Polignano a Mare Sea Caves Boat Cruise with Swim Stop & Aperitif

Polignano a Mare from the Sea

Polignano a Mare is one of the most photographed towns in Puglia, built on limestone cliffs that rise straight out of the Adriatic about 35 kilometres south-east of Bari. Its old town, entered through an arched gate, sits right on the edge of the rock, with balconies and white houses hanging above the waves. From the land you see only part of it; from a boat you understand how the whole town stands on a honeycomb of caves.

This is why a boat trip is the best way to see Polignano a Mare. Leaving the harbour, the small boat follows the coastline at an easy pace while the crew explains how the sea and rain carved the soft rock over thousands of years, and how fishermen, traders and invaders used these cliffs through the town's long history.

The Sea Caves of Polignano a Mare

The cliffs around Polignano are full of grottoes, large and small, hollowed out by waves and by water dissolving the limestone from above. Some open as wide arches, others as narrow cracks, and inside many of them sunlight reflecting from the sandy floor turns the water an unreal turquoise and blue. Stalactites, layers of rock and nesting pigeons appear as the boat edges closer.

Weather permitting, the skipper brings the boat into the mouths of the caves so you can look inside and take photos without getting into the water. Each grotto has its own shape and colour, which is why this Polignano sea caves boat trip feels different from an ordinary coastal tour. The light is brightest from late morning to mid afternoon, when the sun is high.

Grotta Palazzese

The best known cave in Polignano a Mare is the Grotta Palazzese, a vast natural vault opening onto the sea directly beneath the buildings of the old town. Its high ceiling and wide mouth have made it a landmark for centuries; local nobles already held summer gatherings inside in the 18th century, and today it is one of the most recognisable images of the Apulian coast.

From land the cave is almost impossible to see properly, so viewing it from the water is one of the highlights of this tour. The guide points out the different levels of the rock, the old staircases cut into it and the way the town grew on top of the hollow cliff. Have your camera ready: the contrast of white stone and deep blue water is spectacular.

Swim and Snorkel Stop in the Adriatic

After the caves, the boat anchors in a sheltered stretch of coast with crystal-clear water for a swim. Snorkelling masks are provided, so you can look down at the rocky seabed, the sea urchins and the small fish that live along the cliffs. If you prefer not to swim, you can stay on board, sunbathe and enjoy the view of the cliffs from the deck.

Back on board, the crew serves a light snack of taralli, the crunchy ring-shaped crackers of Puglia, often flavoured with fennel seed or chilli, together with a chilled drink. The water is warmest from July to September, while May, June and early October are quieter and pleasant for swimming, making late spring to early autumn the best time to visit Polignano a Mare by boat.

Lama Monachile and the Old Town

On the way back the boat passes Lama Monachile, also called Cala Porto, a narrow inlet with a small pebble beach squeezed between two cliffs and crossed by an old stone bridge on the line of an ancient Roman road. It is the town's most famous view, and seeing it from the sea shows how the old centre stands on one side of the gorge and the newer town on the other.

After the tour, take time to walk the old town above, with its lanes, terraces and viewpoints over the sea. If you are asking how to get to Polignano a Mare from Bari, the regional train takes around 30 to 40 minutes and the harbour is an easy walk from the station, which makes this boat trip a perfect half day out from Bari.