4 Sicily Garden Tours to Plan a Day Around

1.Boat tour Giardini Naxos Taormina Isola Bella Blue Grotto

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 541 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $48Our pick

From Giardini Naxos, Kristal Boat takes you along Taormina’s coast for about two hours. Expect views of Isola Bella and Mazzarò, cave and cove stops when conditions allow, a swim, Prosecco, and Sicilian almond treats. Guides including Kevin, Andrei, Francesco, and Gianluca have led recent trips.

“Good tour of the bay. Nice interaction with driver and other people on tour. If coming from Taormina be sure to plan trip to and from the pier to return. Nice swim and stunning views.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Boat excursion Taormina Giardini Naxos

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 199 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $48

Join Daniele and Salvo’s crew from Giardini Naxos for a two-hour cruise past Taormina, Isola Bella, sea caves, coves, and Capo Taormina. Expect a small group of up to 16, a roughly 20-minute swim at the Bay of Sirens, and an aperitif of Prosecco with almond cookies.

“Scenery was beautiful Meeting point not well marked with no signage Our hotel had to call to confirm where we were to meet Captain was friendly but not proficient in English …also no microphone so most of us missed what he was saying Very little information as to what we were seeing or the significance of the location Warning about swimming….my daughter and another person on the tour were stung by jelly fishes….we later learned that this is very common …captain was unfazed and had nothing on board such as cold water or ice … My daughter was in terrible pain for two days. The stingers are still in her…”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Escursioni in barca Taormina Giardini Naxos Isola bella

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 124 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $42Best value

Cruise from Giardini Naxos with skippers such as Phillip or Giuseppe past Isola Bella, the Taormina Faraglioni, Mazzarò, San Nicola, and the Blue Grotto. You’ll stop for a swim and enjoy prosecco, fruit, and Sicilian specialties aboard a small boat for up to 27 people.

“We had such a great time with Phillip and his crew. The water was amazing the scenery spectacular and Captain Phillip was a wealth of history and lore. They served fresh fruit and drinks and catered to all our needs. We highly recommend taking this boat ride and experiencing all they have to offer. If we ever get a chance to go back to Sicily we will definitely rebook this boat trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.The White Lotus Taormina and Giardini Naxos Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 47 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $204

Set out from Giardini Naxos at 10:00 a.m. for an eight-hour English-language boat trip around Taormina’s coast. Your skipper chooses the route according to the wind, with stops for swimming, snorkeling, caves, Isola Bella, Mazzarò, and a break in Giardini Naxos. The boat holds no more than 12 people.

“Absolutely the best boat tour! Guides were friendly, fun, played great music. Some fresh fruit and drinks on the boat. Guides took care of everything for us.”

Check availability →Read our full review