Boat trips from Gallipoli: sea caves, Sant'Andrea Island and the coast

Seen from the water, Gallipoli reveals an angle you simply can't catch on foot or by car: the old town on its island, the castle and the sea bastions unfold along the coastline, while the water shifts from pale turquoise over the shallows to a deeper blue further out. A boat trip doesn't replace beach days at Baia Verde, but it complements them nicely: in a few hours you can see coves only reachable by sea, Sant'Andrea Island offshore, and a stretch of coast to the south that would take far longer to reach by road. It suits pretty much everyone, from couples to families with children, and you don't need any sailing experience if you book an organised excursion.

The coast between Gallipoli and the shoreline to the south, towards Punta Pizzo and Porto Selvaggio, alternates low cliffs and inlets that hide small sea caves, some of which can be visited by boat or by tender when the sea is calm. Organised excursions from the harbour usually include one or more stops to admire the caves from outside or to enter them aboard a small dinghy, with the water turning an emerald shade as light filters down from above. Conditions change from day to day: some caves are only accessible with a flat, low-wind sea, so the exact route and stops are always a call made by the skipper on the day.

About two kilometres off the Gallipoli coast lies Sant'Andrea Island, a small limestone island that is part of the Isola di Sant'Andrea e Litorale di Punta Pizzo Regional Nature Park. A historic lighthouse stands on the island, still a landmark visible from much of the town's seafront, set within a protected natural environment: landing is not allowed, precisely to safeguard the Mediterranean scrub, the wild rabbits and some rare seabird species that frequent the area. Boat trips let you sail close along the island, admire the lighthouse and take in the natural surroundings without landing, often with a swim stop in the clear water around it.

Some longer excursions continue south, skirting Punta Pizzo and the Porto Selvaggio area: a stretch of coast with higher cliffs, pine woods dropping straight to the sea, and coves that are far less crowded than Baia Verde. Seeing it from the water makes it easy to appreciate the difference between Baia Verde's low, sandy shore and the rockier stretches further south, which by land often mean longer trails and limited parking in peak season.

Options in the area generally fall into three categories, each suited to different needs.

• Group trip from Gallipoli harbour: organised boats with fixed departure times and a route and stops set by the skipper, ideal if you want a simple experience without organising anything yourself
• Private charter or rigid inflatable boat: more flexibility on timing and stops, useful if you're travelling as a group or want to tailor the route between caves, the island and coves
• Sunset tour: shorter outings designed to bring you back in the late-afternoon light, with fewer swim stops and more focus on the views

A short checklist makes the day far more comfortable, especially if the excursion lasts several hours.

• Enough water, especially during the central hours of the day
• High-protection sunscreen, reapplied after every swim
• Water shoes, useful for stops in coves or on rocky seabeds
• A change of clothes and a quick-drying lightweight towel
• A camera or phone in a waterproof case for the lighthouse and the caves

In peak season (July and August) the most popular outings fill up fast, so it's worth booking a few days ahead, especially for sunset tours. Sea and wind conditions directly affect the route, so always check the forecast with the operator the day before you go: with rougher seas, some caves or coastal stretches may be dropped from the plan. When choosing between a half-day and a full-day trip, think about how many swim stops you want and whether you'd rather pair the boat trip with a free morning or afternoon on the beach at Baia Verde.

Many boat excursions depart from Gallipoli harbour, just minutes from Baia Verde: staying in a holiday apartment in Baia Verde makes it easy to reach the departure point in the morning and get back to the beach or the apartment in the afternoon, without arranging long transfers on excursion days.