From Trapani: Favignana and Levanzo Full Day Cruise

The best part of this full-day cruise is the chance to see Favignana and Levanzo from the water, where their rocky coves and clear swimming spots make more sense than they do from shore. You get several chances to swim, snorkel, explore Lovers’ Cave, and relax with Sicilian wine on a floating mat.

I like the small group of no more than 12 people, and I like that the boat stops in Favignana town for lunch rather than keeping you offshore all day. The main thing to consider is that swimming and snorkeling depend on sea conditions. Strong wind can change the stops, and lunch is not included.

Quick reasons to consider this cruise

• Three Favignana bays before lunch: Cala Azzurra, Bue Marino, and Cala Rossa each offer time for swimming, photos, and marine-life viewing.
• Lovers’ Cave on Levanzo: You can enter the cave with snorkeling equipment and a flashlight, guided by the skipper.
• A proper small-group boat: Modern RIBs carry no more than 12 people, giving you more room than a large day boat.
• Favignana town break: You have about an hour to get lunch and look around on land.
• Wine and fruit on the water: Soft drinks, fresh fruit, a wine toast, and a floating mat are included.
• Several guide languages: Tours operate in Italian, English, Spanish, and French.

A full day among the Aegadian Islands

This is a boat day built around water time, not a formal sightseeing cruise. From Trapani, you head across to Favignana, then continue to Levanzo before returning to the harbor around 6 p.m. The schedule gives you a useful mix of open-water views, swimming, snorkeling, a short town visit, and relaxed time aboard.

The boat is a modern RIB, and the group is limited to 12 people. That number matters. You are not waiting for dozens of people to climb in and out of the water, and the skipper can keep the day moving without making every stop feel rushed.

You meet at Marina Vento di Maestrale on Via dei Gladioli. Look for the restaurant, then continue to the dock, where the Egadi Charter & Tour desk has chairs and a sofa. Staff wear recognizable company shirts. The meeting time is 9:45 a.m., with departure at 10 a.m.

Bring a hat, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, flip-flops, and beachwear. You will spend much of the day exposed to sun and spray. A towel is not listed as included, so pack one.

Favignana’s three famous swimming bays

The first major part of the day takes place around Favignana. The boat reaches the island after roughly 30 minutes, then works through three well-known bays: Cala Azzurra, Bue Marino, and Cala Rossa.

Cala Azzurra

Cala Azzurra is the first swimming and photo stop. You can get in the water, use the supplied snorkeling equipment, and look for marine life close to the boat. Fresh refreshments are offered during this part of the day.

Starting here makes sense. You are still fresh, the light is good for photographs, and the first swim gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the boat. If you prefer to take things slowly, you can stay aboard and enjoy the view rather than feeling pressured to enter the water.

Bue Marino

At Bue Marino, the emphasis remains on swimming, snorkeling, and the rock formations along the coast. The skipper handles the boat and points out places worth seeing, while you choose how much time to spend in the water.

The supplied equipment is useful if you do not want to pack your own mask and snorkel. A GoPro is also included, along with underwater photo-shooting as part of the experience. Do not treat that as a guaranteed professional photo session. The exact pictures you get can depend on sea conditions, light, and how busy the water is.

Cala Rossa

Cala Rossa is the third Favignana stop before lunch. This gives you another chance to swim in a different setting rather than spending the entire morning at one beach. The repeated stops are one of the cruise’s strengths: if one cove is too windy or crowded for your taste, the next may suit you better.

The trade-off is that this is a highlights tour. You will see several spots, but you will not spend a whole morning on one beach. Choose it if variety matters more to you than a long, quiet stay in one place.

A useful break in Favignana town

Around 1 p.m., the boat stops in Favignana for about an hour. Lunch is your responsibility, but the break gives you a chance to eat on land and see a little of the island’s town rather than viewing it only from offshore.

This is a practical touch. Eight hours in the sun can become tiring, and a proper pause helps. You can also buy local snacks, which are specifically part of the planned stop. Keep your lunch break realistic, though. An hour is enough for a focused meal and a quick look around, not a leisurely afternoon wander.

If you are mainly interested in swimming, you may find the town stop slightly long. If you want a balanced day that includes both sea and land, it is a welcome change of pace.

Levanzo and Lovers’ Cave

After leaving Favignana at about 2:30 p.m., the boat heads to Levanzo. The afternoon includes Lovers’ Cave, the Faraglioni sea stacks, Cala Fredda, and Cala Minnola.

Lovers’ Cave

Grotta degli Innamorati, or Lovers’ Cave, is the most distinctive stop on this part of the cruise. You can swim and snorkel inside or near the cave with a flashlight and guidance from the crew. This is more memorable than a standard open-water swim because the rock enclosure changes the light and feel of the stop.

You should be comfortable in the water before choosing to enter the cave. The tour is not described as suitable for pregnant women, and anyone who dislikes confined spaces may prefer to remain outside. Listen closely to the skipper’s instructions and do not treat the cave as an independent expedition.

Faraglioni and Levanzo’s coast

The Faraglioni are sea stacks that make a good photo stop and provide another place for swimming and marine-life viewing. The boat gives you the advantage here. You can see the formations from water level, then move on without the long walk or shore access that some coastal viewpoints require.

As the boat continues around Levanzo, you get scenic views of the island’s rocky edge. The focus is not on a long village tour. It is on the coast, the coves, and the chance to get back into the water.

Cala Fredda and Cala Minnola

Cala Fredda is another swimming and snorkeling stop. By this point in the day, you may appreciate having a little freedom to decide how active you want to be. You can swim, use the mask and snorkel, or simply stay on the boat and enjoy the ride.

The final major stop is Cala Minnola. This is where the wine toast and wine tasting fit naturally into the day. The crew also provides soft drinks and fresh fruit, and the floating mat gives you a place to stretch out on the water.

I like this ending because it is less rushed than finishing with one last quick photo stop. You can enjoy the setting, have a drink, and let the day wind down before the return ride. If you do not drink alcohol, soft drinks are available, so the toast does not have to define your experience.

What the skipper adds to the day

The skipper is central to this tour. The boat route and the quality of the stops depend on the person at the helm, not just the islands themselves. Past departures have featured skippers and guides including Francesco, Giuseppe, Enrico, Dino, Antonio, Marco, Giorgio, Jacamo, and Ellena.

The strongest praise has centered on friendly service, good timing, music, local explanations, and attention to people on board. Francesco has been singled out for creating a lively atmosphere with music and dance, while Giuseppe was praised for taking his time at the stops. Ellena provided information about the islands and their past, and Dino helped with lunch suggestions in Favignana.

That tells you what to expect in practical terms: this is not a silent transport service. You will have a crew member helping with swim stops, equipment, drinks, and the general flow of the day. The tone may vary by skipper. Some departures sound more social and music-focused, while others may put more weight on explanations and a calm pace.

The real value of the $100 price

At $100 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Favignana. A basic ferry trip can cost less, but a ferry does not take you directly to a series of coves, carry snorkeling equipment, provide a skipper, or serve wine and fruit on a floating mat.

The price includes the boat, skipper, fuel, beach access, snorkeling equipment, a GoPro, soft drinks, wine, fresh fruit, and the floating mat. Lunch is extra. For an eight-hour day covering two islands, the value is strongest if you plan to swim several times and want the boat to handle the route.

You are also paying for time. Seeing both Favignana and Levanzo in one day without arranging separate transport is efficient. The small group adds more value than it might seem, since a 12-person RIB can make stops feel more personal and less like crowd management.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want to sit on one beach, avoid boat movement, or spend a long time exploring Favignana town. In that case, an independent island visit may give you more control.

What may not go exactly as planned

The schedule is clear, but the sea has the final say. One departure did not reach every expected snorkeling location and missed the Blue Grotto, with high wind suggested as a possible reason. That is worth keeping in mind before you book.

This is not a flaw unique to this cruise. Open-water routes change with wind and waves, and a responsible skipper may replace a planned stop with a safer one. Still, you should book this for the overall day on the islands, not for one promised cave, bay, or underwater photograph.

The boat may also feel lively. Music has been part of some departures, which suits a social group but may not appeal if you want a quiet cruise. The RIB format is comfortable for a small group, yet it is still a small, open boat with sun, spray, and movement.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this cruise if you want a high-energy day by the sea with several chances to swim. It suits couples, groups of friends, and active families whose children are comfortable in the water, though the supplied information does not specify a minimum age.

It is also a good choice for a first visit to the Aegadian Islands. You see the key coastal areas of Favignana and Levanzo in one day, then decide later if either island deserves a longer stay.

You may want a different plan if you are pregnant, dislike boats, do not swim, or want a slow day on land. The tour is built around water access. You can remain aboard at swim stops, but swimming and snorkeling are clearly the main event.

The tour is offered in Italian, English, Spanish, and French. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option keeps payment flexible.

Should you book the Favignana and Levanzo cruise?

Book it if you want to cover two islands in one day, swim at several coastal stops, and enjoy the ease of a small boat with equipment and refreshments included. The strongest reasons are the compact group, the variety of coves, Lovers’ Cave, and the break in Favignana town.

Go in with sensible expectations. Wind may change the route, lunch costs extra, and the day is active rather than restful. If that sounds fine, $100 buys a well-filled day on the water, with enough structure to make the islands easy and enough free time to enjoy them your way.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The meeting point is Marina Vento di Maestrale on Via dei Gladioli SNC in Trapani. After you find the restaurant, continue to the dock and look for the Egadi Charter & Tour desk with chairs and a sofa.

What time does the tour start and finish?

You meet at 9:45 a.m., depart at 10 a.m., and return to the Trapani harbor at about 6 p.m. The total duration is eight hours.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The cruise visits Favignana and Levanzo. Favignana comes first, followed by Levanzo in the afternoon.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You have a break in Favignana town at about 1 p.m. to arrange your own meal, and local snacks are also part of the stop.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with a GoPro for underwater photography and a flashlight for the guided Lovers’ Cave visit.

What drinks and food are included?

The tour includes soft drinks, fresh fruit, and a Sicilian wine toast or tasting. Lunch is not included.

How many people are on the boat?

The modern RIBs carry no more than 12 people together, creating a small-group experience.

Can pregnant women join the tour?

The activity is listed as not suitable for pregnant women. It is also important to bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat, flip-flops, and beachwear.