Zingaro Reserve and Scopello Catamaran Tour from Castellammare

Castellammare del Golfo

Castellammare del Golfo is a lively seaside town in north-west Sicily, built around a small harbour and a medieval castle that stands on a rocky spit at the water's edge. Its colourful houses climb the hill above the marina, and the long bay in front is framed by mountains. Fishing boats still unload in the port, which today is also the starting point for boat trips along the coast to Scopello and the Zingaro.

The catamaran departs from the harbour, with a welcome stand at Via G. Medici 46 where you check in twenty minutes before departure. The town is about an hour by road from both Palermo and Trapani, so travellers staying across western Sicily come here for a day on the sea. If you are looking for a Castellammare del Golfo boat tour, this is the classic half-day route.

Sea caves and coves of the Scopello coast

Leaving the harbour, the catamaran follows a coast of limestone cliffs carved into caves and small inlets. The skipper slows down at the Vucciria Cave, Testa della Porta and Fossa dello Stinco, then passes Cala Bianca and the Madonnina Cave, named after a small statue placed in the rock. Further on come Cala Rossa, the sandy beach of Guidaloca and the Grotta delle Colombe, the cave of the doves, whose high vault opens right onto the sea.

The guide explains the geology and the stories of each place in Italian and English. The water here is exceptionally clear, so the colours change from emerald near the rocks to deep blue offshore. One of the swim stops is usually made along this stretch, giving you the chance to snorkel at the mouth of a cave or along the cliffs.

The Faraglioni di Scopello and the old tuna fishery

The tiny village of Scopello sits on a hill above the sea, but its most famous view is at water level: the Faraglioni di Scopello, tall rock stacks rising from the sea in front of the historic Tonnara, an old tuna fishery whose stone buildings and towers stand on the shore. For centuries the tuna fishing season was the heart of life on this coast, and the fishery remained active until the late twentieth century.

From the catamaran you see the whole scene from the sea, with the stacks, the fishery and the cliffs behind. This is one of the most spectacular stops of the tour, and the water around the Faraglioni is a favourite place to swim and snorkel among fish. Many visitors ask how to see the Faraglioni di Scopello without the crowds: a boat trip is the easiest answer.

The Zingaro Nature Reserve

North of Scopello begins the Zingaro Nature Reserve, the first nature reserve created in Sicily, in 1981, to protect around seven kilometres of untouched coast between Scopello and San Vito Lo Capo. There are no roads inside: the coves can only be reached on foot along hiking trails or by sea. The slopes are covered with dwarf palms, wild herbs and Mediterranean scrub, and birds of prey nest on the cliffs.

The catamaran sails along the reserve, passing Cala dell'Ovo and the small coves below Mazzo di Sciacca. Seen from the water, the coastline shows its succession of white pebble beaches and dramatic headlands. For travellers wondering whether the Zingaro Nature Reserve is worth visiting, the view from a boat is the best introduction, without the long, hot walk on the trails.

Swimming at Cala dell'Uzzo and Cala del Varo

The longer swim stops take place in the turquoise water of Cala dell'Uzzo and Cala del Varo, two of the most beautiful coves in Sicily. Cala dell'Uzzo lies below a large cave where traces of prehistoric settlement have been found, and its pebble beach is backed by green slopes. The catamaran anchors offshore and wide, extra-large swim ladders make it easy to get in and out of the water.

Masks, snorkels and fins are available on board in sizes for adults and children, and life jackets are provided for safety. After swimming you can rest in the shade or on the sundeck while the crew serves soft drinks, water, fresh seasonal fruit and cassatelle, the traditional Sicilian pastries filled with sweet ricotta. The boat then returns to Castellammare del Golfo after about four hours in total.