Recently Viewed
Ortigia Island Tour: Admire Sea Caves and Coral Formations
4.9
693 Ratings
Siracusa
Explore the stunning Ortigia Island on a tour that takes you through sea caves and showcases beautiful coral formations. Dive into the crystal-clear waters and marvel at the breathtaking coastal scenery.
Explore the stunning Ortigia Island on a tour that takes you through sea caves and showcases beautiful coral formations. Dive into the crystal-clear waters and marvel at the breathtaking coastal scenery.
Duration:
1 hour, 10 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Maniace Castle - Visitors will have the opportunity to view the esteemed Castello Maniace Via Mare.
- Isola di Ortigia - The tour will navigate around the island of Ortigia, offering views of the Duomo, the Church of Santa Lucia, Palazzo Veneziano, Ponte Umberto I, the small port, the former Bourbon prison, the Spanish Walls, Lungomare di…
- Maniace Castle - Visitors will have the opportunity to view the esteemed Castello Maniace Via Mare.
- Isola di Ortigia - The tour will navigate around the island of Ortigia, offering views of the Duomo, the Church of Santa Lucia, Palazzo Veneziano, Ponte Umberto I, the small port, the former Bourbon prison, the Spanish Walls, Lungomare di Levante, Forte Vigliera, Castello Maniace, Fonte Aretusa, Lungomare Alfeo, and Porta Marina.
- Syracuse - Explore the captivating sea caves. The journey will lead through these intriguing coastal ravines to admire stalactites, stalagmites, coral formations, and numerous enchanting shapes, all products of nature’s artistry. The excursion will conclude with a refreshing swim.
What's Included
- Guided tour
- Swim in crystal clear waters
- Guided tour
- Swim in crystal clear waters
What's Not Included
- Bottled water
- Bottled water
Additional Information
This tour provides a chance to appreciate the stunning beauty of Ortigia from the sea, along with the magnificent sea caves that boast spectacular colors due to the filtering light illuminating the coral formations, stalactites, and stalagmites.
Participants will be enveloped in all shades of blue while observing the coastal morphology, with vertical…
This tour provides a chance to appreciate the stunning beauty of Ortigia from the sea, along with the magnificent sea caves that boast spectacular colors due to the filtering light illuminating the coral formations, stalactites, and stalagmites.
Participants will be enveloped in all shades of blue while observing the coastal morphology, with vertical cliffs towering over the sea as they near the sea caves. There will also be an opportunity to pause for a refreshing swim.
Please note that the itinerary sections may change depending on marine weather conditions.
Location
Escursioni in barca Siracusa | Excursion Boat Ortigia | Tour en bateau by Dolci Escursioni
Foro Vittorio Emanuele II
Recognizable by an infopoint DOLCI ESCURSIONI
We ask you to arrive at least 30 minutes before the booked departure time.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(693 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Traveler748345
Jan 12, 2026
Boat trip, pleasant and interesting - Excellent boat ride. The guide, Franco, charming, explained many things and answered our questions. It has given us security at all times and the itinerary very enjoyable and interesting.
Better than I expected, it's worth it
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jjmotz84
Nov 21, 2025
Complete Your Visit to Ortigia with This Boat Tour - We really enjoyed this boat tour around Ortigia and the Siracusa sea caves on a beautiful November morning. The booking process was super easy and the info we immediately received about the meeting point was very clear. The boat was small so our group of 10 people fit easily. Our tour guide/boat captain was amazing. She told us interesting things about Ortigia (in English) all while keeping perfect control over the boat, especially by the sea caves where the wave action was up a bit. We had a great time and we highly recommend this one hour tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Resort43193801922
Nov 10, 2025
excellent organisation great experience - it was a wonderful trip with a funny and skilful captain who kept us entertained and povided information about the sights. The organisation war excellent, contact via whatsapp worked well. We were informed about the weather conditions, we were offered a later trip, as waves got too high. I liked it very much how well the orginizer cared for our safety. The boat was not overloaded with participants, we had a pleasant trip. Even my friend who was afraid of the waves had a good time and felt safe. The view of Ortigia from the sea is spectacular, even in November. It was worth the money!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Drummerdude22
Nov 2, 2025
Worth the time & money. - Smaller boat that can get into smaller places. Had a great tour and saw the island from the ocean which gives you some great views. Would highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paulagalvin
Oct 30, 2025
Beautiful - A truly beautiful trip around the harbour and in and out of the caves, beautiful views of Syracuse and Ortigia, a must do while you are in Syracuse.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Muca55
Oct 22, 2025
This is a must do if staying in Siracusa, Ortigia or even Catania ! 5 stars 🌟 - This is an intimate, quaint boat trip with locals full of information and character ! We arrived late and missed the 1300 boat we were booked on they kindly changed us to the 1400 one. Ortigia is a beautiful place steeped in history going back to the 2nd century BC ! It is both beautiful naturally and physically, and with the architecture. Our boat driver explained the ports and many buildings, as well as the physicality and history of the caves really well. As a fan and traveller to Cyprus and Greece I knew that Ortigia was more Greek in culture and style than maybe other parts of Sicily. However, the boat driver really clarified the Greek, ancient Roman and even Spanish colonisation and influence perfectly for me. The caves were amazing and the water was so clear. We couldn't swim though as the waves were v choppy. It was a pity but safety first. I love how Ortigia mixes Greek history & style, with Mediterranean vibes, with Italian, with (most importantly) Sicilian charm, culture and down to earthness ! This boat trip and Dolci Escursioni represent all that so well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Julio-colombiatravel
Oct 14, 2025
Undoubtedly unmissable - If you are going to Syracuse, this is the tour you should do. Stefano was very friendly from the beginning. He recommended us very well and also sent us a list of attractions to meet on our own. It is a comfortable boat, for a maximum of 15 people, Franco was our captain. The tour lasts 1 hour and is enough to know these beautiful formations on the rocks. Super recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Moeg68
Oct 11, 2025
Boat Excursion in Ortigia - I booked this excursion months in advance and was somewhat skeptical due to its reasonable price. I was in for a pleasant surprise. They were extremely organized and kept me updated prior to the day of the trip. They send a map to show you exactly where the meeting spot is. Everything was very orderly and the boats were not overcrowded and in good repair. The tour was the perfect amount of time (about 1.5 hours) including a brief swim in the crystal blue water, which was surprisingly warm! Franco, the guide and Captain, was very informative and extremely skilled at the helm. He easily maneuvered in and out of the tight caves, while pointing out all of the natural beauty and historical sights. He also pointed out St Lucile church where there is a Caravaggio altarpiece. It was an easy walk over upon disembarking!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Didiandpapu
Oct 24, 2025
Nice trip, but we did not stop to swim - It was a lovely trip however I was disappointed that we did not stop for a swim. There were many other tour boats that did allow their guests to swim.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Around_europe
Oct 30, 2025
2 hour delay - I did a few boat tours while in Sicily, and unfortunately this was the worst experience. The organizers told us on Whatsapp the night before that our tour would leave at 12pm instead of 10am. They said there would be some police inspection of the caves and they access would be denied in the morning. This really derailed our itinerary for the rest of the day. But the main problem was that the skipper on the boat told us there was no such thing as a police inspection of the caves that morning or any other morning. Basically the organizers lied to us, probably because they overbooked the tour, and decided our group would be one of the unlucky ones pushed to 2 hours later... I don't appreciate the dishonesty and that their own staff wasn't on the same page. Especially as we had booked MONTHS in advance. Our tour also didn't last the full 1h10 advertised.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
