The 15 Best Taormina Garden Tours

1.Giardini Naxos: Semi-Submarine Tour to Isola Bella

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 280 reviews · from $44Our pick

From Marina di Schisó, you’ll cruise aboard a bright-red semi-submarine past Giardini Naxos, Isola Bella, the Bay of Sirens, and the Blue Grotto. Large underwater windows reveal fish and posidonia grass, while the open top deck gives you clear coastal views. English and Italian guides lead the hour-long trip.

“It was very pleasant on the boat. It was air-conditioned below deck and the whole boat was very clean. Unfortunately, we didn't see any specialties like dolphins or octopus on our trip, but the schools of fish were also nice to see :) If you don't want to or can't snorkel, it's a very good alternative to still see the underwater world.”

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2.Giardini Naxos Taormina: Dolphin Watching Sunset Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 276 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $59

Meet your guide at Giardini Naxos and cruise past the Love Cave, Blue Cave, and Isola Bella. You’ll stop to swim, eat Sicilian snacks, and search for dolphins before watching the sun set behind Mount Etna. Guides may include Gianluca, Andrea, Kevin, or Andrei.

“IT WAS AMAZING!! We had a really kind captain, he helped us to find the best view to see the dolphins. We were around the dolphins approximately for 1 hour, the captain and his assistant did their best to always find them but not to scare them. In the beginning the music was a bit loud but the captain’s assistant was also very kind, he gave us champagne and aperol they were really good. We also had local snacks that were delicious and he sometimes told us interesting facts about the spots we stopped. All in all worth every euros, loved the friendliness and the assistance of the staff. We…”

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3.Giardini Naxos: Taormina & Isola Cruise Bella with Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 263 reviews · 2 hours · from $47

Join Kristal Boat in Giardini Naxos for a two-hour coastal cruise past Isola Bella, the Cave of Love, the Blue Grotto, and Taormina. Your guide speaks Italian, English, or Romanian. Expect music, a swim stop, local almond sweets, and Prosecco, with snorkeling gear brought from home.

“Was a beautiful boat trip with the most amazing water. Well worth it and highly recommend”

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4.Giardini Naxos: Dolphin Catamaran Sunset Tour with Aperetif

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 218 reviews · 3 hours · from $65

Join a three-hour catamaran cruise from Giardini Naxos to Taormina for dolphin watching with binoculars and a hydrophone, a swim near Isola Bella or Spisone, and a Sicilian aperitif. The crew has worked with The White Lotus and Disney productions. English, Italian, and Spanish guides are available.

“Beautiful views. The captain was funny and welcoming. Had an amazing trip. Night time swim included which was awesome! The aperitifs were so good. 100% recommend.”

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5.Off-Road ATV Tour Alcantara & Mount Etna

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 177 reviews · 1 - 4.5 hours

Drive a two-person ATV from the Alcantara Gorges through vineyards, villages, lava fields, and volcanic caves to Mount Etna’s Piano Provenzana. Guides such as Giuseppe, Peppe, and Francesco explain the route in English or Italian. Hotel pickup from Taormina, Giardini Naxos, or Letojanni is optional.

“This quad bike excursion was the absolute best way to experience Mt. Etna. It was an exhilarating mix of stunning panoramic views, charming rides through small villages, and pure off-road adventure. The powerful bikes took us deep into the volcanic wilderness, culminating in a fascinating visit to the lava caves. Our guide, Peppe, truly made the tour unforgettable; he was incredibly knowledgeable, funny, and ensured everyone had an amazing, safe time. Highly, highly recommend this thrilling adventure!”

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6.Taormina and Giardini Naxos: 2 Hour Dolphin Tour & Grotto

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 63 reviews · 2 hours · from $65

From Giardini Naxos, join Escursioni Pizzichella for a 2-hour boat ride past Isola Bella and the Blue Grotto, then search for free-swimming dolphins before an aperitif at sunset. Guides including Francisco speak Italian and English, though the captain may not always speak English.

“The guide was very friendly and with his full heart into the job. :-) our Kids had really fun! would recommend it!”

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7.Tour di Giardini Naxos/Taormina, Isola Bella, Grotta Azzurra

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 49 reviews · 2 hours · from $41Best value

Spend two hours cruising from Giardini Naxos past sea caves, Capo Taormina, Mazzarò, and Isola Bella. Captain Antonio or Carmelo provides live commentary in English or Italian, with a 20-minute swim and snorkel stop, prosecco, and Sicilian almond pastry.

“Antonio, profesjonalista. Jest miłym człowiekiem, przekazał nam wiele informacji. Pokazał nie tylko groty, ale również rozgwiazdy, pomidory morskie, kolorowe ryby, koralowce. Widoki niesamowite, turkus wody, możliwość kąpieli (niestety nie skorzystałam i bardzo żałuję), kiedyś tam wrócę. Poczęstunek, muzyka. Łódź wyposażona w drabinki, więc powrót z kąpieli bezpieczny, bez zbędnej gimnastyki🤣.”

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8.Taormina and Giardini Naxos – 3 Hour Boat Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $168Top rated

Join Francesco aboard an ALL 790 motorboat from Giardini Naxos for three hours along Taormina’s coast. You’ll hear cave legends, stop twice to swim near Isola Bella, snorkel with provided gear, and enjoy fruit, soft drinks, and an alcoholic aperitif in a group of up to seven.

“The skipper was very friendly and has great knowledge of Naxos and taormina, let's you play your own music as you sail along the coast, would highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to explore the coast and have a swim in the amazing water of the bays”

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9.Tour Giardini Naxos, Taormina, aperitif and swimming

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 14 reviews · 2 hours · from $41

From Giardini Naxos, join captain Sergio for a two-hour speedboat cruise past Isola Bella, the Blue Cave, Mazzarò, and Taormina’s coves. You’ll hear local stories, stop for a swim, and enjoy prosecco, soft drinks, snacks, music, and shade beneath the boat’s awning.

“No estuvimos en el barco que figuraba en la reserva (Calipso). El recorrido incluyó los puntos indicados, pero la explicación se centró más en construcciones y hoteles que en cuevas, calas u otros aspectos de interés. Durante todo el trayecto solo nos ofrecieron un vaso muy pequeño de bebida (apenas dos dedos), sin opción de repetir ni ningún aperitivo, a pesar de que la reserva indicaba lo contrario. La música estuvo a un volumen alto, al pasar entre otros barcos que estaban en reposo y al entrar en el puerto, lo que resultó incómodo y restó tranquilidad al paseo. En cuanto a la relación calidad/precio, podría considerarse aceptable, pero mi…”

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10.Mini-cruise Isola bella with snorkeling from Giardini Naxos

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 8 reviews · 2 hours · from $65

Set out from Giardini Naxos with an English or Italian-speaking skipper for a two-hour cruise past Taormina, Capo Taormina, and the Faraglioni. Spend about an hour near Isola Bella Marine Reserve with time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and the Blue Grotto, with drinks, fruit, snacks, and equipment provided.

“The scenery and Alessandro tried very hard to get us around some pretty good sized waves. Bravo Alessandro He also worked hard at getting us to a place where the water was still. My only issue were the masks, my family kept changing them to find one that would keep the water out. I spite of that they were happy with what they were able to see,. And his playlist was perfect Grazie”

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11.Taormina and Giardini Naxos 3/5/7 hours by PRIVATE BOAT

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews

Take a private Queen Mary II motorboat from Pontile Pizzichella along Taormina and Giardini Naxos. Francesco or another English or Italian speaking skipper guides your group past Isola Bella, Blue Cave, Mazzarò, Naxos Bay, and coastal caves, with swimming, snorkeling, refreshments, and time to shape the route.

“Es el mejor guía, excelente trato, agradable, atento y muy amable con los niños. Excelente para familias también.”

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12.Boat excursion Giardini Naxos Taormina with swimming break

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7 reviews · 2 hours · from $53

Join Boat Kristal at Giardini Naxos for a two-hour cruise past the Cave of Love and Isola Bella. Your English or Italian guide explains the coast, then you swim and snorkel in protected waters before prosecco and an almond-paste snack.

“Thank you for your review! Best regards from our crew!”

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13.Giardini Naxos and Taormina sailing tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 7 reviews

Spend four hours on a sailboat from Giardini Naxos, passing Taormina’s bays with Mount Etna in view. Swim and snorkel at Isola Bella, see the Blue Grotto, and stop at Mazzarò, Spisone, and Villagonia for a Sicilian aperitif with local wine.

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14.Giardini Naxos or Taormina: Godfather Tour in a Vintage Car

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews

Follow The Godfather route from Taormina or Giardini Naxos in a vintage car, with stops at Isola Bella, Letojanni, Forza d’Agrò, and Savoca. Your Italian or English-speaking driver, possibly Giuseppe, handles the roads while you explore Bar Vitelli and San Nicolò Church.

“Giuseppe our guide was amazing. He is very knowledgeable but also gives you your space to explore with is great on a private tour. The fiat 500 is gorgeous and makes the tour so much better.”

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15.Taormina and Etna Full Day Tour from Giardini Naxos cruise port

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $600

You’ll travel by air-conditioned vehicle from the Giardini Naxos cruise pier to Piano Provenzana on Mount Etna, then explore Isola Bella and Taormina’s gates, gardens, piazzas, and Ancient Theatre with a professional local guide. The private format suits groups wanting a flexible, history-filled day.

“Spent an unforgettable day exploring Taormina and Mount Etna. Our guide had a great sense of humor and shared fascinating stories about Taormina’s history as we wandered through its charming streets. Standing at the base of Etna was surreal—a mix of excitement and awe! It felt like the perfect way to experience Sicily in a day.”

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