A Polignano a Mare boat tour shows you the town the way it looks on postcards: whitewashed houses on top of a limestone cliff, with sea caves carved into the rock below, on the Adriatic coast of Puglia south of Bari. Two options lead Viator. The cave tour with snorkeling gear and appetizers is rated 4.8 across 1,242 reviews, from about $46. The small-group cave tour is rated 4.9 across 542 reviews, from about $41.
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The verdict
The cave tour with snorkeling is our pick. It has the most reviews of the Polignano boat tours in our Viator search, it includes snorkeling gear and drinks, and it lasts about an hour and a half. One four-star reviewer warns it can get choppy and there is little shade, so bring a hat.
The small-group tour costs a little less, is rated slightly higher and runs just under two hours, with snacks, water and drinks. It meets in Polignano itself, and pickup can be requested. One low review describes a trip rescheduled because of rough sea, which can happen on either tour.
Neither option is wheelchair accessible.
Boats can’t enter the caves in rough weather, so suppliers may move your trip. Book early in your stay to leave room for a new date. For the region, see the 8-day Puglia tour.
Which one is for you?
Take the cave tour with snorkeling if
- You want the most-reviewed option: 1,242 ratings.
- You want snorkeling gear included.
- You want to swim near the caves.
- You are traveling with children, as reviewers did.
Take the small-group tour if
- You want the lower price, from about $41.
- You want the higher rating: 4.9 from 542 travelers.
- You want to start in central Polignano.
- You would like pickup.
What each price covers
The cave tour with snorkeling, from about $46
Included: the boat tour to the caves, alcoholic drinks and snorkeling gear.
Not included: nothing else is listed.
The small-group tour, from about $41
Included: the small-group boat tour, snacks, bottled water and alcoholic drinks.
Not included: nothing else is listed.
Where each one starts
- Cave tour with snorkeling: Via San Vito 225, at the harbor of San Vito, just north of Polignano a Mare.
- Small-group tour: Via Giuseppe Arimondi 2, in Polignano a Mare, or pickup on request.
Side by side
| Cave tour with snorkeling | Small-group tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.8 from 1,242 | 4.9 from 542 |
| Five-star reviews | 1,105 (89%) | 502 (93%) |
| Price | from about $46 | from about $41 |
| Length | 1 h 30 min | 1 h 50 min |
| Snorkeling gear | Included | Not listed |
| Food and drink | Drinks | Snacks and drinks |
| Start | San Vito harbor | Central Polignano |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before | Free up to 24 hours before |
What travelers say
On the cave tour with snorkeling
My kids, aged 10 and 8, loved every minute.
Francesca_D, September 2026, via Viator
Can get a bit choppy out on the water. Not enough shade on boat.
Pierina_L, September 2026, via Viator
On the small-group tour
We had a lovely afternoon on the boat.
Alison_S, September 2026, via Viator
Both are reviewed mostly with five stars: 89% of the cave tour with snorkeling ratings and 93% of the small-group tour ratings. Three stars or lower make up about 4% of the reviews on the first and about 4% on the second.
How a boat trip fits a trip to Puglia
From Bari, compare the Bari street food tour and the Alberobello and Matera day trip. Further south, the Lecce walking tour covers the baroque old town.
For planning, read our southern Italy itinerary and our round-up of the best boat tours in Italy.
Questions travelers ask
Which Polignano a Mare boat tour should I book?
For a swim and snorkeling gear, the cave tour rated 4.8 from 1,242 reviews on Viator, from about $46 (checked September 2026). For a small group and the lower price, the cave tour rated 4.9, from about $41.
Can you go inside the caves on a Polignano a Mare boat tour?
Both tours are built around the sea caves below the town. In rough sea, trips can be moved.
Can I get to Polignano a Mare from Bari?
Yes, it is on the coast south of Bari. The small-group tour offers pickup on request.
How long is a Polignano a Mare boat tour?
About an hour and a half for the snorkeling tour, and just under two hours for the small-group tour.
Can I cancel a Polignano a Mare boat tour?
Both offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
Book the snorkeling tour to swim by the caves; book the small-group tour for the lower price and a start in town.
Editorial assessment by Italy2Love, September 2026. Inclusions and exclusions, meeting points, prices, ratings, review counts and cancellation terms read on both Viator product pages (product codes 301125P1 and 363558P1), September 2026. Reviews quoted with attribution to their authors and to Viator. Next review March 2027, or sooner on any change to either option.