PANTELLERIA BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Circumnavigating Pantelleria: cliffs, warm grottoes and secret coves aboard Yacht Simone & Yacht Luck
A full-day, anti‑clockwise periplo dell'isola departing from the port of Pantelleria that visits white‑sand shallows, the warm semi‑grotto of Nikà, the Elephant Arch and Cala dei 5 denti—this guide explains the route, timing and what to expect.
Circumnavigating Pantelleria: cliffs, warm grottoes and secret coves aboard Yacht Simone & Yacht Luck.
Adventure brief
Circumnavigating Pantelleria: cliffs, warm grottoes and secret coves aboard Yacht Simone & Yacht Luck
The Tour dell'isola con lo Yacht Simone & Yacht Luck is a seven‑hour circumnavigation of Pantelleria that follows the island’s dramatic shoreline in a generally anti‑clockwise direction, calling at white sand bottoms, high pictorial cliffs and a string of swim stops including the warm waters of Nikà, the Elephant Arch and Cala dei 5 denti.
Pantelleria, a rugged volcanic island straddling the waters between Sicily and Tunisia, offers a striking blend of wild landscapes and crystalline seas. Yacht Simone Pantelleria invites adventurers aboard two elegant vessels, Yacht Simone and Yacht Luck, for a full circumnavigation of this Mediterranean jewel. This isn’t just a boat ride—it’s an immersion into Pantelleria’s raw coastal beauty and secret swimming coves. The itinerary weaves through seascapes marked by dramatic white sand beaches and towering cliffs sculpted by volcanic activity, delivering a perspective of the island impossible to achieve on foot.
Key stops include the tranquil warm waters of Nikà, perfect for a serene dip; the iconic Elephant Arch, a natural rock formation that emerges from the sea like a prehistoric mammal frozen in stone; and Cala dei 5 denti, a notch of coastline known for its clear waters and unique rock formations that invite swimming beneath jagged cliffs. Each location captures a different facet of Pantelleria’s untamed charm — geological artistry intersecting with the calm sea.
This journey is ideal for travelers seeking a leisurely yet authentic encounter with the island’s shores, pairing luxury yacht comfort with raw nature. Yacht Simone Pantelleria stands out in Sicilia’s outdoor recreation scene by offering a maritime route that unveils hidden coves and cliffs unreachable by land routes, all while preserving a close connection to local marine environments.
Beyond the visuals, the experience immerses guests in the island’s blend of cultural history and natural wonders. Pantelleria’s volcanic past shapes every cove and beach, telling stories of lava flows meeting the sea. Yacht Simone Pantelleria’s tours articulate this story, making it an unforgettable maritime adventure that redefines your sense of Sicilia’s coast.
Route Schematic
Route schematic and principal stops
The typical anti‑clockwise periplo departs the port and progresses around Pantelleria with a number of named stops and flexible swim anchors.
Port of Pantelleria → Scauri / Sataria
Group meets on the banchina under the castle and the yacht heads toward Scauri; the first typical stop is Sataria, known for white sand bottoms and bright seabed colors.
Kuddia Scauri ('acque blu')
A stop under the kuddia Scauri in the area called 'acque blu' for swimming in vivid blue waters.
Nikà (semi‑grotto with warm water)
A highlighted semi‑grotto with warm water where the boat typically pauses—one of the tour’s most interesting swimming stops.
High coastal cliffs and assorted swim stops
Beyond Nikà the route runs past tall, pictorial cliffs with multiple optional stops—small pebble beaches and swim exits are common here (Salto la vecchia, Punta Limarsi, faraglione dietro l'isola, scogli del formaggio, macasinazzi and others).
Arco dell'Elefante and the faraglione; Cala Levante & Cala Tramontana
After the high cliffs the tour reaches the Elephant Arch and the faraglione, with views over Cala Levante, Cala Tramontana and Cala delle Giache.
Gadir and Cala Cottone → Punta Spadillo → Cala dei 5 denti
The boat passes Gadir (notable for the villa of Armani), continues to Cala Cottone and Punta Spadillo and then anchors at Cala dei 5 denti where guests can enter the small grotto called the 'scarpetta di Cenerentola'.
Final stop toward Campobello — return to port
A last customary stop is usually made toward Campobello before the yacht returns to the port of Pantelleria in the late afternoon.
The itinerary includes numerous optional stops along the coast and the exact sequence can vary during the anti‑clockwise circumnavigation; the schedule is planned to return to port around 17:00–18:00.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Arco dell'Elefante and the faraglione bays
The route passes the island’s signature rock formations—the Elephant Arch and the faraglione—then reveals the twin bays of Cala Levante and Cala Tramontana and Cala delle Giache, offering dramatic cliff views and sheltered anchorages.
Nikà: the warm semi‑grotto
One of the tour’s most remarkable stops is Nikà, a semi‑grotto with warm water where guests typically pause to swim and explore—part of a sequence of unique coastal swimming spots around the island.
Cala dei 5 denti and the 'scarpetta di Cenerentola' grotto
Near the end of the circumnavigation the boat anchors at Cala dei 5 denti, where passengers can dive into the small grotto nicknamed the 'scarpetta di Cenerentola' before the customary final stop toward Campobello.
What the day feels like
What the day on the water feels like
Departing mid‑morning from the port of Pantelleria, the yacht traces the island anti‑clockwise: shallow white‑sand coves near Sataria and the 'acque blu' under Kuddia Scauri give way to the warm semi‑grotto of Nikà, then tall coastal cliffs and a series of swim stops, before passing the Elephant Arch, the faraglione and a string of bays that lead eventually to Cala dei 5 denti and a last stop near Campobello; return to port is late afternoon.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this boat tour suits
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The outing lasts approximately seven hours. The group assembly is scheduled for 9:45 with departure at 10:00 and return to the port around 17:00–18:00.
Participants are asked to report to Lungomare Falcone e Borsellino on the quay beneath the castle of Pantelleria for boarding.
The periplo is generally completed in an anti‑clockwise direction, but the exact sequence of swim stops is flexible and includes numerous optional anchors along the shoreline.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour and what are the meeting and departure times?
The tour is approximately seven hours long. The group meets at 09:45, departure is at 10:00 and the yacht returns to port around 17:00–18:00.
Where do we meet to board the yacht?
You should go to Lungomare Falcone e Borsellino, the quay under the castle of Pantelleria for boarding.
Is swimming part of the itinerary?
Yes; the circumnavigation includes multiple swim stops—white‑sand shallows at Sataria, the warm semi‑grotto of Nikà, pebble beaches beneath the cliffs and the grotto at Cala dei 5 denti.
In which direction does the boat normally travel around the island?
The periplo is generally run in an anti‑clockwise (counterclockwise) direction from the port of Pantelleria.
What are the principal landmarks we will see on the tour?
Key features include the white sand bottoms of Sataria, the 'acque blu' under Kuddia Scauri, the warm semi‑grotto of Nikà, the Elephant Arch, various faraglioni and bays such as Cala Levante, Cala Tramontana, Cala delle Giache and the Cala dei 5 denti.
How this guide was prepared
This field guide is synthesized using verified supplier specifications, route descriptions, and destination data. Some booking links may generate affiliate revenue for ADV Guides.
- Verified: 2026-08-07T13:12:11.407Z
Some booking links may generate revenue for ADV Guides or The Adventure Collective.
Availability, pricing, schedules and operating details can change.
Trip details and contextual sources were reviewed by ADV Guides Editorial.