Catania

Water Sports

Your adventure begins when you meet your captain on board your boat for the day, decked out with three double cabins, a bathroom with a shower, an outside shower, a kitchen, and a refrigerator. You’ll then set sail to Ulysses’ Caves. Be amazed by the gorgeous underwater scenery of vibrant blues and greens as you sail past these breathtaking lava-formed caves. Next, while sailing towards Acitrezza, you’ll pass under the medieval castle of Acicastello and enjoy a spectacular view of the castle by the sea. You’ll notice the characteristic pillow lavas found under the castle due to the rapid cooling of submarine eruptions.   Once you reach Acitrezza, you’ll be shown a marine reserve dubbed "The Cyclopean Isles”. The only way to access the reserve is via a pedal boat, which is included in your tour depending on seasonal availability. If the pedal boat isn’t available or if you prefer not to use it, you’ll instead have the chance to visit the charming little village of Acitrezza for one hour. When you arrive back on board you’ll be served a delicious traditional lunch including an appetizer, pasta with mussels, fruit, water, and local white wine. Finally, during your return trip, you’ll make a short stop with the chance for another quick swim before arriving back in Catania at around 6:00 PM.

On a 7-meter boat, discover about 20 kilometers of volcanic coast between the La Timpa Natural Reserve and the Marine Protected Area of Isola dei Ciclopi. In the company of a marine biologist and underwater environmental guide, you will follow a path over the beautiful lavic seabed of Isola dei Ciclopi (Aci Castello), a marine protected area. Discover underwater basalt pillars, lava ropes, lava pillows, and colorful sea life and plants which will all provide the scenery for an unforgettable snorkeling excursion. Experience a unique underwater adventure, as you explore a world of silence between old lava flows, stretches of white sand, underwater canyons, and volcanic faults. Whilst snorkeling, you will have a good chance of encountering groupers, white breams, octopus, sea sponges, and much more.

Meet your guide in Catania and drive along the rocky volcanic coast of the municipality of Aci Castello. Here you will find various diving spots suitable for snorkeling and easily accessible directly from the coast or by using boats. Get equipped with snorkeling equipment all suited to your needs in order to make your experience as comfortable as possible. Begin your underwater adventure and admire the incredible volcanic formations including columnar basalts, corded lavas, and submarine cushion lava floes. Marvel at the colorful flora and marine fauna, learning about the incredible wildlife from your expert marine biologist guide. 

Your tour will begin when you meet your captain and board your boat at the Port of Giardini Naxos before setting sail on an unforgettable adventure. Your first stop will be at the Bay of Spisone, where you’ll have the chance to take your first swim of the day and to snorkel independently. You’ll marvel at the stunning stone islets that emerge from the waters and the Atlantis Bay hotel built in Gaudi style. Next, you’ll set sail to Mazzarò Bay, widely considered one of the true treasures of the Sicilian and Taormina coasts. You’ll then stop off at Isola Bella, a historical pearl of Taormina, where you’ll have the chance to explore the Blue Grotto and to discover its gorgeous reflections of light. Against the breathtaking backdrop of Taormina, you'll then be served a tasty selection of local cold cuts, cheeses, and seasonal fruit, all washed down with a fine local white wine. Finally, you’ll have the chance to take another swim before beginning your journey back to the Port of Naxos Gardens.

Be guided by qualified marine biologists in your dive into the marvelous lava bottoms of the Gulf of Catania and the enchanting protected marine area "Isole Ciclopi". Swim amongst basalt pillars, lava ropes, lava pillows and colorful marine flora and fauna in this perfect setting for an exciting underwater experience. Live a unique diving adventure as you explore the world of silence between old lava flows and stretches of white sand. Dip in to underwater canyons, volcanic faults and pass Second World War shipwrecks. Watch as groupers, white breams, octopus, sponges, gorgonians join you as diving buddies. Whether it's your first time or you're an experienced scuba diver, you'll have all the care and assistance you need. Travel light with the knowledge that you will be equipped with the latest generation of diving equipment for maximum comfort and security.

The guide will pick you up from your hotel and, on the way up to Rifugio Sapienza (1920 mamsl), you will stop at certain view points. You will receive all the information you need about the history and the territory of the volcano and visit the sites of the last eruptions and the old Silvestri Craters. From Rifugio Sapienza you will be able to choose if you wish to continue by doing some trekking in one of the nature paths of “Parco dell’Etna”, up to 2000 m, or if you wish to do the Etna high altitude option. If you choose this option you will take the cable car and then a special 4x4 minibuses to arrive at Torre del Filosofo (2900 meters).  After that you will also explore a lava cave with helmets and torches. Before heading towards Aci Castello, you will stop at a famous organic farm, in Zafferana, for a delicious sampling of honey, wine, oil, and other typical products. In Aci Castello (Marine Protected Area of “Isola dei Ciclopi”) you will visit the beautiful lava sea beds where you will have the possibility to do some snorkelling and admire the first eruptions of the ancient volcanic complex of Etna, where nowadays the typical flora and fauna dwell. Lava ropes, columnar basalts, and pillow lavas will be the unique scenery for an unforgettable excursion.

Sail along the route of Ulysses and discover the beauty of the Sicilian coast on this relaxing sail tour from Catania. Get the chance to see Catania's varied marine life, including dolphins, go fishing, snorkeling or even learn the fundamentals of sailing. Don't miss the opportunity to see Catania from the sea and visit one of the most captivating landscapes of the Sicilian coast as you cruise through the Ulysses' Grotte and the Castle of Aci Castello. During your tour, sip on your choice of alcoholic beverage, including the traditional Italian Aperol Spritz, and munch on an array of delicious traditional snacks and appetizers.

After meeting with your guide in Catania, you will embark on your 8-hour guided tour which will inform you of the biology, geology and volcanology of the Etna volcano. You will have the opportunity to walk in paths immersed in nature, away from the tourist areas on several dormant craters. The fauna and flora of Etna will be your traveling companions, as you learn of the history of this unique territory in terms of endemicity. You will later enjoy a fantastic tasting of wines, liqueurs, honey, and much more, which will help you discover the flavors of this volcanic region. In the company of a marine biologist and an underwater environmental guide, you will later take the road to the marvelous lava beds of "Isola deiCiclopi" (Aci Castello), which is a Marine Protected Area. There you will discover underwater columnar basalt, lava cords, lava cushions, and colorful marine life and plants. This scene will be the unique setting for an unforgettable snorkeling excursion. At the conclusion of your 8-hour experience, you will return to the tour meeting point in Catania.

Sail along the route of Ulysses and discover the beauty of the bay of the Cyclops and sea cliffs in Acitrezza. See dolphins, various marine life, go fishing, snorkelling and/or learn the fundamentals of sailing. This tour is a unique opportunity to see Catania from the sea and visit one of the most captivating landscapes of the Sicilian coast as you cruise through the Ulysses' Grotte and the Castle of Aci Castello. Throughout your tour, you will also have the chance to enjoy a fantastic diving/snorkelling session at the Natural Reserve of Cyclops, departing from the small village of Acitrezza. Whilst you snorkel, behold spectacular landscapes in crystal clear blue waters. Your informative and friendly guides will accompany you throughout your experience and will be there to assist you with anything you may need.

Explore the biology, geology, and volcanology of the Etna Volcano and the Cyclopean Isles on this 8-hour hike and dive experience. You'll hike paths around several dormant volcanic craters with an experienced guide, away from the usual tourist areas. Discover the flora and fauna of Etna and learn the story of the volcano. Then enjoy a tasting of local wine, liqueur, honey and more. Next, in the company of marine biologist and experienced underwater guide, go scuba diving to explore the underwater columnar basalt, lava rope, and lava pillow formations. You'll also have an opportunity to see a colorful variety of sea life and plants on this unforgettable diving excursion.