and the sail back feels like part of the day out. Our guide to Catania boat tours with aperitivo compares the afternoon and sunset sails.

Family

Take a boat trip of 90 minutes to two hours from Aci Trezza, such as the Boat Excursion to Acitrezza with the Faraglioni and Snorkeling. Children are easier to manage, and anyone tired of swimming can get back on the boat quickly.

Non-swimmer traveling with snorkelers

Choose a sightseeing boat where swimming is optional. The 90-minute Cyclops Coast Boat Tour with Swim Stop lets passengers stay on board during the swim stop.

Suggested half-day snorkeling itinerary

If you are staying in Catania but want snorkeling to be the focus, this is how we would plan the day.

09:00

Travel from Catania to Aci Trezza.

09:45

Walk along the harbor and look at the Faraglioni from the shore.

10:30

Board a snorkeling-focused tour of two to four hours, such as the Boat Excursion to Acitrezza with the Faraglioni and Snorkeling from the Aci Trezza seafront.

During the trip

Prioritize:

1. the Lachea and Faraglioni area
2. one long snorkeling stop instead of several rushed dips
3. Aci Castello from the sea
4. a second swim only if conditions are good

14:00

Lunch in Aci Trezza.

Afternoon

Walk the waterfront or continue south to Aci Castello. For a keen snorkeler this works better than spending much of the day sailing north from Catania.

Bottom line

The best snorkeling near Catania is not in central Catania. It is along the Cyclops Coast. Head toward Aci Castello and Aci Trezza, where the black volcanic landscape continues below the surface and the water around Lachea and the Faraglioni is part of a protected marine reserve.

For most visitors we would not start with a specialist snorkeling trip. A three- to four-hour small-group boat or sailing tour from Catania with a proper swim stop around Aci Trezza, such as the Cyclops Coast Cruise with Appetizer & Snorkeling, gives you the best first taste of the coast: sailing, volcanic scenery, snorkeling and enough time on board to feel you have had a day on the Ionian Sea.

If you already know you love snorkeling, skip the long boat transfer. Go straight to Aci Trezza or Aci Castello and choose a dedicated snorkeling trip, and you will spend more of your money, and your morning, in the water. No single famous species makes this snorkeling memorable. It is the combination of clear Mediterranean water, dark lava beneath you and the Faraglioni rising above you when you lift your head from the sea.

Check dates for the Catania snorkeling tour.