Favignana and Levanzo, Egadi islands tour by boat from Trapani

The best part of this Egadi Islands trip is its small speedboat, which can slip into coves and reach swimming spots before they become crowded. You spend the day moving between clear water, old tuff quarries, sea caves, and two very different islands rather than sitting on a large boat with a hundred other people.

I especially like the 12-person limit and the generous time in Favignana. The crew chooses swimming places based on sea conditions, supplies snorkel gear, drinks, and snacks, and often adds local touches, from lunch advice to fresh sea urchin when conditions allow.

The main drawback is that this is an active day on an open boat. Shade may be limited, the bow seats can be exposed, and getting in and out of the water or boat may be awkward if you have mobility problems. The sea can also be chilly, and a cave stop may be skipped for safety.

The day in brief

• Small boat, maximum 12 people: You get a more social and personal outing than on a standard ferry-style cruise.
• Four strong swimming stops: Cala Azzurra, Cala Rossa, Cala Fredda, and Cala Minnola offer clear water and different coastal settings.
• Two islands in one day: You see Favignana’s port and village, then cruise along Levanzo’s cliffs and tiny harbor.
• Snorkeling gear included: You can leave bulky equipment at your accommodation and use what is supplied onboard.
• Local food advice: The captain can point you toward a suitable lunch in Favignana, where you have about 90 minutes to eat and walk around.
• Drinks, music, and snacks: Soft drinks and alcoholic options are included, creating a relaxed social mood between swims.

Why the 12-person boat matters

At $114.88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Egadi Islands. Ferries and larger boat outings may cost less, but they do not offer the same access to small coves or the same amount of attention from a captain.

The small group changes the rhythm of the day. You are not waiting for dozens of people to climb a ladder or gather before the boat can move. The captain can explain a site, help people into the water, and adjust the plan more easily when the sea changes.

It also makes the social side better. People tend to talk, share snacks, and compare favorite swimming spots. Solo passengers can fit in well, although the group may not always share the same language. English is offered, and several captains are praised for making people feel included.

The boat is designed for movement rather than lounging. Some seats are available, but part of the group may sit on the forward deck. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a cover-up, and think of the vessel as a fast, practical day boat rather than a shaded yacht.

Cala Azzurra starts the swimming day

The first stop is Scogliera Cala Azzurra, named for the intense blue of the water. You get about 50 minutes here, enough time to swim, try the snorkel equipment, and settle into the pace of the outing.

This is a good opening stop because it gets you into the water quickly. The color is the main attraction, but the practical value is that you can test the sea, the ladder, and your mask before the day gets busier.

Do not expect a long beach visit. This is primarily a swim from the boat, and the schedule keeps moving. If you prefer to spend an hour on dry land at every stop, this trip may feel rushed. If you want repeated swims in different settings, the timing works well.

Bue Marino and Favignana’s quarry coast

Bue Marino Beach is less about a classic sandy beach and more about the island’s old tuff quarries. The pale stone has been cut into the coast, creating a striking contrast with the water.

You have another 50-minute stop to look at the quarry walls and swim below them. The setting gives the day some context beyond sun and sea. Favignana was shaped by quarrying as well as fishing, and these large excavated spaces make the coast feel distinct from a normal beach resort.

The boat’s position on the water is useful here. From shore, some of the quarry walls are harder to appreciate, while from the sea you can see how the cuts open toward the coast. Keep your phone secure if you bring it near the water, since the best view may tempt you to swim farther from the boat.

Cala Rossa delivers the clearest water

Scogliera di Cala Rossa is one of the major highlights. It offers broad turquoise water, rocky edges, and plenty of space for swimming and snorkeling.

The stop lasts about 50 minutes. That is long enough for a proper swim without turning the day into a single-location beach outing. The crew’s local knowledge matters here because water conditions and boat traffic can affect where it is safest and most pleasant to stop.

The name suggests a particular color, but the water is the real draw. You may see the bottom clearly in calm conditions, and the included masks and snorkels let you make more of the stop than simply jumping in and floating.

This is also a good place to remember that weather affects the experience. On a windy day, the water may feel less calm, and the boat may alter the exact stopping point. A captain who skips a cave or changes a swim stop is making the sensible call.

Favignana gives you 90 minutes on land

The longest shore break comes at Favignana’s port. You have about an hour and a half to walk through the village, visit the old Florio tuna trap, or eat lunch at a local restaurant.

This break keeps the day from becoming eight straight hours on the water. You can stretch your legs, find shade, and have a proper meal. The captain’s restaurant advice can be useful, especially if you want something more memorable than a quick sandwich. Tuna dishes, including tuna tartare, have been a particular success for some people on this outing.

Lunch is not included, so budget for it separately. The price covers fuel, the captain, fees, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and snacks, but not food on Favignana. You may want to bring a little extra time for a walk, since the port stop is your chance to see the island as a place where people live, not only as a series of swimming coves.

There is a tradeoff here. On a very hot day, walking around town can feel less comfortable than staying on the boat, particularly if you do not find a cool restaurant quickly. Some people will love the longer land break, while others would prefer another swim. If you want both island sightseeing and swimming, the 90 minutes is a fair compromise.

Lovers’ Cave depends on the sea

After Favignana, the boat heads toward Grotta degli Innamorati, the Lovers’ Cave. The plan allows about 40 minutes to swim inside and see the small beach tucked among the rocks.

This is one of the more memorable settings because you enter the cave by water rather than simply viewing it from a distance. The enclosed space offers a change from the open coves and gives you another reason to keep the snorkel mask handy.

Caves are also the part of the route most affected by conditions. If the sea is rough or the entrance is unsafe, the captain may leave it out. That is not a failure of the trip. A narrow cave with moving water is exactly where a careful crew should put safety before sticking rigidly to a timetable.

Levanzo arrives with cliffs and a tiny harbor

The boat then crosses toward Levanzo, the smaller and quieter of the two islands. As you approach the port, you skirt the imposing cliff and look into the small harbor before heading toward Cala Fredda.

The port gives you a quick sense of Levanzo’s scale. It is not a second Favignana with a larger town and more choices. Its appeal is the rocky coast, small bays, and slower feel from the water.

The boat ride between the islands is part of the experience, not wasted time. You get changing views of the cliffs and open sea, while the fast boat keeps the crossings from taking too long. Onboard music is part of the mood, with a mix that may include Italian and American favorites.

Cala Fredda and Cala Minnola finish strong

Cala Fredda is a calm bay with a pebble beach reachable by swimming. The seabed is covered with Posidonia, a Mediterranean seagrass that gives the underwater view a different character from the pale rock and sand around some of Favignana’s coves.

You have roughly 50 minutes here. The pebble shore is not necessarily a place to settle in for the afternoon, but it makes a pleasant target for a swim. Water shoes could be useful around pebbles, though they are not listed as part of the equipment.

The final major stop is Spiaggia di Cala Minnola, a quiet Levanzo cove with pine trees above the water. The boat allows about 50 minutes here as well, so the ending is not merely a quick photo stop.

Cala Minnola works well as a final swim because it feels more sheltered and restful than the open-water stops. You can snorkel, float, or simply enjoy the contrast between the pine forest, rocky shore, and clear sea before returning to Trapani.

What is included for $114.88

The price makes the most sense if you will use the boat as your main day out rather than treating it as simple transport between islands.

Included are:

• Fuel
• Captain and crew
• All fees and taxes
• Snorkeling equipment
• Soft drinks and selected alcoholic drinks
• Snacks

The drinks are part of the social atmosphere. People have enjoyed beer, prosecco, Aperol spritz, water, and soft drinks, depending on what is available that day. The crew may also add a little character to the outing. One captain has been known to perform saxophone in the water, while another collected fresh sea urchins for the group when conditions permitted.

Those touches are not guaranteed features, so do not book solely for them. The reliable value is the small group, repeated swim stops, boat access to the coast, and the time in Favignana. A beach towel can be rented if reserved in advance, while lunch and private transfers cost extra.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would choose this outing if you want a full day outdoors and prefer variety over a long stay at one beach. It suits couples, families with confident swimmers, friends, and solo people who like a sociable setting.

It is also a good pick if you want to see both islands without arranging ferries, taxis, and separate boat trips. Pickup is offered, public transportation is nearby, and the tour returns to its meeting point in Trapani.

You should think twice if you dislike sun exposure, boat movement, or repeated climbing in and out of the water. The boat may not have enough shade for everyone, and some people sit on the bow deck. Most people can take part, but anyone with limited mobility may find the eight-hour format tiring.

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure.

Meeting point and useful preparation

The stated meeting point is in Sicily, with the activity ending back there. More specifically, directions refer to Columbus Yachting under the Madonna statue. The waiting area is around the back of the bar or café, so allow a few minutes to find it rather than assuming the front entrance is the boarding point.

Bring:

• Swimsuit and a light cover-up
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Water shoes if you dislike pebbles
• A towel, or reserve a rental towel
• Dry storage for phones and cameras
• Money or a card for lunch in Favignana

The crew provides snacks and drinks, but lunch is your responsibility. I would also avoid filling your day bag with snorkeling equipment, since masks and snorkels are included.

The guide makes the difference

The boat company uses several captains and crew members, including Vito, Francesco, Mario, Mauro, Dino, Danielle, Tony, and Chicho, also referred to as Ciccio in some accounts. The strongest part of their work is not a formal lecture. It is choosing where to stop, keeping the pace lively, helping people into the water, and making the group feel comfortable.

Several captains are noted for clear English and a friendly manner. Others are praised for handling a difficult passenger situation calmly and keeping safety first. That matters on a small boat, where the captain’s judgment affects the entire day.

The social tone can be lively, with music, drinks, jokes, and conversation. If you want a silent nature cruise, this may not be the right choice. If you like meeting people and sharing a boat with a small group, the atmosphere is a strong part of the value.

Should you book the Favignana and Levanzo tour?

Book it if you want the most efficient way to combine clear-water swimming, coastal scenery, cave visits, and island time from Trapani. The 12-person limit is the key reason to pay more than you would for basic transport, and the included equipment, snacks, and drinks make the price easier to justify.

I would not choose it for a quiet, shaded, mobility-friendly day or if your main goal is a long lunch and extended walking in Favignana. For everyone else, especially people who want several beautiful swim stops without organizing the details themselves, this is a well-rounded day on the Egadi Islands.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

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

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Are snorkeling masks and equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You have about 90 minutes in Favignana to choose a restaurant or explore the village.

Are drinks and snacks provided?

Yes. Snacks, soft drinks, and a selection of alcoholic drinks are included.

Can I rent a beach towel?

Yes. A beach towel can be rented if you reserve it in advance.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.