REVIEW · SICILY
Full Day Sailing Boat Tour to the Egadi Islands
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Sailing here feels like living on Sicily’s rhythm. From the moment you leave Trapani, you’re in a real sailing day: engines off when the wind allows, sails unfurled, and nature steering the schedule. I love the small-group vibe and the fact that this isn’t a cattle-car version of the Egadi.
Two things I really like: you get snorkel time in multiple coves with masks and snorkels provided, and the route flexes based on weather, wind, and waves, so you’re not stuck in just one plan. The main drawback is simple—because it’s sailing, conditions can change the stops and pacing, and you’ll want to go in expecting that kind of variation.
Key points to know before you go
- Wind-first sailing: when conditions allow, engines are turned off and sails do the work
- Egadi island hopping: timed stops at Favignana (about 2 hours) and Levanzo (about 3 hours)
- Snorkeling gear included: masks and snorkels are provided for the sea stops
- Stops change with conditions: coves are chosen day-of based on wind, current, and waves
- Cozy on-board size: up to 7 travelers, with a more personal feel than bigger boats
In This Review
- From Trapani Marina to the Egadi Islands, in One Long, Practical Day
- Sailing the Egadi: When Engines Go Quiet and You Feel the Wind
- Favignana Stop (About 2 Hours): Cala Rossa, Bue Marino, and Cala Azzurra
- Levanzo Stop (About 3 Hours): Coves, the Town, and a Rock Called the Stack
- Snorkeling Gear, Swim Time, and What You Should Bring
- Small-Boat Comfort: Up to 7 Travelers and a More Personal Day
- Price and Value: Is $104.66 a Person Fair for This Full-Day Sail?
- Logistics That Matter on the Egadi: Timing, Weather, and What Flexibility Means
- Should You Book This Egadi Sailing Boat Tour?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start in Trapani?
- How long is the sailing tour?
- Which islands are visited?
- How long do you spend on Favignana and Levanzo?
- What coves might be visited?
- Is snorkeling equipment included?
- Is lunch included?
- Do I need to bring a beach towel?
- What’s the group size?
- What happens if the weather is bad?
From Trapani Marina to the Egadi Islands, in One Long, Practical Day

Your day starts at the marina around 9:30 for check-in and a quick safety briefing, then you head out past old Trapani. You’re looking at an ~8-hour outing that returns to the marina at 18:30, which is a comfortable full-day block without dragging into late night.
What I like about this schedule is that it gives you real time at the islands, not just a drive-by. Favignana gets roughly 2 hours, and Levanzo gets about 3 hours, so you can actually swim, snorkel, and walk a bit if the timing works with the wind.
One note: the start time is listed as 10:00 in some places, but the meeting in the marina is around 9:30. Either way, give yourself cushion time so you’re not rushing at the dock.
Sailing the Egadi: When Engines Go Quiet and You Feel the Wind

This isn’t a motorboat tour with a sail tacked on for photos. During the navigation toward the Egadi, you unfurl the sails and, when the wind allows, turn off the engines for a calmer, more authentic feel. If you want it, the crew covers the basic notions and rules of sailing—simple enough to follow without needing a class.
That wind-permitting detail matters. Some days will feel more like a true sailing day, with long stretches of quiet motion, while other days may use more power to keep you comfortable and on schedule. Either way, it’s still a boat day where you’re not trapped indoors, and the experience stays nature-led.
The best part is how the day feels less like an itinerary and more like a living plan. The crew adjusts the coves based on the day’s conditions—constantly changing wind, current, and waves are part of the charm of sailing. If you get seasick easily, go prepared and consider that you’re on open water as you travel between islands.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Sicily.
Favignana Stop (About 2 Hours): Cala Rossa, Bue Marino, and Cala Azzurra

Favignana is your first island stop, and it’s built around time at beautiful coves where you can either swim or look at the seabed with masks and snorkels. Which coves you visit isn’t fixed; it depends on what the weather and sea state allow that day.
The likely names you might hear include Cala Rossa, Bue Marino, and Cala Azzurra. Even if you don’t know the spots ahead of time, the practical reality is that these are “sea-stop” places—short boat rides, then a chance to get in the water and see what’s under the surface.
Two hours sounds short until you remember how sailing works. The crew needs time to position the boat safely, and you want enough margin for swimming, snorkeling, and soaking in the views without feeling rushed. If you’re the type who likes to hop in quickly and then slow down, Favignana works well.
Potential drawback: because the coves change with conditions, you can’t guarantee you’ll hit a particular named cove. You’re buying into a flexible sailing day, not a checklist with fixed stops.
Levanzo Stop (About 3 Hours): Coves, the Town, and a Rock Called the Stack

Levanzo is where the pacing usually feels a bit more relaxed. You get about 3 hours, which is longer than Favignana and creates room for both water time and a little island time.
You might stop at several named places depending on conditions, including Cala Camaro, the stack, the town of Levanzo, Cala Fredda, Cala Minnola, Cala Nucidda, Cala Calcara, and Cala Tramontana. That list is helpful because it tells you what to expect: multiple options for sea stops, plus a chance to connect with the island itself.
The mention of the stack stands out as a “specific sight” stop, not just another swim cove. It’s the kind of pause that gives your eyes a focal point while you’re out on the water.
Why the longer Levanzo time is valuable: when wind and waves force adjustments, you still need time to have a satisfying day. A three-hour window gives you enough breathing room to make snorkeling worth it, rather than treating it like a 10-minute side quest.
Snorkeling Gear, Swim Time, and What You Should Bring

One of the most straightforward benefits is that snorkeling equipment is included. That means masks and snorkels are provided when you make your sea stops, which lowers the friction of doing real underwater observing during the day.
What’s not included is just as important: no beach towel and no lunch. Bring a towel (or a packable quick-dry option) and plan for food. If you show up with only swimwear, you’ll end the day hungry and irritated, because a sailing day is physical and takes time.
Also, pack smart for a day on a boat:
- sunscreen and sunglasses (you’ll be on open water)
- a change of clothes for after snorkeling
- water for between stops if you don’t get drinks on board
- something easy to manage if the deck gets breezy
A final practical tip: snorkeling stops depend on the conditions you’re given. If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider how you’ll handle hopping in and out of the water. Short swims can be fine, but don’t treat the whole day as one steady, calm experience.
Small-Boat Comfort: Up to 7 Travelers and a More Personal Day

This tour caps at maximum 7 travelers, and that size changes the whole vibe. You’re not waiting around for people to come back from the water, and the crew can adapt the sailing plan without turning it into a big production.
The experience also seems designed for conversation without turning into a lecture. The sailing basics are explained if you’re interested, which is perfect if you want more meaning out of what you’re seeing, not just pretty scenery.
One thing that shows up in the tone from the people running these days is the focus on taking you to places that many boats don’t reach—or at least don’t linger at. That matters because the best part of the Egadi isn’t only the islands; it’s the way the coves look from the water and the calm moments when you’re anchored and not constantly moving.
Price and Value: Is $104.66 a Person Fair for This Full-Day Sail?

At $104.66 per person, the value comes from a few concrete factors that add up:
- Full-day time: about 8 hours including travel and return
- Multiple sea stops: coves on both Favignana and Levanzo, with swim/snorkel opportunities
- Gear included: masks and snorkels are provided
- Small group size: up to 7 travelers
Where people might feel it depends on what you compare it against. If you’re used to low-cost ferry hopping, this feels pricier. But if you factor in the boat itself (sailing, anchoring, sea stops), the included snorkeling gear, and the smaller group experience, it becomes a reasonable way to spend a day without doing logistics yourself.
The only built-in cost you should budget for is food, since lunch isn’t included. If you plan ahead, the price stays “worth it” rather than turning into a surprise expense.
Logistics That Matter on the Egadi: Timing, Weather, and What Flexibility Means

You’ll meet at the marina address: Via Ammiraglio Staiti, 18, 91100 Trapani TP, Italy. The day runs out to the islands and back, finishing at the meeting point.
A key reality: this experience requires good weather. That’s not just legal language—it’s because sailing and sea stops depend on real conditions. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Because your route is chosen based on wind and waves, flexibility isn’t a perk; it’s the product. If you like the idea of a day guided by the sea instead of a rigid script, you’re in the right place.
And yes, it’s a mobile ticket setup. Bring your phone and make sure you can access it easily when you check in.
Should You Book This Egadi Sailing Boat Tour?

Book it if you want a full-day experience that feels more like a sailing day than a bus tour at sea. I’d especially recommend it if you care about:
- snorkeling in multiple coves with gear provided
- a small group size (up to 7) for a calmer day
- the chance to sail with engines off when the wind allows
- visiting both Favignana and Levanzo with enough time to actually enjoy the water
Skip it (or be cautious) if you need a perfectly fixed itinerary with no day-of changes. The tour intentionally adapts to current, wind, and waves, and the specific coves can shift. Also plan food in advance since lunch and a beach towel aren’t included.
If you’re coming through Trapani and want your Egadi day to feel personal, practical, and outdoorsy, this is one of the better ways to do it.
FAQ
What time does the tour start in Trapani?
You meet at the marina around 9:30 for safety briefing and departure. The start time is also listed as 10:00, so arrive a bit early to be safe.
How long is the sailing tour?
The duration is approximately 8 hours, and it returns to the marina at 18:30.
Which islands are visited?
You’ll sail to the Egadi Islands with stops that can include Favignana and Levanzo.
How long do you spend on Favignana and Levanzo?
Favignana stop time is about 2 hours, and Levanzo stop time is about 3 hours.
What coves might be visited?
For Favignana, possible coves include Cala Rossa, Bue Marino, and Cala Azzurra. For Levanzo, possible stops include Cala Camaro, the stack, the town of Levanzo, Cala Fredda, Cala Minnola, Cala Nucidda, Cala Calcara, and Cala Tramontana.
Is snorkeling equipment included?
Yes. Masks and snorkels are provided for the sea stops.
Is lunch included?
No, lunch is not included.
Do I need to bring a beach towel?
Yes. A beach towel is not included.
What’s the group size?
There is a maximum of 7 travelers.
What happens if the weather is bad?
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

























