Puglia Snorkelling Adventure

Welcome to Salento, the land of sun, sea, and wind! Making your way from the airport to Lecce, the enchanting Baroque capital of Puglia, you’ll settle into your accommodations before a welcome briefing with your guide.

A stroll through the elegant old town of Lecce is up next, followed by a welcome dinner accompanied by your guide.

This morning, a private transfer will take you to the breathtaking sea caves of Grotta della Poesia (Cave of Poetry) at Roca Vecchia. Dive into your first snorkelling adventure of the tour as you experience the surreal landscape of this magical and mystical place.

Made up of sea caverns and a natural swimming pool linked to the open sea, the deep blue waters have some unique stories to tell. Make sure to ask your local guide about the beautiful princess rumoured to have bathed here and the poets that travelled from near and far to write prose to her.

Snorkelling through the cave, you’ll arrive under a cliff where you’ll continue to snorkel along the beautiful coast, spotting local sea life under the surface!

Back on land, a short walk will take you to Torre dell Orso, where you’ll enjoy a well-deserved lunch featuring local seafood specialties.

Continuing the coast on foot, you’ll have the opportunity to admire the sea stacks of Sant’Andrea. Beautiful rocky towers that rise from the sea have been sculpted by centuries of wind and waves and are indeed a sight to behold.

A private transfer will then take you to Otranto, where you’ll settle into tonight’s accommodations.

Today, the beautiful village of Otranto is yours to discover as you enjoy a free day to explore it at your leisure! Otranto is the easternmost town in Italy and home to a stunning collection of castles and churches ideal for exploring on foot.

If you prefer to spend your day snorkelling instead, visit Mulino d’Acqua bay, where you’ll find a picturesque waterfall, towering cliffs, and cove ruins.

This morning a private transfer will take you to Torre Sant'Emiliano, from where you'll follow the rugged coast to Porto Badisco. Equally loved by divers, fishermen, and swimmers, Porto Badisco boasts a beautiful cove with ample hidden jewels below the waters' surface.

Navigating the cove, you'll swim among mullets, algae, and numerous colourful fish, followed by a local lunch at one of the small, homey restaurants of the bay. The sea urchins (fresh from the sea) come highly recommended!

This afternoon, a private transfer will take you to your next snorkelling destination of Santa Cesare Terme. Onboard a boat, you'll set out into the expansive sea, where you'll snorkel among karst stone caves and sea cavities that stretch the coast. Keep your eyes peeled for tuna, groupers and sea turtles!

Moving towards the western side of Puglia this morning, you’ll navigate a path through beautiful pine forest before arriving at the cove of Porto Selvaggio. Crystalline sea weaves with freshwater here, coming from the subsoil below.

Porto Selvaggio is an exciting snorkelling destination that will introduce you to a wide variety of marine organisms, including damselfish, starfish, and sea urchins, all brimming with vibrant colours.

Back on land, you’ll head to Santa Caterina to enjoy an afternoon aperitif before taking a private transfer to tonight’s stay in Gallipoli.

The pristine waters of Porto Cesareo await your discovery today! This protected area offers stunning well-preserved marine habitats, including the Roman Columns. A short swim will take you to five fascinating monolithic columns with a depth of 4.5m, dating back to the 2nd century AD- a spectacular encounter with Puglia’s rich history.

Snorkel among cerianthus and other sand anemones here, getting to know the animals that populate the sandy floor of the sea.

A transfer will take you back to Gallipoli where you can soak up your final evening of the tour in this ancient island-like town.

Return to the airport to depart and say “addio” to beautiful Puglia!