The 15 Best Boat Tours in Puglia

1.Speedboat Cruise to Caves with Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,382 reviews · 2 hours · from $35Our pick

Set out from Cala Ponte Marina on a two-hour, seven-meter speedboat cruise along Polignano a Mare’s cave-lined coast. Your English or Italian skipper, including guides such as Giuseppe, Claudio, and Mattia, points out the caves, plays music, serves wine and snacks, and stops for a swim.

“This was a great way to see the caves of Polignano a Mare. Our guide was funny and entertaining. I would definitely recommend this activity especially as an activity in the off season.”

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2.Cave Boat Tour with Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,891 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $47

Cruise from San Vito past Grotta Azzurra, Lama Monachile, Grotta Palazzese, and other coastal caves. Your Italian or English-speaking crew provides floats, a swimming stop, and a Prosecco aperitif with local snacks. Sunset departures can add a lovely final touch.

“The trip started at 5pm and upon returning we stopped for an apero and watched a magnificent sunset. The whole experience was very enjoyable though at times the sea was a little choppy in a small speedboat.”

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3.Boat Trip, Swim & Cave with Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,300 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $35

Join Dorino Gite in Barca for a 1.5-hour coastal cruise from Polignano a Mare. A guide such as Nicolas, Valerio, or Enzo leads you past sea caves and famous cliffs, with time for a swim and snorkeling, followed by Prosecco and Apulian taralli. The small boat holds up to 10 people.

“Very nice! I recomend this trip to everyone, to see the beautifull coast and caves of polignano a mare”

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4.Polignano a Mare boat tour emotions, caves, diving and appetizers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,022 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42Top rated

Set out from San Vito near Polignano a Mare for a 90-minute cruise with Dorino Gite in Barca. Expect sea caves, swim and snorkel stops, local coastal stories, music, and a simple Prosecco-and-taralli aperitivo. Captains such as Christian, Nicholas, and Valerio lead small groups of up to 10 people.

“It’s a great short experience if you don’t have much time which includes a boat tour of the main caves followed by a quick swim and a wine and snack on board before heading back.”

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5.Boat tour of the Polignano a Mare caves with aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 595 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Cruise from San Vito past Cala Paura, Grotta Azzurra, Lama Monachile, Grotta Palazzese, and Scoglio dell’Eremita. A professional skipper provides local stories, music, a swimming stop, taralli, and prosecco. The small-group feel depends on the boat, sea conditions, and departure time.

“This experience was very enjoyable! The weather and water was beautiful and the tour guide Christian was fun, personable, friendly and joined in with all of the guests in singing along with the Italian songs he played. A very nice boat ride and highly recommend… beautiful scenic tour that one would not see from land.”

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6.Boat Cruise to Scenic Caves with Prosecco

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 550 reviews · from $46

From Cala Ponte Marina, your skipper takes you along Polignano a Mare’s coast to Grotta Azzurra, Grotta Palazzese, and other sea caves. Expect a small boat, close-up cave views, swimming time, soft drinks, snacks, and prosecco, with guides such as Nicola and Giuseppe often praised for their handling and humor.

“We spent a wanderful time on the boat. The captain was very charming :)”

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7.3 Hour Group Tour by Boat to the Caves of Santa Maria di Leuca

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 472 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $54

Captain Mino and the Leuca Explorer team take you from Leuca Tourist Port to sea caves on both the Adriatic and Ionian sides. Expect close cliff views, two swimming stops, masks and snorkel equipment when available, life jackets, and often a small aperitivo with prosecco and snacks.

“Stefano was a great captain. We had a wonderful time! The water was a little choppy so he was careful not to go too fast and toss us around.”

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8.Boat Tour of the Caves – Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 427 reviews · 1 hour 50 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Join Blue Wave for a 1-hour-50-minute small-group cruise from Polignano a Mare. Guides such as Alessandro, Francesco, and Elise lead you past sea caves, the Domenico Modugno statue, Grotta Palazzese, and the Bourbon-era viewpoint, with time for swimming, snacks, music, and prosecco.

“Wonderful outing! Hosts were very welcoming, boat was comfortable, sites were gorgeous, and it was a spectacular adventure. Highly recommend it. Best thing we have done so far on our trip. We speak English and the host shared some information about the area and gave highlights on some key spots. They shared some bubbly Prosecco and snacks with us. Stopped for a fun dip in the sea. The water was wonderful. What an affordable price for such beautiful scenery, an exciting boat ride, and a look inside several caves! Looking for other boating outings in the surrounding area after enjoying this one so very much! Don’t hesitate, book it!!!”

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9.Boat trip to the Polignano a Mare caves

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 395 reviews · 1 hour 50 minutes (approx.) · from $42

From Calaponte Marina, cruise the Polignano a Mare coast with an English-speaking skipper and guide. Expect sea caves, cliff views, local stories, a stop to swim, and roughly two hours on the water. Boats hold no more than 10 people, with guides such as Claudio and Pietro.

“The caves were wonderful, and the swim in the gorgeous blue Adriatic, the music and the atmosphere were magical. You cannot visit Polignano a Mare without doing this boat tour”

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10.UTOPIA Long Mini Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 322 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $42

Join the UTOPIA crew from Torre Vado for a four-hour cruise past Salento caves, Punta Ristola, Santa Maria di Leuca, and the Mannute cliffs. You get two 25-minute swimming stops, a drink, and bar service. The boat holds up to 100 people, so expect a lively group setting.

“Inizialmente avevamo prenotato per la minicrociera Utopia, poi siamo stati contattati proponendoci o un altro tour nel pomeriggio o un altra imbarcazione a causa di overbooking del tour. Abbiamo scelto l altra imbarcazione „mediterranea“. Tutto nella norma, 2 stop in acque cristalline, aperitivo con taralli, melone e vino bianco. nei giorni dopo peró abbiamo fatto un altro tour e notato che la qualità/prezzo di altri tour operator é migliore.”

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11.Polignano Sea Caves: Boat Tour with Snorkeling & Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 310 reviews · 2 hours · from $38

Sail from San Vito toward Polignano a Mare with Venture Vibes for cave views, swimming, snorkeling, and an Italian aperitif. Expect modern boats, a sunshade, onboard shower and toilet, and recorded commentary if your captain does not speak your language.

“We had a great time, the staff was friendly and fun.”

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12.Bari by boat: admire the city from the sea with Aperitivo

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 256 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $53

Cruise Bari’s waterfront for 1.5 hours aboard a blue vintage gozzo with a skipper such as Claudio or Antonella. Stop near Basilica di San Nicola for Prosecco or white wine and artisanal taralli, then swim if weather allows. Groups are limited to eight.

“It was super fun. Our captain was relaxed, funny and spoke very good English. She showed us the landmarks and told some anecdotes. The sunset was beautiful and we enjoyed every single moment of the trip.”

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13.Mini-cruise tour to the Caves of Santa Maria di Leuca

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 250 reviews · from $34

Cruise from Alexander Leuca along both sides of Santa Maria di Leuca, stopping to admire coastal caves and swim in the sea. The roughly 2.5-hour trip includes life jackets, flotation armrests, one soft drink, and a small aperitif of traditional Salento frisa. Groups can reach 140 people.

“Esperienza da rifare 👍Tutto ben organizzato nei minimi dettagli. Siamo rimasti davvero soddisfatti.”

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14.Catamaran Tour with Aperitif & Local Food

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 249 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $63

Set out from Cala Ponte Marina on Almarano’s clean, spacious catamaran. Cruise past Lama Monachile, Grotta Palazzese, the Hermit’s Rock, and Cala Port’Alga, then swim and use paddleboards at Cala Corvino while enjoying focaccia, mozzarella, cold cuts, fruit, and drinks.

“Loved it! Best trip ever! Our children loved it and it was such a great experience. Highly recommend!”

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15.Santa Maria di Leuca: Capo di Leuca Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 245 reviews · 3 hours · from $41

Set out from Santa Maria di Leuca with a local skipper such as Matteo or Vincenzo. Cruise past the lighthouse, Punta Meliso, and Punta Ristola, visit caves on both coasts, and stop for swimming. The three-hour tour costs $41 and is offered in Italian, English, and French.

“Matteo was super nice. He made great atmosphere. Program was great, he organized drinks for us, played us great music. Experience was perfect.”

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