Excursions
Excursions from Giardini Naxos
Giardini Naxos sits in the middle of the Ionian coast: some of Sicily’s most beautiful places are within a day trip.
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Our excursions
Tours and activities with certified guides and operators around Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Mount Etna and the Alcantara Gorges. Tell us which excursion you like, the date and the number of people: we check availability and book it for you.
Sea and Taormina coast
Snorkelling, kayak, paddle boarding and group tours along the coast between Giardini Naxos and Isola Bella.
Snorkeling at Isola Bella
€45 per person
Three hours by boat along the Taormina coast with two swimming stops with mask and fins: the Isola Bella marine reserve and a cove in Giardini Naxos, passing the Lovers’ Grotto.
- 3 hours
- May–September
- Gear included
- From age 8
Boat tour of the Taormina coast
from €25 per person
Two hours around the most beautiful bays – Capo Taormina, the Lovers’ Grotto, Isola Bella, the Blue Grotto and Mazzarò – with a swimming stop and refreshments on board.
- 2 hours (private 4 hours)
- March–November
- Swimming stop
- From Giardini Naxos
Kayaking along the Taormina coast
€35 per person
Paddle with a guide from Giardini Naxos to Isola Bella, slipping into caves and coves you can only reach from the sea: about 7 km in sit-on-top kayaks.
- 2 hours
- April–November
- Beginner friendly
- Must swim
Stand up paddle in Taormina
€29 per person
Stand on the board from Giardini Naxos beach towards Capo Taormina and the Lovers’ Grotto, with a short briefing first and a swim in the coves along the way.
- 2 hours
- April–October
- Briefing included
- Must swim
Parasailing in Taormina bay
from €89 per flight
A panoramic flight towed by a boat, 60–100 metres high, with Giardini Naxos bay, Taormina and Etna below you. Fly solo or in tandem.
- 15–20 minutes
- June–September
- Solo or tandem
- From the harbour
Horse riding on beach and river
from €35 per person
A ride along Recanati beach to the mouth of the Alcantara, following the river upstream for a stretch. One-hour rides for everyone and longer routes for experienced riders.
- 1 h · 2h30 · 5 h
- All year
- Certified instructor
- From age 8
Private boat aperitif dinner
€290 per couple
Two hours on a private boat around Taormina bay, with a fish or meat aperitif dinner, a bottle of wine and a swim at Isola Bella. Beautiful at sunset.
- 2 hours
- May–September
- Private boat 2–10 people
- Sunset slot
Hen or stag party by boat
€290 up to 10 people
A party on an exclusive boat with music, prosecco, almond pastries and fruit, stopping at the Bay of the Sirens and Isola Bella. Gifts for the bride-to-be included.
- 2 hours (4 on request)
- April–October
- Up to 10 people
- Exclusive boat
Boats & yachts
Group trips on a traditional boat, licence-free boats and private yachts with skipper, all departing from the port of Giardini Naxos.
Traditional boat trip in Taormina
€40 per person
On a wooden Sicilian ‘lancia’ from Giardini Naxos to Capo Taormina, Isola Bella and the Blue Grotto, with a swim stop among the coves and an aperitif with fresh fruit and prosecco.
- 2 hours
- Departures 10am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm
- Sunset trip €50
- Up to 12 people
Private traditional boat
from €420 per boat
The Sicilian lancia all to yourselves: Isola Bella, the Blue Grotto and the coves of Taormina at your own pace, with swim stops and an aperitif on board.
- 2 hours €420
- Sunset €480
- 4 hours €720
- Up to 10 people
Licence-free boat (6 seats)
from €60 per boat
Open boat you drive yourself, no boating licence needed: sun canopy, shower, radio, cool box and snorkelling masks. Fuel included for half and full days.
- 1 hour €60
- Half day €230
- Full day €420
- Up to 6 people
Licence-free boat (8 seats)
from €84 per boat
6.35-metre open boat, roomy for families and groups, no boating licence needed: sun canopy, shower, radio, cool box and snorkelling masks. Fuel included for half and full days.
- 1 hour €84
- Half day €280
- Full day €430
- Up to 8 people
Cranchi GLS 27 with skipper
from €720 per boat
2019 sports boat with skipper around the bay of Taormina: snorkelling and open-sea swim stops, aperitif with fruit, local products, prosecco and soft drinks.
- 2-hour sunset €720
- Half day €960
- Full day €1,560
- Up to 6 people
Viveur 28 gozzo with skipper
from €720 per boat
Elegant, stable 2024 open gozzo with skipper along the Taormina coast: swim and snorkelling stops, aperitif with fruit, local products and prosecco.
- 2-hour sunset €720
- Half day €960
- Full day €1,440
- Up to 6 people
Cranchi Zaffiro 34 yacht with skipper
from €960 per boat
10-metre yacht with cabin, sun pad and skipper: Isola Bella, the Blue Grotto and the coves of the bay, with swim stops and an aperitif with fruit, local products and prosecco.
- 2-hour sunset €960
- Half day €1,500
- Full day €1,900
- Up to 8 people
Cranchi Zaffiro 35 yacht with skipper
from €1,440 per boat
2024 yacht with modern interiors, cabin and large sun pad: skippered tour of the bay of Taormina, snorkelling stops and an aperitif with fruit, local products and prosecco.
- 2-hour sunset €1,440
- Half day €2,000
- Full day €2,900
- Up to 8 people
Canamer 50 HT yacht with skipper
from €1,800 per boat
The largest in the fleet: 15 metres with hard top, plenty of shade and sun, for an exclusive day between Isola Bella, the Blue Grotto and the coves of Taormina.
- 2-hour sunset €1,800
- Half day €2,400
- Full day €3,400
- Up to 10 people
FIM Regina 440 yacht with skipper
€2,500 per boat
New for 2026: skippered yacht for groups of up to 10, half a day in the bay of Taormina with swim stops and an aperitif on board.
- Half day (4 hours)
- Up to 10 people
- Full day on request
Yacht dinner in the bay of Taormina
from €2,200 per boat
From 7pm to 10pm off Taormina: starter, pasta, main course and dessert served on board with a bottle of wine or prosecco, as the sun sets behind the coast.
- 3 hours, 7–10pm
- Cranchi 35 €2,200 (up to 8)
- Canamer 50 €2,500 (up to 6)
Yacht day: Taormina and Acitrezza
€3,600 per boat
Leave at 10am from Giardini Naxos and cruise south along the Ionian coast to Lachea island and the Cyclops sea stacks, with a swim in turquoise water and an aperitif with fruit, local products and prosecco.
- Full day
- Yacht with skipper
- Up to 8 people
Alcantara Gorges
Ice-cold water, basalt canyons and trails in the Alcantara Valley.
Body rafting in the Alcantara Gorges
€45 per person
In wetsuit and helmet you let the current carry you through a wild stretch of the gorges, with rapids, natural pools and optional jumps, always with river guides.
- 2 hours
- April–October
- Gear included
- Min. height 150 cm
River trekking in the Alcantara Gorges
€45 per person
Walk upstream along the riverbed for about 2 km, past small waterfalls and eddies, to the entrance of the basalt gorges. Waterproof waders and entry included.
- 2 hours
- April–October
- Entry included
- Ages 12–65
Hydrospeed on the Alcantara
€49 per person
Ride the river on a water sled for about 10 km through rapids and gorges, after a short lesson with the guide. Small groups.
- 3 hours
- April–June
- Max 8 people
- Medium difficulty
Quad tour in the Alcantara Valley
from €49 per quad (2 people)
Off-road on dirt tracks and trails along the river with views of Etna: from a one-hour ride to longer trips to Castiglione di Sicilia or up to Piano Provenzana.
- 1 h · 2h30 · 5 h
- All year
- 2 people per quad
- Driving licence
Mountain biking in the Alcantara Valley
€69 per person
From Castiglione di Sicilia you ride down dirt roads and country lanes along the river to Giardini Naxos: about 30 km with guide, bike and snack included.
- 3 hours
- April–October
- Bike included
- Medium difficulty
Horse riding in the Alcantara Park
from €35 per person
A ride along the riverbanks with an equestrian guide, to the Byzantine Cuba and the small Castiglione gorges, where you can swim in summer.
- 1 – 8 hours
- On request
- Equestrian guide
- From age 8
Mount Etna
Craters, lava flows, vineyards and caves on Europe’s highest active volcano.
Mount Etna excursion
€69 per person
A day on the north side: the 2002 lava flow, a trek to the Sartorius craters and a lava cave explored with helmet and torch. Hotel transfer and guide included.
- 6 hours
- All year
- Transfer included
- Easy
Etna and Alcantara Gorges
€75 per person
The full day: craters, lava flows and a volcanic cave on Etna in the morning, the Alcantara Gorges in the afternoon. Transfer, guide and gorge entry included.
- Full day
- All year
- Transfer included
- Easy
Etna and wine tasting
€119 per person
An easy trek to the craters and a volcanic cave, then a winery visit with lunch and a tasting of four Etna wines led by a sommelier.
- 7 hours
- All year
- Lunch and 4 wines
- Transfer included
Quad tour on Etna
from €60 per quad (2 people)
Guided off-road ride in the Ragabo pine forest, among lava flows and craters, with a stop in a volcanic cave and views over the Valle del Bove.
- 1 · 2 · 3.5 hours
- All year
- 2 people per quad
- Driving licence
Mountain biking from Etna to the sea
€89 per person
A jeep takes you up to 1,500 m, then you ride about 49 km through woods, lava flows and Castiglione di Sicilia, stopping at the Alcantara Gorges.
- 6 hours
- All year
- Transfer included
- From age 14
Horse riding on Etna
from €35 per person
Through the woods of the north side, with views over the Alcantara Valley and Taormina: from one-hour rides for beginners to a full day with lunch at a mountain hut.
- 1 – 8 hours
- All year
- Riding instructor
- From age 8
Alpaca trekking on Etna
Price on request
An easy walk in the volcano’s woodland leading alpacas on a lead, past old lava flows and great views: ideal for families with children.
- 3 hours
- All year
- Easy
- Great for families
Snowshoeing on Etna
€65 per person
In winter you walk on snow with snowshoes among pine woods and craters, visiting a volcanic cave and warming up with hot chocolate. Gear included.
- 4–5 hours
- December–March
- Gear included
- From age 10
Availability, times and prices vary with the season and the weather and sea conditions: we confirm everything before booking.
Favourite destinations
Mount Etna
Guided tours to the craters and lava caves.
Alcantara Gorges
Basalt canyon and cool waters, about 17 km away.
Taormina and Castelmola
The Ancient Theatre, Corso Umberto and the view from the village.
Boat trips
Along the coast to Isola Bella and the caves of Capo Sant’Andrea.
Aeolian Islands
Day trips to Lipari, Vulcano and Stromboli.
Syracuse and Ortigia
The archaeological park and the old town by the sea.
Planning an excursion?
Write to us before you arrive or during your stay: we are happy to give you tips on organising excursions and transfers.
The sea of Naxos is waiting
Choose your dates and check availability. Any questions? Message us on WhatsApp.