From Trapani: Full-Day Sailboat Trip to Favignana & Levanzo

A day on this boat is as much about the water between the islands as the islands themselves. From Trapani, you sail toward Favignana and Levanzo, with time to swim and snorkel in clear coves and a pause ashore in Favignana’s port village.

I like the small group, limited to 12, which gives the day a more personal feel than a crowded excursion boat. I also like the mix of open-water time and shore time: there’s room for a swim, a stroll, and lunch rather than eight hours spent looking at the coast from one spot.

The main consideration is the length. At eight hours, this is a full day in the sun, and much of the appeal depends on enjoying time aboard and in the water. Bring a towel and sunscreen, and note that the tour is not suitable for pregnant women.

The essentials

• Two islands in one day: Sail from Trapani to Favignana and Levanzo, with time to get ashore in both.
• Three named swim stops: Cala Azzurra, Cala Rossa, and Cala Fredda are part of the plan, with roughly an hour scheduled at each.
• A small boat group: The limit is 12 participants, a useful detail if you prefer a quieter outing.
• A real break in Favignana: Allow 1.5 hours for lunch, a walk, shopping, or a little exploring around the port.
• The basics are included: A skipper-guide, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and fuel are covered in the price.

A full day from Trapani to the islands

This eight-hour trip takes you from Mare and More’s meeting point at Via Ammiraglio Staiti 18 in Trapani out to Favignana and Levanzo. The route combines stretches under sail or other boat transport with stops for swimming and snorkeling, plus time to walk around Favignana’s port village.

The experience is a good fit if you want to see several coves without arranging separate transport or planning a day around ferry times. Your skipper guides the boat, and the tour is offered in Italian and English. The group cap of 12 matters here: there’s less chance of feeling lost in a crowd, and the boat’s limited capacity can make the day feel more companionable.

Skippers Marcello and Federico have both led trips. One particularly small outing had just seven people aboard with Marcello, and another had eight with Federico. Those are examples, not a promise that every departure will be that small, but the maximum is 12.

The first stretch of water

The trip begins with a 1.5-hour boat leg. That first stretch gives you time to settle in, watch Trapani recede, and take in the coast as the boat heads toward Favignana. For many people, this is part of the pleasure, not just a transfer between stops.

A good skipper can make a difference on a day at sea. Marcello was praised for handling the boat in a way that left the group feeling safe and comfortable, and Federico was also singled out as an excellent skipper. That is reassuring if you are new to boat trips or would rather relax than focus on how the boat is being handled.

The boat is described as a yacht, but its exact layout and facilities are not specified. If you have particular needs for seating, shade, or motion comfort, ask the operator before you book rather than assuming the boat has a certain setup. The same goes for food: fresh fruit and an aperitif were part of one outing, but they are not listed among the standard inclusions, so do not count on them.

Cala Azzurra and Cala Rossa: time to swim

Two of the day’s main stops are Cala Azzurra and Cala Rossa, both on Favignana. The schedule allows about an hour at each for swimming and snorkeling. That is enough time to get into the water, look around with the supplied gear, and enjoy the cove without turning the stop into a rushed photo break.

Cala Rossa is known here for sea life, while Cala Azzurra offers another chance to swim in clear water. The appeal is simple: you’re not only seeing the islands from the boat. You can get into the Mediterranean and see what lies just below the surface. One group described water clear enough to spot schools of fish without equipment, though visibility can vary with conditions.

There is also a mention of Bue Marino, where the turquoise water meets tuff caves. It adds a striking coastal feature to the route, but the schedule does not give it a separate timed stop. Treat it as a place you may see along the way, not a guaranteed extra hour ashore or in the water.

The day’s stop descriptions present Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra in different orders. If you have a particular reason for wanting one cove first, check with the operator; the important point is that both are included in the planned swim stops.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from bringing your own mask and snorkel. Still, pack a towel and sunscreen, and consider bringing any personal gear you prefer. The tour does not specify whether other equipment, such as fins, is supplied.

Favignana port: an hour and a half ashore

Favignana is more than a backdrop for the swim stops. The tour gives you 1.5 hours in the port village, where whitewashed houses and sea views provide a change of pace from the boat. You can use the break for lunch, street food, shopping, or a walk.

This is the most flexible part of the day, but 90 minutes is a compact visit. If you sit down for a long meal, there may be less time to wander. If you want a quick taste of the village, street food or a simple lunch can leave more room for a stroll. The tour does not specify a restaurant or meal arrangement, so plan to choose and pay for your own food.

I like that this stop gives you a chance to experience the island as a place where people live and work, rather than only as a collection of beaches. You can step off the boat, walk at your own pace, and see a little of the port before the next leg. Just keep an eye on the time and return when asked; the boat has another island to reach.

Levanzo and Cala Fredda

After Favignana, the boat heads to Levanzo. The plan includes a photo stop, swimming, and snorkeling, followed by time at Cala Fredda, where you can swim or relax on the shore. The schedule assigns about an hour to the Levanzo stop and another hour to Cala Fredda.

Levanzo’s white and turquoise terraced houses give the village a different look from Favignana’s port. If you have enough time on shore, walking through town is a pleasant way to take in the island’s scale and setting. The available details do not specify how much of the Levanzo hour is spent ashore versus on the water, so treat the village walk as an option rather than a long guided visit.

Cala Fredda is the final featured beach stop. You can choose between getting into the water and resting on the shore, which makes this leg useful even if you have had enough swimming by then. The tour supplies snorkeling gear, but it does not promise a specific amount of time for each activity beyond the hour scheduled.

After the stop, the return boat leg is about an hour, bringing you back to the same meeting point in Trapani. By then, you will have spent a full day in the sun, so this is not the moment to schedule a tight connection or an important appointment.

What the $164.26 price covers

At $164.26 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get between Trapani and the islands. You are paying for an eight-hour guided boat outing with fuel, bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and a skipper-guide, plus access to several coves and free time in two island settings. That makes the price easier to justify if you want the boat experience itself, not just transport.

The small group limit also has value. With a maximum of 12, the outing is designed to be more intimate than a large excursion boat. Actual group size can be smaller, as shown by departures with seven or eight people, though you should not assume that will be the case on your date.

Lunch, street food, shopping, and private parking are not included. Budget separately for anything you buy ashore, and check parking options near the meeting point if you are driving. The tour’s stated inclusions do not list snacks or an aperitif, even though those were served on one outing.

For a fair comparison, weigh the cost against what you would need to arrange yourself: transport to the swim spots, snorkeling gear, and enough time to visit both islands. If you mainly want a ferry ride and one beach, this may be more tour than you need. If you value a guided day at sea with several stops, the price covers a lot of the day’s moving parts.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I’d choose this tour if you like being on the water, want to swim at several spots, and appreciate having a skipper take care of the route. It also suits anyone who wants a taste of Favignana and Levanzo without trying to build a complicated island-hopping day alone.

It is less suited to someone who dislikes long boat days, needs extensive time on land, or wants a tightly planned guided visit in each village. The stops are brief by design: the tour is built around sailing, swimming, and a short visit to Favignana, not hours of sightseeing on foot.

The sea is the main event, so your day will be better if you are comfortable getting in and out of the water or happy to relax aboard while others swim. Pregnant women should not book this activity, as it is specifically listed as unsuitable for them.

Pack a towel and sunscreen, and bring anything else you personally need for a day outdoors. The tour provides bottled water and snorkeling equipment, but the information does not specify shade, meal service, or extra equipment. A little preparation helps you spend less of the day wishing you had brought something.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a full day on a small-group boat, several chances to swim and snorkel, and a brief but worthwhile look at Favignana and Levanzo. The combination of the coves, the port break, and skipper-guides such as Marcello and Federico gives the outing more variety than a simple coastal cruise.

Skip it if you would rather spend most of the day on land, want a long lunch, or are looking for the lowest-cost way to reach the islands. At eight hours and $164.26, it is best value when you plan to make full use of the time at sea and in the water.

FAQ

How long is the boat trip?

The trip lasts eight hours, including boat travel, swim stops, and time on Favignana and Levanzo.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Mare and More, Via Ammiraglio Staiti 18 in Trapani, and returns to the same meeting point.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The boat visits Favignana and Levanzo, with planned stops at Cala Azzurra, Cala Rossa, and Cala Fredda.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, fuel, and a skipper-guide are included.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and sunscreen. Lunch, street food, and shopping are not included in the price.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.