The people of Salento have always wished to pass on the beauty of this land to its visitors: its history, culture, traditions, folklore, cuisine, hospitality and nature are just a few things this place can offer.
Everything here has to do with one element: the sea, that surrounds the cities making them look even more majestic.
The sea here is crystal clear, pure and clean.
Tortuga Boat Tours Otrantois a project that was created by Fabrizio with the indispensable help of his family.
A new way for our guests to discover the beautiful bays of our coast privately, while tasting local food and beverages offered on board by Fabrizio.
Fabrizio proposes private and exclusive boat tours and the guest can choose the route, the duration of the tour and the menu.
The service is one of high quality but the price is reasonably affordable.
Tortuga cooperates with many accommodation facilities and is ready to offer you a complete experience that will let you see first-hand Salento’s food traditions and its natural beauties..

Depending on weather conditions and the agreements made with the guests, Tortuga will make swimming stops* in some or ll of the following destinations in different coves and bays scattered between the North and the South.
To the north: Mulino d’Acqua (Grotta Sfondata), Baia Murrune, Imperia, Baia de’ Turchi, Alimini, Conca Specchiulla, Faraglioni di Sant’Andrea, Torre dell’Orso.
To the south: Baia delle Orte, Faro Palascia (easternmost point of Italy), Torre Sant’Emiliano, Santa Cesarea (grotta la Fraula), Porto Miggiano, Castro Marina.
Tortuga can only be rented privately, customizing your own tour.
For info and costs please call or write using
Whatsapp to +39 388 888 0201
or write an e-mail to info@tortugaescursionibarca.it

*where possible because they are subject to variations in weather conditions and maritime traffic near the coast interested.

Fabrizio (commander and founder of Tortuga Otranto) offers, as we have already said above, private tours starting from the port of Otranto and, based on the booked time-table and above all on the weather and sea conditions of the day, the moves north or south along the coast making swimming stops in the coves that the area offers (mostly reachable by sea).
In the 3.5 hours tour we normally continue north reaching Baia del Mulino d’Acqua and Baia Murrune, these two coves are among the most beautiful in Puglia, here we stop to enjoy moments of relaxation, to swim and enjoy the simple gastronomy of the area, sipping a drink, a glass of wine or an ice-cold beer. In the 5 hours tour however (weather and sea conditions permitting) you will be able to reach more distant locations, having the possibility or stopping in other coves in addition to those mentioned in the 3.5 hour tour.
Depending on availability, in addition to the booked time-table, you can request an additional hour or more on board. It is important to let you know that you rent the boat with the skipper and not the places of interest.
The latter re mentioned for indicative purposes, only when you leave the port with the boat will you be able to have a clearer idea of the places where you can stop. Everything is regulated by weather and sea conditions.

FOOD INFORMATION
Those who come to Salento know very well the importance of gastronomy, which is why we always have on board the simple products of our land, many of these prepared by expert hands of Silvana (Fabrizio’s mother) and Antonella (Fabrizio’s wife).
It is important to know that we do not have a restaurant on board and everything you will find at the tables is offered, nothing is paid for and we do not have a menu (just likes in restaurants). Above all, we are not responsible for any intolerances, allergies or problems relating to food, we cannot manage them You can enjoy what the table offers, it’s your choice, no one imposes anything. If you want, you can easily bring your packed lunch on board.

TIPS FOR GETTING AROUND PUGLIA
For guests staying in Otranto (city), Tortuga offers a taxi service to and from the port included in the boat tour, ehile for those staying outside Otranto it will possible to book a taxi service at a friendly price. Taxi booking to and from any destination: ports, airports, hotels, farms, restaurants, beaches with prestigious cars and minivans, with driver. Tour in Ape Calessino, the classic rustic vehicle that will make you discover our places on adventure.

Taxi Cars and Minivans NCC
Autoservizi 0836 802195 office hours (h 9/13 - 16/20)
Outside office hours contact + 39 335 722 0046
Renè De Pascalis + 39 349 381 2004
Tour in Ape Calessino – 342 7888111

Otranto
During the summer this small town of six thousand inhabitants hosts thousands of tourists reaching
Salento to admire its beauties . Otranto is like a jewel set between West and East, a rich combination of history, art and breathtaking landscapes.
Its architectural treasures will have powerful emotional impact on the visitor; examples are: the Aragonese Castle, a 15 thcentury military fort and Santa Maria Annunziata Cathedral, an 11 thcentury building of incredible historic artistic value (the mortal remains of the 800 martyrs killed by the Turcs in 1480 to defend their own faith are enshrined in the Cathedral).

Baia dei Turchi
BaiadeiTurchi is situated few km North of Otranto. It is the place where, according to the tradition, the
Turc warriors went ashore during the siege on Otranto in the 15 thcentury.
BaiadeiTurchi belongs to the Nature reserve of LaghiAlimini.
In 2009 the FAI (a nation-wide non-profit foundation established to safeguard Italy’s artistic and natural heritage)communicated BaiadeiTurchi is twelfth in the national list, promoted by FAI, of the most beloved places in Italy. It was previously placed among the first one hundred places in Italy to be safeguarded. Close to BaiadeiTurchi you will find the crystal-clear waters of Mulinod’Acqua, Remito, BaiaMorrone, Imperia where Tortuga’s stops over for bathing take place.

Baia delle Orte
It is placed on a wild piece of coastline South of Otranto where nature always provides you with new
emotions. BaiadelleOrte is worth it for the crystal-clear water sheltered by low cliffs laden with wild coloured flowers and brushes. The famous Bauxite lake lies behind this wonderful landscape.
The rocky cliff normally prevents access to the sea from the mainland; Tortuga makes it easier and more direct.
A pristine isolated paradise for those seeking an easy contentment in which to unwind, warm breezes, sun and uncontaminated nature.

Punta Palascia
Set South of BaiadelleOrte, Punta Palascia turns to be the most easterly point in Italy; it is the best place to watch sunrise. It is also named “Capo d’Otranto” (“Far end of Otranto”) given its geographic position. Punta Palascia’s lighthouse has been officially recognized as one of the five most important lighthouses in the Mediterranean.
It is also an archeological site being very close to the famous “GrottadeiCervi”, a natural cave located in Porto Badisco, traced back to the Paleolithic Period because of the important pictograms found on the walls inside it.

Torre Sant’Emiliano
It is a coastal turret that gives the name to the surrounding area (between Porto Badisco and Punta Palascia).
What remains today is just the ruin of one of the most ancient coastal towers probably built in the 16th century to defend Salento’s coasts .
The place is not easy to be reached; however, it is one destination you don’t want to miss when visiting Salento for the breathtaking views from the tower.

Porto Miggiano
It’s a coastal place belonging to the town of Santa CesareaTerme.
It has a tourist harbour and a 16th century tower built to defend the harbour from Saracen attacks.
It is a rocky inlet rising steeply from the sea and has a sandy seabed.
It is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Apulia (also called the one hundred stairs beach).