Highlights
- Sail from the Cyclops Islands to Acireale: eight sights along Etna's coast
- Two swim and snorkel stops inside the Isole Ciclopi Marine Protected Area
- See the Timpa cliffs and Santa Maria La Scala the only way you can: from the sea
- Two sea breaks on board during the three hours
- Small family-run boat, on the Acitrezza pier since 2015
Description
The tour that doesn't end in Acitrezza. Leave the pier aboard the Polifemo, a small boat run by the same family since 2015, for three hours along the Ionian coast at the foot of Mount Etna, from the Cyclops Islands north to Acireale and back.
The first stretch is the one everyone knows from land and nobody knows from the water: Lachea Island, the largest of the Cyclops Islands and a nature reserve, and the Faraglioni, the black lava sea stacks that legend says Polyphemus hurled at Ulysses. From below they become columns of basalt rising out of the sea. The skipper stops the engine and explains what you are looking at: lava flows from Etna, columnar basalt cooled into perfect prisms.
Then the boat heads north. First swim stop in Capomulini Bay, inside the Isole Ciclopi Marine Protected Area: masks and snorkels are on board, and below you is the black basalt seabed. On along the coast to La Timpa, a green wall 80 metres high dropping sheer into the sea, which you only see like this from a boat, and to Santa Maria La Scala, the fishing village at its foot, for the second swim stop and a sea break on board. Past the basalt cliffs of La Scala the coast turns wilder towards the Santa Tecla cliffs, the furthest point of the tour, before heading back with the sun low over the sea stacks.
Eight sights, two swim stops with snorkelling, two sea breaks. Life jackets are provided for all passengers and the swim stops are optional. This is a tour for those with half a day: if you are short on time, our 45-minute and 90-minute tours cover the Cyclops Islands and Aci Castello. Departure times are confirmed the day before based on sea conditions; if the sea is not suitable, the tour is rescheduled or refunded.
Includes
3-hour boat tour from Acitrezza to Acireale and back
Skipper who explains the sights (Italian and English)
2 swim stops with snorkelling inside the Isole Ciclopi Marine Protected Area
2 sea breaks on board
Masks and snorkels
Life jackets for all passengers
Excludes
Meals
Towels
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Important Information
- The tour runs subject to sea conditions: the skipper confirms the departure time on WhatsApp the day before. If the sea is not suitable, you can reschedule or receive a full refund. The two swim stops are optional and life jackets are available for everyone. The boat is a small open motorboat: bring sunscreen, a hat and water for the three hours.
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
