Boat Tour Egadi Day discover Favignana and Levanzo from Trapani

The Egadi Islands are best seen from the sea. This full-day boat trip from Trapani combines Favignana and Levanzo with six swimming and snorkeling stops, time ashore in Favignana, drinks, and stories about the area’s Roman past. The small-group format, with a maximum of 12 people, gives the skipper room to adjust the pace and explain what you are seeing.

I especially like the access to coves that are awkward to reach by ferry, and I like the easygoing service from guides such as Alberto, Mauro, Christian, Alessio, Nico, and Michele. Fresh fruit, wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and a restroom are included. The main concern is the weather: a rough sea can make the ride uncomfortable, and there is little shade on the boat.

Key points before you book

• Six water stops: Cala Azzurra, Bue Marino, Cala Rossa, Cala Fredda, and Cala Minnola provide plenty of time for swimming and snorkeling.
• Two islands in one day: You see Favignana and Levanzo without arranging separate ferries or boat trips.
• Small group setting: The advertised maximum is 12 people, a useful size for asking questions and getting help in the water.
• Favignana village break: You have about two hours to walk around the port area, find lunch, and visit the former Florio tuna-processing site.
• Drinks and snacks included: Water, Coca-Cola, wine, beer, fruit, and other light refreshments are part of the day.
• Weather matters: Wind and waves can change the route, the comfort level, and the number of famous coves you can safely visit.

Starting in Trapani at 10:00 a.m.

The tour begins at Via Ammiraglio Staiti 18, close to Trapani’s marina and public transportation. The advertised start time is 10:00 a.m., and the experience lasts roughly eight hours, although some departures have run closer to nine hours.

I would arrive early. The marina can be confusing, especially with several charter companies operating nearby. Private parking inside the marina is not included, and street parking can be difficult. One useful point from the boat day itself is that affordable parking may be available near the dock, but you should ask the operator for current instructions rather than assume you can simply pull up and park.

Mare and More operates the excursion in English, with live commentary on board. The guides also speak other languages on some departures. The boat has a toilet, which matters on a long day at sea, especially since the trip includes several hours away from shore.

The advertised maximum of 12 people is one of the strongest practical reasons to choose this outing over a large ferry or crowded excursion boat. Still, comfort can vary with the actual boat and departure. One poor experience described a boat that felt too full, so it is sensible to confirm the vessel and group size if that point matters to you.

Cala Azzurra: an easy first swim

The first stop is Scogliera Cala Azzurra, where the boat pauses for about an hour. The purpose is simple: get into the water, swim, and try the snorkeling gear.

This first stop gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the day. You are not being rushed from one photo stop to the next. The water is the attraction, with the cove named for its clear blue color. If you are nervous about swimming from a boat, this is a useful place to get comfortable before later stops.

Snorkeling equipment is included, although the supply may not always feel generous for every person. Some departures had masks but not enough snorkels or flotation noodles. If snorkeling is central to your plans, ask about equipment before leaving, and consider bringing your own mask and snorkel if you have them.

The crew can also help you judge the conditions. Strong currents were noted at one of the coves, and swimming against them can be tiring. Stay close to the boat and follow the skipper’s instructions rather than trying to reach every inlet on your own.

Bue Marino and the old tuff quarries

The second stop is Grotta del Bue Marino, another hour-long swim and snorkeling break. Here, the turquoise water is framed by darker blue sections and old tuff quarries cut into the coast.

This stop is especially photogenic because the stone and sea create a sharp contrast. The quarries also add a sense of place that you do not get from a standard beach day. The live commentary helps explain the islands, including their Roman-era connections and the long importance of the sea around western Sicily.

On some departures, the boat has gone through or close to a cave, giving you a better look at the unusual water color inside. That kind of access is a real advantage of using a smaller boat. Ferries can show you the islands from a distance, but they cannot pause in a narrow cove for an hour.

The tradeoff is exposure. A small open boat can feel rough when the wind rises. Bring sunscreen, a hat that will not blow away, and something light to cover your shoulders. There is not much shade, and eight or nine hours in full sun is a long time even on a pleasant day.

Cala Rossa: famous water, rocky entry

The third stop is Scogliera di Cala Rossa, described as one of Italy’s most beautiful beaches. The boat anchors offshore, allowing you to swim in clear water with fish below the surface.

The appeal here is not a long stay on a conventional sandy beach. You experience Cala Rossa from the water, with the freedom to jump in, float, and look back toward the rocky coast. This is the sort of stop that makes the boat trip worthwhile. You gain access to a swimming area without having to carry beach gear along a crowded shore.

The rocky setting also means you should use care when entering and leaving the water. The crew can help, but you will want secure footwear for the boat and steady footing near the edge. If you are not a strong swimmer, remain close to the vessel and use any available flotation aid.

The crew’s attitude is a major part of the experience. Guides such as Alessio, Christian, Mauro, and Nico have been praised for giving useful local explanations while allowing plenty of quiet swim time. That balance matters. Too much narration becomes tiring on a leisure day, but no information at all would reduce the trip to transport between swimming holes.

Two hours in Favignana

After the morning swim stops, the boat reaches Favignana’s port. You have about two hours to go ashore and explore the maritime village on foot.

This is the only substantial land break, so use it well. Walk through the port streets, look for a place to eat, and make time for the former Florio tuna-processing establishment, known as the Ex Stabilimento Florio delle Tonnare di Favignana e Formica. The location connects the island to its tuna-fishing and industrial past, adding useful context to the bright-water scenery.

Lunch is not included in the price, so budget for it separately. Guides have recommended local restaurants, and some people have enjoyed fresh fish during the break. You are not locked into a group meal, which gives you more control, but it also means the total cost of the day is higher than the advertised tour price alone.

Two hours is enough for a walk and lunch, but it is not enough for a full tour of Favignana. Do not expect a long museum visit, a bicycle ride around the island, and a relaxed meal all in one stop. The point is to add a taste of village life between stretches at sea.

The boat then leaves Favignana for Levanzo. The crossing takes about 20 minutes. This is a pleasant time to sit back, dry off, and watch the islands recede.

Levanzo’s Cala Fredda and Cala Minnola

The fourth water stop of the day is Cala Fredda, where you get another hour for swimming and snorkeling. By this stage, you will have had plenty of time in the water, so this stop works well for a slower pace. You can swim, use the mask, or simply sit on board and enjoy the view.

Levanzo feels like a good counterpoint to Favignana. Favignana gives you a port, streets, lunch, and the Florio site. Levanzo is represented here mainly through its quiet coves and clear water. The boat lets you see both sides of the Egadi Islands in one outing.

The final stop is Spiaggia di Cala Minnola, also set aside for snorkeling. The water and fish are the main draw. Several people have found the last swimming areas among the most memorable parts of the day, which makes the timing work in your favor: the tour does not save all its best moments for the morning.

Conditions can still change the route. On a rough day, the skipper may replace the usual coves with calmer locations. That is not a failure of the trip. It is the sensible way to run a sea excursion. But you should book this knowing that the exact sequence and choice of stops depend on wind and waves.

What is included, and what is not

The price is listed at $139.07 per person. That is not a bargain excursion, especially because lunch in Favignana costs extra. It becomes better value if you would otherwise book separate transport to both islands, pay for several swim outings, rent snorkeling equipment, and buy drinks throughout the day.

The inclusions are useful rather than flashy:

• Bottled water
• Coca-Cola and other soft drinks
• Wine and other alcoholic drinks
• Fresh fruit and light snacks on some departures
• Snorkeling equipment
• Live commentary
• A local guide
• All fees and taxes
• A restroom on board

The refreshments have received especially warm praise. The crew has served wine, beer, fruit such as peaches and grapes, and small biscuits with sweet wine later in the day. Cold water is particularly important in the Sicilian sun, though one departure found some of the water less than chilled.

Lunch is the main extra expense. The guide may suggest a restaurant, but you choose and pay for your own meal. Private parking inside the marina is also excluded.

Comfort, swimming, and the small-boat tradeoff

The boat is described as a comfortable RIB, and the small-group format makes it easier to move between coves. You can expect a day built around swimming rather than a formal sightseeing cruise with a fixed seat and constant announcements.

That freedom comes with a few limits. There is limited shade, and the boat may feel exposed for much of the day. You should bring sunscreen, a cover-up, sunglasses, and a secure bag for valuables. The supplied information does not specify a full changing area, so wear swimwear under your clothes if that makes the day easier.

Swimming ability matters. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable entering open water from a boat. Currents can be strong, and the crew may steer you away from jellyfish or rough water. This is a supervised leisure outing, not a guided swim lesson.

The guides receive consistent praise for safety and hospitality. Alberto and Mauro have been singled out for local stories and personal attention. Christian, Cristian, Alessio, Nico, Michele, Miguel, Ninno, and Rosario have also led departures praised for careful boat handling, clear explanations, or a relaxed manner. Names and crew can change, but the repeated emphasis is useful: the staff is a large part of the value here.

Weather, cancellations, and timing

The Egadi Islands can look completely different under calm and windy conditions. On a smooth day, you get long, pleasant stops in clear water. On a rough day, the ride may be bumpy, and the skipper may need to use quieter coves.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

I would avoid placing this trip on the final possible day of a Sicily visit. A weather change or operator adjustment could leave you without a replacement date. If you are staying in Palermo, the trip can still work as a day outing by bus to Trapani, but the schedule requires care because the boat returns to the original meeting point.

Who will enjoy this boat day most?

This outing suits you if your idea of a perfect day is a warm sea, repeated swim stops, a small group, and a little history between swims. It is also a strong choice if you want to see both Favignana and Levanzo without learning two separate ferry schedules.

It may not suit you if you need shade, dislike choppy boat rides, want a full guided tour on land, or prefer lunch to be included. Families and less confident swimmers should ask about flotation equipment and the day’s sea conditions. Strong swimmers will get the most from the snorkeling stops, but the crew can help make the experience comfortable for a wider range of abilities.

Should you book Mare and More?

I would book this trip if you value access over speed. The best part is not simply reaching Favignana and Levanzo. It is stopping at clear coves, swimming beside old quarry walls, seeing fish below the boat, and reaching places a ferry cannot.

At $139.07, plus lunch and any parking, the price is fair rather than cheap. The small group, onboard toilet, refreshments, guide service, and long water stops make it worthwhile for a full sea day. Book it when the forecast looks calm, arrive early at the Trapani marina, and bring more sun protection than you think you need. If that sounds like your kind of Sicily, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

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

What time does the experience begin?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours. Some departures have taken closer to nine hours.

Does the tour visit both Favignana and Levanzo?

Yes. The route includes swimming and snorkeling stops around Favignana, about two hours in Favignana village, and later stops at Levanzo.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included, although equipment availability can vary by departure.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch in Favignana is not included. You have free time to find and pay for your own meal.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also lead to a different date or a full refund.