Boat Tour Egadi Day discover Favignana and Levanzo from Trapani

Favignana and Levanzo are best seen from the water, where old tuff quarries, sea caves, and bright swimming coves come into view one after another. This eight-hour trip from Trapani gives you both islands in one day, with long stops for swimming and two hours to walk around Favignana.

I like the small maximum group of 12 and the easygoing pace. Skippers including Alessio, Alberto, Christian, Mauro, and Nico are praised for explaining the islands, handling the boat well, and giving people plenty of time in the water. Drinks, fruit, wine, a toilet, and snorkeling equipment are also included.

The main drawback is the weather. Wind can make the ride rough, and the boat has little shade. Some equipment, especially snorkels and flotation noodles, may be limited, so bring your own if those matter to you.

Key points to know before you book

• Six swimming stops: Cala Azzurra, Bue Marino, Cala Rossa, Cala Fredda, and Cala Minnola all offer time for swimming or snorkeling.
• Favignana village included: You get about two hours ashore for a walk, lunch, and a look at the former Florio tuna works.
• Small boat, small group: The boat carries no more than 12 people, allowing a more personal outing than a large ferry or packed excursion boat.
• Drinks and snacks are part of the day: Expect bottled water, Coca-Cola, wine, beer, and local fruit. Some trips also include biscuits with sweet wine.
• Levanzo adds variety: After Favignana, the boat crosses to quieter Levanzo for two more water stops.
• Plan for sun and wind: Shade is limited, and rough seas can affect both the ride and the choice of swimming spots.

Why this is one of Trapani’s best full-day outings

The Egadi Islands sit just off the coast of Trapani, but a ferry trip and a small boat day offer very different experiences. Ferries get you from port to port. This tour is built around the water between those ports, with stops at coves that are difficult to reach on foot and time to swim directly from the boat.

That makes the experience less about checking off two islands and more about enjoying a long Sicilian day at sea. You move slowly enough to notice the changing colors of the water, the pale rock of the old quarries, and the small coves tucked along the shoreline.

The $139.07 price is not cheap, especially since lunch is not included. Still, it covers about eight hours on the water, a local skipper, commentary, snorkeling equipment, drinks, wine, fruit, taxes, and a boat toilet. You are also paying for access to several swim spots in one day, rather than arranging separate ferries, taxis, and beach visits.

Meeting in Trapani at 10 a.m.

The tour starts at Via Ammiraglio Staiti 18 in Trapani and returns to the same meeting point. The departure time is 10 a.m., which gives you a relaxed morning compared with an early ferry, but you should still allow time to reach the marina and find parking.

Private parking inside the marina is not included. Parking around the port can be confusing, and one visitor reported receiving an €87.50 ticket after struggling to find a legal space. If you plan to drive, contact Mare and More before the morning of the tour and ask for current parking instructions.

The area is near public transportation, and confirmation is provided at booking. The activity is offered in English, with multilingual communication also reported on board. The group limit is 12 people, though the exact boat setup can vary.

Cala Azzurra, the first swim of the day

The first stop is Scogliera Cala Azzurra, where you get about an hour for swimming and snorkeling. It is a good opening stop because you can settle into the rhythm of the day without rushing straight into a long island walk.

The water is the star here. You can enter from the boat, swim, and use the provided equipment to look below the surface. Bring a waterproof phone pouch if you want photos, but remember that you will be moving between several stops and should keep personal items secure.

This first hour also gives you a useful sense of the sea conditions. If the water is choppy, the skipper may need to adjust the plan. The crew has changed stops to find calmer water and has avoided areas with too many jellyfish when conditions called for it.

Bue Marino and the old stone quarries

At Grotta del Bue Marino, the setting changes. Turquoise water meets darker blue patches, while old tuff quarries form the backdrop. The contrast between the cut stone and the sea gives this stop more character than a simple beach visit.

You have another hour to swim and snorkel. The quarry walls help explain the working past of Favignana, and the on-board commentary adds context about the islands and their Roman connections. This is one of the places where listening to the skipper makes the stop more meaningful.

The boat may take you near cave areas, but conditions and access can change. Do not expect a formal cave tour or a guided swim route. The appeal is seeing the rock formations from the water and choosing your own pace.

Cala Rossa, beautiful water and a longer swim

Scogliera di Cala Rossa is treated as one of the day’s major swim stops. The water is clear, fish are visible below the surface, and the surrounding rock gives the cove a striking shape.

You get roughly an hour here, enough time to swim without feeling that you must rush back aboard after a few minutes. Strong currents can occur in the coves, so stay aware of your position and listen to the skipper’s instructions. One person found the current tiring when trying to reach a nearby cove, a useful reminder that beautiful water does not always mean easy swimming.

If snorkeling is important to you, ask about the equipment as soon as you board. Masks are available, but some departures may have fewer snorkels or flotation noodles than the number of people who want them. Bringing a personal mask and snorkel removes that uncertainty.

Two hours in Favignana village

After the morning swim stops, the boat moors at Favignana port for about two hours. This is the day’s main break from the water, and it keeps the excursion from becoming six straight hours of sitting on a boat.

You can walk through the streets of the maritime village, find lunch, and visit the former Florio tuna works, known as the Ex Stabilimento Florio delle Tonnare di Favignana e Formica. Lunch is not included, so budget separately for it.

Some skippers recommend a local restaurant, and one outing led to a particularly well-liked meal of fresh local fish. That is a nice benefit of having a local crew, but a restaurant recommendation is not a formal part of the package. You should confirm the plan on the morning of your trip.

Two hours is enough for a stroll and a meal, but not for an extensive visit to every sight on Favignana. If the island itself is your main interest, spend a separate day there. If you want a taste of village life between swims, this stop works well.

The crossing to Levanzo

After Favignana, the boat heads toward Levanzo. The crossing takes about 20 minutes, giving you time to sit back, dry off, and look at the islands from offshore.

Levanzo changes the mood of the afternoon. It is smaller and quieter than Favignana, and the final swim stops feel less tied to the village visit. You are not simply repeating the morning. The crossing adds a second island and a different stretch of coast without requiring another ferry ticket.

Boat movement depends heavily on wind and sea conditions. On a calm day, the transfer is an enjoyable part of the outing. On a rough day, the ride can be uncomfortable, particularly on an open boat with little shelter.

Cala Fredda and Cala Minnola

Cala Fredda is the first Levanzo stop, with about an hour for swimming and snorkeling. By this point, you will have had several chances to get into the water, so you can choose how active to be. You might swim, use the mask, or simply stay aboard and enjoy the view.

The final stop is Spiaggia di Cala Minnola, another snorkeling location with about an hour available. Many people consider the later Levanzo stops among the most memorable parts of the day because the water is clear and the setting feels removed from the busier port areas.

The schedule gives you six water stops in total, but you should not treat every stop as a must-do athletic session. Six hours of sun, salt water, and wind can wear you out. Pace yourself, drink water, and use the boat time to rest.

What is served on board

The included refreshments make the long day easier. You receive bottled water and Coca-Cola, along with alcoholic drinks such as wine and beer. Local fruit, including peaches and grapes, has also been served, and some outings include biscuits with sweet wine later in the day.

This is not a meal service, so do not count on the refreshments to replace lunch in Favignana. Bring any food you need for the day, especially if you have dietary needs that are not covered by the port stop.

The toilet on board is a practical advantage. After a full day at sea, that small facility matters more than it might seem when comparing tours.

Boat comfort, shade, and sea conditions

The boat is described as a comfortable rigid inflatable boat, with enough room to relax during the crossings. The small group size helps, but this is still an open boat rather than a shaded cabin cruiser.

There is little or no fixed shade, so bring high-factor sunscreen, a hat that will not blow away, sunglasses, and a cover-up. A dry bag is useful for phones, wallets, and spare clothing. The boat can be wet after people return from swimming.

Wind is the biggest variable. In calm conditions, the tour has an easy, social feel. In rough conditions, the ride may be bumpy, and the crew may replace the usual coves with safer, calmer places. The route can change for safety, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

The skipper makes a real difference

The crew is central to this outing. Alberto and Mauro have been especially appreciated for local stories and a clear pride in the islands. Christian, Alessio, Nico, Ninno, Michele, Miguel, and Rosario have also led departures, with an emphasis on safety, good timing, and friendly service.

You can expect commentary about the islands, the Roman period, the quarries, and the sites along the route. The best part is the balance between explanation and free time. The skipper provides context, then lets you swim without filling every quiet moment with a speech.

A good captain also watches the sea. On one rough day, Ninno found calmer alternatives rather than forcing the usual route. Another crew member avoided a cove affected by stinging jellyfish. Those decisions are exactly why a local boat guide is more useful than simply following a fixed map.

Who should book this tour?

This is a strong choice if you want a full day on the water and prefer swimming stops to a formal sightseeing schedule. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who like a small group and do not mind sharing the boat with up to 11 other people.

You will get the most from it if you are comfortable entering the sea from a boat, sitting in the sun, and adapting to weather. Strong swimmers and confident snorkelers will have the most freedom, though you can also rest aboard during any stop.

It may not be right for you if you need shade, dislike rough boat rides, or want lunch included. Families should also consider the long day and open-boat setting. The description says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed mobility information, so ask the operator before booking if you have specific access needs.

Booking, cancellation, and final advice

The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If weather or low enrollment cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 10 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations made later are not accepted.

You should book this tour if your ideal Sicily day includes clear water, several swims, local fruit and wine, and a relaxed stop in Favignana. The price is fair for a small-group boat day with six water stops and two islands, though it is less attractive if you compare it only with a ferry ticket or a tour that includes lunch.

I would choose it for the access to Cala Rossa, Bue Marino, Levanzo, and the smaller coves that are hard to combine independently in one day. Pack sun protection, bring a personal snorkel if you care about having one, ask about parking, and keep your schedule flexible for the sea.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Via Ammiraglio Staiti 18, 91100 Trapani, Italy.

What time does the tour depart?

The scheduled start time is 10 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and ends back at the meeting point in Trapani.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Favignana and Levanzo.

How many people can join the boat?

The activity has a maximum of 12 participants.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included, although the amount of available equipment can vary by departure.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You have about two hours in Favignana village to walk around and arrange your own meal.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, Coca-Cola, wine, and other alcoholic beverages are included. Local fruit may also be served.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. A restroom on board is included.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date. The route may also change to safer swimming areas when sea conditions are rough.