Boat fishing, boat tours, boat party

Taranto’s private boat outing mixes fishing, open-water cruising, and swimming rather than locking you into one fixed plan. You can fish, stop in shallow water only 50 centimeters deep, swim in deeper water, or combine both. The day begins near Ponte Girevole and returns to the Cantieri Del Sud boatyard.

I like the flexibility and the small-group format, with up to 12 people including the skipper. I also like that skipper Nicola is willing to adjust the pace and explain what he knows while handling the boat. The main concern is extra fuel cost: the low advertised rate is not the full picture, so ask for a clear total before you set off.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Private boat for up to 12 people: Your group has the boat to itself, with a skipper included in the capacity.
• Fishing and swimming can be combined: Choose fishing, shallow-water swimming, deeper water, or a mix of activities.
• Full day offers better value: The half-day option is available, but the longer route allows more time for cruising, fishing, and swimming.
• Fuel is extra: The listed price is a starting point, and fuel charges can add a sizeable amount.
• Fishing equipment is provided: You get fishing gear for the first outing, along with beverage coolers.
• Nicola is the skipper: He has been described as friendly, flexible, and capable at the helm, but fishing conditions can affect the day.

What This Taranto Boat Trip Really Offers

This is best understood as a flexible day on the water, not a guaranteed catch. The plan combines a scenic ride from Taranto with time at fishing grounds and swimming stops. You can shape the outing around your group’s interests, which is useful when some people want to fish and others would rather get in the water.

The boat can take up to 12 people including the skipper. That makes it suitable for a family group, a group of friends, or a private celebration. A smaller party may have more room to move around, but the price structure matters. The published base price of $19.31 per person looks attractive, yet fuel is not included, and a €15 membership fee per person is added through the association.

I would treat the online price as the entry point, not the final bill. Ask how fuel will be calculated, how the association fee is collected, and what route is included. The supplied information gives an average fuel figure of about three liters per mile with six people aboard for a full day. That figure deserves clarification before departure, since fuel use can change the cost sharply.

Leaving from Cantieri Del Sud

The meeting point is Cantiere navale Cantieri Del Sud, Viale Jonio 150, 74123 Taranto. The trip ends at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point at the end of the day.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. I would avoid leaving this booking until the last moment, especially since the experience is commonly reserved well ahead of time. The average booking window is about 25 days.

The outing is offered in English, and mobile tickets make the arrival process simple. The meeting point is near public transportation, though the information does not specify which routes or stops serve the boatyard. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.

Because this is a private activity, your group controls the mood. You can use the time for fishing, swimming, or simply riding along the coast. That is a real advantage over a large shared cruise, where everyone must follow the same schedule.

Ponte Girevole and the First Part of the Route

The listed route begins at Ponte Girevole, Taranto’s recognizable swing bridge. It is the first named point on the outing, and the boat then continues toward the day’s fishing and swimming areas.

The exact route is not fixed. For a general fishing and leisure trip, the average round trip is described as about 40 miles, or approximately 80 kilometers as stated in the tour details. The route includes scenic cruising, arrival at fishing spots, shallow-water bathing, deep-water bathing, or a combination of these.

That flexibility is helpful, but it also means you should not expect a tightly timed sightseeing program. There is no long list of guaranteed landmarks or scheduled stops. The focus is the water itself and the way your group wants to spend the hours.

I would ask Nicola at the start how far the boat plans to go and which type of swimming stop is likely. A shallow-water area can suit cautious swimmers and families. A deeper-water stop may be more appealing if you want to swim freely. The advertised 50-centimeter depth is unusually shallow, so confirm whether that refers to one optional bathing area rather than the entire swimming portion.

Fishing Routes and What You Might Catch

The fishing-only route, known as bolentino, covers about 25 miles, or 50 kilometers, round trip. It is shorter than the full mixed route and removes some of the swimming and leisure time. If fishing is your main goal, this option makes more sense than paying for a long route you will not use.

Fishing equipment is available, and the membership fee includes free use of fishing gear for the first outing. Beverage coolers are also provided. Bring your own food and drinks unless the operator tells you otherwise, since the included items do not describe a meal or a full catering service.

The fishing side of the outing depends heavily on conditions. One previous departure had no bait because of a biological fishing closure. Nicola tried trolling instead, but the fishing did not produce the expected result. That is a useful warning: a boat, rods, and a willing skipper cannot guarantee fish.

If you book mainly for fishing, ask about bait, the current fishing rules, the intended method, and the season. Also ask what happens if the planned method is not possible. The operator may be able to adjust the route, but you should know that before paying the fuel charge.

Nicola has been described as polite, accommodating, and willing to share what he knows. He has also been praised for handling the boat well. Those qualities matter more on a private outing than a scripted speech. You can ask questions and request a different balance between fishing and swimming.

Swimming in Shallow and Deep Water

The swimming part gives the trip a second purpose when the fish are not cooperating. You may stop in shallow water about 50 centimeters deep, in deeper water, or at both types of location. You can also choose to skip fishing and make the day mostly about the water.

That choice makes this a practical option for mixed groups. One person can fish while another swims, provided the route and time allow it. Families may prefer the shallow stop, while confident swimmers may want deeper water. Still, the details do not state that swimming instruction, flotation devices, towels, or snorkeling gear are included.

The boat has beverage coolers, but you should plan your own sun protection, swimwear, towels, and any personal water gear you need. The supplied information does not promise shade, onboard food, or a shower.

The best approach is to agree on the day’s priorities before leaving the harbor. If half the group expects serious fishing and the other half expects a long swim, a quick discussion with Nicola can prevent disappointment. The trip is flexible, but flexibility works best when everyone knows what they are paying for.

Half Day or Full Day?

You can choose a half-day or full-day outing. The full-day option is the better choice if you want both fishing and swimming, especially with a scenic ride included. The average route is long enough that travel time may take a meaningful share of the day.

A half-day makes sense for a shorter schedule or for a group that wants one main activity. Choose it for fishing only, swimming only, or a brief ride if you do not want to spend many hours on the boat. It should not be confused with a full fishing expedition.

The full-day route is also more forgiving. If a fishing spot is slow, the group can spend time swimming or cruising. If the weather changes the plan, there may be more room to adjust. Good weather is required, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

The operator lists an average load of six people when describing fuel consumption. With a private group of six, the base per-person rate may feel reasonable once the fuel is split. With only two or three people, the per-person cost can rise quickly if fuel is charged by the trip rather than included in the advertised price.

The Real Price: $19.31 Plus Extra Charges

The listed price of $19.31 per person is appealing for a five-hour boat outing, but it needs careful reading. Fuel is specifically listed as not included. A €15 membership fee per person is also added because the service operates as an association, and that fee includes insurance and first-outing use of fishing equipment.

The details also refer to fuel costs being included in the booking in one place, which conflicts with the separate statement that fuel is not included. Do not guess which wording applies to your departure. Ask the provider for the final amount in writing, including fuel, membership, and any other charges.

Value depends on the number of people and the actual route. A private boat for a full day can be good value when a group shares the cost. A small group may find the final price less attractive, especially if the boat travels the longer route.

I would also ask if the fuel estimate is based on a fixed route or actual consumption. The stated average of about three liters per mile appears in the trip information, but fuel use naturally changes with distance, speed, sea conditions, and passenger load. A clear estimate protects both sides from an awkward conversation at the end.

What Can Go Wrong, and How to Avoid It

The main risk is a mismatch between fishing expectations and the day’s real conditions. In one case, the boat stayed within the harbor, bait was unavailable, and the fishing did not match what had been expected. The skipper added an hour and served several proseccos as a goodwill gesture, but that does not replace a promised fishing experience.

You can reduce the risk by asking three direct questions before departure:

• Is bait available today?
• Which fishing method and location are planned?
• What is the estimated total cost including fuel?

The second issue is timing. One departure reportedly began an hour late. If you have a train, dinner reservation, or another tour after this outing, allow extra time. The activity is listed as approximately five hours, but the actual end time can be affected by delays, route changes, and weather.

The third issue is weather. The experience requires good conditions. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. For the same reason, avoid placing this activity on the final morning of your stay if the boat day is important to you.

Who Will Enjoy This Most?

I would recommend this for people who want a private, adjustable day rather than a strict fishing charter. It suits groups with mixed interests, since swimming and fishing can share the same outing. It also works well for people who value time on the water more than a guaranteed catch.

Families and cautious swimmers may appreciate the shallow-water option. Friends may prefer the full-day plan, with time to ride, fish, and swim. The private format is useful for anyone who wants to set the mood and pace within the limits of the route.

I would be more cautious if you are an expert angler with one clear goal: catching fish. The trip includes fishing, but bait restrictions, weather, location, and technique can all change the result. Ask detailed questions before booking, and do not assume that a full day means a specialized fishing charter.

Booking, Cancellation, and Practical Notes

The activity is available in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation should arrive within 48 hours, subject to availability. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Service animals are allowed, the meeting point is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The data does not provide specific information about wheelchair access, child seats, toilets, shade, or food, so ask the association directly if any of those matter to you.

The provider is Associazione Vivere il mare. For customized needs, the association can arrange different routes for lower or higher requirements. That is worth using: tell them if your group wants bolentino fishing, a swim-focused outing, a shorter route, or a full day with both activities.

Should You Book This Taranto Boat Tour?

Book it if you want a private, flexible day on the water and your group is happy to treat fishing as one part of the experience. Nicola’s friendly approach, the option to change the plan, and the mix of shallow swimming, deeper water, and cruising give the outing real appeal.

Book with caution if fishing is the only reason you are going. Confirm bait, route, fishing method, start time, and the full fuel-inclusive price first. If the association gives you a clear total and the weather looks good, the tour can offer solid value, especially for a group of several people sharing the cost.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start and end?

It starts and ends at Cantiere navale Cantieri Del Sud, Viale Jonio 150, 74123 Taranto TA, Italy.

How long does the experience last?

The outing lasts approximately five hours. Half-day and full-day options are available.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat can take up to 12 people, including the skipper. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Is fishing equipment included?

Fishing equipment is available, and the association membership fee includes free use of fishing equipment for the first outing.

Is fuel included in the price?

Fuel is listed as not included. The information also contains a conflicting reference to fuel being included in the booking, so confirm the final fuel arrangement and total price before departure.

Can I swim during the trip?

Yes. The trip can include swimming in shallow water about 50 centimeters deep, deeper water, or both. You can also choose fishing only or a leisure-focused outing.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Free cancellation by the customer is available up to 24 hours before the local start time.