Barca Trasparente Pillirina: il Pillirina Crystal Boat Tour da Ortigia
Crystal Boat: The Syracuse sea like you've never seen it!
Crystal Boat is the first fully transparent boat: explore the Syracuse coastline and sea caves while viewing the seabed directly through the hull—without getting wet or snorkeling. A unique experience, suitable for everyone. There are experiences that change the way you see a place. Sailing aboard the Crystal Boat in Syracuse is one of them. Thanks to the completely transparent hull, you can glide over the waters of Syracuse and admire the seabed right beneath you—the rocky seabed, the marine life, and the light that changes with the time of day. All this without getting wet, without equipment, without having to do anything. Just look.
Why choose the Crystal Boat tour in Syracuse
- See the sea from the inside. It’s not snorkeling, and it’s not scuba diving. It’s something more subtle: you’re above the water, but the boundary between you and the seabed is practically nonexistent. It’s a perspective that, once experienced, is hard to forget.
- Also suitable for non-swimmers. Kids, and anyone who doesn’t like water or can’t swim: with Crystal Boat, you can enjoy an immersive experience in complete safety, without ever getting wet. But for those who can’t resist a dip, we have handy inflatable tubes for relaxing, and the more daring can try swimming under the boat to get the perfect vacation photo!
- Customizable atmosphere. Want some music? Pick your playlist. Prefer the sound of the sea? No problem. The tour adapts to your mood. You’re not just taking a tour—you’re living your own experience.
- Exclusive in Syracuse. You can only try Crystal Boat with Sirakù. You won’t find this experience anywhere else in the city.
Crystal Pillirina Tour – 2 hours
The Crystal Pillirina transparent boat tour by Sirakù takes you from Ortigia to one of Sicily’s most enchanting stretches of coastline. Climb aboard our exclusive boat with a completely transparent hull for a 2-hour cruise that winds past the sea caves of Syracuse and arrives at the picturesque Pillirina Bay, located within the Plemmirio Marine Protected Area.
The itinerary of the transparent boat tour to Pillirina
- Departure from Ortigia
- A boat tour through the sea caves along the Syracuse coast and around the island of Ortigia
- Arrival at Pillirina Bay, in the Plemmirio Marine Protected Area
- 2 swimming stops (at the best spots, at the skipper's discretion)
- Return to the starting point
ThePlemmirio Marine Protected Area, managed by the Plemmirio Consortium, protects approximately 2,400 hectares of sea along the eastern coast of the Maddalena Peninsula: a stretch of coastline that can only be admired up close - and from below - on a boat like ours.
How the tour works
- Duration: 2 hours
- Cost:
- Adults: €50 per person
- Children ages 6–12: €25 per person
- Children up to 5 years old: 0€
- Minimum: 2 people (Don’t worry if you’re traveling alone—contact us, and we’ll make sure you get on board!)
- Times: 13:15, 18:15
- Departure: daily by reservation
- Meeting point: Via Senatore Gaetano Moscuzza 2, Syracuse. How to get to our meeting point →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is water getting into the boat?
No, the bottom is completely enclosed and watertight. You can sit, lean back, look down—you’ll stay dry for the entire tour (unless you choose to take advantage of the restroom break). Even the youngest children are safe.
What exactly can you see?
It depends on the day, the light, and where we are (and that’s part of the fun). Usually, you’ll see the rocky seabed off the Syracuse coast, caves, beds of Posidonia, and, if we’re lucky, octopuses, sea urchins, and fish swimming by. The Mediterranean never disappoints.
There are just the two of us—can we book?
Yes, the minimum is two people. If you’re traveling alone, write to us: we can usually pair you with an existing booking.
Can this be combined with other experiences?
Absolutely. Many of our guests combine the Crystal Boat with a sunset aperitif or a Sicilian picnic aboard our traditional boats—a combination that works very well. Discover other experiences →
Do you need to know how to swim to take this tour?
No. You can view the seabed from inside the transparent boat, so no swimming or diving experience is required. The two swimming stops are optional.
Is it accessible for people with limited mobility?
No, this experience is not suitable for people with limited mobility, for safety reasons related to boarding and the boat's design.
What is the difference between the Crystal Pillirina Tour and the “classic” Pillirina Tour?
This tour takes place on the Crystal Boat, which has a transparent hull, so there’s no need to dive. The traditional Pillirina Tour , on the other hand, includes stops where you can snorkel from a regular boat.
