Review: Shore Excursions Group (Taormina and the Blue Grotto)

This is a review of an excursion I booked through Shore Excursions Group during my family’s Mediterranean cruise. You can read the entire report, starting HERE.

Website Description

Taormina and the Blue Grotto

Upon your arrival in Taormina, you’ll have the opportunity to explore this enchanting town at your own pace, walking on the main street where major part of the attractions are visible. Taormina, often referred to as the “Pearl of the Ionian Sea,” is a picturesque Mediterranean destination that beautifully blends old-world charm with modern elements.

Your journey commences at Porta Catania, one of the main entrances to the town, where you’ll learn about its historical significance. From there, you’ll walk along Corso Umberto, Taormina’s primary street, where you will admire the various monuments and buildings that line the route. You’ll have the chance to discover charming squares like IX April Square, relax at cafes, and perhaps visit renowned spots like Wunderbar. Additionally, the town offers local crafts and unique shops for you to explore, ensuring you’re entertained throughout your visit. This leisurely exploration promises a delightful experience in the heart of Taormina.

As part of your visit, you’ll also indulge in a tasting of traditional local food and beverages, allowing you to savor authentic Sicilian flavors that reflect the region’s rich culinary heritage.

After your exploration of Taormina, the next part of your journey involves proceeding with ground transportation. This will take you to the awaiting boat, which is ready to provide you with an enjoyable and unforgettable ride in the picturesque Naxos Bay.

Taormina, perched 700 feet above sea level on a rocky promontory, boasts a long history as a sought-after destination. Its commanding position overlooks the Bay of Naxos, and the coastal area of Giardini Naxos is graced with breathtaking scenery. This region is renowned for its unparalleled beauty, featuring a series of small beaches and charming caves that add to the allure of the area. Take the time to unwind in the splendors of this coastal stretch, undeniably the most captivating in eastern Sicily. Marvel at the natural beauty of the area as you explore notable sites like the Cave of Lovers and the Blue Grotto. As you navigate through the Marine Park of Isola Bella, you’ll be treated to the incredible sight of crystal-clear turquoise waters, providing the perfect backdrop for capturing stunning photographs.The stunning Naxos Bay never fails to astonish its visitors with its extraordinary and awe-inspiring colors. You can simply sit back and unwind, letting the sea breeze caress your face. For those seeking adventure, there will be an opportunity to take a refreshing swim in the inviting waters. As you make your way back to the pier, savor a fresh fruit tasting experience onboard the boat, adding a delightful touch to your memorable journey.

Undoubtedly, this excursion promises to be a memorable moment of your cruise. When you share the tale of your day in Taormina and Naxos Bay, experiencing the essence of Sicily both on land and at sea, your fellow cruisers will surely be envious. Secure your spot on this incredible tour today and ensure you don’t miss out on this extraordinary experience.

Please Note: Access to the Blue Grotto is not always guaranteed and is subject to the discretion of the boat operator. The order of the itinerary may change due to operational reasons.

Process/Booking

I found several of our excursions through Shore Excursions Group. It’s an easy website to navigate, as you put in your exact itinerary and it pulls up all of your options. The checkout process is super simple, as well. I received a separate voucher for each excursion purchased, with details/instructions.

A few planning notes:

The website has you pay in USD, so there’s no exchange rate.
I did plan a few Euros for tip when I ordered them from my bank.
WhatsApp is majorly used in Europe, so I had that downloaded. As soon as we got into port, I checked it for messages from the tour operators. This was the form of communication for all of our transfers/excursions/tours.

Excursion Recap

Note: Most of this portion is the same as my trip report. If you’ve already read that, you can skip along to my overall thoughts below!

The excursions were very easily found just past the pier gate. Everyone had signs and the vehicles were well marked. Our tour had messaged us a couple days prior with very specific instructions, which was great. We easily found our tour guide, boarded the bus, and were shortly on our way!

Our first stop was the marina to board a boat for a ride along the coast!

The ride was NOT for the easily seasick. We were fine, but members of our travel party (namely Jeff and Emily) would have had issues. It was a beautiful day and a great ride along the coast.

We rode around the Naxos and Taormina coasts. Along the way, we saw the hotel from White Lotus and all the yachts associated with that type of wealth.

We also saw Isola Bella….

One of my favorite stops was the Blue Grotto and the Cave of Lovers. Pictures just don’t do them justice….

The typical area they let people swim was deemed too rocky. Our boat captain took us to an area that was a little less rough. Swimming in the Ionian Sea was one of my favorite parts of the entire trip! The water was cold, but not freezing. The salt density made it pretty easy to just float. It was so relaxing and refreshing! Getting back into the boat was a trip, though, lol!

Our guides treated us to cold Prosecco, Italian cookies, and fresh fruit while we just drifted for about 15 minutes. It was AMAZING. Then, we made our way back to the marina, listening to Italian music all the way back. It felt like the epitome of Italian luxury.

We got back to the bus and rode to Taormina. The only downside of the day was that there really wasn’t any place to change out of our wet bathing suits. I was still trying to dry off and ended up carrying my towel all through Taormina.

We had the choice of going off on our own or being guided through the town before having free time on the way back. Megan and I opted for the tour, slowly being shown different points of interest.

Our tour included entrance to the Ancient Theatre, so we walked around for a few minutes. We could have taken a full tour. However, it would have seriously cut into our time. So, we just got the gist of it. It was really amusing to see this ancient theatre being set up for a concert.

From there, we parted from our tour guide. We had two(ish) hours to explore on our own. There was a granita stand right outside of the theatre, so that was a must! I got a Orange and Lemon Granita.

We decided to leisurely make our way back in the direction of the bus. Our tour guide had pointed out a Cannoli shop and noted it was one of her favorites. We stopped there and were not disappointed. They had us come to the back where the lady made ours right in front of us. They were delicious!!

After all the sweets, we were ready for some actual food! We wanted pizza. We found a restaurant that was almost a little hiding spot. It looked like a little spot. However, it wove down a staircase. It opened into a larger room that overlooked the cliffs. It was wonderful! We decided to split a pizza.

Next up was a mission that Megan had been on since we got to Italy – Louis Vuitton. Taormina has a store, so that was Megan’s desired destination. I have no interest in bags, so I merely watched while Megan perused her options. She eventually settled on one. While they were going through the ceremonial procedures of purchase, I told her I was going to run to a store I’d seen earlier in day.

I wound my way back to the shop that caught my eye when we were starting out (storefront 211). They had some gorgeous handmade ornaments. I made some purchases, both for myself and as souvenirs for family back home. Megan met up with me and we headed back to the bus. From there, it was back to the port!

Overall Thoughts

This was the review that I left on Shore Excursions Group’s website…

We experienced this excursion on 9/10/23 and had an incredible time. The ONLY downside was that our boat ride was first and there was no where to change out of our wet suits afterwards. If they could change that one thing (giving us a place to change), it would be perfect.

The boat ride itself was wonderful and we had a blast swimming in the Ionian Sea. Our guide and boat driver were super friendly and informative.

Taormina was charming and beautiful. We walked to the Ancient Theatre for a quick tour and then had ample free time to eat and shop before meeting back at the bus. The company was extremely organized and contacted us a couple days ahead of time with great information. Honestly, highly recommend this tour!

This still stands! It remains one of my favorite days of the trip! My sister and I felt like we were experiencing Italian luxury.

The company was extremely organized and contacted us with exact instructions a couple of days prior. There were a ton of tour buses outside of the port, but they were so well organized and they all had listings of who should be on what bus. Another note! Megan and I booked these separately, but contacted them asking to put us together. They were very accommodating. There’s plenty to do and see in the Messina/Sicily area, but I’d have no problem going on this same exact excursion.

As for price, in August 2023, we paid $179. As of June 2025, it’s listed at $220 with a discount price of $185. I do think it’s worth it even with the $220 price.

If I were to do the same exact excursion again, here’s what I might want to make it the slightest bit better:

I would either switch up the order (Taormina first and then the boat ride) OR make sure there is a place to change. It was a bit miserable walking around in a wet bathing suit under my clothes. The nice thing about doing the boat first is that there weren’t as many boats on the water, yet. We got to the Grotto more quickly and had more time to swim.
I might decide to forgo the guided tour through Taormina and just explore on my own for a few hours. There were so many stores and eateries that we simply didn’t have time to properly visit. That said, our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and did a great job.
If I decided to go ahead with the guided tour, I’d bring a UV umbrella and tour the Ancient Theatre. It was pretty toasty and sunny, so we just sort of looked at it for a few minutes.
I’d DEFINITELY find the cannoli shop, again!

Italy/Greece 2023 Trip Report (September 1 – 15, 2023)
– The Beginning (Vivi Alla Giornata!)
– The Planning Process (Rome)
– The Planning Process (Greece Ports)
– The Planning Process (Italy Ports)
– Flight Confusion
– Day 0: Leave for Rome (September 1, 2023)
– Day 1: Rome Arrival and City Tour (September 2, 2023)
– Day 2: Board the Breakaway (September 3, 2023)
– Day 3: Sea Day (September 4, 2023)
– Day 4: Santorini, Greece (September 5, 2023)
– Day 5: Athens (Piraeus), Greece (September 6, 2023)
– Day 6: Mykonos, Greece (September 7, 2023)
– Day 7: Olympia (Katakolon), Greece (September 8, 2023)
– Day 8: Valletta, Malta (September 9, 2023)
– Day 9: Messina (Sicily), Italy (September 10, 2023)
– Day 10: Naples, Italy (September 11, 2023)
– Day 11: Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy (September 12, 2023)
– Day 12: Disembark and Vatican City (September 13, 2023)
– Day 13: Rome (September 14, 2023)
– Day 14: Leaving Rome (September 15, 2023) and Some Final Thoughts