Boat Trips from Noto

Noto, situated on Sicily's eastern coast, is a prime location for enjoying beach life, water sports, and boat trips. During my recent stay in Noto, I embarked on a couple of one-day skippered boat trips, each a fantastic experience.

Noto Boat Trip to Ortigia Island

From Noto, I drove a short distance to a boatyard between Lido di Noto and Avola. The boatyard was charmingly rustic, typical of Sicily, but the boat was in immaculate condition, offering a reassuring sense of safety.

We headed north along the coast to Ortigia Island, the historic heart of Syracuse, famed for its sea caves. Our skipper and guide, Vincenzo, was a rugged and tanned local, embodying the spirit of Sicily.

As we left the small harbor, Vincenzo increased the throttle, and the exhilaration of speeding through the water was immediate. The sun shone brightly, and the wind rushed through our hair, or across my bald head in my case! We passed numerous beaches, each known intimately by Vincenzo.

We anchored in a serene cove with water as smooth as a mill pond, perfect for swimming. We eagerly jumped into the clear, deep water beneath the towering cliffs. It was a magical experience.

After our swim, we dried off in the sun and continued our journey north. Reaching Ortigia Island, we enjoyed the thrill of speeding past a line of houses, hotels, bars, and restaurants, perfectly timed to the iconic Miami Vice theme tune.

Exploring the sea caves on Ortigia's north side was a highlight. Each cave had a unique name and story, with stunning rock formations, including stalactites and stalagmites, and crystal-clear water revealing the seabed and red coral. My favorite was the heart-shaped cave.

After the caves, we headed south back toward Noto. We stopped in another cove for lunch, swimming while Vincenzo prepared a delicious onboard meal, topped off with a chilled bottle of Prosecco. A truly memorable moment!

Noto Boat Trip to Portopalo

On another day, we followed the coastline south from Noto to Portopalo, Sicily's southernmost community. Each beach we passed was uniquely beautiful: Calabernardo, Lido di Noto, Cayman/Pizzuta, Eloro, Marianelli, Calamosche, Vendicari, Maccari, and San Lorenzo. Approaching Calamosche, one of Italy's most beautiful beaches, from the sea allowed us to avoid the long queues and walk from the parking area.

We neared Marzamemi, a charming seaside town, where Vincenzo had something special in store. He handed out goggles and instructed us to jump into the sea at his command. About 500 meters out, he shouted, "Jump!" We plunged into the water and saw three ancient Roman columns on the seabed, a breathtaking and historical discovery.

Continuing south, we reached Portopalo, with the ancient Tafuri castle, now a hotel, perched on the cliffs.

From there, we sailed to Capo Passero island. The still waters on the island's north side revealed the octopus caves, named for the tentacle-like rock formations. We swam in the clear waters, exploring the caves and colorful fish. Lunch onboard included local foods and chilled Prosecco.

Vincenzo then headed north back to Noto, with music playing and our hearts full of gratitude for an incredible day.

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