Private Boat Tour to discover Favignana and Levanzo from Trapani

Favignana’s pale limestone shores and clear water are the main event here, but the best part may be having a boat to yourselves as you move between the islands. I like that the day combines several swim stops with two hours ashore in Favignana, so you get more than a string of views from the deck.

I also like that snorkeling equipment, water, soft drinks and wine are included, and that the captain can steer the day toward swimming spots. The trade-off is the water temperature: in June it was reported at about 18°C, chilly enough that a wetsuit could make a long swim more comfortable. The supplied masks and snorkels are basic, so bring your own if fit matters to you.

The day at a glance

• Private for up to 12: Your group shares the boat, rather than joining a larger excursion.
• Six planned stops: Expect swimming and snorkeling at coves around Favignana and Levanzo, plus time in Favignana village.
• Two hours in port: Walk the maritime village near the former Florio tuna-processing site.
• Drinks and gear included: Water, Coke, wine and snorkeling equipment are provided.
• About eight hours: The tour leaves Trapani at 10 a.m. and returns to the meeting point.
• Plan for cool water and lunch: The sea may feel cold, and no meal is listed among the included items.

A private boat day from Trapani

This is a full-day outing from Trapani to the Egadi Islands, with Favignana and Levanzo as its main destinations. You leave from Via Ammiraglio Staiti at 10 a.m., spend most of the day on the water, and return to the same meeting point after about eight hours.

The private format is the key feature. The boat is reserved for your group, up to 12 people, which gives you more room to settle in and lets the outing feel less like a fixed group transfer. It also makes the price easier to judge: at $1,724.51 for a full group of 12, it works out to about $144 per person. With fewer people, the per-person cost rises quickly, so it makes most sense for a family or group of friends who can share the fare.

A private boat does not mean every detail is yours to set. The listed route includes a series of named stops and a two-hour visit to Favignana, while wind and sea conditions can affect what is practical. Still, the captain’s role matters on a day built around swimming. The captain named for this outing is Aliciano; if meeting a specific skipper is important to you, confirm who will be at the helm when you book.

The overall appeal is straightforward: you get a boat-based view of two islands, several chances to get into the water, and a little time on land. If you want a slow, land-focused visit to Favignana, this is not that. If the idea of a day spent moving between coves sounds better than staying in one beach spot, it is a strong fit.

Cala Azzurra starts the swimming

The first stop is Scogliera Cala Azzurra, where the plan is a short swim in the cove’s clear water. The listed stop is brief, so think of it as an early chance to get comfortable in the sea, not a long beach break.

That quick first pause can be useful if you want to test the water and your snorkeling gear before the longer stops. If you are sensitive to cold, ease in rather than assuming Mediterranean water will feel warm. One June outing found the sea at about 18°C, a temperature that can feel brisk even under a bright sky.

There is no need to bring snorkeling equipment just to participate, since masks and snorkels are supplied. But if you depend on a particular mask shape or snorkel style, pack your own. The provided gear is described as basic, which should be fine for casual use but may not suit every face or preference.

Bue Marino’s caves and old quarries

At Grotta del Bue Marino, the boat allows about an hour for swimming and snorkeling. The setting combines turquoise water with darker blue patches and the traces of old tuff quarries, giving this stop a different character from a simple open cove.

This is one of the day’s longer water breaks, so it is a good place to take your time and look below the surface. The tour description emphasizes the contrast between the water and the quarry walls, rather than promising a specific wildlife sighting. You may see fish as you snorkel, but treat marine life as a possibility, not a guarantee.

The cave setting also makes the boat itself a useful base. You can swim, snorkel, or stay aboard and take in the view if the water feels too cold. The tour includes a restroom on board, an unglamorous but welcome detail during a long day at sea.

Cala Rossa brings clear water and fish

The next stop is Scogliera di Cala Rossa, with another hour set aside for swimming and snorkeling. The area is known in the tour description for clear water and fish, and the boat anchors so you can enter the sea rather than approach it as a walk-on beach visit.

Cala Rossa is often treated as a highlight of Favignana, and this stop gives you time to enjoy the water instead of simply passing by. Bring a towel and anything else you need to be comfortable on board between swims. The included list does not specify towels, so do not assume one will be waiting for you.

As with the other stops, conditions matter. If the sea is choppy or the water is colder than you prefer, you can take a break aboard instead of forcing a long swim. A private trip offers a more personal setting, but it cannot change the temperature or guarantee calm water.

Two hours to wander Favignana

At Favignana’s port, the boat moors for a two-hour stop. You can walk through the maritime village and visit the area around the former Florio tuna-processing plant, now known as Ex Stabilimento Florio delle Tonnare di Favignana e Formica.

This pause is valuable because it breaks up a day otherwise centered on the sea. You can stretch your legs, see the village at your own pace, and have a change of scene before returning to the boat. Two hours is enough for a walk and a meal or snack, but you will want to keep an eye on the time so you are back before the group departs.

Lunch is not listed among the included items. A captain has been credited with offering good lunch recommendations, but you should budget separately for food and ask where you can eat during the port stop. If a sit-down meal is important, use the two-hour window thoughtfully rather than spending the whole break wandering without a plan.

The stop also offers a glimpse of Favignana beyond its coastline. The former tuna-processing site connects the island’s maritime identity with its working past, while the village gives you a chance to move around on foot. This is not a guided walking tour, so do not expect a detailed historical talk as part of the port visit.

Crossing to Levanzo and Cala Fredda

After leaving Favignana, the boat heads toward Levanzo, with the crossing expected to take about 20 minutes. That short ride offers a chance to sit back, enjoy the view across the islands, and let the pace shift from village time back to swimming time.

Cala Fredda is the first listed stop on Levanzo, with about an hour for swimming and snorkeling. The name is a useful reminder to expect water that may feel cool, especially early or late in the season. There is no need to make every stop a long swim; you can take a shorter turn in the water and enjoy the cove from the boat.

The trip includes bottled water, soda and wine, so you have drinks available during the day. The provided details do not specify how much is served or when, so bring any particular non-alcoholic drink you need beyond the listed supply. If you plan to drink wine, save it for when you are finished swimming.

Cala Minnola closes the route

The final listed stop is Spiaggia di Cala Minnola, where another hour is set aside for snorkeling. By this point, you will have had several chances to swim, so this can be a last leisurely stop or a chance to use the gear again before heading back.

Cala Minnola gives the day a second Levanzo pause rather than making the island a quick crossing on the way home. That matters if you want the outing to feel like a visit to both islands, even though the longer time ashore is on Favignana. The itinerary does not include a land visit on Levanzo, so expect to experience it from the water.

Taken together, the stops make this a water-first tour. The stated times are approximate, and the brief first stop, hour-long swims and two-hour Favignana visit fit into an outing of about eight hours once the boat’s travel time is included. Pack for a long day outdoors, and keep your belongings compact enough to manage comfortably on a boat.

What the price covers, and what it does not

The $1,724.51 group price includes taxes and handling charges, snorkeling equipment, a restroom on board, bottled water, Coke and wine. The private setup is where much of the value lies: you are not paying for a seat among a large group, and up to 12 people can share the cost.

At the full capacity, the price comes to roughly $144 per person. That is a useful benchmark, not a promise of value for every party size. For two people, the same group price is a major expense; for a larger family or friend group, it can become a more reasonable way to spend the day together.

Private parking inside the marina is not included. Food is also not listed among the inclusions, so plan to pay for lunch during the Favignana stop. These are small but important costs to account for before comparing the tour with a shared boat trip.

The trip is recommended by all the people reflected in its current 5-out-of-5 rating, based on 85 ratings. The most useful practical signal is that the captain is praised for finding good swim locations and helping the group feel safe. Those are meaningful strengths for a trip where much of the day is spent getting on and off a boat in open water.

What to bring for a comfortable day

Start with swimwear, a towel, sun protection and a change of dry clothes. The supplied snorkeling gear covers the basics, but your own mask may be worth packing if you are particular about the fit. A wetsuit is worth considering if you are cold-sensitive, especially in June or outside the hottest part of summer.

Bring a small bag rather than a large suitcase, and keep essentials close at hand. The boat has a restroom, but the experience is still a full day on the water, so a practical approach to personal comfort helps. The details do not specify storage space, so avoid bringing more than you need.

For lunch, either ask for a recommendation before the trip or decide in advance how you want to use the two-hour port stop. Since meals are not listed as included, do not count on lunch being provided on the boat. Also remember that private marina parking is not part of the price, so look into other parking or transport options if you are driving.

Booking, weather and who should go

This tour is best for a group that likes swimming, snorkeling and flexible time together. Families with older children, couples traveling with friends, or a group celebrating a special day may appreciate having the boat to themselves. Most people can participate, according to the tour information, but the day’s main activities are swimming and boat travel, so consider your group’s comfort with both.

If you prefer warm, shallow water and a long stretch on a sandy beach, this may not be your ideal outing. The stops are reached by boat, and the water can be cool. If you want a land-based tour with extensive guided history, the two-hour port visit will likely feel brief.

The tour averages about 34 days of advance booking, which suggests it is sensible to plan ahead, especially if your dates are fixed. Confirmation is received at booking, and the activity is offered in English. It requires good weather; if poor conditions lead to cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Should you book this Favignana and Levanzo boat tour?

Book it if your group wants a private day on the water, values several snorkel stops, and likes the idea of a short village visit between swims. The included drinks and gear help, and the captain’s focus on finding good swim spots is a practical plus. At full capacity, the shared cost is easier to justify.

Think twice if you are traveling as a small party on a tight budget, dislike cool water, or want a guided historical tour. Bring your preferred mask and consider a wetsuit, and make a plan for lunch. With those expectations set, this is a compelling way to see Favignana and Levanzo from the sea.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Via Ammiraglio Staiti, 18, 91100 Trapani, Italy, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the boat leave, and how long is the tour?

The start time is 10 a.m. The tour lasts about eight hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat is for your group, with a maximum of 12 people.

What is included in the price?

The price includes taxes and fees, Coke, bottled water, wine, snorkeling equipment and use of a restroom on board.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not listed among the included items. You should plan to pay for food separately during the two-hour stop in Favignana.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, though the supplied masks and snorkels are basic.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather leads to cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the start time.