Catania: Sail Tour of Cyclops Coast with Sicilian Aperitif

About This Experience

This sailing trip leaves from the port of Catania, where you meet your skipper at Caffè del Porto on Via Cardinale Dusmet before boarding a sailboat, a Beneteau Sense 55, Dufour 41 or Oceanis 39 depending on the size of the group. As you sail out towards Aci Trezza, a naturalistic guide talks through the coastline's geology and history, pointing out the lava-rock formations shaped by old eruptions and the plants that have taken root on them.

The boat passes below the Castle of Aci Castello, a Norman fortress built into a cliff above the sea, before reaching the Cyclopean Isles near Aci Trezza. Here the boat stops for about an hour so guests can swim and snorkel in clear water, using the snorkelling gear carried on board, or try stand-up paddleboarding alongside the boat. The water here is sheltered by the offshore rocks, so it tends to stay calm even when there's a light breeze out on open water.

Back on deck, the crew serve a Sicilian aperitif of sparkling wine with local light bites such as flavoured cheese, fresh tomatoes, cold cuts and bread with savoury pesto, enjoyed at anchor off Aci Trezza before the sail back to Catania. The exact route can shift slightly depending on the sea and weather on the day, and the skipper adjusts timing between the swim stop and the aperitif accordingly.

The whole trip runs around four hours, and there is a mandatory boarding fee of twenty euros per person, paid in cash at the dock. Meet at the Dogana Gate and look for the Club Nautico dock to find the boat. The tour isn't suitable for children under five or for wheelchair users, since boarding involves stepping onto a sailboat.

Highlights

• Around four hours under sail between Catania port and the Cyclopean Isles at Aci Trezza
• Sails aboard a Beneteau Sense 55, Dufour 41 or Oceanis 39, depending on the group
• An hour-long swim and snorkel stop in the clear water off Aci Trezza, with stand-up paddleboarding also on offer
• Close-up views of the Castle of Aci Castello, built onto a lava cliff over the sea
• A seated Sicilian aperitif of sparkling wine and local snacks at anchor
• Commentary on the coastline's volcanic geology from a naturalistic guide

What's Included

• ✓ Sailboat rental for the full four-hour trip
• ✓ Snorkelling gear for the swim stop off Aci Trezza
• ✓ Stand-up paddleboard (SUP) equipment
• ✓ Sparkling wine served on board
• ✓ Sicilian appetiser of local light bites
• ✓ A naturalistic guide on board throughout

Not Included

• Boarding fee of €20 per person, paid in cash at the dock
• Gratuities
• Transport to Caffè del Porto / Catania port
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

What to Bring

• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Change of clothes
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Water

Good to Know & Caveats

• Meet at the Dogana Gate and look for the Club Nautico dock — it isn't the same as the wider port entrance.
• A mandatory boarding fee of €20 per person is paid in cash on the day, on top of the ticket price.
• The sailing route can change slightly depending on sea and weather conditions.
• Not suitable for children under 5 or for wheelchair users, since boarding is directly onto a sailboat.
• The boat used varies (Beneteau Sense 55, Dufour 41 or Oceanis 39) depending on the size of the group.

Meeting Point

Caffè del Porto, Via Cardinale Dusmet, 95121 Catania. Enter through the Dogana Gate and look for the Club Nautico dock.