REVIEW · SICILY
Favignana and Egadi Islands Boat Tour
Book on Viator →Operated by Mare Azzurro · Bookable on Viator
Egadi Islands days go best from the water. This small-group outing focuses on Favignana and Levanzo with guided stops at coves, sea cave views, and beaches where you can actually swim.
Two things I really like: the limited group size (max 12), which keeps the ride relaxed and personal, and the onboard food—aperitivo plus a fish-based lunch with fruit, coffee, and soft drinks. The boat experience feels local, not like a factory schedule.
One thing to keep in mind: the route depends on weather, so the exact coves and cave viewpoints can change. That’s normal here, and it’s part of why you’re with a captain/guide.
In This Review
- Key points worth planning for
- Why the Egadi Islands feel different from Favignana’s boat route
- Starting in Trapani at 10:00 am: how to set yourself up
- Levanzo first: cold coves, sea stacks, and rocky corners
- Favignana’s calas: Cala Rossa, Cala Azzurra, and the Bue Marino area
- Swimming stops: what you’ll actually do with your time
- Aperitivo and fish lunch onboard: why food is a big deal here
- Weather changes the route: how to think about it without stress
- Group size and pacing: the sweet spot for most people
- Price and value: what $120.43 buys on the water
- Should you book this Favignana and Levanzo boat tour?
- FAQ
- What islands does this boat tour visit?
- How long is the tour?
- What time does the tour start, and where does it meet?
- How big is the group?
- What’s included with the ticket?
- Are there stops for swimming?
- Does the itinerary stay the same all day?
- Is the ticket mobile-friendly?
- What if the weather is poor?
Key points worth planning for

- Max 12 travelers keeps the boat ride friendly and the stops more flexible
- Favignana + Levanzo in one day, with multiple calas and sea-cave scenery
- Aperitivo and fish lunch included, plus coffee and soft drinks
- Swimming breaks at sheltered coves, not just “look from the deck”
- Route shifts with wind and conditions, so you follow the captain’s call
- Starts at 10:00 am from Via dei Gladioli 15 in Trapani
Why the Egadi Islands feel different from Favignana’s boat route

If you picture the Egadi Islands as postcard beaches, you’re close. But the real payoff is how many “mini worlds” you reach in a single day—small coves, rocky stacks, and sea caves you can only appreciate when you approach from the water.
I like this tour’s approach because it doesn’t try to cram in every single island sight. Instead, you get a focused route that matches what makes these islands special: short distances between stunning places and plenty of time at the waterline.
Also, this is the kind of day where you’re not stuck in transit all morning, then disappointed by a short stop. With a 7–8 hour schedule and multiple stops, you get the rhythm right: see, swim, eat, and then see a bit more.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Sicily.
Starting in Trapani at 10:00 am: how to set yourself up

This tour begins at 10:00 am at Via dei Gladioli, 15, 91100 Trapani TP. It ends back at the same meeting point, so you don’t have to solve transportation at the end of a long sea day.
A practical tip: plan to arrive early enough to feel unhurried. Boat days have a way of feeling faster than land days. You’ll want time to find the right spot, settle in, and get ready before you’re out of the harbor and into the wind.
The meeting point is described as near public transportation, which helps if you’re staying in Trapani and don’t want to taxi around. And the day is set up with a mobile ticket, so you’re not juggling printouts.
Levanzo first: cold coves, sea stacks, and rocky corners
Levanzo is the smaller, quieter island of the Egadi group, which is exactly why it’s a smart first stop. You get that “escape” feeling fast—less crowds, more rugged coast, and a calmer pace once you’re out on the water.
What you can expect around Levanzo is time spent cruising and stopping for views and swim breaks in coves that can include spots like cold cove as well as rocky “stacks” and other coastal features the captain judges best based on weather. The tour can also include areas described as a customs cove—again, the captain chooses the best fit on the day.
Why this stop works: Levanzo isn’t just about one beach. It’s about the variety of rock formations and sheltered water pockets. Those formations often make the sea look different every time you turn your head. If you like scenery that feels a bit wild and natural, you’ll probably enjoy the pacing here.
A small caution: because the route is weather-driven, don’t expect a single, guaranteed checklist of exact coves. Instead, think of Levanzo as your “coastline sightseeing and swim” portion of the day.
Favignana’s calas: Cala Rossa, Cala Azzurra, and the Bue Marino area

Then the tour shifts to the larger, more active island of Favignana, where you’ll typically cover a circuit of famous coves and viewpoints.
You should expect stops around:
- Cala Rossa
- Cala Azzurra
- Grotta del Bue Marino (sea cave area)
- A stop in the village of Favignana for about an hour
The standout here is how these places differ from each other. Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra both have that “sitting in clear water” feel, but the surrounding rock and water color can change with the angle of the sun and the breeze. You’re basically seeing the island in small slices.
The Grotta del Bue Marino part matters because it gives you that “how did they even find this?” coastal feeling. From the boat, you get a sense of the island’s rugged geology without hiking to get there. If you prefer your effort to go toward enjoying the views (and not grinding up trails), this is a good fit.
About that village stop: around one hour is enough time to stretch your legs, grab a quick walk through town, and take in local island life. It’s not enough to treat it like a full-day shore excursion, but it’s a nice rhythm change between sea stops.
Swimming stops: what you’ll actually do with your time

This isn’t a “stay dry, look pretty” boat day. The experience includes time at beaches and coves where you can swim. In the reviews, people talk about the boat stopping at beautiful places to see and swim, and that aligns with how these calas tend to work.
If you want to make the most of it, treat your swim breaks like mini beach days:
- keep a quick-dry towel if you have one
- bring swimwear you’re comfortable re-wearing after lunch
- keep water shoes or something with grip if you’re the type who doesn’t love stepping on uneven rock
You’ll still want to be flexible. Wind and sea conditions can change which coves feel safest and most comfortable that day.
Aperitivo and fish lunch onboard: why food is a big deal here

On a boat tour, food can go one of two ways: either it’s an afterthought, or it becomes a real highlight. This one lands closer to the “real highlight” side.
The tour includes:
- a welcome drink
- aperitivo
- a fish-based lunch with fruit
- coffee and soft drinks
And the reviews add helpful texture: people mention lunch that felt home cooked, plentiful, very local, and delicious. That matters because “fish-based” can mean anything from bland to genuinely satisfying. Here, the signal is that the meal is part of why the day feels worth the money.
How to enjoy it: don’t rush it. If you eat too fast, you lose the calm center of the day. Use the meal time to reset from sun and spray, then go back out for the second stretch with better energy.
One more practical point: you’re on the water for most of the day, so plan your comfort. Hydrate, keep sunscreen handy, and don’t forget a hat.
Weather changes the route: how to think about it without stress

The tour is clear that the itinerary can vary due to weather conditions. That’s not a red flag. It’s actually a sign you’re traveling with someone who’s thinking about safety and comfort.
In practice, it means:
- Levanzo’s exact coves and features can shift (cold cove, stacks, customs cove type areas)
- Favignana’s calas might be adjusted if conditions are rough around a specific spot
- the captain chooses stops the day can handle
Here’s the upside for you: if conditions make certain coves uncomfortable, the guide won’t just leave you with “less than expected.” You’re more likely to get swapped to a different pocket that still delivers scenery and swim time.
So my advice: go with the right mindset. This tour is about the Egadi Islands experience, not one strict map.
Group size and pacing: the sweet spot for most people

You’re capped at 12 travelers. That’s a major reason this tour feels more personal. Smaller groups usually mean fewer passengers competing for attention and less waiting around when the boat pulls in for a swim stop.
The pacing also supports a relaxed day:
- Levanzo portion is about 2 hours
- Favignana portion is about 5 hours
- total time is roughly 7 to 8 hours
That’s long enough to feel like you got a real day, not a quick cruise. But it’s not so long that you’re exhausted before lunch even happens.
This format fits people who want:
- a boat day with swimming breaks
- guided help finding and using the best stops
- a structured day that still leaves room to wander Favignana’s village for about an hour
It may feel less ideal if you hate boat rides, or if you expect a strict, never-change plan no matter what the sea is doing.
Price and value: what $120.43 buys on the water
At $120.43 per person, you’re paying for more than a ride. You’re buying guided access to two islands, multiple stops for scenery and swimming, and onboard meals that cover a large chunk of a typical day’s costs.
Here’s how the value stacks up:
- You’re not just looking at land from a distance—you get waterline time at beaches and coves.
- Meals are included: aperitivo, fish lunch with fruit, coffee, and soft drinks.
- Small-group scale (max 12) often means you’re not paying for a crowd.
If you compare this to doing Favignana and Levanzo on your own, you’d likely spend time stitching together boat transport and then still need to figure out where to stop for swims. This tour compresses that planning into one day, which is a big deal if you want less stress and more water time.
Should you book this Favignana and Levanzo boat tour?
Book it if you want a guided, small-group boat day that hits both Favignana and Levanzo, with chances to swim and a lunch that’s actually part of the experience. The included aperitivo and fish lunch (with coffee and soft drinks) make it easier to justify the price because you’re not adding extra food plans on top.
Skip it only if you know you’ll be unhappy with route flexibility or you prefer fully self-paced exploring with no structure at all. Weather-dependent routing is normal here, and the captain will shift plans to match what’s workable.
If you’re visiting Sicily and you’d like your day to feel like a real island escape—calas, sea caves, and a relaxed onboard lunch—this one is a strong bet.
FAQ
What islands does this boat tour visit?
You’ll visit the island of Levanzo and Favignana during the day.
How long is the tour?
The duration is about 7 to 8 hours.
What time does the tour start, and where does it meet?
It starts at 10:00 am at Via dei Gladioli, 15, 91100 Trapani TP, Italy. It ends back at the same meeting point.
How big is the group?
The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.
What’s included with the ticket?
The experience includes a welcome drink, aperitivo, fish-based lunch with fruit, coffee, and soft drinks.
Are there stops for swimming?
Yes. The tour includes visits to coves and beaches where you can swim.
Does the itinerary stay the same all day?
Not always. The route can vary depending on weather conditions, and the captain chooses the stops that fit the conditions.
Is the ticket mobile-friendly?
Yes, you’ll receive a mobile ticket.
What if the weather is poor?
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

























