The 7 Nature Reserve Tours in Italy That Earn Their Price

1.Snorkeling marine protected area Tavolara

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 267 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $84Our pick

Join DST Sardegna for a four-hour boat trip through Tavolara’s protected waters. Guides such as Daniel, Sandra, Ada, Sabina, and Lucio help with snorkeling at the Crisso wreck, Molara’s natural pools, Tavolara, or Punta Spalmatore. Equipment, a flotation vest, and a snack are included.

“Superbe expérience de snockling dans des lieux magnifiques. Les guides étaient chaleureux et attentionnés, de quoi passer un merveilleux moment.”

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2.From Trapani: Tour of San Vito lo Capo, Zingaro Nature Reserve, and Scopello

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 91 reviews

Travel by private air-conditioned bus from Trapani to San Vito Lo Capo, then board the JACKYE SEA for coves, snorkeling, and swimming in the Zingaro Nature Reserve. Finish at Scopello’s Faraglioni with an onboard aperitif. The host speaks Italian, and no named guide is provided.

“Había solicitado guía en Inglés y no fue lo que realmente tuve. Se habló solamente en italiano”

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3.Catania: Cyclops Islands & Timpa Nature Reserve Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 82 reviews · from $66Best value

From Aci Castello, cruise with marine biologist Andrea and the Etna and Sea Excursion crew along Sicily’s volcanic coast. Snorkel above lava pillars, caves, canyons, and faults near the Cyclops Islands and La Timpa Reserve. Equipment, water, drinks, and light snacks are included.

“Very friendly staff, who told us about the history of Sicily. We went to one snorkeling spot and saw some lava caves from the boat. It was a fairly small group (about ten). The equipment was included and water and some fruit was available. Definitely recommend!”

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4.Boat tour to explore the Marine Protected Area of Tavolara

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 3 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $72

Set out from Olbia with a small English-speaking crew on a 7.5-meter RIB. You’ll cruise through Tavolara’s protected waters, stop at Molara’s Natural Pools and Capo Ceraso, and snorkel with free gear. Guides such as Beatrice and Tito add local stories, while snacks and drinks keep the outing easy.

“Very friendly guide. Beautiful points of interest and my kids loved the snorkeling and seeing the dolphins.”

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5.Palermo: Mondello Boat Tour and Nature Reserve with Snacks and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · 4 hours · from $105

Join skipper Gaspare for a four-hour private boat trip from Palermo’s Arenella harbor. Swim at Mondello, Agamare, Capo Gallo, and Grotta Regina, snorkel near caves and marine life, and enjoy fruit, drinks, music, and deck time.

“The boat tour in Palermo was an amazing experience. The views were beautiful, the atmosphere was relaxing, and the crew was really friendly. We had a great time exploring the coast and enjoying the sea. I definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Palermo!””

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6.Nature Reserve ,Trekking Eco Tour in Iblei National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $155

Join Alessandro Mertoli for a small-group hike through Cava del Carosello and Noto Antica. Expect forest paths, clear natural lakes, Byzantine tanneries, ancient mills, ruins, and a possible swim. The 4 to 5 hour tour includes pickup, transport, and Nordic walking sticks.

“An excellent day out. Alessandro was first class travelling from catania to collect and return us to our Giardini Naxos hotel. Very informative and friendly. Terrain was quite hard going at times but the swim in natural lake was very relaxing. History of the area was very interesting and the scenery spectacular. Well worth the effort.”

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7.Private Tour: Amalfi Valle delle Ferriere Nature Reserve Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $178

Meet your English-speaking guide in Amalfi’s Duomo Square for a private four-hour hike through Valle dei Mulini and Valle delle Ferriere. Expect waterfalls, rare plants, old paper mills, lemon groves, Pontone village, and many stairs. Guides may include Vincenzo, Michele, Enzo, or Alessio.

“Our guide Michele was awesome!!!! He was so knowledgeable of the area and gave us so much insight. We walked by Lemon groves, and up to the abandoned paper mills that lined the river long ago. All that’s left of most of them are empty shells. Here you will find the only waterfalls along the Almafi Coast. This is why the pAper mills were built, the natural running water. Here too are prehistoric ferns o my found 3 places on earth, and petrified moss which was really cool to see. This trek is pretty strenuous and does a lot of climbing and retuning by a lot of stairs. It was…”

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