9 Sicily Dolphin Watching Tours Worth Flying For

1.2.5 Hours Sunset Boat Tour in Search of Dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 105 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $60Our pick

Set out from Giardini Naxos for a 2.5-hour sunset cruise along Taormina’s coast. Your captain searches for dolphins near Isola Bella, guides the boat past caves, and stops for a swim with prosecco and snacks. The trip ends with sunset views behind Mount Etna. Boats hold up to 20 people and operate in English.

“The crew was very friendly & welcoming and lots of fun! The weather was cold and rainy to start but boating conditions were still safe so our tour went on as scheduled. Turned out to be such a great time with a small group of 8 guests, amazing views, fun music, Prosecco, arancini & lots of dolphins put on a great show for us, And, the sun came out! Highly recommend this tour to add wonderful memories to your trip! If we had that much fun on a cold day, I can only imagine how even more amazing it would be on a warm sunny day!”

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2.Dolphin Watching & Conservation – Dolphins in the Gulf of Catania

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 78 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $84

Join Marecamp at 9:00 a.m. for a three-hour search for free dolphins in the Gulf of Catania. A skipper and marine biologist guide the trip, explain local cetaceans, use hydrophone recordings when available, and collect sighting data. Expect a small boat, low-speed searching, Etna views, and an 80% stated chance of seeing dolphins.

“We had a great time on the trip and saw more dolphins than we ever expected - even our guide, Carla, was moved to tears and said this was only the second time she had seen so many. Carla was very knowledgeable and the captain was brilliant at finding dolphins. We even listened on the hydrophone to dolphins chatting. This is run by a marine conservation group and what you pay helps to fund research so please go and learn about these amazing mammals and their lives. Some points to note though. We had trouble working out where to meet as the address we were given was closed for building…”

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3.3-Hour Dolphin watching at sunset with aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 67 reviews · from $59

Set out from Lungomare Luigi Rizzo at 5:30 pm with a local family and a group of up to 16. Look for free-swimming dolphins, stop for an evening swim, and share an aperitif as the sun goes down. Captains and crew may include Giuseppe, Pietro, Marino, or Nino, depending on the boat and day.

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4.Ortigia-blue cave island tour with dolphin sighting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Set out from central Syracuse with a skipper and your private group of up to seven. Cruise past Ortigia’s landmarks, stop in the Plemmirio Nature Reserve, and enter Syracuse’s sea caves with their unusual rock shapes and glowing water. Swimming and soft drinks are included, while dolphin sightings remain a lucky possibility.

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5.Lampedusa: Dolphin watching with aperitif at sunset

★★★★★★★★★★3.2 · 9 reviews · 3 hours · from $77

Set out from Lampedusa harbor aboard the El Condor catamaran for a three-hour sunset cruise with dolphin and possible turtle sightings, an Italian-speaking guide, a swim stop, cocktails, island appetizers, and a final surprise. The trip ends in a cove where you can swim as moonlight settles over the sea.

“Serata bellissima!! Bellissimo giro al tramonto e annesso bagno. Aperitivo fantastico!”

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6.2-Hour Dolphin Sunset Tour from Giardini Naxos

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5 reviews · from $46Best value

Set out from Giardini Naxos at 6:00 pm for a two-hour sunset boat trip around the bay. You’ll search for dolphins, take in the coast from the water, and enjoy arancini with a spritz. The group is capped at 10, though the simple boat has limited room for moving around or taking wide deck photos.

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7.2-Hour Private Dolphin Watching Activity in Taormina

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $118

Set out from Giardini Naxos for a private two-hour search for wild dolphins in Taormina Bay. Your English-speaking skipper may also show you Isola Bella, coastal caves, and sea stacks. Prosecco, snacks, water, towels, and snorkeling gear are included. Dolphins are never guaranteed, but the coastal ride still offers fine views.

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8.4 Hours Dolphin Watching Tour in Porto Empedocle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $165

Join specialized marine researchers aboard a 6.40-meter motorboat from Porto Empedocle for about four hours at sea. Search for dolphins without disturbing them, watch for seabirds, turtles, and pelagic fish, and admire Scala dei Turchi, Realmonte lighthouse, and Torre dei Saraceni. In summer, calm weather may allow a swim.

“Superbe expérience, je recommande vivement ! A faire en couple, solo ou en famille! Nous avons appris pleins de choses et vu plusieurs dauphins et beaucoup apprécié le fait qu'ils protègent les animaux et leur environnement. Sortie en mer suivie d'une baignade dans des eaux magnifiques.”

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9.Boat tour with dolphin sighting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Set out from Fonte Aretusa for a private 2.5-hour cruise along Syracuse. Enter coastal caves, see the Blue Grotto, circle Ortigia’s landmarks, and search for dolphins in the Plemmirio marine reserve. Your group of up to seven gets water, soft drinks, and wine. Snorkeling gear is not included.

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