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Half-Day Cruise Through the Wonders of Ortigia & Pillirina Image #0 Image #1 Image #2

Half-Day Cruise Through the Wonders of Ortigia & Pillirina

Porto di Siracusa, Syracuse, Italy

4.9
26 REVIEWS
11
PEOPLE
4h00
DURATION
With skipper
You will be accompanied by a skipper speaking English, Italian
Super Owner
Nando is an experienced boat renter with excellent reviews and is committed to providing quality services

What's included

    Wine
    Drinking Water
    Fresh Seasonal Fruits
    Fuel
    Lunch

About the experience

Looking for a few hours of beauty, freedom, and pure Sicilian magic? This half-day cruise offers an unforgettable escape just off the coast of Syracuse—where sea caves, baroque skylines, and secret beaches await. It’s the perfect option for those short on time but big on experience.

Your journey begins as you sail toward the famous sea caves, Le Grotte, carved naturally into the limestone cliffs—an awe-inspiring sight where light and water dance in silent harmony.
From there, you’ll approach Ortigia, Syracuse’s ancient heart, and circle the Castello Maniace, witnessing its grandeur from the water with no crowds, no noise—just the sound of the waves. Along the way, you’ll stop for swimming, sunbathing, and soaking in the atmosphere.

What makes this trip special is its compact richness. In just a few hours, you’ll experience the rugged charm of Spiaggia della Pillirina, the striking twin rock formations at Due Fratelli, and the serene, lesser-known Punta del Pero.

Each stop reveals a new side of the Sicilian coast—wild, elegant, and untouched. It’s ideal for couples, families, or solo travelers looking to reconnect with nature and enjoy the sea in a deeply personal, unhurried way.

About the experience

Looking for a few hours of beauty, freedom, and pure Sicilian magic? This half-day cruise offers an unforgettable escape just off the coast of Syracuse—where sea caves, baroque skylines, and secret beaches await. It’s the perfect option for those short on time but big on experience.

Your journey begins as you sail toward the famous sea caves, Le Grotte, carved naturally into the limestone cliffs—an awe-inspiring sight where light and water dance in silent harmony.
From there, you’ll approach Ortigia, Syracuse’s ancient heart, and circle the Castello Maniace, witnessing its grandeur from the water with no crowds, no noise—just the sound of the waves. Along the way, you’ll stop for swimming, sunbathing, and soaking in the atmosphere.

What makes this trip special is its compact richness. In just a few hours, you’ll experience the rugged charm of Spiaggia della Pillirina, the striking twin rock formations at Due Fratelli, and the serene, lesser-known Punta del Pero.

Each stop reveals a new side of the Sicilian coast—wild, elegant, and untouched. It’s ideal for couples, families, or solo travelers looking to reconnect with nature and enjoy the sea in a deeply personal, unhurried way.

Organized by Nando
Verified boat
· Super owner · 26 reviews

Itinerary

Starting location:
Porto di Siracusa, Syracuse, Italy
Arrive back at:
Porto di Siracusa, Syracuse, Italy

4.9/5 · 26 reviews

Reviews are displayed in chronological order
  • D
    Duncan
    Date of the rental 9/29/25  ·  Date of the review 10/8/25
    We loved our day out with Nando and Patricio. From the moment I contacted them to the moment we ended our day, their hospitality was perfect. 5 of us spent the day visiting wonderful spots around Syracusa, regularly stopping for swims in the sea. Lunch onboard was perfect. Highly recommend!
    Read more
  • S
    Salvatore
    Date of the rental 9/23/25  ·  Date of the review 9/25/25
    Nando and Patricia were great. Their boat was very nice, clean, with plenty of space to lounge. They took my wife and me to beautiful swimming spots. They provide great service including drinks, snorkeling equipment, and even some information about the surrounding area. We recommend them highly.
    Read more
  • A
    Agust
    Date of the rental 9/14/25  ·  Date of the review 9/15/25
    Nando and his better half was a amasing , thansk for amasing boat tour and too do all of our demands
  • K
    Kenedy
    Date of the rental 9/6/25  ·  Date of the review 9/7/25
    We celebrated with this special boat trip for our honey moon, and Nando and his lovely wife were the absolute best hosts and guides to show us the most beautiful beaches and swimming spots and made our day extra special with an outstanding lunch and drinks. Very great experience.
    Read more
Reviews
4.9
  • D
    Duncan
    Oct 2025
    We loved our day out with Nando and Patricio. From the moment I contacted them to the moment we ended our day, their hospitality was perfect. 5 of us spent the day visiting wonderful spots around Syracusa, regularly stopping for swims in the sea. Lunch onboard was perfect. Highly recommend!
  • S
    Salvatore
    Sep 2025
    Nando and Patricia were great. Their boat was very nice, clean, with plenty of space to lounge. They took my wife and me to beautiful swimming spots. They provide great service including drinks, snorkeling equipment, and even some information about the surrounding area. We recommend them highly.
  • A
    Agust
    Sep 2025
    Nando and his better half was a amasing , thansk for amasing boat tour and too do all of our demands
  • K
    Kenedy
    Sep 2025
    We celebrated with this special boat trip for our honey moon, and Nando and his lovely wife were the absolute best hosts and guides to show us the most beautiful beaches and swimming spots and made our day extra special with an outstanding lunch and drinks. Very great experience.
  • S
    Sarah
    Sep 2025
    Had the best time on our half-day cruise with Captain Nando! He was so fun, super accommodating, and made the whole trip a blast. Highly recommend!
  • R
    Robert
    Aug 2025
    Nando and Patricia did an excellent job of looking after our family of 7 for a days cruise and swimming around Syracrusa. All the arrangements were faultless as well as choosing a lovely restaurant for a lunch stop. It was a birthday celebration and it was perfect way to enjoy it. Nothing was to much trouble I would highly recommend choosing Nando’s boat for a special day cruising.
  • J
    John
    Aug 2025
    Great Job, very enjoyable day!! Thanks John
  • K
    karine
    Aug 2025

    Translated from French

    A beautiful outing, the itinerary was perfectly adhered to, and the owner was very polite, both discreet and attentive. The onboard service was excellent, with a superb fruit platter and a very good drink. I would recommend it without hesitation.
  • A
    Annalisa
    Aug 2025

    Translated from Italian

    A relaxing day. Nando's safe driving made our stroll along the Syracuse coast truly enjoyable. Thanks also to Patrizia, who prepared an excellent fresh fruit platter for us with a bottle of prosecco. Highly recommended!
  • D
    David
    Aug 2025

    Translated from French

    There were 6 of us on board, ranging from 18 to 57 years old. Great day. Very friendly couple. Several spots for swimming. Everyone thought it was great. In short, I highly recommend it.
  • Deanna
    Jul 2025
    Our day trip with Nando and Patrizia exceeded all our expectations! The boat was perfect and our hosts could not have been more wonderful! I would highly recommend this tour and Nando, and hopefully one day will get the chance to come back and do it all again!
  • C
    Cooper
    Jul 2025
    Nando and his crew were great hosts and made the day with my family truly memorable. We will be recommending him to our friends traveling to Siracusa.
  • P
    Pamela
    Jun 2025
    From the moment we stepped onto the boat, we were at ease and felt very welcome. Tino and Antonio were a great team and made sure we saw a lot of sites. They paced the day so perfectly for us. They were so friendly and fun. It was a great experience!
  • N
    Nicole
    Oct 2024
    Amazing day on the water. Nando and his co-captain were welcoming and accommodating. One of the best days of our vacation. I would recommend this day to anyone visiting Ortigia.
  • A
    Alvaro
    Sep 2024
    Antonio and the skipper (forgot his name) were very attentive the whole time and proactively provided alternative plans on changing weather conditions. Some of the places we visited were truly astonishing! Overall an excellent day for the whole family. Suggestions: skipper should remove his personal items from toilet, more options on snorkeling fins and masks.
  • S
    Stéphanie
    Aug 2024

    Translated from French

    We went out to sea with Nando a year ago, with our children and our dog. We repeated the experience this year, as a couple and still with our dog. Nando and his wife welcomed us and it was, once again, exceptionally pleasant! Nando's boat is very comfortable, very well-kept and very well-equipped. An experience to be repeated!
  • L
    Laurent
    Aug 2024

    Translated from French

    Everything was perfect Nando and his wife Patricia were charming throughout our beautiful day. We saw several magnificent sites from the nature reserve to the citadel. We were 9 people as a family for this beautiful discovery of the most beautiful spots in the region. The boat was compliant, clean and perfectly maintained. We had a very nice day thanks to Nando and his wife. We highly recommend.
  • P
    Pascual
    Aug 2024

    Translated from Spanish

    Nando has treated us very well and we have enjoyed it very much. He has been very helpful and friendly. The experience has been worth it and I recommend it 100%
  • S
    Sayagi
    Jul 2024
    Nando and his wife were super lovely and kind, made us feel super comfortable as a family. The boat is perfect for swimmers and chillers alike. We had an amazing time and will recommend them.
  • K
    Kenza
    Jun 2024

    Translated from French

    We had a great time with Nando and his teammate. I highly recommend the experience!
  • A
    Ag
    Jun 2024
    Great atmosphere and helpful owner
  • M
    Maggie
    Jun 2024
    Lovely boat and a good tour! Thank you so much Nando! Would book again
  • H
    Henry
    Aug 2023

    Translated from English

    Good size boat for our needs. Very friendly and hospitable captain and mate. We had a lovely day.
  • E
    Endrit
    Jul 2023

    Translated from English

    Great experience. Nando was very professional and welcoming.
  • S
    Susana
    Jul 2023

    Translated from Spanish

    It was an amazing ride! Nando was very nice and friendly. I recommend 100!!!
  • J
    James
    Jul 2023

    Translated from English

    An absolutely sensational day. The best linguine marinara in Sicily for lunch on the boat! The crew made the day so relaxing and so much fun. A magic day we will remember ever!!

Good to know

Right of withdrawal for this booking:
No. Learn more
Cancellation policy : Custom
60% refund up to 30 days before arrival, excluding expenses.
Booking conditions
Includes professional skipper
Security deposit : $241

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