1 hour and half boat tour to the sea caves of Siracusa and Ortigia
Highlights
- Discover beautiful Syracuse from the water with an unforgettable 1½-hour boat tour
- Visit fantastically coloured sea caves and sail around the scenic island of Ortigia
- Delve into the stories and legends of the place and travel the 'most Venetian' canal in Sicily
Activity available in
Why Freedome
Free of charge cancellation
Okay we'll reimburse you, but you don't know what you're missing
Best price guaranteed
The same as the guide: we do not charge fees
Assistance 7 days a week
Contact us anytime. We do not do ghosting
Full description
Did you know that Syracuse, from the Sicilian Syraka or the Greek Sirokos, means abundant water or sirocco? After this tour the city will have no more secrets!
Get ready to discover it from the water with a1.5-hour boat trip between Syracuse and Ortigia: you can wander through sea caves and spectacular bays, discover the history of fortifications and castles, and then sail along a canal that will remind you of Venice.
What we will do
We’ll meet in Syracuse, 15 minutes before the time specified at the time of booking.
Once aboard our boat, we’ll sail along the canal that separates the small island of Ortigia from the mainland. Our first stop will be the three sea caves of the modern city: La Bocca, L’orecchio piccolo, and L’acquario or Grotta delle Stalattiti. The latter will amaze us with its fantastic colours, from the purplish-red of the starfish to the orange of its tiny corals.
Leaving the caves behind, we’ll set course for the Bay of the Two Brothers (I Du’ Frati) , a spectacular and legendary spot where we’ll stop for a swim of about 20 minutes to take a dip in its crystal-clear waters.
From here, we’ll reach the island of Ortigia: as we sail along the coast, we’ll discover various natural and historical anecdotes, with a few references to myths and legends. From the water, we’ll be able to admire the Spanish fortifications and Maniace Castle, before entering the main harbour of Syracuse and heading towards the Aretusa Spring, named after the nymph transformed into a spring by the goddess Artemis. After observing the fresh water gushing into the sea, we’ll continue towards the marina’s seafront to admire the Cathedral and other iconic buildings of the city from the water.
We will then return to the canal, passing under two bridges and alongside the red Byzantine-Venetian palace – a truly picturesque spot reminiscent of the world’s most famous ‘floating city’.
We’ll return to the starting point after a 1½-hour tour.
Who it is aimed at
The activity is suitable for everyone, with no age limit. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
Children from 0 to 6 years old are free of charge: please inform the organisers at the contact details indicated in your booking confirmation email.
The boat can be wheelchair-accessible: the skipper will assess the feasibility according to the person's weight (there are steps and small architectural barriers).
The excursion is not recommended for women in an advanced state of pregnancy.
Other information
The excursion takes place all year round, every day, with a minimum of 2 participants.
The boat is an 8-metre motorboat equipped with a large awning, safety equipment, a bow sundeck, cushions, Bluetooth stereo system, freshwater shower and a ladder.
The itinerary and entry into the caves will depend on the weather and sea conditions: in the event of bad weather we will carry out the tour in reverse, heading first to Ortigia.
Dogs of all sizes are allowed on board.
The starting point, which is marked with a reference flag for customers, can be reached by public transport and by car (pay car parks available nearby).
Recommended clothing
- Clothing suitable for the season
- Swimming costume
Don't forget to bring
- Sunglasses
- Cap
- Beach towel
- Sun cream
What is included
How it works
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1
Complete the booking
Choose your preferred date and time from the calendar and proceed to payment
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2
Receive instant confirmation
Wow! Your reservation has been instantly confirmed
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3
Live your experience
Enjoy the activity and let us know how it was!
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1
Buy a gift voucher
Valid for 12 months from the date of issue. You will receive it by email, in pdf format.
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2
Choose your preferred date
Contact the guide at the contact details on the voucher and arrange a day for the activity.
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3
Live your experience
Enjoy the activity and let us know how it was!
Meeting point
Syracuse
Frequently asked questions
What happens in case of bad weather?
If you have made a fixed date reservation and the weather conditions are not suitable for carrying out the activity safely (according to the expert opinion of the guide), you will be refunded the full amount paid. The guide may suggest an alternative date or time for the activity. You are free to choose whether or not to accept these suggestions. If you are unable to reschedule, we will proceed with a full refund! If you have set the date of your Gift Voucher and bad weather has prevented the activity from taking place, the Voucher remains valid until the expiry date indicated on it.
If I cancel the reservation, can I get a full refund?
For this activity, the cancellation policy is last minute. You get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours from the activity start. You can find the full policies in the Cancellation Policy section.
What payment methods do you accept?
On Freedome, you can pay with any rechargeable credit card or prepaid card (including Postepay) from Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB networks. We also accept debit cards enabled for online payments. You can also use the digital wallets Apple Pay and Google Pay.
