Boat tours in Puglia
Some of Puglia’s best scenery is only reachable from the water: sea caves hollowed into the cliffs, coves you can’t walk to, and old towns that look their best from below. From Polignano’s famous grottoes to the swimming stops off Monopoli and Otranto, these are the boat tours worth booking, most with a swim and an aperitif thrown in.
Boat tours to book
Our in-depth guides, with live prices and free cancellation on GetYourGuide:
Book a boat tour
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The boat tours worth booking
Hand-picked sea-cave and coast tours, most with swim stops. Live price and availability load from our booking partner; many offer a private option.
Polignano sea caves & swim
The icon: glide into the grottoes below Polignano’s cliffs, with a swim stop in a cove and a glass in hand. Short, scenic and the single best way to see the town. Private boats available.
Monopoli & Polignano coast
A longer cruise along the caves and coves between Monopoli and Polignano, with more time in the water. The relaxed half-day version of the cave tour.
Otranto coast & grottoes
Down in the Salento, a longer tour from Otranto along the east coast’s caves and crystalline coves, with several swim and snorkel stops and an aperitif aboard.
Private & sunset cruises
Hire a boat just for your group, a half-day along the coast or a sunset cruise with a swim and drinks. The romantic, no-crowds option and a fine honeymoon outing.
Prefer the sand? Best beaches
Where to take to the water
Polignano & Monopoli, the cave coast
The most dramatic stretch: cliffs, grottoes and the cove beach right under Polignano’s old town. Short tours leave all day in summer.
Otranto & the Salento
Clear Adriatic water and sea caves down the heel from Otranto; on the Ionian side, Gallipoli and Porto Cesareo run their own coast tours. See the best beaches.
Boat-tour tips
Go in the morning
Seas are usually calmest early; afternoons can pick up wind. Morning light in the caves is best too.
Bring the basics
Swimsuit, towel, water and reef-safe sunscreen. Tours run roughly May-October, weather permitting.
Private is worth it for groups
For families or a couple, a small private boat often costs little more per head and skips the crowds, good for a honeymoon outing.
Book ahead in peak
July-August cave tours sell out; reserve a day or two ahead and pick a morning slot.
Puglia boat tours: FAQ
Best boat tour?
Polignano’s sea caves with a swim and aperitif; the Monopoli coast and Otranto grottoes are excellent too.
How much?
Shared cave tours roughly €25-45; private boats and yachts more. Live prices load from the partner.
Can you swim?
Yes, most include swim stops. Bring a swimsuit and sunscreen.
How long?
Cave tours ~2h; coast tours 3-5h; private/yacht up to a full day.
When’s the season?
About May-October; July-August busiest. Morning slots for calmer seas.
Related: Things to do · Otranto · Monopoli · Polignano a Mare
I grew up in the province of Brindisi and spent 30 years in Puglia; the Salento coast is home water. Everything above is checked on the ground; when a place slips, it gets updated. More about who is behind this guide