Half-seabed or rod fishing tour with bolentino

The best part of this outing is that it combines Syracuse’s grand waterfront with hands-on fishing. You skirt Ortigia’s churches, walls, bridges, and castles, then head toward sea caves and the Plemmirio reserve before settling in with a rod.

I like the private format for a group of up to five, and I like that drinks are included while you fish. Captain Franco has been praised for his calm handling of the boat, including a very low bridge and tricky cave passages. The main drawback is the price: at $1,083.70 per group, this is a serious splurge unless you can divide it among five people.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to five: Your group does not share the activity with strangers.
• Three-part route: You see Ortigia, the northern Syracuse coast and Plemmirio, then spend about two hours fishing.
• Bolentino fishing: The experience is designed for beginners as well as people who already fish.
• Captain Franco may lead the trip: He has been praised for skilled boat handling and fluent English.
• Drinks are included: Beer, other alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks are provided, with alcohol served only to people aged 18 and over.
• Your catch is not included: The fish you catch is specifically excluded from the package, so clarify how it is handled before setting out.

A fishing trip with a generous Syracuse backdrop

This is not simply a morning spent staring at a float. The boat route gives you a moving view of Syracuse, with the fishing folded into a coastal sightseeing trip. That matters if some people in your group are keen anglers and others mainly want scenery, swimming conditions, and time on the water.

The outing lasts about four hours. The first two hours are given to Ortigia and Plemmirio, while the final two focus on fishing in Syracuse waters. That division gives the day a clear rhythm: city views first, open coast next, and a longer stretch for learning the fishing method.

The tour is offered as a private activity, which is a real advantage at this price. A family or group of friends can set the pace together, and beginners do not have to worry about slowing down an experienced angler. With five people sharing the total, the cost works out to about $216.74 per person. For two people, it becomes a much harder sell.

The experience is offered in English and Italian. Captain Franco is specifically praised for speaking English very well, but the listed live guide language is not tied to a particular departure. If clear English instruction is important to you, confirm that the English-speaking guide will be on your boat.

Ortigia from the water: one hour of Syracuse in profile

The boat begins at Foro Vittorio Emanuele II on Isola di Ortigia, the historic island at the heart of Syracuse. From the water, you skirt the island rather than walk its streets, giving you a compact introduction to its monuments and harbor.

Look toward the Duomo and the church of Santa Lucia, then follow the waterfront past Palazzo Veneziano and Ponte Umberto I. The route also includes the small port, the former Bourbon prison, the Spanish Walls, and the long eastern shore known as Lungomare di Levante.

This is a useful first hour because it helps you understand Syracuse as a sea-facing city. The old fortifications, waterfront promenades, and harbor buildings make more sense when seen from the water, where the island’s defensive position becomes clear.

The boat continues past Forte Vigliera and Castello Maniace, the powerful fortress at Ortigia’s southern tip. You also pass Fonte Aretusa, Lungomare Alfeo, and Porta Marina. The view is the attraction here, and no separate admission ticket is required for this part of the trip.

The route includes sea caves after the Ortigia circuit. Cave passages can be the most memorable part of a boat trip, but they are also where conditions matter most. One account of the excursion describes Captain Franco passing under a very low bridge and steering through tricky cave waters. You may need to duck, and you should follow the crew’s instructions closely.

The sightseeing is detailed enough to keep non-fishers interested, but do not expect a long stop at each landmark. You are seeing the city from a moving boat, not taking a guided walking tour of the Duomo or Castello Maniace. If your main goal is architecture, reserve time to explore Ortigia on foot separately.

Plemmirio and the Pillirina Gulf

The second stop takes you along the northern side of Syracuse, where sea caves and unusual rock shapes become the focus. The rocks are described as resembling different animals and forms, so this section depends on what you notice from the boat and how the guide points things out.

You then move toward the Plemmirio nature reserve and its well-known Gulf of Pillirina. This part of the coast feels less urban than Ortigia, and it gives the trip a stronger sense of open sea. The contrast is pleasing: first you see walls, bridges, and fortresses, then you pass rock formations and protected coastal water.

The stop lasts about an hour. Again, think of it as a boat visit rather than a land excursion. There is no listed hike or shore admission, and the route is built around viewing the coast from the water.

Swimming is not promised in the tour details. One January outing had no swimming because of the season, yet the boat trip still worked well as a sightseeing and fishing day. If getting into the water is essential to you, ask about the plan for your date rather than assuming the route includes a swim.

Plemmirio is also a good reason to book this instead of a fishing-only charter. You get unusual rock scenery and the Pillirina Gulf before settling down to fish, so the day has more variety than a straight ride to a fishing spot.

Two hours of bolentino fishing in Syracuse waters

The last two hours are set aside for fishing. The experience is described as a half-seabed or rod fishing tour with bolentino, a style intended for fishing from the boat rather than simply sightseeing. The crew helps participants learn the techniques, making this suitable for people who have never fished from a boat.

You should expect the crew to assist with the practical work and explain what to do. Several accounts describe beginners catching different kinds of fish with help from the staff. That makes this more approachable than a charter aimed only at seasoned anglers.

The fishing portion is long enough to feel like the main activity, not an afterthought. Two hours gives you time to try the method, adjust to the boat, and enjoy the quiet stretches between catches. Still, fishing is never guaranteed. Sea conditions, timing, and luck all affect the result.

The catch itself is not included in the price. That is an important detail, especially because the fishing is a central part of the outing. Ask the operator before departure what happens to fish you catch, whether you can take it with you, and if any preparation or handling costs apply.

Some accounts describe a fresh-fish lunch during the outing, along with aperitifs. Treat that as something that may occur, not as a guaranteed inclusion. The official inclusions list alcoholic drinks and soft drinks, but it does not list lunch or fish. The safest reading is that beverages are included, while food and the catch require confirmation.

Captain Franco and the crew

The crew’s role matters more here than on a standard sightseeing cruise. You need help with the fishing gear, clear safety instructions near caves, and patient guidance if you have never held a rod on a moving boat.

Captain Franco is singled out for careful navigation, especially under a very low bridge and through difficult cave passages. He is also praised for speaking English clearly and explaining what you are seeing. That combination is valuable because the outing has two separate jobs: coastal touring and fishing instruction.

The crew is also described as friendly, helpful, and professional. Beginners report being shown fishing techniques and assisted throughout the activity. That makes this a good choice for families and mixed groups, where one person may be eager to fish and another may need encouragement.

The listed guide languages are English and Italian. Since the activity is private, you can ask questions more easily than on a large shared boat. Confirm the language arrangement when booking if your group needs full English guidance.

What the $1,083.70 group price really means

The price is $1,083.70 for up to five people. That works out to roughly $216.74 each if you fill every place. For a private four-hour boat, drinks, a guide, sightseeing around Ortigia, the Plemmirio route, and fishing time, the cost can make sense for a small group that values privacy.

For two people, the same price is about $541.85 each. That is much less attractive unless a private boat and personal instruction are your main priorities. Solo travelers and couples should compare this carefully with shared fishing trips in Syracuse.

The price includes alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. That is a pleasant touch during a four-hour outing, but it should not be the reason you book. The real value lies in combining three experiences: Ortigia from the water, the sea caves and Plemmirio coast, and guided fishing.

The private arrangement also avoids a common problem with boat tours: a group with different interests being stuck on a fixed program. Here, your own party shares the boat, and beginners can get direct assistance. The tradeoff is that you pay for the whole boat, even if fewer than five people join.

The perfect catch should not be part of your price calculation. Fish are not included, and no quantity or species is promised. Book this for the setting, instruction, and time on the sea first. Treat a good catch as a bonus.

Timing, meeting point, and practical details

The tour starts and ends at Escursioni in barca Siracusa, also listed as Excursion Boat Ortigia and Dolci Escursioni. The meeting point is on Isola di Ortigia at Foro Vittorio Emanuele II, Siracusa.

The operating hours shown are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday, for the stated period from November 12, 2024, through November 26, 2026. That lines up with the approximate four-hour duration, but check your booking confirmation for the exact departure details.

The meeting point is near public transportation. Since the activity returns to the same place, you do not need to arrange a separate pickup at the end. Build in enough time to find the waterfront meeting point, particularly if you are unfamiliar with Ortigia’s streets.

Confirmation is received at booking. The activity requires good weather, so the operator may offer another date or a full refund if conditions force a cancellation. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Alcohol is served only to people aged 18 and over. If children are in your group, soft drinks are included, but the description does not provide a separate children’s program.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would choose this for a group of friends who want something more active than a cruise and more relaxed than a formal fishing charter. It also suits families looking for a private outing where beginners can receive help without feeling out of place.

It is especially useful for a mixed group. A keen angler gets two hours with a rod, while a less interested companion gets Ortigia’s monuments, sea caves, rock formations, and Plemmirio views. The route gives non-fishers a reason to stay engaged.

You should be comfortable with a boat-based day and changing sea conditions. The tour does not promise a particular catch, swimming stop, or meal. If you want guaranteed swimming, a guaranteed fish lunch, or a specialist fishing expedition, confirm those points before paying.

The experience also suits people who value personal space. A private boat for five is a luxury, and the cost becomes more reasonable when the group is full. For a couple on a strict budget, it is likely too expensive for four hours.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you can fill most of the five places, want a private boat, and like the idea of learning bolentino fishing after seeing Syracuse’s coast from the water. The combination of Ortigia, Plemmirio, sea caves, and fishing gives the outing more range than a basic harbor cruise.

I would be cautious if your main goal is simply catching fish, since the catch is not guaranteed and is not included. I would also confirm the English guide, meal arrangements, and what happens to your catch before booking.

For the right group, this is a lively and personal way to spend half a day around Syracuse. The strongest reasons to go are the private format, Captain Franco’s reported boat handling, and the chance for complete beginners to take part. The price is high, but it becomes defensible when shared among five people.

FAQ

How long does the fishing and boat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours. About one hour is devoted to Ortigia, one hour to Plemmirio and the northern Syracuse coast, and two hours to fishing.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at Escursioni in barca Siracusa, also called Excursion Boat Ortigia and Dolci Escursioni, at Isola di Ortigia, Foro Vittorio Emanuele II, 96100 Siracusa, Italy.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to five people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The live guide is listed as speaking English and Italian. Captain Franco is also specifically described as speaking English very well.

What is included in the price?

Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are included. A live guide is also included.

Is the fish I catch included?

No. Fish caught is listed as not included. The tour details do not explain whether you can take the fish with you, so ask the operator before departure.

Is swimming included?

Swimming is not listed as an included part of the experience. One January outing did not include swimming because of the season.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

Because the experience requires good weather, the operator will offer another date or a full refund if poor conditions cause cancellation. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.