The swimming & snorkel stops on a Zingaro boat tour
Faraglioni & Tonnara di Scopello
Most tours open or close at the Faraglioni di Scopello — jagged limestone stacks rising out of jade water beside the centuries-old tonnara, a former tuna fishery now used as a film set and museum. The water here is deep and clear; boats often pause for photos and a first swim before running into the reserve proper.
Cala Capreria & Cala della Disa
Just inside the southern gate, Cala Capreria is the first cove of the reserve: white pebbles, a backdrop of dwarf palms, and shallow, sheltered water that’s ideal for a first snorkel. A little further on, Cala della Disa and Cala Berretta are quieter halts that the smaller boats can tuck into.
Cala Marinella
Roughly midway along the coast, Cala Marinella is one of the prettiest stops — a crescent of pale pebbles framed by cliffs, with clear water and good snorkeling over rock and posidonia seagrass. On a calm day it’s the swim people remember.
Cala dell’Uzzo & Cala Tonnarella dell’Uzzo
Near the northern, San Vito gate, Cala dell’Uzzo and Cala Tonnarella dell’Uzzo are the reserve’s most celebrated swims — broad coves with some of the clearest water on the coast and a prehistoric Grotta dell’Uzzo in the cliffs behind. Tours from San Vito usually reach these first.
The exact coves change day to day. Skippers read the wind in the Gulf of Castellammare and pick the most sheltered bays for swimming, so two boats on the same morning can stop in a different order. The water is clear at all of them.
What to bring for the swim stops
- Water shoes — cove entries are over pebbles, not sand.
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat; there’s little shade on deck.
- A towel and a dry bag for phones and cameras.
- Your own mask if you’re fussy — gear is included on many but not all tours.
- A little cash for drinks or an aperitif on board.
Book a Zingaro boat tour
The simplest way to see the reserve is a guided boat tour — the skipper handles the route and the swim stops while you just bring a towel, with free cancellation on most tours.
See the tours by where they swim
Want snorkel gear thrown in, or the longest time in the coves? Compare them on the all-tours page, or check what each costs.
Most bookedFrom San Vito Lo Capo: Zingaro Reserve & Scopello Snorkeling Tour
Small groupCastellammare del Golfo: Zingaro & Scopello Gozzo Tour with Swimming Stops
Catamaran cruiseSan Vito Lo Capo: Zingaro Nature Reserve & Scopello Cruise
Frequently asked questions
What are the swimming stops on a Zingaro boat tour?
Most tours anchor in coves such as Cala Capreria, Cala della Disa, Cala Marinella, Cala dell’Uzzo and Cala Tonnarella dell’Uzzo, and pass the Faraglioni di Scopello. The exact line-up shifts with the wind, but the water is clear at all of them.
Is snorkeling good in the Zingaro reserve?
Yes — the coves have clear water over rock and posidonia seagrass, with plenty of fish. Several tours include mask and snorkel; bring your own if you want a guaranteed fit.
How long do you stop at each cove?
Typically 20 to 40 minutes per swim stop, with the longest pauses usually at Cala dell’Uzzo or Cala Marinella. Smaller gozzo trips often linger a little longer.
Can you land on the beaches inside the reserve?
Boat tours anchor offshore and you swim in from the boat; they don’t land. To reach the coves on foot you enter the reserve through the north or south gate and walk the coastal trail — a separate ticket.