Italy · SNORKELING
The 15 best snorkelling trips on sale today, with what each one costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is first for a reason, so start there.
Sail from Tropea to Capo Vaticano on a family-run boat with guides such as Domenico, Cristian, and Federico. You’ll stop at Formicoli, Praia i Focu, the Blue Grotto, and Riaci Bay for swimming and snorkeling, with masks, snacks, prosecco, and soft drinks included.
“Great tour Nico and paulo were great and friendly guides.”
Spend four hours on a traditional Amalfitan Gozzo with a local captain and up to nine other passengers. Cruise from Amalfi toward Positano, visit the Furore Fjord, swim near Conca dei Marini and La Porta, and enjoy fruit, prosecco, beer, soft drinks, and limoncello along the way.
“Wonderful boat ride with awesome captain. So friendly and knowledgeable and gave us time to swim and beautiful locations along the Amalfi coast”
Set out from Olbia Marina at 9:30 AM for a four-hour boat trip around Tavolara and Molara. With a maximum of 10 people, you get several swim and snorkel stops, the Ulisse Ear Cave, local snacks, drinks, and guides such as Antonio, Francesco, or Giovanni.
“Antonio was a great guide! Really funny and friendly. Even though the weather was very cloudy, he made adjustments of the tour and we got to have a great time. We even saw dolphins! Overall great experience!”
Join Nautisardinia for a 3-hour shared RIB boat trip from Cagliari’s Via Roma. An Italian- and English-speaking skipper such as Alessandro, Pietro, or Luca takes you to four swim stops around Devil’s Saddle, with snorkel gear, water, onboard shower, stories, music, and Prosecco included.
“Alessandro was an amazing captain and guide and selected the best spots to swim and snorkel for the day. We had beautiful sunny weather and it was so comfortable and an incredible must-do experience in Cagliari!”
Join Captain Mirko or another local captain for a 90-minute cruise from Riva della Posta around Ortigia. See Maniace Castle, Aretusa Fountain, the Umbertino Bridge, sea caves, and unusual rock shapes, then stop to swim and snorkel in a quiet cove.
“Recommend this! We had so much fun and the spot we used to take a break was the perfect spot for snorkeling and swimming. If you’re in Syracuse/Ortigia, it’s worth your while!”
Spend about four hours on a small-group gozzo cruise from Amalfi or Positano. Your skipper, often Rafael, Raphael, Cristiano, or another crew member, takes you past sea caves, Furore, Praiano, and Positano, with two swim stops, snorkeling gear, fruit, prosecco, limoncello, beer, and soft drinks.
“We loved the experience and would highly recommend as we found this would be the best way to see the Amalfi coast with the boat vs going thru the road with a car being stuck in traffic. Lastly, our captain, Cristiano was awesome and made it so fun for all of us. He was so cheerful and pleasant.”
Sail from Catania to Lachea Island and Aci Trezza aboard a Bavaria 46, with swimming, snorkeling, SUP, Etna views, and a Sicilian aperitif. Guides such as Sofia and Gioele add local stories in English or Italian. Choose a 9:30 morning cruise or a 15:00 sunset departure.
“We booked the boat ride and it was such a fun experience and enjoyable. Fair note, we were a small group. We had a great time and experience on the boat ride. 100% will go again. Gioele the skipper and Carlotta were amazing.”
Set out from Olbia with a skipper such as Antonio, Francesco, or Giovanni aboard an 8.5-meter, 250-horsepower boat. Search for wild bottlenose dolphins near Figarolo, snorkel among fish and starfish, visit caves and cliffs, and enjoy Sardinian mini pizzas, snacks, and drinks.
“The best part of our experience was the generosity of our captain and host, Francesco. He also has a great eye that can see the dolphins under water, which made finding them easier. Always made sure we were comfortable, even offering us home made pizza by his friend’s wife, which were great. The experience was wonderful, we felt lucky with our captain and the people with us, we highly recommend.”
Join a captain and snorkeling guide from Olbia for four hours around Tavolara Marine Protected Area. Swim over the Chrisso shipwreck, explore Molara’s natural pools, pause at Tavolara and Punta Spalmatore, and enjoy gear, drinks, and a snack.
“What we liked most was swimming in the crystal-clear waters near Tavolara. The marine life was absolutely stunning, with amazing fish all around us. The guide was excellent, very knowledgeable, and made the whole experience even more enjoyable. It was a perfect day out on the water!”
Spend 195 minutes with a skipper such as Francesca, Gianni, Johnny, or Simon cruising from Cagliari to Cala Bernat, Cala Fighera, the Devil’s Saddle, and Poetto Beach. The 8-meter RIB offers quick access to coves, swim stops, snorkeling, music, stories, and one included pink sangria or Spritz.
“The best tour in Cagliari !!! Francesca was the best.”
Set out from Marina Piccola in an 8.5 or 10-meter Zodiac RIB with an English or Italian skipper. Cruise past Poetto and the Devil’s Saddle, then stop at Cala Mosca, Cala Fighera, and nearby coves for swimming, snorkeling, local stories, and one or two glasses of homemade white wine.
“lovely boat trip, our guide Enrico was very nice, shared interesting info about the area, took us to some stunning spots on a lovely clean safe boat.”
From Sos Aranzos, cruise with a captain and guide toward Cape Figari and Figarolo. Look for bottlenose dolphins, learn about their habits, then swim and snorkel at Cala Greca, Cala Moresca, and Figarolo. Boats hold up to 12 people, with gear, soft drinks, and multilingual guides.
“Fab trip, well organised. Miya and Antonio were very knowledgeable. We saw alot of dolphins and fish. Would recommend”
Paddle along Monterosso’s Cinque Terre coast with guides such as Chiara, passing caves, waterfalls, and historic sights before stopping to snorkel in a sheltered cove. This two-hour outing suits beginners and families, but you must be able to swim and should bring water shoes and drinking water.
“Chiara was a great guide and took the time to show us all the nooks and crannies along the coastline.”
Join Marco and the Amore Iodio team at Olbia’s Molo Bosazza for a three-hour inflatable-boat trip to Figarolo and Tavolara. Look for wild dolphins near the fish farm, pause at Cape Figari, then snorkel at Cala Moresca with gear, snacks, drinks, fuel, and insurance included.
“signed up for the dolphin watching tour with our guide called Marco from Amore. It was worth every cent and although there's obviously no guarantee of seeing the dolphins,, you do stand a good chance,, as they gather near fish farm. We saw quite a few dolphins multiple times and it was so special. Marco was friendly, informative and even provided us with a surprise drink and nibbles. We then went on to swim/snorkel if you choose at an island where the water was pale turquoise in places, then started our return. Marco returned briefly to the dolphin area where it was now quiet as other boats had left, we…”
Set out from Amalfi on a 10 to 12 metre gozzo with an English-speaking captain and hostess. Cruise past Conca dei Marini, Furore, Praiano, and Positano, stopping to swim and snorkel in clear water. Choose a 2, 4, 6, or 7-hour route, with drinks, towels, snacks, and equipment included.
“We loved taking a boat along the coast, it was amazing! We had a few swim spots. Even though it was rough water and we could not stop at a few places it was still good. Heads up! You have to take a water taxi from the boat into Positano, because they cannot bring the boat into dock. That was a $13 dollar charge ( cash) per person. There was only 4 of us that went on the excursion . They did give lots of drinks and snacks. Overall worth the money.”
Pick a city, a coastline or a kitchen.
