Skip to content
Vacantier

Activity Bari, Italy

Polignano Boat Tour from San Vito : Caves, Volare, Swim & Prosecco

5.0 (40 reviews) 1 h 30 min Free cancellation
Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Polignano Boat Tour from San Vito : Caves, Volare, Swim & Prosecco

About this activity

This is not a crowded boat trip. We are a small family-run team with a 10 - seat boat, departing from the quiet fishing harbor of San Vito to avoid the chaos of the main port.

You will see all of Polignano’s famous sea caves, including Grotta Palazzese and the Lovers’ Cave where a heart-shaped light appears at 1 PM. We stop in front of Domenico Modugno's statue while playing "Volare" for the ultimate photo moment.

Your local skipper chooses the best secluded cove for a swim stop based on sea conditions. Enjoy a true Puglian aperitif on board with chilled Prosecco DOC, crunchy taralli, and fresh fruit. No crowds, no rush, just you, the sea, and the real dolce vita.

Day Cruises Private and Luxury Underground Tours Water Tours Sightseeing Cruises Small Group Excellent Quality Best Conversion
Viator machine-translated part of this text.

At a glance

Duration
1 h 30 min
Confirmation
Instant confirmation
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group
Up to 10 people
People per booking
1–8
Guide
English, Italian
Operated by
Freeride Boat Polignano

Ages: Children (3–10 years) · Youth (11–13 years) · Adults (14–85 years)

What is included

Included

  • Included: Alcoholic beverages: small aperitif with taralli and prosecco

Itinerary

  1. Spiaggia di San Vito

    5 min Admission included

    Check-in at San Vito, a small fishing harbor with no crowds. Easy 5 - min walk downhill from free parking.

    Board our 10 - seat boat. Quick 2 - min safety briefing from your local skipper.

  2. Lama Monachile

    10 min Admission included

    Cruise under the iconic Bourbon bridge for the postcard photo of Polignano.

    We stop in front of Lama Monachile beach to see Domenico Modugno's statue overlooking the cove.

    Your skipper plays "Volare (Nel blu dipinto di blu)" as you take in the view where the famous song was born.

    Best photo spot and most emotional moment of the tour.

  3. Stop 3

    5 min Admission included

    Photo stop in front of the world-famous Grotta Palazzese, the cave restaurant built into the cliff.

    With calm sea conditions, we get as close as possible for incredible photos from the water.

    Your skipper shares the history of this 18th-century noble palace carved into the rock.

    This is the most iconic view in all of Puglia and the main reason travelers visit Polignano.

  4. Stop 4

    5 min Admission included

    Slow pass in front of Grotta Ardito, known for its tall vaulted ceiling and emerald water reflections.

    Your local skipper points out the natural rock formations and explains how the sea carved this cave over centuries.

    Quick photo opportunity from the boat. With calm sea conditions, we get closer to admiring the colors inside.

  5. Polignano a Mare

    10 min

    Slow scenic cruise back along Polignano's dramatic coastline, with views of the old town houses perched on cliffs.

    Your skipper will choose the safest and most beautiful cove for your swim stop based on sea and wind conditions that day.

    Once anchored, enjoy 20 minutes of free time to swim in crystal-clear water, only accessible by boat.

    On board : chilled Prosecco DOC, traditional Puglian taralli, and fresh seasonal fruit.

    Music and time to relax before heading back to port.

  6. Stop 6

    5 min Admission included

    Cruise past the Rock of the Hermit, the "Hermit's Rock" standing alone in the sea.

    Your skipper shares the local legend of the hermit who lived here in solitude, praying for fishermen.

    Dramatic photo stop with the rock, open sea, and Polignano cliffs in the background.

    With calm sea conditions, we circle the rock for 360 - degree views.

  7. Stop 7

    10 min Admission included

    Pass by the Cave of Lovers, also known as the "Lovers' Cave" or Cave of Doves.

    Your skipper shares the romantic legend of the two lovers who hid here.

    Around 1 : 00 PM on sunny days, a beam of light enters through a hole in the ceiling and creates a heart-shaped reflection on the rock inside.

    With calm sea conditions, we approach the entrance for the best photo of this natural phenomenon.

    A must-see for couples and photographers.

  8. Polignano a Mare

    20 min

    Swim stop in a secluded cove with crystal-clear, turquoise water, accessible only by boat.

    Your expert skipper chooses the best and safest cove of the day based on sea conditions, wind, and crowds, ensuring maximum privacy and comfort.

    Drop anchor and dive into the Adriatic Sea. Snorkeling gear and floating mats provided. The water here is often 5 + meters deep and incredibly clear - perfect for photos and videos.

    Back on board, enjoy a traditional Puglian aperitif : chilled Prosecco DOC, artisanal taralli from a local bakery, fresh seasonal fruit, and a selection of soft drinks and cold water.

    Relaxing Italian music plays in the background while you swim, sunbathe, or simply enjoy the view of Polignano's cliffs from the water. This is the most loved moment of the tour.

  9. Spiaggia di San Vito

    15 min Admission included

    Slow scenic cruise back to the quiet fishing harbor of San Vito.

    Enjoy your final panoramic views of Polignano’s dramatic limestone cliffs, the whitewashed old town perched above the sea, and the famous Bourbon bridge from a new perspective.

    Your skipper slows down and points out hidden coves, tiny sea caves, and secret beaches you may have missed on the way out.

    Relaxing Italian music plays on board while you take in the coastline bathed in golden light. This is the perfect time for last videos, drone shots, and group photos with no other boats around.

    The most peaceful 15 minutes of the entire experience.

  10. Stop 10

    5 min

    Safe disembark back at the quiet fishing harbor of San Vito, the exact same dock where your adventure started.

    Your captain and crew help everyone off the boat one by one and are available for final photos together with the boat and the harbor in the background. This is the most requested photo of the whole tour.

    Perfect moment to ask for local tips : best seafood restaurants in Polignano with sea view, hidden beaches only locals know, or what to see next if you're traveling through Puglia. We're happy to share our favorite spots.

    Easy 5 - minute uphill walk back to the large free parking area at San Vito. The path is paved but has a gentle slope.

    Thanks for sailing with us - we hope to see you again in Polignano!

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

  • The port of San Vito can be reached by car or with extra transfer services

End point

  • The port of San Vito can be reached by car or with extra transfer services

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel You get back
At least one day before 100%
Less than a day before 0%
  • The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

  • Service animals allowed

  • Public transportation options are available nearby

  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Traveller ratings

5.0 out of 5 · 40 reviews
5
100%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%

Activities, prices and reviews are from Viator. Booking and payment happen on Viator; Vacantier may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Polignano Boat Tour from San Vito : Caves, Volare, Swim & Prosecco

Pick a day to see the times and the price

Necessary cookies keep the site running and cannot be switched off. With your consent we also load Google Analytics, which tells us how the site is used, and our affiliate partners' scripts (Travelpayouts, Kiwi.com), which set cookies to credit us with bookings made through us. Details in the Cookie Policy.

  • Necessary

    The session, form protection, signing in, your chosen currency and this choice. The site does not work without them.

    Always on
  • Analytics

    Google Analytics. Counts visits and which pages and offers are used, so we know what to improve. It never receives your name, email or account.

  • Marketing and affiliate

    The Travelpayouts scripts and the Kiwi.com flight search. They set their own cookies, through which the partner knows you came from Vacantier.