ITALY

The 15 Best Sunset Dolphin Cruises in Italy

19 tours  ·  from $47 a head

The good sunset dolphin cruises in Italy fill up weeks ahead and the best ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Giardini Naxos: Dolphin Searching Sunset Boat Tour - Grotta dell’Amore and the coastal caves
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Giardini Naxos: Dolphin Searching Sunset Boat Tour

1.Giardini Naxos: Dolphin Searching Sunset Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 564 reviews · 3 hours · from $64Our pick

Join Captain Filippo and the Poseidon crew for a three-hour sunset cruise from Giardini Naxos. You will see the Blue Grotto, Lovers’ Cave, Isola Bella, and filming spots from The White Lotus, then head offshore in search of wild dolphins. A swim stop, Sicilian snacks, prosecco, music, and multilingual guiding are included.

“The team worked very hard to find some dolphins for us. We finished a bit later than specified as they looked for dolphins and still continued with the tour. The drinks and pizza where a great bonus at the end”

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Taormina: Sunset Boat Tour with Dolphin Watching & Aperitif - Cruising past Taormina’s caves
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Taormina: Sunset Boat Tour with Dolphin Watching & Aperitif

2.Taormina: Sunset Boat Tour with Dolphin Watching & Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 454 reviews · from $118Top rated

Set out from Giardini Naxos with Graziella and Captain Saro aboard the Blue Diamond. Cruise past Taormina’s caves, bays, and Isola Bella, look for wild bottlenose dolphins, then swim or snorkel before fruit, snacks, and drinks at sunset. The small group is limited to 10 people.

“The couple ( guide and captain) is a lovely couple . They provide small group experience , showing different caves , dolphins , serving drinks and snacks! Views were stunning !”

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Sunset tour in search of dolphins with aperitif - Meeting at Via Vulcano and boarding in Giardini Naxos
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Sunset tour in search of dolphins with aperitif

3.Sunset tour in search of dolphins with aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 449 reviews · 3 hours · from $53

Join Antonio and Mariella for a three-hour shared boat trip from Giardini Naxos. Cruise past Isola Bella, Taormina’s bays, caves, and Etna, stop to swim and snorkel, enjoy pizza or arancini with prosecco, then head offshore to look for dolphins. Sightings are possible, not guaranteed.

“Everything was great. Antonio is a really great guide and his is very skilled. Weather was little stormy with some waves,but he did a really great job Definitely recommend”

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Giardini Naxos Taormina: Dolphin Watching Sunset Tour - Isola Bella and the clear Ionian Sea
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Giardini Naxos Taormina: Dolphin Watching Sunset Tour

4.Giardini Naxos Taormina: Dolphin Watching Sunset Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 276 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $59

Join Kristal Boat in Giardini Naxos for a 2.5-hour sunset cruise along Taormina’s coast. Guides including Gianluca, Andrea, Kevin, and Andrei point out caves and landmarks, serve Sicilian snacks and prosecco, stop for swimming, and search for dolphins. Sightings are not guaranteed, but the sea views and Etna sunset remain worthwhile.

“I went with my daughter and we both enjoyed it immensely From start to finish the guide was great fun. It was lovely to see the dolphins and go for a swim.”

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Giardini Naxos: Dolphin Catamaran Sunset Tour with Aperetif - Isola Bella, the Blue Grotto, and the Coast of Myths
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Giardini Naxos: Dolphin Catamaran Sunset Tour with Aperetif

5.Giardini Naxos: Dolphin Catamaran Sunset Tour with Aperetif

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 218 reviews · 3 hours · from $65

Spend three hours aboard a catamaran from Giardini Naxos, cruising past Taormina, Isola Bella, the Blue Grotto, and filming sites from The White Lotus. Use binoculars and a live hydrophone while searching for dolphins, then swim, snorkel, and enjoy Sicilian cheeses, nuts, fruit, local bread, and Prosecco.

“Amazing experience, great people and created an amazing atmosphere with authentic food and music, dolphins were elegant as well as a beautiful sunset couldn’t recommend this more if you want to experiment the east coast of Taormina and Naxos couldn’t be happier.”

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2.5 Hours Sunset Boat Tour in Search of Dolphins - Leaving Giardini Naxos for Isola Bella
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2.5 Hours Sunset Boat Tour in Search of Dolphins

6.2.5 Hours Sunset Boat Tour in Search of Dolphins

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

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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Golfo Aranci: Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tour with Aperitif - Paddling past coves, cliffs, and grottos
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Golfo Aranci: Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tour with Aperitif

7.Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tour with Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 88 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $65

From Spiaggia dei Baracconi, you’ll learn basic kayak skills, paddle past coves and grottos, snorkel, and share Sardinian cheese, cured meats, snacks, and beer. Guides such as Maria and Vincent lead the 2.5-hour outing in Italian, English, or Spanish, with dolphin watching timed for sunset.

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3-Hour Dolphin watching at sunset with aperitif - Looking for dolphins near Lampedusa
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3-Hour Dolphin watching at sunset with aperitif

Taormina: Dolphin Tour and Sunset Aperitif Boat Tour - Isola Bella from the water
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Taormina: Dolphin Tour and Sunset Aperitif Boat Tour

9.Taormina: Dolphin Tour and Sunset Aperitif Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 36 reviews · 2 hours · from $57

Join Captain Enzo and his crew for a two-hour sunset cruise from Giardini Naxos along Taormina and Naxos Bay. You’ll see Isola Bella, the Blue Grotto, Capo Taormina, and views linked to The White Lotus and The Godfather, with Sicilian snacks, Prosecco, a possible swim, and a chance to spot wild dolphins.

“Atrakcja wspaniała, co prawda nie było dużo delfinów ale same widoki były wspaniałe! Panowie prowadzący ten rejs przecudowni! Radośni, uśmiechnięci z poczuciem humoru! Rozruszali nawet najbardziej opornych! Szczerze polecam!”

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Lampedusa: Sunset Dolphin Sighting on a Pirate Ship - Sunset colors and the search for dolphins
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Lampedusa: Sunset Dolphin Sighting on a Pirate Ship

10.Lampedusa: Sunset Dolphin Sighting on a Pirate Ship

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 33 reviews · 3 hours · from $65

Board the wooden Galleon Adriana at Lampedusa’s New Port for a three-hour sunset cruise with an Italian guide. The captain searches offshore for dolphins, then the crew serves a gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly apericena with spaghetti, music, cocktails, and a night swim in the illuminated sea. A 4.5-meter board adds a bold finish.

“La musica dal vivo e l'equipaggio solari, gentili e divertenti, siamo riusciti a vedere i delfini e per essere un aperitivo era abbondante. Esperienza memorabile”

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Dolphin Kayak Safari at Sunset at Golfo Aranci - Meeting at Prima Spiaggia in Golfo Aranci
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Dolphin Kayak Safari at Sunset at Golfo Aranci

11.Dolphin Kayak Safari at Sunset at Golfo Aranci

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 26 reviews · 3 hours · from $62

Join Go Sea Kayak for a three-hour sunset paddle in Golfo Aranci, led in English or Italian by a qualified guide such as Taran. You will kayak toward Isola di Figarolo, watch for dolphins, snorkel in clear water, and return as the sun drops. Children are welcome, though those under 12 must share a double kayak.

“We really enjoyed this activity. About 5 meters in front of our boat, a dolphin came out of the water. So my daughter was absolutely happy. The guide, Taran, was very nice and helpful.”

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Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tour at Golfo Aranci - A gentle introduction to sea kayaking
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Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tour at Golfo Aranci

12.Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tour at Golfo Aranci

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $63

Join guide Taran for a three-hour beginner kayak tour from Golfo Aranci to Isola di Figarolo and Carla Moresca. You’ll paddle along a dolphin hotspot, stop to snorkel, and receive professional photos. Children are welcome, with smaller ones riding in double kayaks.

“Esperienza stupenda, ben oltre le aspettative. Taran insegnante e guida competente. Da rifare assolutamente. Siamo anche riusciti a vedere i delfini come da descrizione. Consigliatissimo.”

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Olbia: Sunset and dolphin watching - Riding the seven-meter Pholas boat
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Olbia: Sunset and dolphin watching

13.Sunset and dolphin watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $82

From Molo Brin in Olbia, captain Anett Lazar takes up to 10 people by RIB to Figarolo and Cala Moresca. You will look for wild dolphins, swim and snorkel in clear water, hear local stories, and enjoy prosecco with homemade cheese and sausage as the sun sets.

“It was excellent by all means, the captain was lovely and super sweet and kind she talked to us about boats, dolphins and fish in general, we spent a good amount of time looking for dolphins and saw few of them it was magical and magnificent, she served us homemade cheese and sausage and prosecco while watching the sunset. I highly recommend booking with her such a lovely experience and a lovely captain. The experience was worth the amount spent.”

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Sunset with dolphins on a vintage tugboat in Golfo Aranci - The Sardinian aperitif as the sun drops
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Sunset with dolphins on a vintage tugboat in Golfo Aranci

14.Sunset with dolphins on a vintage tugboat in Golfo Aranci

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $108

Set out from Golfo Aranci at 6:30 pm aboard the vintage tugboat Lupo, with a maximum of 12 people. Cruise toward Cala Moresca and Figarolo to look for dolphins, swim, snorkel, use SUPs, and enjoy Vermentino, bubbles, soft drinks, and Sardinian specialties as the sun sets.

“The boat was a sight for itself, the staff super friendly and easygoing, we enjoyed the beautiful scenery, we saw the dolphins closeby and had a nice swim as well. Best choice to go by the evening, where the colours by sea are something else and you don’t have to worry about getting sunburnt. Recommend!”

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From Cagliari: sunset dolphin watching tour - Leaving Cagliari with the city behind you
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From Cagliari: sunset dolphin watching tour

15.From Cagliari: sunset dolphin watching tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 15 reviews · from $89

Set out from Cagliari with an English- or Italian-speaking skipper on a nine-meter dinghy limited to 10 participants. Look for dolphins, swim at Calamosca, Sella del Diavolo, Poetto, and Cala Bernat, then watch sunset with Carasau chips and a drink. Stops may change with weather.

“Marco is very nice and a pleasant person. I had a very relaxing experience, the coast of Cagliari is beautiful :) Thanks for everything, Marco!”

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