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Boat excursion among the Cyclopes Islands with Prosecco and snorkeling

4.3 (62 verified reviews)

About This Experience

This sailing trip starts with a short briefing before the crew raises the sails and heads out from Catania's old town along the coast. The route passes Ulysses' Caves, Aci Castello and the Acitrezza Nature Reserve, with stops built in for swimming and snorkelling in the sea along the way. Snorkelling gear and safety equipment are provided for anyone who wants to get in the water.

Food and drink on board runs to fruit, gourmet sandwiches, pretzels, spritz and soft drinks, alongside Prosecco served at one of the stops near Ulysses' Caves. A group photo is taken during the trip, and there's a guide on hand throughout to explain the coastline and its history as you sail past Aci Castello and Acitrezza. Commentary is given in both Italian and English throughout.

On the way back, guests who are interested can take a turn operating the sailboat under the skipper's instruction, learning the basics of sailing rather than just riding along. The trip runs about four hours and departs from one of two meeting points in Catania, confirmed at booking, with a separate skipper fee payable in cash on the day. Life jackets and safety gear are on hand throughout for anyone taking part.

Highlights

  • Swim and snorkel stops at Ulysses' Caves, Aci Castello and the Acitrezza Nature Reserve
  • A Prosecco aperitif served at sea
  • The chance to help sail the boat on the return leg, under the skipper's instruction
  • A guide on board explaining the coastline as you go
  • A group photo taken during the trip

What's Included

  • ✓ The sailing trip along the Catania coast, from the harbour to Ulysses' Caves, Aci Castello and Acitrezza
  • ✓ Prosecco and soft drinks
  • ✓ Snorkelling gear and safety equipment
  • ✓ A guide
  • ✓ A group photo
  • ✓ Fuel and boat rental

Not Included

  • A skipper fee of €15 per person, paid in cash on site
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Gratuities beyond the skipper fee

What to Bring

  • Biodegradable sunscreen
  • Beachwear

Good to Know & Caveats

  • This tour runs with favourable weather conditions; the route follows Ulysses' Caves, Aci Castello and Acitrezza before returning to the starting point.
  • There are two possible meeting points and two possible drop-off points, depending on the option selected at booking.
  • A skipper fee of €15 per person is payable in cash on site, on top of the ticket price.
  • Alcohol, drugs, bikes and prams aren't permitted on board.
  • Guests can take a turn helping to sail the boat on the return leg, but this is optional and under the skipper's instruction.

Not Suitable For

  • People with mobility impairments

Meeting Point

This tour has two possible meeting points in Catania; which one applies depends on the option chosen when you book, and the exact address is confirmed in your booking details.

What Travelers Say

Rated 4.3/5 by 62 verified GetYourGuide travelers.

A truly beautiful and unforgettable experience! The skipper is a wonderful person, very sweet and extremely kind. From the very first moment, he made us feel completely at ease, giving us maximum freedom to move around on board, sit where we preferred, or simply lie down and enjoy the trip. Along the route, he told us with great passion about the wonders we were seeing, and we took two fantastic dives in beautiful waters. Highlight of the day: he even let me try guiding the boat, obviously under his careful guidance! Finally, we had a delicious aperitif included in the ticket. A truly warm-hearted person who makes this tour special. Highly recommended!

— Anastasia, August 19, 2026

August 12, 2026 This excursion was full of great moments. I'll start by saying that our skipper, Tito, was absolutely fantastic. Friendly, kind, with a pure soul and heart, he immediately put us at ease and we talked about literally everything. It was a super enjoyable 4 hours, during which we were immersed in unique and rare beauty. The aperitif was also super generous, and we all had a lot of fun on board. Tito was always ready to clarify any doubts and/or concerns we had and, above all, he told us many anecdotes about the places we visited. He is a person with a heart of gold, as well as a wonderful skipper, and – not surprisingly – he loves his job very much, showing this passion in the many conversations we had on board. Thank you, Tito, for giving us an unforgettable experience on our last day in Sicily. We wish you all the best and good luck! P.S. Hoping you'll read this, we look forward to seeing you in Naples! -Sabrina and Davide

— Sabrina, August 14, 2026

We had a very pleasant afternoon on this day trip, which allowed us to sail along the coast and discover the island of the Cyclopes. We made two swimming stops, during which we were lent masks to do some snorkeling. The appetizers were very generous, and the unlimited Prosecco was very good. Tito, the skipper, provided us with explanations throughout the trip and was committed to making the experience as enjoyable as possible for everyone. Finally, the boat was comfortable and allowed us to lie down to sunbathe. We recommend it.

— Julie, August 5, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do we meet the boat?

There are two possible meeting points in Catania; which one applies depends on the option you choose when booking. The exact address is confirmed in your booking details, so check your confirmation email closely rather than assuming a default departure point.

Is there an extra fee to pay on the day?

Yes, a skipper fee of €15 per person is charged in cash on site, in addition to the online ticket price. It's worth bringing exact change, since this is paid directly to the crew rather than through the booking platform.

Is the food a full meal or a snack?

It's a substantial snack rather than a sit-down meal: fruit, gourmet sandwiches, pretzels and soft drinks, plus Prosecco served at one of the stops. Travellers wanting a full lunch or dinner included may prefer one of the other Catania boat tours.

Can I actually help sail the boat?

Yes, on the return leg you can take the helm under the skipper's instruction if you want to, though it's entirely optional. Nobody is required to take part, and the skipper stays in control throughout for safety.

Is snorkelling gear included?

Yes, snorkelling and safety gear are included for the stops at Ulysses' Caves and along the coast, so there's no need to bring or hire your own mask and snorkel for this trip.