Ortigia Boat Tour, Siracusa sailing tour with swimming in the Pillirina bay and snorkeling in the marine reserve.

We are in Ortigia, Siracusa, a Unesco Heritage site defined by Cicerone the most beautiful Greek city in the world. Here the sea gives unique feelings with its beautiful views. This sailing tour will take you among the most evocative scenaries of Ortigia island, to discover the Maddalena peninsula and the Plemmirio marine reserve. You will enjoy snorkeling sessions in the crystal clear waters of the reserve. Take a look at the 2 itineraries offered here below:

Ortigia & Pillirina bay (2h30min)

The sailing boat excursion from Ortigia to Pillirina is a 2-hours and 30-minutes experience exclusively held in the afternoon. The meeting point is at 2:00pm at the Ortigia pier, where you will be greeted by our crew, ready to guide you on this adventure aboard the charming sailboat Perseide. We will start sailing heading south, immediately surrounded by a breathtaking sight: the majestic Maniace Castle towering over the sea, a witness to centuries of history. Our route continues towards the Plemmirio Marine Reserve, a natural gem housing a treasures trove of hidden caves and coves. Here, we will stop at the famous bay of Pillirina, a place where nature and legend join.

The Pillirina Cave carries with it the poignant tale of a young, wealthy girl who fell in love with a fisherman. This hidden corner became their secret refuge until, following a furious family quarrel, the girl fled, awaiting her beloved in vain within the cave. Days passed until a violent storm unexpectedly took her life, tragically ending her wait. Beyond the legend, the cave has also served as a natural refuge for the elusive monk seal.

The bay is a small paradise dotted with intimate beaches, where a stop is planned for swimming and a guided snorkeling session led by a certified instructor. The privileged location of this coastline offers a unique spectacle for birdwatchers: with luck, you may spot pink flamingos, cormorants, herons, and even majestic falcons soaring along the cliffs.

The excursion also includes exploring some caves, made using a tender, a small support dinghy allowing us to reach the most hidden recesses. We will return with the wind at our backs, lulled by the gentle rhythm of sailing, bringing you back to the Ortigia pier around 5:00pm.

Ortigia & Costa dei Giganti (4-hours)

The 4-hours morning sailing trip will take you on a journey to explore the ancient remains of the Greek city of Syracuse and the incredible Plemmirio Marine Reserve. We will sail along the beautiful "Costa del Gigante," a wild and untouched stretch of coastline witness of the passage of Carthaginian, Roman, and Greek ships. Beneath its waters lie precious underwater treasures such as amphora necks, artifacts from ancient times, and even airplane wrecks from World War II.

Your adventure begins at the pier, where you will be welcomed aboard the Perseide, an elegant 11-meter sailing boat that can host up to eight people. Once we cast off, we will let the wind guide us towards  south to the Capo Murro di Porco. During the journey, you'll enjoy a stunning view of the majestic Maniace Castle, standing proudly as a guardian of the city. We will continue, carried by the gentle breeze, towards the picturesque Starfish Bay and the enchanting Poseidon's Pools.

Our first stop for swimming and snorkeling will be at the historic Tonnara. Using the tender, a small support dinghy, we will reach an area covered with lush Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, where you'll enjoy a snorkeling session guided by a certified instructor. As you dive into these crystal-clear waters, you'll discover a fascinating underwater world teeming with life.

After exploring the seabed, we will return to the boat and sail towards Capo Murro di Porco, where a second exciting snorkeling session awaits. This area boasts extraordinary marine biodiversity, from starfish and anemones to coral formations. You might spot amberjacks, dentex fish, saddled bream, mullets, sea bream, and moray eels. The strong marine currents make these waters a prime meeting point for fascinating creatures such as tuna, swordfish, sea turtles that nest on these beaches, and even bottlenose dolphins and striped dolphins. With a bit of luck, you might even see the impressive ocean sunfish. In recent years, the Mediterranean has welcomed tropical species that have found refuge in these waters: darting barracudas, majestic eagle rays, graceful manta rays, and striking devil rays.

In addition to snorkeling sessions, and depending on weather and sea conditions, you'll also have the chance to explore some of the most spectacular coastal caves, offering unforgettable experiences both while swimming and from the tender. This experience combines adventure, nature, and history in a setting unlike any other in the world.