The 10 best things to do in Polignano a Mare

Horseback riding on the beach in Porto Cesareo is a relaxing experience that will allow you to admire the wonderful beaches of Salento. During the excursion you will be able to go swimming while riding your horse.

The departure of the horseback ride is set in the morning (duration 2 hours and 30 minutes) or in the afternoon (duration 1 hour). The morning ride includes breakfast at the stables before departing to the sea, where you will access the beach with the horses

The afternoon ride, on the other hand, does not go all the way to the beach, it is done sea view, passing over the cliffs. 

You will be provided with all the necessary equipment to ride horses, including helmet. The price includes the insurance.

The recommended clothing includes closed shoes and long pants.

Outside of the morning tour (2:30h), from April 15 to October 15 there will be no horse riding on the beach due to an ordinance for the beach season.

From October 30 onward you will be able to access the beach with both tours!

Boat trip and fishing trip with lunch or dinner starting from Porto Cesareo accompanied by two experienced guides.

This experience is also suitable for beginners as there will be a skipper who will follow you throughout the outing.

You can choose two schedule options:

•    Selecting the departure time at 9:30 am you will have lunch included, consisting of the morning catch
•    Selecting the departure time at 4:00 pm you will have dinner included, consisting of the afternoon catch eaten at sunset.

For both trips, departure is from the port of Porto Cesareo and fishing will be done in the Porto Cesareo Marine Protected Area. The itinerary will be defined by the ship's captain according to the season and weather conditions.

In addition, stops are planned to dive into the sea and swim in these crystal clear waters.

Horseback riding in Otranto, on the Adriatic coast of Puglia, allows you to discover the beauty of the area through beautiful natural areas and historical sites. Accompanied by professional instructors, you will explore Salento's secrets and local traditions.

The route winds through Mediterranean scrub and coastline, offering spectacular views of the sea. During the excursion, you will visit places of great interest such as the small lake in the former Bauxite quarry, the Orte Bay, the Orte Masseria, the legendary Serpe Tower, and the Orte Grove.

Instructors will provide technical assistance and tourist information about the places traversed.

Group boat excursion departing from the port of San Foca and lasting 2 1/2 hours. During this tour you can admire the Adriatic coast and dive into the crystal clear water.

The tour stops are as follows:

•    Roca Li Posti (Cave of Poetry)
•    Torre dell’Orso Bay (legendary stacks Le Due Sorelle)
•    Creeks of Sant’Andrea (Lu Pepe cove, faraglioni, bastion staircase, Sandri cove)

Two swmimming stops are planned during the excursion:

•    Bay of Torre dell’Orso 
•    Calette di Sant’Andrea 

This excursion is perfect for spending a relaxing time with friends or family.

The 12:00 noon group tour includes a toast on board.

In case of food allergies or intolerances you can contact the facility after booking.

In the event that excursion services cannot be carried out due to unfavorable weather conditions (which can only be assessed by the captain of the boat for the safety of passengers), the customer will be entitled to a refund of the full amount paid or the tour will be rescheduled to the first available date.

Participants are advised that tour schedules may vary, both on departure and return, due to possible delays caused by unforeseen circumstances.

Frequent Questions:

•    Small group sizes. 
•    Accessible to all skill levels.
•    Expert Guides.
•    No dangerous fish.
•    Unique points of interest.
•    Safe swimming stops.
•    Comprehensive assistance.
•    Attention to safety.
•    Photos on board.
•    Feedbacks and positive reviews.

3-hour boat excursion to discover the Salento caves starting from Santa Maria di Leuca.

The itinerary for this excursion, again at the captain's discretion, includes:

•    Departure from the tourist port of Santa Maria di Leuca
•    .
•    Navigation on both the Ionian and Adriatic sides
•    .
•    Visit to the most beautiful caves on the coast (about 8 per side) such as Grotta del Fiume, Grotta delle Tre Porte, Grotta degli Innamorati and Grotta del Soffio
•    Return, again at the marina in Santa Maria di Leuca
•    .

You can choose between 2 tours with the same itinerary:

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Shared tour

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This option will allow you to enjoy the boat tour shared with other participants. It includes 2 stops of about 25 to 30 minutes to dive into the water and swim in a crystal clear sea.

This tour has a maximum of 12 participants at a time.

Exclusive tour

This second option will allow you to have the whole boat exclusively for groups of up to 10 people and, in agreement with the captain, you can stop to swim in the sea whenever you want.

In addition, you will be offered refreshments on board consisting of a glass of bubbly and typical Salento delicacies.

The presence of a skipper on board, will allow you to discover the beauty of the caves and all the curiosities about them.

È strictly forbidden to smoke on the boat.

Discover St. Andrew's Island starting from Gallipoli with a boat excursion.

For this experience you will have a choice of:

•    Morning excursion
•    Afternoon excursion

For each of these excursions, the itinerary includes:

•    departure from the port of Gallipoli
•    Island of St. Andrew and swim stop to swim surrounded by fish
•    Punta Pizzo bay with a stop to swim in the blue waters of this natural oasis
•    return skirting Punta Suina with typical aperitif served on board

During the morning excursion, the boat staff will serve you both an aperitif and a typical fish dish.

During the excursion you will be guided by a skipper who can satisfy all your curiosity about the place.

On the boat there is snorkeling equipment, to admire the seabed, and a sunshade awning to relax in the shade if necessary.

The use of sunscreen, not on board, is recommended to protect yourself from the sun.

Horseback riding in Vieste è also suitable for those who have not è never ridden a horse and è you can choose from several tours: 

Afternoon

The afternoon tour takes place on the plains among olive trees. Departure è set at 3:00 pm, 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm. The expected duration è is about 1 hour.

Sunset

The sunset tour takes place in the hills. Departure è set at 6:30 pm. The expected duration è is about 1 1/2 hours.

Daily excursion leaving from Vieste aboard a Turkish yacht with skipper, aperitif and lunch on board.

The excursion will depart from the port of Vieste and, depending on weather conditions and the captain's decisions, you will travel along the Gargano coast to discover the most beautiful caves and beaches in the area.

During the day you will make stops (including an extended one for lunch) where you will have the opportunity to take one or more swims in the sea among the crystal clear Apulian waters.

The special feature of this boat is that it features, on board, a kitchen in which fresh, locally sourced dishes will be prepared. In fact, you will be served an aperitif and a multi-course lunch including wine and water. 

For organizational reasons, the experience is not è suitable for those with food intolerances or special dietary needs.

For the more curious, the staff will be able to offer explanations and cultural nods related to the traditions of the area. 

The price also includes insurance and membership in the organizing association, namely Gulet Eco Freedom Team Project A.P.S.

.

Finally, there will also be the possibility of requesting on board the book, with dedication, "The Emotions, the keystone", whose author, Elisabetta Monaco, will be on board with you during the outing as the owner of the boat.

During the winter period, the reservation will be confirmed having reached 8 total participants.

This day excursion will depart at 10:00 a.m. from the Vieste marina on the 12-meter boat Albachiara.

The boat has an awning that will allow you to experience the excursion and the listening to the description of the sea caves and the coast by the tour guide comfortably in the shade, afterwards instead for those who want to enjoy the sun the boat has a wide bow equipped with comfortable mats to which you can lie down freely.

The first swimming stop will be about an hour after leaving the marina in Porto Greco, one of the most breathtaking bays of the Gargano along with Baia Vignanotica and Baia delle Zagare.

After finishing the first swimming stop, obviously without any time limit, the second stop is Baia di Vignanotica. It is precisely in this bay that lunch will take place, consisting of fresh local products (sea and land products) prepared on board, accompanied with some excellent fresh prosecco.

For those who do not drink alcohol will be provided peach tea, lemon tea and water. 

After eating and resting, navigation resumes in the afternoon where the third swimming stop will take place in the most suggestive bay of the Gargano, Baia delle Zagare, where there will be a buffet of seasonal fruits and also an excellent coffee prepared on board at the moment. 

Return to port is scheduled at 17:00.

Fuel is included in the price.

Discover the southern coast of the Gargano on board an exclusive boat accompanied by a skipper.

Departing from the port of Vieste, you will sail south to visit all the most beautiful bays and caves on the coast.

Among the caves featured, you will be able to visit the Rainbow Cave, the Dolphin Cave, the Small Bell Cave, the Small Pierced Cave and the Purgatory Cave.

During the outing, you can make multiple stops for swimming in the sea at the most beautiful spots along the coast, in agreement with the skipper.

The boat is equipped with a large sundeck with cushions, telescopic awning, ladder, anchor and on-board equipment.

You can choose from 3 outings:

•    Morning excursion with departure at 9:00 a.m. and return for 1:00 p.m.
•    Afternoon excursion with departure at 2:00 pm and return for 6:00 pm
•    Day excursion with departure at 9:00 a.m. and return for 6:00 p.m.

The boat excursion to the Tremiti Islands from Rodi Garganico is the fastest and most convenient way to explore the archipelago directly from Gargano in Puglia. During the excursion, you can admire the crystal clear sea, majestic cliffs and beautiful beaches of the archipelago.

Departing from Rodi Garganico, you will reach the Tremiti Islands after about 50 minutes. The tour begins by circumnavigating the island of San Domino, visiting its most characteristic bays and caves such as Grotta delle Viole, Grotta del Sale and Scoglio dell'Elefante.

After San Domino, you will stop at Capraia Island to visit the statue of Padre Pio and snorkel. Next, you will visit San Nicola Island, where you can choose between a lunch stop on board (if specifically request), a picnic lunch, or visit the fortified abbey of Santa Maria a Mare.

The tour will continue along the bays and caves north of San Domino, with stops for swimming and snorkeling. You can choose between a boat or an inflatable boat, both with a maximum capacity of 12 people.

Discover the caves of the Gargano with a skippered boat excursion and included aperitif.

Departing from the port of Vieste, you will pass by the islet of S. Eufemia and the peninsula of San Francesco to the Pizzomunno monolith, which owes its name to the legend of the fisherman Pizzomunno and his beloved mermaid Cristalda.

You will then skirt Scialara beach and Portonuovo beach to arrive at the San Felice Arch, where the entrance to the Campana piccola cave is visible, and the Testa del Gargano.

Along the crossing, you can admire high white cliffs overhanging the sea with gorse, cysts and pine trees jutting out over the blue waters and picturesque beaches such as San Felice Bay, Campi Bay, Porto Greco Bay, Pugnochiuso Bay, Pergola Bay, Vignanotica Bay and Zagare Bay.

You will also have the opportunity to dive into the sea, thanks to some stops at the most striking points of this trip.

Finally, before returning, you will enjoy an excellent aperitif of local products, offered by the boat's staff.

Throughout the trip, you will be accompanied by a skipper who will be able to tell you delicious anecdotes about this particular area of Puglia.