From Trapani: Egadi Islands Favignana & Levanzo Cruise

Favignana’s pale rock cliffs, turquoise coves, and old tuff quarries are best seen from the water, and this small-boat trip gets you close enough to swim among them. You’ll also stop in Favignana village and cruise past Levanzo, so the day combines open-water scenery with a little time on land.

I like two things in particular: the boat carries no more than 12 people, which makes the swim stops feel less like a crowd-control exercise, and the skipper provides snorkeling gear, snacks, and a selection of drinks. One consideration: the full day depends on sea and weather conditions, and the water can feel cold outside the warmest months.

At a glance

• Small speedboat: The group is capped at 12, with about 30 minutes of travel each way between Trapani and the islands.
• Several swim stops: Expect roughly 40 minutes at many bays, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and photos.
• A cave swim: At Lovers’ Cave, you can use the provided mask and snorkel to explore its two entrances and a tucked-away pebble beach.
• Time ashore: The 1.5-hour stop in Favignana village is your chance to eat lunch, walk, and shop.
• Drinks and a snack included: The selection includes alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks; lunch and towels are extra.
• Weather can change the plan: The skipper may adjust the route to suit sea conditions, and a bad-weather cancellation comes with a full refund.

Why the small boat changes the day

This is an eight-hour outing, not a quick ride to one beach and back. The speedboat links several spots around Favignana and Levanzo, with time in the water at most of them. I like that balance: you get a broad look at the islands without spending the day on a large vessel or staying in just one cove.

The boat’s maximum capacity is 12 passengers. That matters when you’re getting on and off for swims, sharing space on board, or listening to the skipper explain a stop. It also means there’s less room than on a big excursion boat, so don’t expect a lounge deck or a quiet, private charter. The mood can be lively. Music is part of the experience, and some skippers turn the ride between stops into a little show.

The route is designed around swimming and views from the sea. You won’t get a full guided walking tour of either island, and only Favignana includes a substantial stop ashore. If your priority is museums or long, unhurried time in a village, plan another day for that.

From Trapani to Favignana’s coves

You meet at Columbus Yachting on Via Ranuncoli, beneath a large statue. Egadi Boating operates the experience. The first boat ride takes about 30 minutes, then the skipper works around Favignana’s coastline, stopping at coves such as Cala Azzurra, Bue Marino, and Cala Rossa. The precise order can vary with conditions.

At Cala Azzurra, the pale sand and clear blue water make a good first stop for a swim or snorkel. The water is the main event here, rather than facilities or a long beach visit. Bring your own towel and be ready to enter the sea from the boat.

Bue Marino is associated with Favignana’s old tuff quarries. The island’s pale stone was cut from the rock, leaving dramatic formations that look especially striking from offshore. You can take photos, swim, or snorkel; the 40-minute stop gives you time for a dip, but not a long exploration of the quarry area on foot.

Cala Rossa is another highlight for clear water and rugged coastal scenery. The name refers to a striking setting, but you should think of this as a swim stop reached by boat, not a beach visit with a broad stretch of sand. If you’re happiest floating and looking at the cliffs, this is the kind of place the route is built for.

Conditions matter at every cove. Wind and waves can affect where the boat can safely stop and how easy it is to get into the water. The skipper may change the order or adjust the plan, so treat the itinerary as a guide rather than a promise that each stop will happen exactly as described.

A village break in Favignana

The 1.5-hour stop in Favignana village is the day’s main chance to stretch your legs. Lunch is not included, so use this break to choose a restaurant, find a snack, or walk through the village and browse its shops. It’s a welcome change of pace after several swims, though an hour and a half goes quickly if you want a full meal and a proper look around.

The historic Florio tuna factory is one suggested place to visit. If you’d rather keep lunch simple, a useful local tip is a small deli just past the church, known for its arancini. The skipper may also have restaurant recommendations; Francesco, for example, has been noted for offering lunch suggestions. Your guide will vary, so ask whoever is on board.

This is not a guided food tour. You’ll pay for your own lunch, and the stop gives you flexibility rather than a set meal or group restaurant booking. I like that freedom, especially if you want to choose between a sit-down lunch and a quick bite, but keep an eye on the time so you’re back at the port when the boat is due to leave.

Swimming through Lovers’ Cave

After leaving Favignana port, the boat heads to Lovers’ Cave, also called Camera Segreta. The crew provides snorkeling equipment, and the skipper can help you find the two entrances and the small pebble beach tucked under the rocky roof. It’s the most distinctive stop on the route: instead of just looking at a cave from the boat, you can swim in and see its interior.

You need to be comfortable in the water to get the most from this stop. The cave is accessed by swimming, and the experience depends on the sea conditions and your confidence with a mask and snorkel. A captain named Vito has been known to swim alongside visitors with a flashlight to help them see inside, but that level of assistance should not be assumed for every departure.

Take care with the rock overhead and follow the skipper’s instructions. The cave’s secluded feel is part of its appeal, but it is still a natural swimming spot, not a staffed attraction with a walkway or a viewing platform. If you prefer to stay on the boat, you can enjoy the coastline from there instead.

Levanzo’s quiet bays and last swim

The boat then cruises past Levanzo’s sea stacks and reaches Cala Fredda. The stop lasts about 40 minutes and is known for a pebble beach and a seabed with marine vegetation. The beach is accessible by swimming, so this is another stop where you’ll want swimwear on and your towel ready for later.

Levanzo’s village is not a long visit on this route. The boat passes by the island, then makes its swimming stops rather than giving you time to explore its streets. That’s a trade-off worth understanding before you book: you get a close look at the coast and the water, not an island walking tour.

Cala Minnola is the final planned swim stop, with another 40 minutes to swim, snorkel, or relax on board. Drinks and an aperitif may be served here. By this point you’ve had several chances to get in the water, so you can choose a last swim or simply enjoy the scenery before the roughly 30-minute ride back to Trapani.

What the price covers, and what it doesn’t

At $66.84 per person, the price includes the skipper, fuel, snorkeling gear, a snack, a selection of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, and fees and taxes. For an eight-hour boat trip with several swim stops and a small-group limit, that’s a useful bundle. You don’t need to rent snorkeling equipment separately, and drinks are available on board.

The price does not include lunch or a beach towel. Bring your own towel, or ask about renting one. You’ll also want to budget for lunch in Favignana village and any purchases there. The tour offers private pickup for an extra charge on request, but the standard meeting point is at Columbus Yachting.

The atmosphere is part of the value. Skippers including Vito, Mauro, Francesco, and Danielle have been associated with the trip, and guests have enjoyed friendly service, music, drinks, and helpful tips at the swimming spots. Your skipper will vary, but the small boat lets the crew give more direct attention than you’d usually get on a large group cruise.

What to bring and who will enjoy it

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a sun hat. A hat that stays on in the wind is a smart choice on a speedboat. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but you’ll still want to bring anything else you need for comfort in the sun and salt water.

This tour suits confident swimmers, couples, families with children who are comfortable around boats and water, and anyone who wants a full day outdoors. Several families have enjoyed it, and guides have been described as attentive with children. Still, the main activity is swimming from the boat, so it may not suit someone who wants to stay dry or needs step-free access.

It is not suitable for wheelchair users. The route and stops can also change with weather and sea conditions. If the company cancels because of bad weather, you receive a full refund. The trip offers free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve now and pay later.

Should you book this Egadi Islands cruise?

Book it if you want a water-focused day with several chances to swim, a small group, and enough time ashore to eat and walk around Favignana village. The cave swim, tuff-quarry coast, and final stop at Cala Minnola give the route more variety than a simple out-and-back beach transfer.

Skip it if you want a quiet sailing trip, a full day on land, or a guaranteed fixed itinerary. The boat can be lively, the water may be cold, and weather can change the plan. For most visitors who are comfortable swimming, the combination of coves, cave access, island time, and included drinks makes this a strong-value day from Trapani.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The activity lasts eight hours, including the boat rides and stops around Favignana and Levanzo.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Columbus Yachting on Via Ranuncoli, beneath a large statue. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many people are on the boat?

The small group is limited to 12 participants.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The route includes Favignana and Levanzo, with several swimming stops around their coasts.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The crew provides snorkeling equipment for use during the tour.

Are drinks included?

Yes. A selection of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages is included, along with a snack.

Is lunch included?

No. You have about 1.5 hours of free time in Favignana village to choose and pay for your own lunch.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. A beach towel is not included, though one can be rented on request.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The route may change because of weather or sea conditions. If bad weather forces the company to cancel, you receive a full refund.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is listed as not suitable for wheelchair users.