The coast of eastern Sicily is full of pearls worth discovering and Catania, with its splendid palaces and baroque churches and the presence of the highest volcano in Europe and one of the most active in the world, Etna, is the most comfortable and suggestive starting point for a boat trip. How are you going to fully grasp the beauty of this region if you don’t sail on its waters?

Where to go on a boat trip in Catania?

• Aci Trezza: for its proximity to Catania and the richness of its heritage, it is undoubtedly the most visited destination. Leaving the port, you usually go to the Caves of Ulysses, formed inside a lava cliff overlooking the sea: favorite place of many for its seabed, you can, why not, take the opportunity to do some snorkeling. Next, you will surely pass under the medieval castle of Aci Castello, famous for the particular composition of the rock on which it sits, formed by a volcanic eruption. Finally, you will reach the protected marine area where the Faraglioni of Aci Trezza are located: the imposing rocks are also known as the Cyclops Islands thanks to the legend according to which they are the stones thrown by Polyphemus to Ulysses while he was fleeing, as Homer told in the Odyssey.

• Taormina: pushing a little further north from Catania you will see, inside a small bay protected by hills that plunge into the blue sea, the relaxing village of Giardini Naxos, where you will find the largest, most beautiful and diversified stretches of beaches of the entire Ionian Sea between pebbles and fine sands. Reaching the waters of Taormina you will pass by Isola Bella, the name says it all, and you will be impressed by its rich vegetation and lush flora. You will continue to the wonderful Grotta Azzurra, with its set of light, the bay of Mazzarò, one of the most coveted for its elegance, and the bay of Spisone, known for hosting the luxury hotel Atlantis Bay, which seems to be part of nature itself for how well it blends into its environment.

What kind of boat tours can you do in Catania?

Whether you want to preserve your privacy and therefore book an exclusive excursion for you and those who surround you, or you want to share this tour with other people so far unknown to you but who, like you, are there to get lost among the Sicilian treasures, in Catania you can choose to do both. We'll tell you more: you can complete your day by adding other experiences!

- Boat trip with lunch: Sicily has one of the most delicious cuisines in Italy and, we would dare say, in the world. So, think about completing your Catania boat tour with the tasting of these famous dishes. Let yourself be rocked by the waves in these natural movie sets and, if you get hungry, don't worry, you will be served a delicious lunch while you contemplate Isola Bella or the Natural Reserve of Timpa and the breeze ruffles your hair. A cold glass of white wine, a rustic starter, a main course with freshly caught fish of the day from the same waters you are on, and Sicilian fruit: how beautiful life looks from here!

- Night excursion: when the sky is about to turn orange and the sun begins to set, there is nothing more relaxing and romantic than being in the middle of the sea. From the colors reflecting on the crystal-clear water, creating light and shadows, you move on to total darkness illuminated only by a blanket of stars: have you ever bathed in salt water at night? No? Well, it's an experience that should be included among the things you have to do at least once in your life, and in Catania you can do it in one of the most magical settings you can imagine. And while you gaze at the moonlit coastline and Etna's profile, you can let yourself be pampered by the excursion staff with a dinner of typical products.

When is the best time to take a boat trip to Catania?

Sicily enjoys a mild climate all year round, as it is a southern island region. Therefore, a boat trip to Catania can be done all year round, if the weather allows it, of course. It is trivial to point out, but the best months, if you want to take advantage of the excursion to bathe in the caves of the east coast, are those from May to October, often extending into November. But you know, every season at sea has its peculiarities and its charm, just be prepared for the wind that can blow strongly in Sicilian winters.

Between crystal clear seas, greenish blue sea beds, characteristic villages, unspoiled natural landscapes, typical food, legends and mythology, it is impossible to remain indifferent and not want to return to the Gulf of Catania!