A boat day beats the usual beach routine. This Palermo coast excursion is built for slow cruising, swim stops, and big views along the shoreline from Addaura out toward Isola delle Femmine.

I really like two things here: the boat itself is clearly set up for comfort and quick water access (ladder at the stern, two showers, awning), and the local team gets major love for being serious, friendly, and genuinely helpful—especially skipper Simone. One drawback to plan around: a boat license is mandatory if you’re renting it to operate yourself, and fuel isn’t included, so the final cost depends on the day.

If you’re the type who wants freedom—pick your pace, choose your swim moments—this format fits well. It’s private (just your group, up to 8), starts at 9:00 am, and returns to the same spot so you’re not thinking about logistics all day.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• A fast, modern rental setup: 8 m inflatable with a 300 hp 4-stroke Suzuki (LED GS 75).
• Comfort details that matter: awning, stereo, and two showers for rinsing after the water.
• A route that hits the classic Palermo coast: Addaura → Mondello → Capogallo → Sferracavallo → Isola delle Femmine.
• High praise for skipper Simone: professional, helpful, and not intrusive.
• True small-group pacing: private for up to 8, not a crowded tour boat.
• Swim time without hassle: ladder access at the stern (snorkeling gear is not included, though).

The Route: From Addaura Out to Isola delle Femmine

This is an 8-hour outing with a simple structure: launch from Porto dell’Addaura (Palermo PA), cruise along the coast, pause often for swimming and coves, and finish back at the meeting point. The start time is 9:00 am, which is a good choice. You beat late-morning crowd energy and you’ve got the whole day for changing plans if conditions shift.

The coast route is where the day earns its keep. You’ll move through the Palermo shoreline sequence:

Addaura (your base), then Mondello, Capogallo, Sferracavallo, and finally Isola delle Femmine. That’s a strong run because each stop area has its own feel. Mondello is the go-to name on the Palermo map, while Capogallo and Sferracavallo help you get that more “coastline explorer” vibe—less checklist, more looking at the water and choosing where to pause.

Addaura: The practical start that sets the tone

Addaura Roosevelt Harbor is the launching point, so you’re not doing a complicated transfer day. Expect the morning to feel straightforward: get aboard, settle in, and start cruising along the coast rather than spending your energy figuring out where to go next. For groups with kids, that matters. You want the easy part first.

Mondello: Your first big shoreline stop

Mondello is usually where you’ll get that classic Palermo seaside feeling. Even if you don’t treat it like a “tour,” it works as a solid early anchor point. You’ll likely use it to stretch out, grab some shade under the awning, and do an early swim while the day is still fresh.

Capogallo and Sferracavallo: Where the coves do the talking

These two stops are the ones that tend to reward people who like calmer moments. You’re moving along coves and coastline segments where stopping feels natural. If you’re aiming for the “just us and the water” vibe, these are the sections that tend to deliver—especially when the skipper knows where to set up for easy swim access and relaxed time.

One fun detail: at least some outings can include time around the area referred to as the gypsy reserve. That gives the day a little extra sense of place beyond the big-name spots.

Isola delle Femmine: The payoff at the end of the day

Isola delle Femmine is your final destination stop, and it’s a smart way to structure the day. You end with a place that feels like the natural conclusion to a long coast loop—ideal for lingering, taking photos, and squeezing in one last stretch of swim time before heading back.

The Dinghy Experience: Comfort and Power You Can Feel

This outing is centered around a rental inflatable you can operate yourself (if licensed) or enjoy with an optional skipper. The model is an 8 m inflatable (LED GS 75) with a 4-stroke, 300-hp Suzuki engine. That combo matters for two reasons: you’re not stuck with sluggish movement between stops, and you can keep the day feeling “in control,” not like you’re being dragged along by timing constraints.

What “set up for real days” looks like

A lot of boat rentals advertise amenities. This one has the practical stuff:

• Ladder at the stern: makes entering the water straightforward once you’re stopped.
• Two showers: one at the stern and one near the pilot boat, which is handy if multiple people want to rinse off.
• Awning: shade when the sun is doing its job.
• Stereo system: because a day on the coast sounds better with music.

The boat is also described as very functional, and the reviews give that claim extra weight. People keep calling it spotless, well-equipped, and with clean, reliable engines. That’s the kind of thing you care about when you’re spending a full day aboard.

Private means less stress

Because it’s private for your group (up to 8), you avoid the usual “everyone funnels at once” feeling that comes with shared boat tours. You don’t have to wait for the slowest passenger to climb aboard. You also don’t have to adapt your pacing to other people’s schedules.

Swim Stops and Snorkeling: What’s Included and What You Must Bring

This is fundamentally a time-on-the-water experience with frequent opportunities to stop and swim in the coves along the route. The stern ladder makes those stops easy, and the showers mean you aren’t committing to salt-and-sun all day.

One catch: snorkeling equipment is not included. That doesn’t mean you can’t snorkel—it means you should plan to bring your own mask/snorkel if that’s how you want to spend your swim breaks. If you’d rather just swim casually, you’re still covered because the boat is designed for easy water access.

Also note: the listing mentions diving, but the actual practical takeaway for your planning is straightforward—this is about swimming and exploring coves from a stopped position, not hauling gear and running a formal dive program.

Food and the On-Board Rhythm

The only listed included item is soda/pop, which tells you the day is designed around breaks and your own choices. Many people like that approach. You can keep it simple: snacks, drinks, and swim time without being locked into a meal service.

There’s also a mention in the review record of a grilled fish on board option that people felt was worth it. That suggests there may be add-on food possibilities depending on what’s offered on your specific date. If food matters to your group, ask ahead whether you can include it with your plan.

Practical tip: since fuel is excluded (more on that below), food and drink budgeting tends to be your main “extra cost” beyond the base price and optional skipper fee.

Price and Value: What $761.30 Means for Groups

The price is $761.30 per group (up to 8) for about 8 hours. That pricing structure can be a great deal if you’re traveling with enough people to spread it out.

Here’s the value math, in plain terms:

• If you fill 8 spots: it works out to roughly $95 per person.
• If you have 6 people: it’s about $127 per person.
• If you have 4 people: it’s about $190 per person.

Now for the important cost reality check: fuel is excluded. That means your final total depends on how much distance you end up covering, plus your cruising pace. If you’re a group that’s going to do lots of stops and move through multiple areas, build that into your budgeting.

The skipper option if you don’t have a license

A boat license is mandatory if you rent to operate it yourself. If you don’t have it (or you just want the day to feel easy), there’s an optional skipper:

• €150 for the full day
• €75 for half a day

Given the reviews emphasizing professionalism and friendliness, this is the option that often turns a good day into a “repeat next year” day. You still get the freedom of a private trip, but you swap your stress for local know-how.

Why the Palermo Coast Works So Well From a Boat

Palermo’s coastline is a place where the scenery changes as you move. From the water, the shoreline looks different—less like a row of beach names and more like a chain of stopping points. That’s why the route matters.

What you’re paying for isn’t just transportation. It’s the ability to choose your own rhythm:

• cruise when you want movement,
• stop when you find a cove that looks right,
• swim when conditions feel good.

And the boat’s design supports that casual flow. Ladder access, shade, and rinse-down showers mean you can do short cycles—stop, swim, rinse, and move again—without turning the day into a production.

Service and Skipper Simone: The Part People Remember

The standout praise across the booking history is consistent: Simone is described as kind, helpful, professional, and very available from the first moment. People also highlight reliability—spotless boats, new engines, and competence that feels serious.

That matters more than it sounds. When you’re on the water with limited time, you want someone who:

• knows the coast,
• can answer questions without dominating your day,
• keeps the boat running smoothly.

Multiple reviews also mention Simone as not intrusive, which is a key style point. You want guidance when needed, but you don’t want your group’s day micromanaged.

Who This Is Best For (and Who Should Rethink It)

This fits best if you want a private, flexible coast day with swim stops, not a fixed schedule on a big tour boat.

You’ll likely be happiest if:

• you’re traveling as a small group or family (up to 8),
• you like beaches but prefer stopping from the water rather than just walking around,
• you want comfort on board (awning, showers, stereo),
• you’re okay with a good chunk of your day being outdoors.

You should think twice if:

• you don’t have a boat license and you’d rather not add the skipper cost,
• you’re sensitive to weather changes, since the experience requires good weather,
• you expected snorkeling gear to be provided (it isn’t).

Should You Book This Palermo Coast Dinghy Day?

I’d book it if your ideal day is simple: get on a well-kept boat, cruise the Palermo shoreline, and spend your time where it feels best—on the water. The strongest reason is the pairing of a comfortable, well-equipped dinghy with a skipper (Simone) who repeatedly earns trust for professionalism and friendliness.

If your group can cover the per-person cost and you plan for fuel and any gear needs (like snorkeling equipment), it’s a high-value way to see Palermo’s coast at a pace that feels personal.

FAQ

How long is the Palermo coast boat excursion?

It runs for about 8 hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Porto dell’Addaura, Palermo PA, Italy.

What time does it start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It’s private, and only your group participates.

How many people can go on the boat?

The group size is up to 8.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling/snorkelling equipment is not included.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is excluded.

Do I need a boat license?

Yes. A boat license is mandatory to rent this dinghy.

Can I hire a skipper?

Yes. You can hire a skipper for an additional fee of €150 for the full day or €75 for a half day.

Is there a refund if weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.