Private Coast Cruise of Polignano a Mare: Sea Caves, Cliff Views & Aperitivo (3h)

Board a small boat at Porticciolo San Vito and spend three leisurely hours tracing the limestone cliffs of Polignano a Mare on the Tour Privato in Barca della Costa di Polignano a Mare con Aperitivo (3h). This private cruise runs from San Vito on Puglia's Adriatic coast, circling sea caves, hidden coves and the whitewashed facades that hang over the water. The route sweeps past Grotta Palazzese, Grotta Azzurra, Grotta dell'Amore and the narrow slot of Lama Monachile, offering close views of karst cliffs sculpted by wind and wave. Skippered and intimate, the trip combines slow cruising with opportunities to swim, snorkel among Posidonia meadows and step into caverns that flood with turquoise light. The boat carries snorkeling gear and a chilled bottle of prosecco for the aperitivo; the gentle cadence of waves and gull calls is the soundtrack. Onboard narration points out the Statue of Domenico Modugno and local landmarks while the skipper picks safe approaches to grotto mouths and cliffside arches. Geology here is immediate: terraces of compacted limestone, sea-eroded caves and tall vertical faces reveal Puglia's marine karst. Look for bands of fossilized shells in the rock and the stiff, salt-tolerant shrubs clinging to ledges. Marine life includes small schooling fish, octopus in rocky crevices and the occasional heron along quieter coves. The route also passes human marks: cliffside terraces, stone stairways to the water and the cave-restaurant at Grotta Palazzese—a cultural touchstone for locals and visitors. This tour is accessible: it accommodates up to nine people and allows wheelchair access at the Porticciolo San Vito boarding point; still, mobility to step aboard and move on deck is required. Because it's private, couples, families and small groups can set a relaxed pace and request stops for swims or photo frames beneath arches and grotto ceilings. Safety gear, fuel and the skipper's expertise are included; plan to bring sun protection, a towel and a camera. Book early in high season to lock a private slot; small group sizes fill quickly on weekends. Pack biodegradable sunscreen to protect Posidonia meadows and skip single-use plastics—the operator covers fuel and taxes. Leave valuables ashore or stowed below; staggered boarding makes transfers easier. Whether framing cave ceilings at golden hour or taking a cool evening swim, this three-hour cruise gives a concentrated coastal taste of Polignano.