What to Bring on a Cyclops Coast Boat Tour

Sunscreen, Sunglasses and Hat

The sun feels stronger on the water because it reflects off the sea, and many of these boats have only partial shade. A secure hat or a cap is more practical than a loose wide-brimmed one on a moving boat. The swim stops are inside the Isole Ciclopi Marine Protected Area, and the private boat tour to the sea caves asks guests to bring biodegradable sunscreen, which is a sensible choice on any tour here.

Water and Snacks

Check what is included before you pack food. The two 4-hour Catania sails serve an aperitif with sparkling wine and Sicilian bites, and the 2-hour Faraglioni boat excursion offers drinks and fruit on board. The sunset boat tour to Aci Trezza has no bar service, although complimentary drinks may be offered. Shorter sightseeing trips from Aci Trezza often serve nothing at all.

Whatever is included, bring your own bottle of water. The Catania sail tour asks for it, and on a hot July afternoon a glass of prosecco is not a substitute.

Waterproof Phone Pouch

Very useful if you plan to swim with your phone, or want protection from spray around the boat. A pouch on a lanyard keeps your phone dry when spray comes over the side.

Dry Clothes and a Light Layer

These are most useful on late-afternoon, sunset and shoulder-season trips. Even on a warm day you can feel cold once you are wet and the boat is moving, especially on the 4-hour Catania tours, which still have a long sail ahead of them after the swim stop. A dry T-shirt and a light jumper or windproof jacket in a small bag covers it.

Snorkeling Gear

Check whether a mask, snorkel and fins are supplied before you bring your own. Both 4-hour Catania sails include snorkeling gear, and the 45-minute boat tour to Aci Castello hands out masks and snorkels. The Faraglioni excursion lists “water accessories” and paddleboards rather than masks specifically, so ask if a mask matters to you. If you already own a mask that fits you well, it’s a small thing to pack and worth it in the clear water around the Faraglioni. Our Cyclops Coast snorkeling tours page has more on where the snorkeling is best.

Water Shoes and Boat Shoes

Water shoes are useful mainly if you’ll be getting in from rocks. On these tours you get in and out from the boat, so they’re optional. For the boat itself, flat shoes with a good grip are best. Follow your operator’s footwear rules.

Motion Sickness

If you know you’re prone to seasickness, bring the treatment you normally use and take it before you board. Boat size and sea conditions make more difference than whether the tour is private or shared. Take it seriously on the private tour with lunch: the operator asks you to declare seasickness when booking, and guests showing symptoms may not be allowed to board.

What Not to Bring

Leave behind large suitcases, oversized bags, several pairs of shoes, laptops, valuable jewellery, large amounts of cash and unnecessary food. Storage on small boats is limited, everything is likely to get splashed, and the appetizer cruise, for example, takes up to 12 guests on one sailing boat.

The exception to “no cash” is the boarding fee. The appetizer cruise price excludes a €15 per person boarding fee, and the Catania sail tour charges €20 per person, paid on-site at the port. Check your confirmation and bring the right amount in euros.

By Tour Type

2-Hour Tour

A swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a phone and water may be all you need. On the shortest Aci Trezza trips, the 45-minute tour to Aci Castello or the Odyssey Faraglioni tour, you can wear your swimsuit and carry little more than a towel.

3–4 Hour Tour

Add dry clothing, a light layer, water and snorkeling gear only if it isn’t supplied. Bring euros for the boarding fee if you’re on one of the Catania sails.

Snorkeling Tour

Prioritise swimwear, a towel, sun protection, a waterproof phone pouch and your own mask if you prefer it.

Sunset Cruise

Bring a light jumper or jacket for the return journey. The air on the water cools once the sun goes down, and it can feel chilly in wet swimwear, especially at either end of the season. Our sunset vs daytime guide compares the two.

Family Tour

Add children’s sunscreen, dry clothes, snacks if needed and any medication. Check child-sized life jackets in advance: the Faraglioni excursion and the 45-minute Aci Castello tour list life jackets, but few listings say whether they come in children’s sizes. Also check age rules before booking: the Catania sail tour isn’t suitable for children under five, the Odyssey tour isn’t suitable for non-swimmers, and on the private tour small children sit on a parent’s lap.

Final Checklist

Before leaving your hotel, check:

• meeting point
• departure time
• weather
• swimsuit
• towel
• sunscreen
• sunglasses
• water
• phone
• booking confirmation
• snorkeling inclusions
• boarding fee in euros, if your tour charges one

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I wear on a Cyclops Coast boat tour?

Wear your swimsuit under light clothes, with flat shoes that grip, sunglasses and a hat that won’t blow off. Bring a light jumper or jacket for the return trip, especially on sunset tours.

Do Cyclops Coast boat tours provide snorkeling gear?

Many do. Both 4-hour Catania sails include snorkeling gear and a paddleboard, and the 45-minute Aci Castello tour hands out masks and snorkels. Others list only “water accessories”, so check your listing or bring your own mask.

Do I need to bring cash?

Only for a boarding fee. The Catania appetizer cruise excludes a €15 per person boarding fee, and the Catania sail tour charges €20 per person on-site, on top of the online price. Otherwise, leave large amounts of cash at your hotel.

Do I need to bring food and water?

Bring water on every tour. Food depends on the tour: the Catania sails serve an aperitif, the private tour serves lunch, and many shorter trips serve nothing. See our guide to Cyclops Coast boat tours with lunch if food matters to you.

Final Take

Keep it simple. A small bag with a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, water, phone and a light layer covers most Cyclops Coast tours. Add euros for the boarding fee on the Catania sails and your own mask if you care about snorkeling.

Check live dates for the Catania sail tour above, or compare every Cyclops Coast tour side by side.