Review · ITALY YACHT CHARTERS

Taranto Boat Charter

★ 5.0 · 6 reviews 3 to 8 hours (approx.) From $468 for the whole boat Operated by Taranto Boat Charter · Bookable on Viator
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Taranto Boat Charter puts you on a private boat for a leisurely look at the coast, with time around the Cheradi islands and the clear waters near Marina di Leporano. Captain Vincenzo leads the trip aboard an elegant Salento gozzo, a traditional-style boat that suits Taranto’s coastal setting.

I like the privacy of booking the entire boat for up to 10 people, and I like the mix of swimming time, coastal views, and Taranto sights. You also get bottled water, soft drinks, a restroom, and private transport on board. The main consideration is that lunch is not included, and the plan depends on good weather.

Key points to know before you book

Taranto Boat Charter - Key points to know before you book

  • Private boat for up to 10: The $468.62 group price can offer good value when shared by a full party.
  • Cheradi island stop: San Pietro and San Paolo provide the main setting for swimming and quiet time at sea.
  • Taranto’s Ponte Girevole: The boat passes this memorable bridge, giving you a fine photo opportunity from the water.
  • Flexible 3 to 8-hour format: The broad time range lets you choose a shorter outing or a fuller day at sea.
  • Captain Vincenzo and the Salento gozzo: The boat and personal service are central to the character of the trip.
  • Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, while cancellations within 24 hours are not refundable.

A private boat day from Taranto’s Molo Sant’Eligio

Taranto Boat Charter - A private boat day from Taranto’s Molo Sant’Eligio

You start at Molo Sant’Eligio, on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 1, in Taranto. The activity returns to the same meeting point, which keeps the day simple if you are staying in town or arriving by public transport.

The price is $468.62 per group of up to 10 people, not per person. That works out to about $47 per person if you fill all 10 places, or about $94 each for a group of five. For a couple, the price is much harder to justify, unless you especially value having a private boat and a long stretch of time on the water.

You can book the outing for roughly 3 to 8 hours. That is a useful range, but it also means you should confirm the exact length you want when arranging the trip. The listed stops account for about two hours of specific stop time, with the remaining time allowing for cruising, the bridge passage, and the pace of your private outing.

This is not a packed sightseeing circuit. It is better understood as a relaxed coastal charter with a few clear highlights. You will spend time sitting aboard, looking at the shore, stopping to swim, and enjoying the sea at a pace set for your group.

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Sailing aboard Captain Vincenzo’s Salento gozzo

Taranto Boat Charter - Sailing aboard Captain Vincenzo’s Salento gozzo

Captain Vincenzo is named as the guide, and the boat is described as an elegant Salento gozzo. That detail matters. A gozzo has a more traditional Italian coastal feel than a basic transfer boat, so the vessel itself helps shape the outing.

You should expect a personal setting rather than a large shared cruise. Only your group participates, so you can enjoy the trip with family or friends without being tied to strangers’ schedules. That is especially useful if some people want to swim while others prefer to stay aboard.

The boat has a restroom, bottled water, and soda or pop. Those are modest but valuable comforts during several hours at sea. You will not need to plan every drink before leaving the harbor, though you should bring anything else you personally require.

The service has also included a welcoming, friendly approach from Vincenzo. On an evening cruise, the outing included swimming, sunset views, prosecco, and a look at Taranto’s Big Sea and Little Sea after dark. Treat that as a possible character of an evening departure rather than a guaranteed inclusion, since lunch is specifically excluded and the details of food and drinks beyond the listed refreshments are not stated.

San Pietro and San Paolo, the Cheradi island stop

The main natural stop is around the Cheradi islands, including San Pietro and San Paolo. You have about an hour here to enjoy the water, relax, and swim in the area.

This is likely the part of the charter that will matter most if your aim is time at sea rather than a formal tour of Taranto. The islands provide a change from the city waterfront, and the stop gives you a chance to get into the water instead of simply viewing the coast from the deck.

The description points to clear water and a beautiful setting for swimming. Still, remember that swimming conditions can change with wind and sea conditions. The trip requires good weather, and the captain may need to adjust the day if conditions are poor.

There is no admission fee for this stop. More important, the private format gives you room to enjoy the hour without the feel of a public beach visit. I would choose this charter for the island stop if you want a quiet break built around the sea, not if you need a long list of historic sights or guided commentary.

The available information does not specify beach facilities, chairs, umbrellas, or snorkeling equipment. Plan around the services that are confirmed: a boat, a restroom, drinks, and time in the water. You should also ask about what to bring for swimming before departure, since towels and equipment are not listed.

Passing beneath Taranto’s Ponte Girevole

Taranto Boat Charter - Passing beneath Taranto’s Ponte Girevole

The boat also passes Ponte Girevole, Taranto’s rotating bridge. The listed passage lasts about 15 minutes, making it a short but distinctive part of the route.

This is the best stop for photographs of the boat and the city together. From the water, you get a different angle than you would from the quayside, and the bridge gives the passage a clear visual focus. Keep your camera ready, since 15 minutes goes quickly.

The bridge crossing also helps connect the natural and urban parts of the outing. One moment you are focused on the open water and islands, and the next you are looking at one of Taranto’s recognizable pieces of infrastructure.

Do not book the charter expecting a long bridge tour or an extended historical talk. The attraction here is the passage itself and the chance to take photographs. It works well as a short scenic section within a day built mainly around sailing and swimming.

Marina di Leporano and Taranto’s clear coastal water

Taranto Boat Charter - Marina di Leporano and Taranto’s clear coastal water

Another hour is set aside around Marina di Leporano, described as a place for swimming in clear water and relaxing in privacy. This gives the charter a second main water stop after the Cheradi islands.

The two areas can make the outing feel less repetitive. At San Pietro and San Paolo, you have the island setting. Near Marina di Leporano, you get another coastal setting for a swim and a quiet pause aboard the boat.

The wording describes this as part of the Taranto portion of the tour, so you should not confuse it with a separate land excursion through Leporano. You are coming for the water and the coast, not for a walking tour.

Again, no admission fee is listed. The value comes from having a private boat take you to attractive water rather than arranging your own transport to several swimming spots. If you do not plan to swim, the value is less direct, though the coastal views and time aboard still form the heart of the trip.

Why the evening option may be especially appealing

Taranto Boat Charter - Why the evening option may be especially appealing

The evening cruise has a different mood from a daytime charter. A sunset over the water, a swim before dusk, and a look at Taranto’s Big Sea and Little Sea after dark can turn the outing into a special occasion.

The evening account also included prosecco. Since prosecco is not listed among the standard inclusions, I would confirm it when booking rather than assume it comes with every departure. The confirmed refreshments are bottled water and soft drinks.

I like the evening format for couples, families celebrating something, or a group that wants a slower end to the day. It may also help you avoid spending the hottest part of the afternoon on the boat. On the other hand, a daytime departure gives you more natural light for seeing the coast and taking photographs.

The exact departure times are not provided, so ask which options are available for your date. The trip can last from about 3 to 8 hours, and the best fit depends on how much time you want for swimming, cruising, and sunset.

What the price means for your group

Taranto Boat Charter - What the price means for your group

At $468.62 for up to 10 people, this is a group purchase. Its value improves sharply as your party gets larger. Ten people pay about $47 each, while six people pay about $78 each. For four people, the cost is about $117 each, before any food or extras.

That price includes the private boat, private transportation, bottled water, soda, a restroom on board, and applicable GST. It does not include lunch. The private format is the key point. You are paying for control over the boat and the company, not just for a seat on a fixed public route.

For a group of friends, the charter can be a sensible way to mark a day in Taranto. For a small party, compare the cost with other coastal options before booking. You may still prefer this trip if privacy, swimming stops, and a flexible duration matter more than the lowest price.

The broad time range also affects value. A 3-hour outing gives you a focused coastal break, while an 8-hour charter can become the main event of your day. Ask what is included in the duration you choose, since lunch is not part of the standard arrangement.

Who will enjoy this charter most

Taranto Boat Charter - Who will enjoy this charter most

I would recommend Taranto Boat Charter to you if you want:

  • A private outing for family or friends
  • Time to swim rather than only look at the coast
  • A traditional Italian boat setting
  • A relaxed route with the Cheradi islands and Marina di Leporano
  • Photos of Ponte Girevole from the water
  • An evening cruise with sunset potential
  • A flexible day lasting about 3 to 8 hours

Families may appreciate the private setting and the restroom aboard. Groups of friends can split the cost and choose the length that suits them. Couples can enjoy the evening option, though the full group price is less attractive for only two people.

This is not the best match if you want a formal city tour, a detailed historical program, or a meal included in the price. You also need to be comfortable with a plan centered on weather and swimming.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking. Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation. Specific accessibility details are not provided, so ask the operator before booking if you have mobility needs.

Practical details that can save you trouble

Plan to meet at Molo Sant’Eligio, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 1, 74123 Taranto TA, Italy. The trip ends back at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

Bring your own lunch plan. Lunch is not included, and the provided drinks are bottled water and soda or pop. The information does not confirm whether food can be purchased or stored aboard, so ask before departure if you want to bring a meal.

Keep the weather in mind when choosing your date. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. If you cancel yourself, you must do so at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The charter is often booked well ahead, with an average booking time of about 108 days in advance. That suggests you should reserve early if your Taranto dates are fixed, especially if you want a particular day or an evening sailing.

Should you book Taranto Boat Charter?

Book it if you can share the cost with a group and want a private day built around swimming, island scenery, and Taranto views. The combination of San Pietro and San Paolo, Marina di Leporano, and Ponte Girevole gives the route enough variety without making it feel rushed.

I would be most interested in the longer or evening option, provided the weather is good. Sunset, a swim, and Taranto after dark give the charter its strongest sense of occasion. Just confirm the timing, ask about any extras such as prosecco, and plan your own lunch.

For a small party on a tight budget, the price may be high. For up to 10 people who value privacy and time on the water, it can be a fair way to turn Taranto’s coast into the center of your day.

FAQ

Where does the Taranto Boat Charter start?

The activity starts at Molo Sant’Eligio, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 1, 74123 Taranto TA, Italy.

Where does the boat trip end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Molo Sant’Eligio.

How long does the charter last?

The charter lasts approximately 3 to 8 hours. The specific duration should be confirmed when you book.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to 10 people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Bottled water and soda or pop are included, along with a restroom on board.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. For your own full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time.

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