Review · SICILY
Egadi Sail Boat Tour to Favignana and Levanzo from Trapani
Favignana and Levanzo are best understood from the water, and this small-group sailing trip gives you a full day to see both. You’ll swim near Cala Rossa, Cala Azzurra, and Bue Marino on Favignana, then reach Levanzo for more sea time and a walk through its quiet port village.
I like the mix of active stops and easy sailing, with snorkeling gear, water, soft drinks, wine, and fruit included. I also like the human touch: captains such as Francesco, Ricardo, Giuseppe, and Marcello are praised for safe handling, good local advice, and useful explanations of the islands.
The main consideration is pace. Eight hours is a long day, and much of it is built around swimming, snorkeling, and time in the sun. If you prefer a short sightseeing cruise or dislike getting wet before lunch, this may feel demanding.
Key things to know before you book

- Five major swimming areas: Cala Rossa, Cala Azzurra, Bue Marino, Cala Fredda, and Cala Minnola all bring a different setting.
- Small boat, limited group: The maximum is 12 people, a far more personal setup than a large ferry excursion.
- Lunch is served on board in the tour plan: You also get water, Coca-Cola, wine, fruit, and snorkeling equipment.
- You get time on land: The stops in Favignana and Levanzo are not only photo opportunities from the boat.
- The day starts at 9:30 a.m.: Meet at Via Ammiraglio Staiti, 18, in Trapani, and return there after roughly eight hours.
- Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.
Why sailing is the right way to see the Egadi Islands

The Egadi Islands sit off western Sicily, and their character changes when you approach from the sea. A boat lets you see the pale rock, old quarry faces, small coves, and low island villages without spending the day moving between separate beaches.
That matters here because the strongest part of the outing is not one single attraction. It is the rhythm of sailing, stopping, swimming, eating, and sailing again. You are not packed into a bus or limited to one beach. Instead, the captain can bring you close to several spots that would be hard to connect on foot in one day.
The group limit of 12 is a real advantage. It leaves more room on board and makes it easier to ask questions, request a drink, or find a shaded place. Several people especially enjoyed the new, spacious boat and its shaded areas. Still, a small boat is not the same as having a private yacht. You share the day’s pace and space with the other passengers.
Captains may include Francesco, Ricardo, Giuseppe, or Marcello. Their roles go beyond steering. Ricardo is praised for explaining forts, buildings, and local sights, while Francesco is noted for a calm manner and clear explanations. Marcello and Giuseppe also receive strong praise for making the day friendly and comfortable. The exact captain is not guaranteed, but the experience clearly depends a great deal on the person at the helm.
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Cala Rossa: clear water beside Favignana’s old stone
The first major stop is Scogliera di Cala Rossa, one of Favignana’s best-known coastal areas. The boat anchors so you can swim and snorkel in clear water, with fish visible below the surface.
The setting has a striking contrast: pale rock, open sea, and remnants of the island’s quarrying past. Cala Rossa is often described as one of Italy’s most beautiful beaches, but remember that this is a boat stop rather than a conventional beach day. You will enter the water from the boat, not walk onto a broad sandy shore with rows of facilities.
The scheduled stop lasts about an hour. That is enough time for a good swim and a look beneath the surface, especially since snorkeling equipment is supplied. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew for practical help before entering the water. The tour is built around swimming, so you should be comfortable getting in and out of the sea.
This is also a good point to notice how much the boat’s layout matters. Shade and space are useful after you climb out of the water, particularly on a warm Sicilian day. Bring a towel and a dry change of clothes, since the schedule continues through lunch and more swimming.
Cala Azzurra and Bue Marino: two different faces of the coast

The second stop is Cala Azzurra, where you have another hour to swim in the cove’s clear water. After the first stop, this gives you a useful change of scene without changing the basic pleasure of the day. You can swim again, use the mask and snorkel, or stay on board and enjoy the view if your energy is fading.
That flexibility matters. The tour includes several water stops, but you do not have to treat every one as a competition. An eight-hour outing is easier when you pace yourself. Swim actively at one cove, then spend more time floating or resting at the next.
At Grotta del Bue Marino, the scenery shifts again. The water ranges from bright turquoise to darker blue, while old tuff quarries create a rough stone backdrop. The boat stops for another swim, and the quarry walls give this section more visual interest than a simple beach stop.
The itinerary allows about an hour here as well. This is one of the places where the boat itself adds value. You see the quarry area from the water, then enter the sea with the rock face around you. The experience is less about a formal cave visit and more about swimming beside a dramatic coastal setting. Do not expect a long land walk or a guided underground tour based on the details provided.
Favignana port: a short taste of island life

After the morning swimming stops, the boat reaches Favignana’s port and moors there. You can walk through the streets of the maritime village, giving your legs a break and your day some variety.
This stop is important because the outing is not only a series of swimming sessions. You get a glimpse of the island’s inhabited side, with time to wander rather than simply photograph the shoreline from a boat. The available details do not give a fixed amount of free time for the village, so keep your expectations sensible. It is a stop within a full-day route, not a separate Favignana walking tour.
Lunch is planned around typical local products and is served on board. That arrangement keeps the group together and avoids spending valuable island time searching for a restaurant. Wine, bottled water, Coca-Cola, and fruit are included, though one useful practical tip is to ask for drinks rather than assume they will always be offered at once.
One person also received restaurant suggestions in Favignana from the captain. That may be useful if you want to eat independently, but the stated plan includes lunch on the boat. If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not specify special menus, so ask the operator before booking.
If you want to sit down for a formal restaurant meal, this may not be the right excursion. If you prefer a simple lunch with the boat nearby and the sea around you, it makes good use of the schedule.
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Levanzo’s Cala Fredda and white village lanes

The route then continues to Levanzo, the quieter and smaller-feeling island in this itinerary. The boat stops at Cala Fredda, and you can walk toward the port to see the island’s only inhabited area.
Levanzo’s village is described by its simple white and turquoise houses, terraces, and a few quiet streets leading inland. This is not a place for a long shopping session or a packed list of monuments. Its appeal is the calm scale. You can stretch your legs, take in the view, and see how different it feels from a more active resort town.
The Cala Fredda stop adds another swim and a chance to snorkel among the fish. By this point, you may be ready for a slower pace. Take the walk first if you want to see the village while you are dry, then return to the boat for the water stop.
The order and exact timing can depend on the day’s conditions. Wind and sea conditions matter to any sailing trip, and the operator reserves the right to offer another date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation. That is sensible for a day whose main attractions are open-water stops.
Cala Minnola: the long final swim

Cala Minnola is the final named stop and receives about two hours in the schedule. It is the longest single stop, giving you time for another swim and snorkel without the rush of a short photo break.
This extended pause is useful for families and couples who want the sea to be the center of the day. You can take your time with the equipment, swim, rest in the shade, and enjoy the boat before the return to Trapani. It also gives less confident swimmers a chance to take things slowly instead of feeling pushed through a tight timetable.
At the same time, the repeated swimming stops are the clearest test of whether this tour suits you. You will spend a large part of the day around the water. If you mainly want to explore villages, churches, or museums, the itinerary offers too little time on land. If you want several chances to swim in changing coastal settings, the repetition becomes the point.
The return sail is part of the experience rather than dead time. Wine, music, fruit, and conversation can make the trip back feel relaxed, especially after the final swim. Bring a layer for the ride if you tend to feel cool once the wind picks up.
What the $139 price includes

At about $139.13 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Favignana. A basic ferry can cost less, but it will not give you the same route, repeated swimming stops, sailing time, lunch arrangement, or small-group setting.
The value depends on how much of the day you will use. The price includes:
- Bottled water
- Coca-Cola and other soft drinks
- Wine
- Snorkeling equipment
- Lunch based on typical products
- Restroom on board
- All listed fees and taxes
That package removes several small costs that can add up during a full day at sea. It also saves you from arranging separate transport to Favignana and Levanzo, choosing beaches, and finding a place to eat between stops.
Private parking inside the marina is not included. If you are driving, factor that into the total cost. The meeting point is Via Ammiraglio Staiti, 18, in Trapani, and the tour ends back there. The location is near public transportation, which is useful if you are staying in Trapani without a car.
The strongest value comes for people who would otherwise book a boat trip and a separate island visit. You receive both water time and limited village time in one day. The weaker value comes if you plan to stay on board without swimming or snorkeling, since much of the route is designed around getting into the sea.
How to prepare for an eight-hour boat day

Meet at 9:30 a.m. and plan for roughly eight hours from start to finish. Wear swimwear under easy clothes, pack sunscreen and a towel, and bring a dry change of clothes for lunch and the ride back.
The dry clothes tip is especially useful because the day combines several swims with time on the boat and a visit to Favignana. You may not want to sit through lunch or the return sail in wet swimwear.
Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but you can bring your own mask if you prefer a familiar fit. The boat has a restroom, which is helpful on a full-day outing. Water and drinks are included, but carry any personal medication or extra items you need for eight hours, since the supplied information does not specify every onboard provision.
Wear footwear that is easy to remove for swimming. The provided details do not confirm a specific boarding arrangement or step-free access, so ask Mare and More directly if you have mobility concerns. Most people can take part, but the route is still built around sea swimming and boat movement.
Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and the local time cut-off applies. The experience also needs a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason may result in another date, another experience, or a full refund.
Who should book this Egadi Islands sailing tour?
I would choose this for couples, small groups of friends, and families who want a full day on the water without a crowded boat. It also suits an active honeymoon day. One couple described it as a favorite part of their Sicily trip, with a beautiful boat, a small group, swimming, dolphins, lunch, and a friendly guide.
You should also book it if you value a good captain. The best moments here come from the mix of safe sailing, local explanations, music, food, and easy conversation. Captains including Ricardo and Francesco have been praised for explaining sights and making the day feel calm, while Giuseppe and Marcello are also noted for their sailing skills and warm manner.
I would think twice if your priority is extensive time in Favignana or Levanzo. You get walks in both places, but the core of the day is the sea. I would also reconsider if you dislike sun exposure, boat travel, or changing in and out of wet clothes.
Should you book it?
Book this tour if you want the Egadi Islands by sea, several swim and snorkel stops, and a small group with lunch and drinks included. The mix of Cala Rossa, Cala Azzurra, Bue Marino, Cala Fredda, and Cala Minnola gives you a broad look at the coast in one day.
Skip it if you want a slow town-focused visit or a cheap point-to-point ferry. For most active visitors based in Trapani, the price is reasonable for the amount of boat time, equipment, food, and island scenery included. Just arrive ready to swim, bring dry clothes, and accept that weather and sea conditions can shape the day.
FAQ
Where does the tour start?
It starts at Via Ammiraglio Staiti, 18, 91100 Trapani TP, Italy.
What time does the tour begin?
The start time is 9:30 a.m.
How long does the tour last?
The experience lasts approximately eight hours.
Where does the tour end?
It ends back at the meeting point in Trapani.
How many people can join the boat tour?
The maximum group size is 12 people.
Are drinks included?
Yes. Bottled water, Coca-Cola, and wine are included.
Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch on board is based on typical local products.
Which islands does the tour visit?
The tour visits Favignana and Levanzo.
What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?
You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.
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