Board a small boat from San Vito and glide through the cliff caves of Polignano a Mare, stopping for a prosecco aperitif and an optional swim in crystalline Adriatic water. This 90-minute tour mixes seaside history, dramatic limestone caves and a relaxed onboard snack.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The boat peels away from San Vito’s low pier and the cliffs of Polignano a Mare unfurl like a serrated coastline—white limestone cleaved by sea and sun. Salt air pulls at your hair as the skipper threads the hull into shaded grottoes: the blue cave shimmers beneath a bastion, Grottone yawns where a 1900s cinema once screened to the sea, and the Palazzese cave opens like a private room carved from rock.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
1.5 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires basic mobility to step on/off the boat and short swims if participating
Wildlife
History
Lama Monachile served as Polignano’s medieval port; Palazzese cave once hosted an early 20th-century bathing establishment and later a famed restaurant, while Domenico Modugno’s bronze statue marks local musical heritage.
Conservation
The cliffs and sea are sensitive—avoid littering, respect swimming zones and anchoring restrictions, and use reef-safe sunscreen to limit chemical impacts.
Reserve your spot on the Boat tour of the Polignano a Mare caves with aperitif today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Bring motion-sickness remedies
The Adriatic can switch from calm to choppy; if you’re susceptible, take medication before boarding.
Wear water shoes
Rocks and wet decks are slippery—non-slip water shoes make boarding and swims safer.
Sun protection is a must
Open stretches expose you to intense Mediterranean sun even on breezy days—use reef-safe sunscreen and a hat.
Timing for light
Midday gives vivid blues in the caves, while late afternoon softens shadows—choose based on your photography goals.
Non-slip water shoes
Protects feet when boarding, moving on wet decks, and exploring rocky swim-access spots.
summer
Swimsuit and quick-dry towel
Bring swimwear under clothes for the onboard swim stop and a towel for drying off.
summer
Reef-safe sunscreen & hat
Long exposures on deck require sun protection for skin and eyes.
summer
Light wind layer
A thin windbreaker keeps you comfortable during breezy open-water stretches in spring or fall.
spring