Lampedusa: Boat Cruise with Swimming Stops and Italian Lunch

Lampedusa’s coastline makes its best impression from the water. This cruise links swimming stops at Tabaccara and other coves with views of Rabbit Island, then serves lunch aboard the boat before the return to port.

I like two things in particular: the variety of coastal stops, from coves and caves to the natural pool at Tabaccara, and the chance to eat a proper Italian lunch without cutting the day short to find a restaurant. The boat is also described as very clean, with kind service, details that matter on a long outing.

One consideration: the live guide speaks Italian, so you may miss some of the commentary if you do not understand the language. The schedule is also weather dependent, and the day runs roughly from a 9:30 AM meeting to a 5:00 PM return.

At a glance

• Tabaccara’s saltwater pool is a featured swimming stop, with time to get into the water.
• Rabbit Island is known for a beach where turtles lay their eggs; the tour includes a view of the island and its striking blue water.
• French Cove, Creta Cove, Chick Cove and Water Bay add variety to the route, along with caves and inlets.
• Lunch is served on board and includes an appetizer, a main course and coffee. Cannolini, fennel, antipasto and fruit are also named among the food.
• The boat cruise lasts seven hours, while the overall activity is listed as eight hours. The stated meeting time is 9:30 AM, with return at 5:00 PM.
• The tour is for a private group, and its Italian-speaking guide leads the outing.

A full day tracing Lampedusa’s coast

This is not a quick harbor spin or a transfer to one beach. It is a substantial day on the water, built around a string of coastal stops and swimming breaks. You meet at the new port, board in the morning and return to the same starting point in the late afternoon.

The route includes some of Lampedusa’s best-known coastal names: Tabaccara, Rabbit Island, French Cove, Creta Cove, Chick Cove and Water Bay. Caves and inlets fill out the day, though the exact order and length of each stop are not specified.

That variety is the point. Rather than choosing one beach and staying put, you get a broad look at the island’s shore from the sea, with chances to swim at several points. If you enjoy a day shaped by changing scenery and time in the water, the format makes sense.

The outing is described as a seven-hour cruise, while the overall duration is listed as eight hours. With a 9:30 AM meeting and a 5:00 PM return, plan for most of the day to be spoken for. Eat breakfast beforehand, as the operator advises, and do not schedule a tight afternoon commitment.

Tabaccara’s natural pool and swimming stops

Tabaccara is the headline stop. The tour takes you to the saltwater pool by the beach, a natural swimming spot that gives the day a clear focal point. You can get into the water here and enjoy the setting from close range rather than seeing it only from the boat.

The details do not specify how long the boat stays at Tabaccara, or whether you go ashore. Treat it as a swimming stop, not a guaranteed beach visit. If you want to spend a long stretch on land, this may not be the right format.

Other swimming stops are included throughout the cruise. The route also passes caves and inlets, so the day should feel more varied than a single long swim break. Exact stop times are not provided, which means you should avoid assuming a particular amount of swimming time at any one location.

Bring what you need for a day that mixes boat time and swimming. The supplied information does not list equipment or amenities, so check directly with the provider if you need to confirm what is available on board.

Rabbit Island, turtle nesting and the blue water

Rabbit Island is another major point on the route. It is known for a beach where turtles lay their eggs, and the cruise offers a chance to admire the island and the surrounding water from the boat.

The tour information does not promise a landing or a wildlife sighting. Think of Rabbit Island as a coastal highlight and a chance to see the famous nesting beach from the water, not as a dedicated turtle-watching excursion. That distinction matters if seeing turtles is your main reason for booking.

French Cove, Creta Cove, Chick Cove and Water Bay add more named stops to the outing. Caves and inlets are also part of the route, but there is no detailed description of individual formations or a fixed stop sequence. The appeal is the range of places you pass and visit, rather than a tightly scripted sightseeing program.

Lunch aboard, with local flavors

Lunch comes during the afternoon and is served on the boat. The meal is included in the price and is described as having an appetizer, a main course and coffee. Cannolini, fennel, antipasto and fruit are also mentioned, giving you a taste of familiar Italian fare alongside local flavor.

The exact main course is not specified, nor is there information about dietary alternatives. If you have allergies or dietary needs, ask the provider before booking rather than counting on a substitute. The meal is a practical part of the experience: you can stay with the group and enjoy the day instead of arranging a separate lunch stop.

The setting is part of the meal’s appeal. You eat aboard, with the sea and the boat ride forming the backdrop, then continue back toward port. The information does not promise a particular dining setup, so expect a boat lunch rather than a formal restaurant service.

The operator recommends eating breakfast before you come. That is useful advice for a long outing with swimming stops and lunch served later in the day. A morning meal should help you avoid starting the cruise hungry.

What the price gets you

At $84.96 per person, the stated price covers a seven-hour boat cruise, swimming stops and lunch on board, including an appetizer, main course and coffee. The value depends partly on how much you want a full day at sea: if you plan to visit several coastal spots and swim, combining the boat time and meal in one outing can be more convenient than arranging them separately.

The tour is listed for a private group, which may appeal if you would rather share the boat with your own party than join an unspecified mixed group. The information does not state the maximum group size, so check that before booking if the private arrangement is central to your decision.

One concrete service detail is encouraging: a rating of 4.9 from 15 reviews, with one written comment describing the boat as very clean and the service as kind. That is a small sample, not a guarantee, but cleanliness and courteous service are especially relevant when you will spend much of the day aboard.

Meeting at the new port

The meeting point is the new port, at Via Alessandro Volta. The directions identify a tobacconist called El Fumador, about 30 meters past the gas station, where the activity provider will be. Arrive for the stated 9:30 AM meeting time; boarding is described as taking place at 9:45 AM.

The tour returns to the same meeting point at about 5:00 PM. The listed overall duration is eight hours, while the boat cruise itself is described as seven hours. Allow for the full period in your plans, rather than treating the cruise duration as the time you will be away from the port.

The guide speaks Italian. If you understand Italian, that is straightforward; if you do not, ask the provider what guidance to expect in another language. No other tour language is listed.

The cruise runs daily, weather permitting. Because the day is built around being on the water and making swimming stops, conditions can affect whether it runs. The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available.

Who should book this cruise?

I would consider this tour if you want a structured, full-day look at Lampedusa’s coast, especially if swimming is as important to you as sightseeing. The stops at Tabaccara and Rabbit Island give the route recognizable highlights, while the coves, caves and inlets add variety between them.

It also suits you if you like the convenience of an included lunch and prefer to spend the day with your own private group. The boat’s reported cleanliness and kind service are welcome practical signs, although the small number of written comments means they should not be treated as a sweeping promise.

I would pause if you need English-language commentary, want a guaranteed landing at Rabbit Island, or need a detailed timetable for every swimming stop. Those specifics are not provided. The best fit is someone happy to let the day follow the coastline, swim when the boat stops and enjoy an Italian lunch on board.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The boat cruise is described as seven hours, and the overall activity is listed as eight hours. The stated meeting time is 9:30 AM, with a return to the port at 5:00 PM.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at the new port on Via Alessandro Volta. Look for the tobacconist El Fumador, about 30 meters past the gas station, where the activity provider will be.

What time does the boat leave?

The meeting time is 9:30 AM, and boarding is stated to take place at 9:45 AM.

Which places does the cruise visit?

The route includes Tabaccara, Rabbit Island, French Cove, Creta Cove, Chick Cove and Water Bay, as well as caves and inlets along the coast.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served aboard and includes an appetizer, a main course and coffee. Cannolini, fennel, antipasto and fruit are also named among the food.

What language does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks Italian. No other guide language is listed.

Does the tour run every day?

It runs daily, weather permitting.