Boat trip to the Polignano a Mare caves
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Bari, Italy
- 1 hour 50 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Polignano a Mare is one of the most picturesque fishing villages on Puglia's coastline and the best way to admire the town and explore its famous coastal caves is by sea. Set off from Cala Ponte for a boat tour along this pretty stretch of the Adriatic Sea, stopping to peek into sea grottoes, take a dip in hidden coves, and relax and sunbathe on board.
- Take in postcard-perfect Polignano a Mare by sea with a boat tour
- Learn about the town and coastline from your skipper and guide
- Stop to snap photos and explore the grottoes, coves, and cliffs
- Set your own itinerary and pace with a flexible private experience
What's Included
- Stop to swim
- SHOWER SERVICE
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Calaponte MarinaVia S. Vito, 70044 Polignano a Mare BA, Italy
Access to the inside of the tourist port
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Escursioni - Gite in Barca Polignano a Mare - Escursioni Sofia
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 396 reviews
amaru_l, Mar 2026
Our captain Claudio was very kind and he explained us all about Polignano a Mare and it’s caves. I recommend it!!!
Joseph_L, Nov 2025
This boat tour was absolutely incredible! Our guide Claudio was outstanding – knowledgeable, professional, and engaging throughout the entire journey. Despite traveling from the United States (New Jersey), we couldn't have asked for a better experience exploring the stunning Polignano a Mare coastline.
What Made This Tour Special:
Expert Commentary: Claudio delivered fascinating historical and geological information about the area, from the famous Domenico Modugno statue and "Volare" connection to the Red Bull Cliff Diving Challenge platforms. His explanations about the limestone formations, seashell fossils, and tectonic processes were educational without being overwhelming.
Spectacular Cave Exploration: We visited multiple stunning caves including Grotta Palazzese (home to the famous restaurant), Bishop Cave, Grotta Ardito with its historic passage, and the massive Pigeons Cave. Each had unique features and stories.
Swimming Opportunity: The stop for swimming near Grotta Palazzese was a highlight – the water temperature was around 18-19°C (mid-60s°F), refreshing and totally worth it!
Perfect Pacing: The ~1.5 hour tour covered approximately 3.5 nautical miles of coastline without feeling rushed. Claudio balanced narration with time to simply enjoy the views.
Small Group Experience: Our boat (Marika) had a comfortable group size, allowing for personalized attention and easy interaction with our guide.
Bonus Details: Learning about local history like the trulli structures, the former butchery cave that once attracted blue sharks, and the illegal salt production caves added authentic cultural depth.
Pro Tips: Book early, bring a towel if you plan to swim, and don't worry about the November timing – the experience is magical year-round!
Highly recommended for anyone visiting Puglia. Worth every euro!
What You Should Know Before Booking This Tour:
BOOKING & LOGISTICS:
Book well in advance – tours fill up quickly
Meeting point is at the port in Polignano a Mare
Check-in involves paperwork (one person fills out main form, others just sign)
You'll be assigned to specific boats (ours was "Marika")
Tour duration: approximately 1-1.5 hours
Distance covered: 3.5 nautical miles of coastline
WHAT TO BRING:
Towel if you plan to swim
Waterproof case/bag for phones and electronics (water spray is possible, especially with southeast winds)
Light jacket – it gets breezy on the water even if the day is warm
Bathing suit under your clothes if you want to swim
SWIMMING DETAILS:
There IS a swimming stop (not all tours offer this in November)
Water temperature in November: 18-19°C (mid-60s°F) – cold but doable
Depth at swimming area: approximately 5 meters
Boat has platforms and stairs for easy water access
Swimming is optional – no pressure to get in
Most participants did swim despite the temperature
WEATHER CONSIDERATIONS:
Tours run year-round, including November
Expect some bumps and water spray, especially with southeast winds
The guide will warn you about conditions at the start
Dress in layers
LANGUAGE:
Tour conducted in English (guide speaks slowly and clearly for international guests)
Guide accommodates multiple nationalities on same tour
ACCESSIBILITY:
You'll need to board/exit the boat via stairs/platforms
Some movement required during the tour
Not ideal for those with severe mobility limitations
WHAT YOU'LL SEE:
Multiple sea caves (Grotta Palazzese, Bishop Cave, Grotta Ardito, Pigeons Cave, Saddle Cave, Well Cave)
Red Bull Cliff Diving platforms (27m for men, 21m for women)
Domenico Modugno statue ("Volare" singer)
Old Town Polignano elevated 23m above sea level
Limestone cliffs, seashell fossils, rock erosion patterns
Port Alga (old fishermen's village)
Hermit Rock island with cross monument
Views toward Monopoli
GUIDE QUALITY:
Claudio is a licensed ship master with 10+ years experience
Extremely knowledgeable about local history, geology, and culture
Professional yet personable
Takes photos for guests
Willing to answer questions
GROUP SIZE:
Small groups split across multiple boats
Intimate experience, not overcrowded
Easy to hear guide and ask questions
VALUE CONSIDERATIONS:
This is educational AND experiential – not just a scenic ride
You get historical context, cave exploration, AND swimming opportunity
Comparable to or better than similar coastal tours in Italy
Well worth the price for the quality of experience
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Excellent photo opportunities throughout
Guide will take photos of you with cave backgrounds
Protect your phone from water spray
Best lighting is during "golden hour" (late afternoon)
SAFETY:
Life jackets available
Professional captain with proper licensing
Boats are well-maintained
Guide explains safety procedures at start
NOT INCLUDED:
Hotel pickup/drop-off (you meet at the port)
Food or drinks
Wetsuits (if you want to swim comfortably in cold water)
BEST FOR:
Couples, families, small friend groups
History and geology enthusiasts
Photographers
Adventure seekers willing to swim in cooler water
First-time visitors to Polignano a Mare
BOTTOM LINE:
This is a must-do experience in Puglia. The combination of natural beauty, expert narration, cave exploration, and swimming opportunity makes it exceptional value. Don't skip it due to cooler November temperatures – the experience is worth it year-round!
Krista_B, Nov 2025
This excursion was very far from our cruise ship and was expensive to get too. We decided after trying to find suitable transport to not go.
Shelly_P, Nov 2025
Excellent! So fun and guide was knowledgeable. We got to swim in the sea and go into all the caves. Well worth it, a must do!
David_V, Oct 2025
Great views from the boat, highly recommend, worth getting to the port from the main town as the cliffs are spectacular
ElisaAppelbaum, Oct 2025
What a fun boat tour! Our guide was amazing. Very funny and informative. For a choppy sea day, it was a smooth ride and we were able to see some amazing caves and views and even take a swim. Highly recommend!
Stefania_R, Sep 2025
Very friendly and professional staff. Shared knowledge and jokes. And offered a deep dive into Italian music.
The aperitivo was a very nice touch
Michael_O, Sep 2025
Unlike the boat cave tour from Santa Maria di Leuca, this tour was very good largely because the caves visited were impressive.
Rico_T, Sep 2025
Great time, went through all the caves and inside the ones we were able to go in. Had a nice swim by the famous restaurant with good music a snack and drink. Highly recommend!
Ruddy_F, Jul 2025
Very nice boat tour! Spent a little under two hours on the boat, sailing from cave to cave before stopping near the historical center for a swim and aperitivo. The guide was very friendly and knowledgeable, and with a group of 10 on board didn’t feel too crowded. Highly recommend!
Susan_H, Jul 2025
Great trip and as always wonderful to get out on the water and see some stunning scenery. Our river was fun and very friendly. Seeing all the caves and swimming in the crystal clear water was fantastic.
Ainhoa_T, Jul 2025
Beautiful caves and scenery. The swim in the ocean was fantastic. The captain was very friendly and informative.
Dorde_M, Jul 2025
It was such an amazing experience, tour guides made it even better. Would definitely come back again! 10/10
Lisa_B, Jun 2025
Lovely way to spend to spend an afternoon in Polignano exploring the caves and having a quick dip in the Adriatic.
Peter_P, May 2025
Wonderful trip. Tour guide was excellent. Got to see beautiful caves and scenery with plenty of time to take pictures. Very relaxing and not too fast. Nice treat at the end.
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you very much for your lovely feedback!
We’re so glad you enjoyed the trip and appreciated the beautiful scenery, the relaxed pace, and our guide’s work.
It’s always a pleasure to know our guests leave with great memories.
We hope to see you again soon!
Warm regards,
Antonella
leslieglazerjacobs, Apr 2025
So much fun getting away from the crowds and seeing Polignano a Mare from the water and the caves. Our young "captain" and tour guide provided tons of information, and made the trip fun. Highly recommended
eri_a, Apr 2025
Fun way to explore the caves.
Our skipper was friendly and explain to us everything about the caves.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you very much, it's a pleasure for us!
Chris_M, Dec 2024
We loved this tour. We were thrilled to be able to see and enter the caves! We even got a chance to swim. Such a wonderful way to see the beauty of the area.
AngelaM_D, Oct 2024
Well-organized and punctual tour, with a guide who explained the places we passed, which are beautiful. Highly recommended.
Marie_G, Oct 2024
Seeing the city from the water was amazing. Love our trips into caves. Pietro was very friendly and told us interesting info.
Marisa_S, Oct 2024
What a beautiful excursion. It really was lovely and the people we joined with were soo lovely. The chance to swim in the Adriatic Sea was incredible.
Helena_P, Sep 2024
The Friendly attitude of the guide
Very nice and scenic tour, time to swim and enjoy the
water.
That all I want to say
Sandra_S, Sep 2024
Very organised entry are, guide was friendly and very informative. Great scenery and experience. Swimming optional, a drink and snack provided
Laura_C, Sep 2024
This tour could have been great. The boat was fine, the boat driver and guide were tired and you could tell they had been doing the tour repeatedly all day. I would recommend an early time slot for this trip instead of late afternoon for this reason. The boat driver was more interested in his phone than the rocking of the boat and several people became sea sick. Several of the passengers were also unaware of the swim at the end of the tour and had not worn their swim suits. The scenery was stunning and the tour was worth the price just to see Poglinano A Mare from the sea.
David_S, Sep 2024
Swimming in the Adriatic and cruising through caves. The boat was nice and operators were informative and fun.
MEGAN_B, Sep 2024
A fabulous trip, a great driver and lovely guide. Definitely value for money and would do again. Easy communication, everything ran smoothly.
sandy_a, Aug 2024
Pietro was a great host, his driving was accurate & efficient, and the stories about the coastline and info about the caves was excellent. Highly recommend.
Judith_G, Aug 2024
The caves were fantastic, some u set the city. The guide knowledgeable. The cool ocean breeze and swimming in the Adriatic was delightful! I highly recommend this tour!
Kylie_W, Jul 2024
This crusie through the caves was beyond beautiful, crew were great and even let the kids play captain for a minute. The coast really need to be seen from the water, truly magnificent.
Gina_F, Jul 2024
The caves were wonderful, and the swim in the gorgeous blue Adriatic, the music and the atmosphere were magical. You cannot visit Polignano a Mare without doing this boat tour
From $41.14
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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