Trapani: Yacht Excursion to Levanzo and Favignana with Lunch

Crystal water makes a fine Sicilian day. This eight-hour yacht trip from Trapani visits Levanzo and Favignana, with long swimming stops, snorkeling, lunch on board, and two hours of free time in Favignana. I like the smaller boat setting, which gives you more room and longer bathing stops than large day boats. I also like the useful mix of sea time and island time, so the day is not just sitting on deck.

The main drawback is the active nature of the outing. You need to climb on and off the boat, swim in open water, and cope with a full day under the sun. Seasickness, mobility, age, and health restrictions matter here, so read the conditions carefully before booking.

Key points at a glance

• Three swimming stops: You spend about one hour near Levanzo, 90 minutes around Favignana, and another 40 minutes at a Favignana cove.
• A small-group feel: The boat carries few people, making the bathing stops less rushed than those on very large boats.
• Two islands in one day: You see Levanzo’s coastline, cruise around Favignana, and get two hours of free time on Favignana.
• Lunch at sea: The fare includes lunch, water, and wine, which keeps the day simple and avoids losing more time to a restaurant stop.
• Snorkeling equipment included: Ask the crew for a mask and tube to look for groupers, scorpion fish, moray eels, octopuses, and other sea life.
• A clear extra cost: The Marine Protected Area tax is €5 per person, and the little train is not included.

Why this Egadi Islands boat trip works

The appeal is simple: you get the sea without giving up the islands. From Trapani, the yacht heads into the Egadi Islands, a protected marine area known for clear water, rocky coves, and Mediterranean color. The route gives you time to swim, but also enough time to see Favignana on foot.

I especially like the slower rhythm. A large excursion boat may pack hundreds of people aboard and keep each stop short. This trip is built around longer pauses, so you can swim from the boat, use the mask and tube, sunbathe, or simply watch the coast pass by.

The trip is sold at $73.64 per person. That price includes the crew, fuel, lunch, water, wine with the meal, and snorkeling equipment. You also get transport between two islands without arranging separate ferries or paying for meals along the way.

The €5 Marine Protected Area tax is extra. The little train on Favignana also costs extra, along with anything not specifically listed as included. At this price, the excursion offers good value if you intend to use the swimming time and snorkeling gear. It is less attractive if you dislike boat time or plan to stay dry all day.

Meeting in Trapani at 9:30 am

The meeting point is the Egadi Explorer Box 4 ticket office at Via Ammiraglio Staiti, 94. The listed meeting contact is Mrs. Giovanna, which gives you a specific person and place to look for rather than a vague instruction to meet at the harbor.

Departure is scheduled for 9:30 am. I would arrive early enough to find the ticket office, settle the Marine Protected Area tax, and prepare your beach items before boarding. Bring comfortable shoes for the boat and island time, along with a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and any personal medication.

The return to the same address is planned for about 6:00 pm. This is a full day, not a quick morning cruise. Plan your evening in Trapani with some breathing room in case the return timing shifts slightly with sea conditions.

The tour is offered with English, Italian, Polish, and Spanish support. That is useful for basic directions, safety instructions, and questions about the stops.

First stop: one hour around Levanzo

Levanzo is the first major stop. The boat cruises along the island’s coast before allowing about an hour for swimming and snorkeling.

This part of the trip is a good introduction to the day. The water is presented as clear and lightly affected by development, and the protected setting gives you a chance to see the islands in their natural state. You can ask the crew for a mask and tube, then look below the surface for fish and other sea life.

The equipment includes a mask and snorkel, not a full range of specialist gear. If you are particular about fit, bring your own equipment. Otherwise, the included set keeps the day convenient and saves you from packing extra gear.

The boat is also a useful platform for swimming. You can enter the water from the yacht and enjoy the breeze and sun without needing to find a beach. That said, this is not a shallow-water beach stop. Anyone who is not a confident swimmer should consider that the swimming happens from the boat in open water.

One hour is long enough to enjoy a proper swim, but it will pass quickly if you want to snorkel, sunbathe, and take photographs. Keep your belongings secure and listen for the crew’s signal before getting back on board.

Cruising from Levanzo to Favignana

The trip between the islands is part of the experience, not just a transfer. You get views of the Egadi group and the changing colors of the Mediterranean while the boat heads toward Favignana.

This is a good time to stay on deck if you want photographs. The route gives you a wider sense of the islands than you get from one beach or harbor. It also breaks up the swimming schedule and gives you a chance to dry off before the next stop.

Sun protection matters. You are exposed to glare from the water for much of the day, and the excursion includes several outdoor stops. Reapply sunscreen, drink water, and use the shade when you need a break.

If you are prone to seasickness, think carefully before booking. The trip is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and the itinerary includes several hours on the water. The boat may feel calm in a sheltered cove, but the crossings can still be uncomfortable for some people.

Favignana’s first swimming stop

Around Favignana, the commander chooses between Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra, with the exact stop depending on conditions. The boat aims for a cove sheltered from the wind, giving you about 90 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

This is the longest swim of the day. It gives you time to use the mask and tube without feeling hurried, and you can also jump from the boat or stretch out in the sun. The cove setting should make this the most relaxed water stop, though the final location is not guaranteed.

The sea life described for the route includes groupers, scorpion fish, moray eels, octopuses, and cloud gills. You should treat these as possible sightings rather than promises. Sea conditions, visibility, and your own patience all affect what you see.

Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra are names worth remembering, but the point of the stop is the water rather than a formal shore visit. You may not have much time to walk around at this stage. The yacht remains the base for swimming and sunbathing.

Lunch with water and wine on board

Lunch follows the first Favignana swimming stop and lasts about 30 minutes. It is served on board, with water and wine included.

I see this as a practical choice. A meal on the yacht means you do not spend the middle of the day searching for a restaurant, waiting for a table, or walking away from the coast. You can eat while remaining part of the boat outing.

The short meal period also keeps the schedule moving. Thirty minutes is enough for a straightforward lunch, but do not expect a long restaurant-style meal. If you need special food for medical or dietary reasons, the supplied information does not confirm that requests can be accommodated, so ask before booking.

Bring a small personal snack if you often need food between meals. Do not count on buying lunch during the excursion, since the listed plan places the meal on the boat.

Wine is included with lunch, but you still need to manage your own comfort in the sun. Alcohol, heat, and swimming do not always mix well, so drink water and take it easy.

Two hours of free time in Favignana

After lunch, you get about two hours of free time on Favignana. This is the part that makes the trip more than a swimming cruise.

You can use the time for shopping, a walk, or simply getting a feel for the island at your own pace. The excursion specifically lists free time and shopping, but it does not promise a guided town visit or entrance to a particular attraction.

The little train is not included. If you want to use it, budget separately and confirm its availability when you arrive. You may prefer to keep your money and explore on foot, but the right choice depends on your pace and how far you want to go during the two-hour window.

Keep track of the meeting time. Two hours can feel generous, but it is easy to lose time browsing shops or stopping for a drink. The boat will continue according to its schedule, so return to the agreed meeting point with a margin.

Favignana is also where comfortable shoes matter most. Flip-flops may work for the yacht, but sturdy casual footwear is better if you plan to walk around. The supplied advice specifically calls for comfortable shoes, and this is the stop where you will notice why.

The final 40-minute stop at Grotta degli Innamorati or Scalo Cavallo

The last swim takes place at Grotta degli Innamorati or Scalo Cavallo, for about 40 minutes. The exact location can vary, so you should think of this as a final coastal stop rather than a guaranteed cave visit.

Forty minutes is enough for one last swim, some snorkeling, or time on deck. It is shorter than the earlier stops, so decide quickly how you want to use it. If you have been swimming all day, you may prefer to stay aboard and enjoy the scenery instead.

The changing stop is a reminder that this is a sea-based outing. Weather and wind influence the route, and the commander chooses the safest sheltered location. That flexibility is useful, but anyone hoping for one exact cove should keep expectations modest.

After the final swim, the yacht returns to Trapani. Arrival is planned for about 6:00 pm at Via Ammiraglio Staiti, 94.

What the smaller boat changes

The most important feature is not a particular cove. It is the group size. The excursion is designed for a boat with few people on board, which affects nearly every part of the day.

You get more room to sit, move around, and prepare for a swim. The stops are also described as longer than those on boats carrying around 300 passengers. That matters if snorkeling is your main reason for coming. You are less likely to spend the entire stop waiting for a crowded ladder or rushing back to the boat.

A smaller group can also make the crew easier to reach when you need a mask and tube or want basic guidance. The available information does not give a fixed passenger limit, so do not assume an intimate private charter. It is simply a smaller-scale outing than the biggest excursion boats.

The trade-off is that you are committed to one shared schedule. You cannot decide to stay longer at Favignana or skip the final stop. The trip works best if you enjoy a planned day with enough free time to keep it relaxed.

Who should book this excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want three things in one day: clear water, multiple swims, and a short taste of Favignana. It suits confident swimmers, casual snorkelers, couples, friends, and active families with children old enough for a full day at sea.

It also suits people who value convenience. The crew, fuel, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling equipment are covered, and you do not need to arrange separate transport to Levanzo and Favignana.

I would be cautious if you dislike open-water swimming, get seasick, or want a detailed cultural tour. The focus is the coast and the water, not museums, historical commentary, or a long guided walk.

The excursion is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, wheelchair users, people with recent surgeries, babies under one year, or anyone over 70 years old. It also has a weight limit of 309 pounds, or 140 kilograms. These rules are unusually specific, so take them seriously rather than assuming the crew can make exceptions.

Practical advice for a better day

Pack light, but bring what keeps you comfortable for eight hours. A towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and personal medication are specifically recommended. A dry bag or waterproof pouch would also be sensible for a phone and wallet, though it is not listed as an included item.

Wear shoes that work on both the yacht and Favignana. You will want something secure for moving around the boat and comfortable enough for two hours of island time.

Ask for the snorkeling kit early if you want to use it at the first stop. The equipment is included, but the day has several activities and it is better to sort out the mask and tube before you enter the water.

Keep some cash or another payment method available for the €5 Marine Protected Area tax, the little train, and anything else not included. The tour price covers the main services, but not every possible expense on Favignana.

The provider offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Sicilian plans are still changing.

Should you book the Trapani yacht excursion?

Book this trip if you want a well-priced day built around swimming, snorkeling, and coastal views, with enough free time to see Favignana. The combination of two islands, three water stops, lunch, drinks, crew, fuel, and snorkeling equipment gives the $73.64 price solid value, even after adding the €5 marine tax.

Skip it if you need an accessible boat, dislike the open sea, or want a more structured cultural tour. The best reason to choose this excursion is the extra time in the water and the smaller boat atmosphere, not a long list of guided sights.

For confident swimmers who want to see the Egadi Islands without juggling ferries and restaurants, it is a practical choice. Bring sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and a towel, then leave room in your day for salt water, sun, and a little island wandering.

FAQ

Where does the excursion start?

It starts at the Egadi Explorer Box 4 ticket office, Mrs. Giovanna, at Via Ammiraglio Staiti, 94 in Trapani.

What time does the boat leave?

Departure from Trapani is scheduled for 9:30 am.

When does the boat return?

The return to Via Ammiraglio Staiti, 94 is planned for approximately 6:00 pm.

How long is the excursion?

The experience lasts eight hours.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The excursion visits Levanzo and Favignana.

How many swimming stops are included?

There are three planned swimming stops: about one hour near Levanzo, 90 minutes around Favignana, and about 40 minutes at Grotta degli Innamorati or Scalo Cavallo.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included, and you can ask the crew for the equipment on board.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on board, with water and wine included with the meal.

Is there free time on Favignana?

Yes. The schedule includes about two hours of free time on Favignana for shopping and exploring.

What extra costs should I expect?

The Marine Protected Area tax costs €5 per person. The little train and anything else not specifically listed as included are extra.