Are you visiting Lecce and have yet to see the gorgeous coasts and maritime landscapes? You should be aware that Lecce is one of Italy's most well-known destinations for boat tours. Taking a boat tour of Salento's seas is an experience not to be missed.

Furthermore, there are so many options in Lecce that the notion that boat cruises are elitist is diluted. There are solutions to suit every budget.

Depending on your preferences, you can pick from many boats, including shared boats, exclusive boats with all amenities, family tours, and onboard parties. If you have a license, you can drive the boats yourself or hire a captain if you don't. Furthermore, even if you don't have a boat license, Lecce offers a unique possibility to rent small boats and drive them on your own. You can also have dinner and sleep on board if a few hours on the water aren’t enough for you.

Where can you go on a boat tour in Lecce?

- If you leave from Otranto:
• One-day excursions are common if departing from Otranto. Because these trips span many hours, they frequently include a snack of traditional Apulian frisellata and snorkelling breaks. Arrival in Baia dei Turchi, noted for its crystal blue waters, is an unavoidable halt on this type of tour.

• In Otranto, a 3-and-a-half-hour night cruise in a rubber boat exploring the lit coves to the south is offered. The possibility to swim in the caves in the moonlight makes the night trip particularly appealing.

- From Santa Maria di Leuca:
• We recommend a weekend sailing or catamaran trip from Santa Maria di Leuca, stopping in beautiful sites like Taranto, Gallipoli, Porto Cesareo, San Foca, and Otranto.

• However, there are shorter hikes that are ideal for family outings. Caves and natural wonders of the Ionian and Adriatic Seas' southern coasts are visited, along with swimming and snorkelling opportunities. It is typical to be able to sample famed sea urchins, a delightful local delicacy, onboard these ships.

- From Gagliano del Capo:
• Snorkeling in the spectacular Grotta della Vora and Grotta delle Mannute is available from Gagliano del Capo. Alternatively, take a 2-hour trip to the Baia dei Turchi and the Club Med cove.

- From Porto Cesareo:
• The 3-and-a-half-hour yacht tour from Porto Cesareo is recommended, with stops in Torre Castiglione, Torre Lapillo, and Isola dei Conigli, which are perfect for snorkelling. The clear waters and abundant marine species will leave you stunned as soon as you put your head underwater.

- From Morciano di Leuca (Torre Vado): We offer a 4-hour boat trip to the lovely Falesia delle Mannute in a yacht or catamaran that can accommodate up to 100 persons.

- From Gallipoli:
• Last but not least, Gallipoli! It is known for having some of the best beaches in all of Puglia, if not all of Italy, and it offers a wide range of sea-related activities. And, of course, there are the boat trips. The scenery is so beautiful that you should rent a boat with a skipper to enjoy the crystal clear seas, ideal for romantic getaways! Onboard, you can have a delicious dinner.

Perhaps the preceding excursions are inadequate for you since you want to travel by boat for several days. Lecce serves as a starting point for longer journeys.

• If you want to travel further north, the Gargano excursion, which includes swimming stops, will take you 120 kilometres along the Apulian coast until you reach the Gargano. It is a mountainous promontory with fantastic beaches on the coast, natural areas, and villages steeped in history and ancient traditions.

• For the more adventurous among you, a weekend in Greece is recommended. A light all-inclusive deal (dinner and breakfast) on a 17-meter yacht will allow you to tour the Albanian beaches and the island of Corfu. Alternatively, the trip to Greece can be completed in a single day by crossing the Adriatic and arriving at the ports of Corfu and Othonoi.

Find the perfect tour for you!