SICILY · BOAT TOURS IN MESSINA
The 15 best boat tours in Messina you can book right now, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Night boat from Milazzo to Panarea and Stromboli, with sunset views and Sciara del Fuoco eruptions. Comfortable ride, great value.
“it was nice but a little crowded to see the volcano.”
2-hour boat tour from Giardini Naxos to Isola Bella, the Faraglioni, and the Blue Grotto, with a swim and welcome drink.
“A short 2 hour trip around the coastline, optional dip at the end. They gave us a shot of something sweet and alcoholic and a sweet, neither of which we were expecting, so a nice touch. They showed us caves and waves, and some interesting features. If you have a couple of hours to kill, well worth it!”
Sail from Milazzo to Panarea and Stromboli for a 10-hour sea day, with San Pietro walking time and a sunset volcanic show.
“It was a nice excursion, but they informed us half an hour before taking the boat that we wouldn't visit Stromboli because it's risky in this period of the year I would like to get informed earlier and be able to decide if I want to do the excursion or not, because finally we spent 4 hours in Panarea. If you want to move in Panarea you have to take a taxi to go to the beach, It's 30 minutes walking distance and you get there at 2'o clock so it is really hard to go to the beach on foot. Although we didin't get off in Stromboli it was…”
Cruise from Giardini Naxos to Isola Bella and grottos, swim in the Marine Park, sip prosecco aperitif, and enjoy Etna coast views.
“Incredible! We found it tricky to find the lady at the start (she’s sat inside a restaurant!) but other than that it was easily to best thing we did whilst in Sicily. Beautiful and so much fun!”
Day boat trip from Milazzo to Panarea and Stromboli, with free time ashore and night views of the Sciara del Fuoco.
“Molto carina personale gentile e disponibile, personalmente avrei passato più tempo su Stromboli che e molto bella e caratteristica. Consigliato”
2-hour Giardini Naxos boat trip to Isola Bella with snorkeling, solarium relaxation, snacks, and Taormina coastline views.
2-hour boat tour from Giardini Naxos to Taormina and Isola Bella caves, with prosecco aperitif, WiFi, and snorkeling gear.
“Very entertaining and informative boat trip Nice opportunity for swimming and some prosecco”
2-hour boat trip from Giardini Naxos to Taormina with sea caves, a swim stop, and Sicilian almond pastries with drinks.
“We had a lovely boat trip, our host on the boat sailed up with a big smile on his face and he was very accommodating and informative the whole trip. We had plenty of time to swim and were given a nice chilled glass of Prosecco when we got back on board. I would definitely recommend this trip and I think it's very good value for money.”
Private van trip from Messina to Taormina with autonomy in town, scenic stops at Christ the King and Isola Bella, plus a Messina cathedral break.
“Taormina was amazing, a beautiful place and lots to see and do - public gardens, shopping, isola Bella, all well worth the trip. The downside was the price versus the value - we paid close to $ 1000 Cdn for essentially a taxi ride to and from the cruise port. Just not worth the $$$”
Private Godfather tour from Messina to Savoca and Forza d'Agro with lunch, sea-view stops, and movie locations, in English.
“What a fun tour experience with Bruno! He was waiting for us outside the cruise ship terminal for the drive to the small village of Savoca. The Sicilian scenes of The Godfather were filmed in Savoca, now a daytime tour destination in Italy. Here we visited the famous Bar Vitelli where Michael asked Apollonia's father to marry. We also ventured up the mountain to the Church of San Nicolò. Although no scenes were filmed inside the 13th century facade (church vs Mafia connection), we marveled at the beautiful scenery below as well as enjoyed allowance into the church with interesting displays. Afterwards, we had a little time to shop in…”
Sunset cruise from Milazzo to Panarea and Stromboli, with time on two islands and sea views of Sciara del Fuoco.
“Beware of scams, the small group of 10 is just a vague illusion, your guide is in fact the guide of the whole big boat that connects the islands, just an opportunity to make a few euros more, 95€ instead of the 80€ which only covers the trip and you will automatically have the guide on loudspeaker (well if you understand a word of what she says because her English is more than approximate). In short, go your own way and just take the trip, you will learn nothing with the guide and it will cost you 15€ more.”
Messina cruise day trip: hike Etna’s Silvestri craters, then Taormina and Castelmola with Corso Umberto and Greek Theatre views.
“Philipo and Erika are a get team and look after your every need. They are both very knowledgeable, passionate, and proud Sicilians which makes for an excellent tour. They are also very adaptable if you would like to change. When we arrived at Mt Etna it was all fogged in so rather than spend a whole day there in the fog they took us around showing us many other sites we would have never seen otherwise.”
2-hour boat trip from Giardini Naxos around Isola Bella, with swimming, snorkeling, prosecco, almond pastries, and a chance to spot dolphins.
“È stata una bella esperienza! Il team è molto disponibile e gentile. Abbiamo comunicato il nostro ritardo a causa del traffico e ci hanno aspettati. Un grazie a Roberto che ci ha anche fatto da guida raccontandoci degli aneddoti del posto. Esperienza che consigliamo!”
Trace your Sicilian family roots from Messina. Get help with records, visit ancestral towns, and customize stops in one private outing.
“My husband and I have traveled extensively. Taken many excursions; both through cruise ships and privately. Going to see the town where my mother was born in Sicily was always on my bucket list. When I found this excursion on Viator I was excited to give it a try. Our guides, Erika and Filippo, were the most knowledgeable, intelligent, accommodating, guides we’ve EVER had. The entire experience was nothing short of a magical bucket list experience. Highly recommend you ask for Erika and Filippo on your next visit to Sicily.”
Private Etna, Taormina and Savoca day trip from Messina with Godfather sites, lunch, and tastings, led in English.
“I cannot adequately describe how much we loved this tour. From the beginning our driver, Marco, made us feel welcomed. Mr Etna had erupted 2 days prior. He showed us video of the eruption and was able to get us up to see some of the craters while many busses were stuck and unable. Our lunch was simply one of the best. The view was amazing. Then he showed us Savoca. If you are a Godfather fan, this is a must. Definitely opt for the ride to the church. You can thank me later! Again, Marco was top notch!”
Every kind of day out on the island, and the best of each.
