Taormina Blue Grotto & Lovers’ Cave boat tour

From 6 to 7 HoursWe will operate a slighlty shorter tour if your cruise ship time in port doesn't allow a 7 hrs tour
Min People: 4The minimum number is the total number of people that we require the operate the tour (e.g. you can book the tour for 2 people)
Max People: private tour - small group 16 people - group tour 35 peopleYou can choose the group size you prefer at the check out: private tour, small group (max 16 people) or group tour (max 35 people)
Pick-up / Drop-off: Cruise port or accommodation
Avr 1’ - Oct 31'
Return to port on time 100% guarantee

Taormina Blue Grotto boat tour is the perfect experience to enjoy a panoramic visit of the coast and of the town of Taormina. First, you will be charmed by the rock formations that give shapes to beautiful caves, such as the Lovers’ Cave and the famous Taormina Blue Grotto, a renowned spot for snorkelling and scuba dives in the area. The clear blue water gives you the opportunity to jump in for a nice swim in the waters around the wonderful rocky islet of Isola Bella, also shown in the new TV show White Lotus Sicily.

With this boat tour, beside the natural beauties of the rock formations and the landscape, you are going to see also all the luxury hotels on the coast of Taormina, including the one whose pool and beaches are shown as White Lotus Sicily locations.

After having savoured a Sicilian treat and a sip of wine on the boat, in less than half an hour, we will reach the lovely town of Taormina, where you will experience the mood of the dolce vita. Indulge in a stroll along Corso Umberto, the main street of the city center, which will fascinate you with many shops and picturesque views. Choose one of the many restaurants overlooking charming gardens or stunning sea views and savor the authentic Sicilian flavors.

This tour also includes a tasting of typical Sicilian products in Messina.

Please Note: Access to the Blue Grotto is not always guaranteed and is subject to the discretion of the boat operator.

Price sheet

Adult - Shared group - max 35 people

120,00 € pp

Adult - Small group - max 16 people

160,00€ pp

Private tour - min 4 people

220,00€ pp

Groups - min 10 people

96,00€ pp

Why book with us

No-hassle best price guarantee
Minivan enabled for people with special needs on request
Professional & local tour guides
Certified tour operator
Small-medium tours, Higher quality
Full refund within 24 h to the departure
Customer care available 24/7
Support information on WhatsApp before the tour
Unique Tours & Activities, best experience
Free Travel Insureance

Itinerary

Departure from Messina Cruise Port

The Taormina Blue Grotto boat tour starts from Messina Cruise Port or from Travel Agency Discover Messina Sicily, located in the city centre. On request, a departure from your accommodation located in Messina area.

Isola Bella boat tour

After a journey of about one hour by van, you will reach the first destination of this day trip, which is the port of Giardini Naxos, not far from Taormina. Here you will embark on a sightseeing boat starting a lovely tour of the coastline of Taormina and its natural beauty, made by crystal water and particular rock formations.

The highlights of this tour are Taormina Blue Grotto and the amazing Isola Bella, a rocky islet connected to the beach by a tiny sand line which thanks to its lush vegetation is a nature reserve for marine birds.

After a refreshing swim near Isola Bella and a tasting, you will be back to the port of Giardini Naxos and you will be ready to visit Taormina.

Taormina tour

In less than 20 minutes you will arrive in the beautiful Taormina, where you will have a tasting of some typical food. Then explore Taormina in free time, walk along Corso Umberto or “eat local” at one of the many typical and cozy restaurants of the pedestrian area.

Your tour leader will be happy to suggest to you the best spots where to try the famous Sicilian food as arancino, cannolo, and a fresh granita, or the most interesting historical attractions of Taormina,the ancient churches, the panoramic point or the peaceful public garden.

While in Taormina you will have a refreshing tasting of typical products and a drink.

Return to Messina Cruise Port

The Taormina Blue Grotto boat tour will end at the starting point. We share a goodbye, hoping to meet our guests back in Sicily soon

Video

Additional Information

Important Information

Pick-up / Drop-off

Messina Cruise Terminal

Discover Messina Office

Hotel / B&B

Languages Offered

English.

Italian, Spanish, French, Romanian are available for private tours on request.

Price Includes

Round trip by A/C van or bus

Professional guide

2 hour boat tour

Tasting of typical products in Messina

Live commentary on board

Treats and bottled water on board of the bus

Discover Messina Travel Assistance

Liability Insurance

Price Excludes

Gratuities (optional)

Food and drinks

Any Private Expenses

What is not specified in “Included in the price”

What to bring

Swimsuit, sunscreen, light shoes, comfortable and thin clothing, a hat. Change of clothes (optional)

Private Tour Option

If you book this excursion as private for a group of maximum 6 people, you will be comfortably transported by our luxury car. Please, contact us and we will be happy to provide you with further information.

Policy

Cancellation Policy

Photos

Booking instructions

Step 1: Find the calendar and choose the date

The calendar is located at the right side of the page if you browse on a desktop. You can find the calendar at the bottom of the page if you are browsing on mobile.

Step 2: Choose the departure time

Departure times are set according to the arrival and departure time of cruise ships based on the calendars that we know in advance. Return on time is 100% guaranted, and we wait for our guests to arrive if the ship is late disembarking.

Step 3: Choose your group size

At the check-out, you can see and decide what you want to pay according to the group size you choose.

Step 4: Fill the fields with the required info

At the check-out you will be asked to fill a form with basic info: name, mobile phone number, e-mail, name of the ship ecc. If a discount code is available, this is the moment to use it.

*Please, be sure to share with us a correct phone number because we will use it to share important reminiders and notes for your trip in advance.

Step 5: Finalize the payment to book

You have the option to pay with a deposit of 40% if the total due amount is more than 500€. We will later charge your card for the balance within 15 days to the tour departure.

Map

FAQ

What happens if my ship is late?

If your ship docks a bit later than expected, or if for any reason clearance procedures take longer, we will wait for you until the disembarking procedures are complete, and you will be allowed off the ship.

If for any personal reasons you are running late, your guide can wait for you no more than 10 minutes before leaving.

Is this tour suitable to people with mobility issues?

We are happy to welcome people with mobility issues and special needs. Foldable walkers and wheelchairs can be accommodated on most of our vehicles if the guest can get on and off the bus.

Boat tour:

To go on and off the boat there are a few steps at the little pier. The boat captain and your tour guide will help you to go on and off the boat. To go in the water from the boat, you can either dive from the boat or use the ladder located on the front. You will use the ladder to get back on the boat after swimming.

Taormina:

Once in Taormina, if you bus will enter the parking station, elevators are available to reach the city center from the parking. Other than that, the historic center develops along Corso Umberto, the main street of Taormina, which is flat with no steps.

How long is the boat portion?

The tour by boat has a duration of about 2 hours.

Can we swim during the boat tour?

Yes, during the boat trip there will be a stop to let you dive in the water for about 20-30 minutes.

Are there changing rooms available?

No, there are no changing rooms available. We suggest you bring light clothes that you can wear on top of your swimsuit. Toilets may be available nearby the port of Giardini Naxos in a bar/restaurant if you buy an espresso or a bottle of water.

Is lunch included during the tour?

No, lunch is not included in the price of the tour. However, a tasting of typical products is included while in Taormina and on the board of the boat. Your tour leader will give you the best suggestions to have lunch in your free time in Taormina.

Once in Taormina, will there be a guided walking tour?

No, once in Taormina your tour leader will share suggestions about things to do and see, or where to eat. You will have time to spend on your own and you will meet again your tour leader at the meeting point to go back to the starting point. The tour leader will be at your disposal while in Taormina for suggestions or any kind of assistance.

Is the boat trip before or after the visit to Taormina?

The order of the activities may change due to weather conditions and/or planning reasons.

What they say about us

“
Jeffrey S
This IS your best option for seeing Sicily!
We did the Taormina and the Blue Grotto tour with Alessandra. What an experience! The tour operator was extremely organized and picked us up right at the exit to the cruise port secured area–there was NO question about where to go or who to meet–the tour group had everything covered and we were in the correct bus and on the correct tour within minutes of leaving our cruise ship. The tour was fantastic, the tour guide (Alessandra) was extremely professional and knowledgeable–one of the best! Our tour bus driver was outstanding! We were given expert knowledge (Oh, Roberto’s for cannoli! Gracie for the tip!) of how to visit Taormina and a map of the town, then we were given a couple of hours of free time to explore the town on our own. After the visit to town was complete, it was time to hit the waves for a boat tour of the area and a ride into the Blue Grotto which also included swimming in the Ionian Sea. Awesome! Just awesome! Alessandra and Marcos, our boat captain, spoiled us with some little treats and this was just an awesome experience! 20 stars of 5 possible–it was just a great day and a wonderful tour! I would definitely book this tour again in a heartbeat! The tour operator took care of everything and all we had to do was show up and enjoy it. We ate too many sweets, spent too much money on souvenirs, and in general had just a great time on a very organized and well run tour! Two thumbs up from us!

July 8th, 2025
“
Judy B
A surprising delight
Everything was great. Don’t hesitate to take this scenic bus ride to Taromini which we so enjoyed. We wish we could have stayed there for at least a night. The walk through the village center was out of a picture book and our lunch ( one of many choices) was the best pizza ever. Plenty of places to choose from. The boat ride was worth taking to see the harbor and the unusual, bur small blue grottos. Don’t miss taking a dip in the sea water – a. Highlight for me.

June 28th, 2025
“
Leslie S
Don’t miss this Tour
When I go back to Taormina I will do this tour again and again and again! Beautiful weather and a great swim. There were only a dozen people in the boat and lots of information was given to us by the tour guide and the boat captain. The boat captain was warm and welcoming and I did not want the day to end.

June 27th, 2025
“
Roger G
Excellent
One of the best shore excursions on our Cruise. We witnessed the eruption of Mount Etna while on a boat visiting the Blue Grotto which was a spectacular event. The captain of the boat was so knowledgeable and went out of his way to make sure we got the full effect of the caves and the ecological features of the area. We also reboarded the bus and traveled to the top of the Mountain so we could enjoy a wonderful lunch viewing the bay below.

June 26th, 2025