Cruise Favignana – Levanzo

Favignana’s clear coves and Levanzo’s quieter shore are the real stars of this full-day boat trip from Trapani. You get time on both islands, a swim from the boat, and lunch on board, all without arranging ferries or island transport yourself.

I like the easy rhythm: two hours to explore Favignana, about an hour in Levanzo, then scenic sailing and swimming between stops. I also like the friendly crew, with past sailings led by skippers such as Giuseppe, Nino, and Rosario. The main drawback is size. The boat can carry up to 180 people, and one departure became crowded at lunch.

Key points to know before booking

• Favignana gets the longest stop: You have about two hours ashore, enough for a quick walk, a drink, or a short bike rental.
• Swimming is part of the appeal: The boat may stop near Cala Rossa, where you can jump into the water if conditions allow.
• Lunch is served on board: Expect bottled water and a simple meal, often pasta, bruschetta, and fruit, though the exact menu can vary.
• Levanzo is a brief visit: About one hour gives you a taste of the island rather than a full exploration.
• The €64.89 fare is fairly practical: Transport, lunch, water, and the cruise are included, but the €5 marine-area fee is extra.
• Expect a large-group cruise: This suits social, budget-minded visitors more than anyone seeking a quiet private boat.

What this Trapani cruise actually offers

This is an island-hopping day by boat, not a guided walking tour. You leave Trapani at about 9 a.m., sail to Favignana, spend time ashore, return to the boat for swimming and lunch, then continue to Levanzo before heading back to Trapani around the end of the afternoon.

The trip lasts roughly eight hours. That sounds long, but the day is broken into short sections, which helps. You are not stuck on the boat all day, and you are not asked to race through several inland sights. The focus is simple: sea views, island time, swimming, and a meal with the water around you.

The boat has restrooms and lower and upper deck areas. That matters on a full day at sea, especially if you want shade, a breeze, or a higher viewpoint at different points in the trip.

The advertised price is $64.89 per person, though the exact amount you pay may vary with exchange rates and booking conditions. For that price, you receive round-trip transport from Trapani, lunch, bottled water, and the cruise itself. You still pay the €5 entry charge for the Egadi Islands Marine Protected Area, and souvenir photos are extra.

Leaving Trapani at 9 a.m.

The meeting point is Egadi Escursioni di Torre Lines, on Via Ammiraglio Staiti at Trapani port. The stated departure time is 9 a.m., so I would arrive early enough to find the ticket office and board without a last-minute scramble.

The port is near public transportation, which makes this a useful choice if you are staying in Trapani without a car. The activity returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back from another harbor.

The first part of the outing is a boat ride toward Favignana. Exact sailing times can change, but one departure took about an hour to reach the island. Use this time to settle in, look for a seat, and decide how you want to spend your short stop ashore.

This is a working boat excursion rather than a private charter. The group limit is listed as 180 people, and the boat may feel much less intimate than the photos suggest. One account described a boat with roughly 70 other people, while another reported an unexpectedly high number of passengers and a chaotic lunch service. Those problems do not appear on every departure, but they are worth keeping in mind.

Two hours on Favignana

Favignana is the main stop, and the schedule gives you about two hours in port. That is enough to get a first feel for the island, but not enough for a relaxed full-island tour.

You can walk around the port area, find a café, browse local shops, or rent a bicycle. One bike rental cost €5 per person on a previous outing. A bicycle gives you a better chance of reaching a nearby cove, but you need to watch the clock closely. The boat will not wait for a long detour.

Cala Rossa is one of the main sights associated with this part of the island. The cove has striking turquoise water and a rocky shore, but it is not a typical sandy beach. If you hope to spread out on soft sand, this may disappoint you. If you want a beautiful view and a chance to swim from the boat later, it fits the day well.

The schedule can work in two ways. You can keep things easy and explore near the port, or rent a bike and make a quick run toward a cove. I would choose the first option if you value a calm morning. I would choose the bike only if you are comfortable with a short, timed visit and do not mind returning with little spare time.

Favignana is also where the trip gives you the strongest sense of local island life. You have enough time to walk beyond the boat, but not so much time that the stop becomes a separate day trip. Keep your expectations in proportion: this is an introduction, not a thorough visit.

Swimming and lunch near Cala Rossa

After Favignana, the boat may stop near Cala Rossa or another suitable spot for swimming. The schedule depends on sea and weather conditions, so treat this as a planned possibility rather than a guaranteed exact location.

You can jump from the boat into the water, then climb back aboard when you are ready. This is one of the best parts of the day if you enjoy swimming in open water. It is less appealing if you prefer a beach with an easy shoreline, sunbeds, or a gradual entry.

Lunch is served on board around this part of the route. The listed inclusions are lunch, bottled water, and a restroom. Previous menus included fresh bruschetta, pasta with tomato sauce, fruit such as apricots, and a two-liter bottle of water. The meal was described as homemade and enjoyable, but you should not book this as a gourmet food tour.

The food has practical value. You do not need to leave the boat to find lunch during a tightly timed day, and you can eat while looking out over the sea. On the other hand, a large group can make the meal less comfortable. One departure had people eating while standing because of overcrowding. If you want a quiet, leisurely lunch, a private boat or a smaller sailing may suit you better.

The crew can add a warm, informal touch. Past outings featured skippers Giuseppe, Nino, and Rosario, with duties that included sailing, serving food, answering questions, and keeping the mood lively. The experience does not include a dedicated tourist guide, so do not expect a formal explanation of every cove or historical site.

A short visit to Levanzo

Levanzo comes later in the day, with about one hour ashore. This is a much shorter stop than Favignana, and the island is best treated as a brief taste rather than a major sightseeing visit.

You can walk around the small port area and enjoy the quiet setting before returning to the boat. The schedule may also include a cruise around the island, giving you views from the water even if your time on land is limited.

I like the contrast between the two stops. Favignana gives you more time and more options, while Levanzo feels quieter and simpler. Still, one hour passes quickly. If you want to hike, search out distant sites, or explore the island at length, this cruise will not give you enough time.

The short stop is useful for anyone who wants to see both islands in one day. It is also a reasonable compromise if your base is Trapani and you have only one free day for the Egadi Islands. You will leave with an overview, not a detailed knowledge of either island.

The boat, crew, and group atmosphere

The atmosphere depends heavily on the passenger count. With a friendly crew and a good mix of people, this can feel like a cheerful day out. Music, drinks, fruit, and casual conversation have been part of some sailings, and the crew has been praised for being attentive and helpful.

The boat is slightly larger than the vessel shown in some online images. That is not automatically a problem. A larger boat can offer more deck space, a restroom, and better stability than a small open craft. It also means more people around you, more competition for the best seats, and a louder lunch period.

I would not choose this excursion for solitude. I would choose it for convenience and variety. You get two islands, a swim, a meal, and a full day at sea without having to plan ferry times, island transfers, or restaurant stops.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and shoes that are comfortable on rocky ground. Cala Rossa is not sandy, and the boat’s swimming stop is not the place for anyone who wants a gentle beach entry. Since the weather affects the operation, a flexible attitude helps.

Who gets the best value from the $64.89 price

The fare makes the most sense if you want a full day with several costs bundled together. Round-trip boat travel from Trapani alone would require planning, and the included lunch and water remove two more practical decisions.

I see this as good value for:

• Couples who want an easy day on the water
• Families with older children or teenagers
• First-time visitors to the Egadi Islands
• People staying in Trapani without a car
• Anyone who wants swimming and island views more than museums or long walks

The trip is less suitable for someone who wants a private or quiet cruise. It is also not ideal if your main goal is to spend a whole day on one island. Favignana receives only about two hours, and Levanzo about one hour, so the pace is fixed.

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most people can take part. The activity is near public transportation, which helps with access, but no detailed accessibility information is supplied. If you have mobility needs, contact the operator before booking rather than assuming every part of the boat and rocky island stops will be easy.

The overall rating is 4.4 from seven ratings, which suggests a generally positive experience but is still a small sample. The praise centers on the scenery, the meal, and the crew. The criticism centers on organization and crowding. That is a fair picture of what you are buying: attractive islands and a friendly day at sea, with some risk of a busy boat.

Booking, timing, and weather

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience is usually booked about seven days in advance. I would not leave it until the last morning if your Trapani schedule is tight, especially in a popular season.

The marine protected area charge is €5 per paying passenger. It is not part of the listed tour price, so add it to your budget. Souvenir photographs are also available for purchase but are optional.

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. For your own planning, avoid placing this on the final day of a short Sicily visit if missing it would leave no replacement date.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off follows local time.

Should you book the Favignana and Levanzo cruise?

I would book this if you want the easiest way to sample both islands from Trapani and you are happy with a large-group boat. The included lunch, swimming stop, water, and round-trip travel make the price sensible, while the two island visits give you more variety than a simple coastal cruise.

I would skip it if you want a quiet private experience, a long stay on Favignana, or a formal guide explaining the islands. For the best fit, think of this as a social day on the sea with short island stops, not as an in-depth cultural tour.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start and end?

It starts and ends at Egadi Escursioni di Torre Lines, Via Ammiraglio Staiti, 91100 Trapani, Italy.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately eight hours.

How much free time do I get on Favignana?

You get about two hours of free time at Favignana port.

How much time is allowed on Levanzo?

The stop on Levanzo lasts about one hour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and bottled water are included. Previous menus included bruschetta, pasta with tomato sauce, and fruit, but the exact meal may vary.

Is the marine protected area fee included?

No. The entry fee is €5 per paying passenger.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You can be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.