Boat Trip to the Castro Caves & Santa Cesarea Terme
5.0()
Activity
Motorboat
Languages
English, Italian
Minimum age
No age restrictions
Meeting place
Castro
At our stand at the Porto Vecchio (Via Scalo delle Barche zona Porto Vecchio, 73030 Castro Marina, LE)
Free cancellation with full refund up to 24 hours before the start of the activity
Details
Make your holiday in Salento unforgettable with our boat trip to the caves of Castro and Santa Cesarea Terme! You can discover every nook and cranny of this impressive coast and dive directly from our boat into the crystal-clear waters of Salento.
We will depart from the old port of Castro and head for the beautiful Grotta Palombara and Grotta Azzurra. You will then be impressed by the Grotta Zinzulusa, which owes its name to the stalactites on its ceiling. These seem to hang like rags, called "zinzuli" in the local dialect. We then reach the beautiful inlet of Porto Miggiano, where you can dive into the water directly from our boat.
After this refreshing dive, we will re-board and reach Santa Cesarea Terme. This area is known for its sulphurous springs, and we will see one in particular that flows directly into the sea. The coast beyond Santa Cesarea is full of ancient watchtowers, as well as many caves and inlets. After having reached and admired the Male Passo inlet, your captain will choose the best spot to swim one more time before returning to Castro.
Highlights
- Sea view of the beautiful Zinzulusa Cave
- Tour of the major caves and inlets around Castro
- View of the sulphurous springs of Santa Cesarea
- 2 stops for swimming
Departure & Return
We meet at the Porto Vecchio of Castro 15 minutes before the departure time. You can find 2 paid car parks at a short distance from the port, or park along the road. After approximately 3 hours, we will return to the port of departure.
Characteristics of the boat
- Number of passengers: 12
- Sun-protected area
- No restrooms
- Not accessible to wheelchairs
- Small-sized pets allowed
Bring along
- Hat and sun cream
- Swimsuit and towel
- Water
Reviewers are overwhelmingly positive about this 3-hour boat trip from Castro, with nearly all leaving a 5-star rating. The experience is frequently called the "highlight of our holiday". Families and small groups especially praise the knowledgeable and friendly skippers who provide detailed explanations of the caves and coastline. A major, often unexpected, highlight is the generous aperitif with local snacks and drinks. Guests also love the beautiful scenery, the clean and comfortable boats, and the refreshing swimming stops in crystal-clear water. This guided tour is consistently recommended for a memorable day on the Salento coast.
AI generated from the text of customer reviews
Popular mentions
Crew16
Food and drinks11
Swimming stops9
Landscape6
Boat5
Safety4
Organization2
Comfort2
Andrea · FamilyCanada · July 2026
Very nice spacious boat. Plenty of room for lounging in the sun at the from deck or sitting under shaded cover. Not crowded at all. Small group size. The captain Luigi was very friendly and informative. Very nice appetitivo snacks and drinks at the end of the tour. We never felt rushed. Plenty of time for swimming.
NUBIA · FamilySwitzerland · June 2026
Excellent experience. Very professional, and our captain Edmondo was extremely knowledgeable and competent.
Translated from Italian
CAROLINA · CoupleItaly · August 2025
Excellent organization. Our tour leader was very professional.
A wonderful experience.
Translated from Italian
Showing 1 - 3 out of 28 reviews
Offers by Nautica Red Coral Salento28 Reviews8 Offers
Can I bring my dog or pet?
Yes, small-sized pets are allowed on board.
How long is the boat trip?
The boat trip lasts approximately 3 hours.
Where does the boat trip start?
The group meets at the Porto Vecchio (old port) of Castro 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Are food and drinks included in the price?
Yes, an aperitivo with typical local snacks and drinks is served on board. It is still recommended to bring your own water.
How many swimming stops are included?
The tour includes two stops where you can swim and dive directly from the boat.
Is there a restroom on the boat?
No, there are no restrooms on board the boat.
What is the maximum number of passengers?
The boat is for small groups and accommodates a maximum of 12 passengers.
Do we get to enter the caves during the tour?
The caves are admired from the boat. In accordance with local regulations, it is not possible to enter them.
From
30 €
The checkyeti guarantee1-click cancellation7 days/week support100% price clarity
Canada · July 2026
Switzerland · June 2026
Italy · August 2025
