Caves and snorkeling on a Sicilian speedboat. This full-day trip around the Egadi Islands pairs snorkeling gear with real stop-and-swim coves, plus cave time like the Grotta degli Innamorati. I love how the day is built around the water, not just a look-and-go schedule, and I love the cave and swim stops that break up the ride with frequent, usable time in the sea.

You’ll start at Columbus Yachting and spend the morning working your way across Favignana’s coast, with bathroom stops at standout coves like Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra. A little later, lunch comes on board (Pane Cunzato and drinks), then you get a land window in Favignana town and the Tonnara Florio area before heading to Levanzo for two more swim breaks and a final aperitif.

One consideration: the day is packed, so you don’t get long wandering time—especially once you reach Levanzo, it’s mainly about swimming and short breaks rather than extensive sightseeing.

Key things you’ll notice right away

• Max 12 people: small-group feel, easier boat flow at each stop
• Snorkeling equipment included for your swim breaks
• Caves + multiple swim stops tied to specific coves (Favignana and Levanzo)
• Lunch on board with Pane Cunzato and drinks included
• Tonnara Florio from land during a dedicated Favignana port stop
• Skipper Antonio sets a friendly, confident tone (and the aperitif gets real praise)

From Columbus Yachting to the Egadi Islands: Meeting Point and Pace

Your day begins at the end of the pier at Trapani, next to the statue of Our Lady. The tour meets at Columbus Yachting, and you’ll return to the same meeting point by about 5:30 pm. Expect a full 8-hour outing with speedboat rides between islands and dinghy-style access for some of the water stops.

The pace is the point here. Instead of one long beach day, you’ll get several timed breaks to get into the water—six swim stops in total—plus cave time on Favignana and a couple of land moments later. That structure matters because the Egadi Islands are all about short distances and fast-changing views. If you hate “wasted” hours, this format helps you use most of the day.

Group size is another practical win. With a maximum of 12 people, you’re unlikely to feel lost in a crowd during transitions like grabbing a snorkeling mask, moving toward a swim stop, or lining up for lunch. It also helps keep the day feeling calm, even with a packed itinerary.

Favignana’s Best Coves: Cala Rossa, Cala Azzurra, and Bue Marino

Favignana is where the tour really starts to feel special. After a short speedboat transfer, you’ll spend the morning bouncing between some of the island’s most photogenic coves. The itinerary builds in several bathroom/shore breaks and then turns them into usable swim time, so you’re not just standing around waiting for the next stop.

The morning highlights include:

• Cala Rossa: a classic-looking cove stop where you get time to explore the water up close.
• Cala Azzurra: another swim break with clear water moments that are made for snorkeling.
• Bue Marino, including its tuff quarries: this is a geology-focused pause, the kind of detail you remember because it looks different from typical sandy-coast scenery.

I like this set of stops because it gives you variety without requiring you to travel on your own. You’re switching viewpoints from the boat, then stepping into the water, and then getting back on board. It’s a simple rhythm that works well if you want a day that feels active but not exhausting.

One practical tip: bring a daypack you can keep with you. You’ll likely want sunscreen accessible and your towel close, because the day keeps shifting between sun, boat time, and water time.

Grotta degli Innamorati: Cave Visit Plus Snorkeling Time

After the earlier coves, the day includes an absolute “okay, this is why I came” moment: Grotta degli Innamorati. The stop is designed for both cave viewing and time to enjoy the clear water in the area, with snorkeling equipment ready when you jump in.

This matters because cave visits in coastal areas can be either purely visual or limited by time. Here, the schedule treats the cave as part of a water experience, not just a photo stop. You get the chance to see the cave and then spend time in the water around it, which is what turns it into a memory instead of a quick glance.

You’ll also appreciate how the day spreads out the most popular moments. Grotta degli Innamorati isn’t the only highlight, and that’s smart planning. It reduces the pressure of having everything happen at once. If you want a slower feel within the day, you can pace yourself during each swim stop and still keep up with the overall flow.

Lunch on Board: Pane Cunzato and Drinks Included

Around 1:00 pm, lunch is served on board. What I find smart about this setup is that it’s not a rushed restaurant meal where you lose prime daylight to walking, ordering, and waiting. You’re already on the water, and the food comes to you.

Lunch includes Pane Cunzato and drinks are included, so you’re not juggling money or finding a place to eat in an unfamiliar port. Pane Cunzato is a traditional Sicilian bread-based item, and it’s a good match for a sea day: filling enough to recover energy, but still easy to eat without slowing the group down.

Then you move on to Favignana port for a longer land break. That sequencing is useful. You eat, you digest a bit while you travel, and then you switch gears for sightseeing time. It’s one of those details that makes a big difference to how you feel at 3:00 pm.

Favignana Port Stop and Tonnara Florio from Land

Next comes a 2-hour stop at the port of Favignana. This is your chance to step away from the boat and explore the town’s streets at your own pace. You’ll also visit the area of the Tonnara Florio from land.

Tonnara Florio is a world-famous tuna-fishing complex. Even if you don’t go into every detail, the setting alone gives you context for why Favignana’s coast looks the way it does and why the island’s economy historically revolved around sea fishing. It’s also a good contrast to the morning’s caves and swim breaks: instead of water-first, it’s land time with a sense of place.

Two hours sounds short, but it’s a practical length for a mixed itinerary like this. You can do a relaxed walk, grab something if you want extras beyond lunch, and then still feel unhurried when it’s time to return to the boat. Just don’t expect this stop to replace a full day in Favignana town.

Levanzo’s Cala Minnola and Cala Fredda Swim Stops

In the afternoon, the tour heads to Levanzo, the smaller Egadi island that many people love for its calmer feel. Here, the itinerary focuses on two more swim stops in coves:

• Cala Minnola
• Cala Fredda

This is the part of the day that feels most like a finish-line celebration. You’ve already done your big cave and Favignana sightseeing, so Levanzo becomes about returning to what you did earlier: clear water time, easy snorkeling moments, and a change of scenery.

Then the experience ends with an aperitif on board. That final food-and-drink moment is more than just a perk. It gives you a structured way to wrap up the day while you’re still in the mood for sea views.

Snorkeling Gear, Boat Changes, and What to Pack

One of the strongest value points is that snorkeling equipment is included. You don’t have to rent gear, and you’re not arriving with the wrong mask size or the wrong snorkel. The tour also provides multiple opportunities to use it, because there are six swim stops scheduled, not just one “maybe” moment.

That said, the day is not a single continuous swim. You’ll switch between boat time and water time several times, so you need to think about comfort:

• Swimwear (obvious, but don’t underestimate how much time you’ll spend in it)
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• A daypack for wet-safe storage

Also note that the tour isn’t set up for wheelchair users. If that affects you, it’s worth considering a different format.

A small practical note I appreciate: the meeting point is simple and specific (end of the pier by the Our Lady statue, at Columbus Yachting). That matters on a day with a fixed schedule.

Price and Value for an 8-Hour Island Day

At $71.36 per person, the headline question is: what do you actually get for that money?

You’re paying for a full-day speedboat outing with:

• Time at both Favignana and Levanzo
• Six swim stops and snorkeling equipment
• A cave visit (including Grotta degli Innamorati)
• Lunch on board with Pane Cunzato
• Drinks included with lunch
• An aperitif later

When you add it up, the value is strongest if you want a “one ticket, everything handled” day. You’re not coordinating water access, you’re not buying lunch separately, and you’re not arranging snorkeling gear. Even if you’re a confident swimmer, this kind of guided structure saves decision fatigue.

It also helps that the group stays small (maximum 12). Small-group boat tours are often where the experience feels less hectic and more personal, and that seems to be part of what people respond to most.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This is a great fit if you:

• Want active water time without the stress of planning
• Like snorkeling and want gear provided
• Enjoy short, frequent stops where you can see multiple coves in one day
• Prefer a small group atmosphere with a professional captain-like presence

It’s also a good match for people who want both water and a little land time: caves and swimming in the morning, then Tonnara Florio and town wandering later, followed by Levanzo coves and a final aperitif.

It might not fit you if you expect Levanzo to be a full sightseeing island day. The schedule prioritizes swim stops and time on the water, so if you want long beach lounging or extensive walking in Levanzo, you’ll likely find the land time limited.

Also, you’ll be happier if you can handle a day that’s outdoors, sun-forward, and gear-focused.

Should You Book EGADIWOW’s Favignana and Levanzo Tour?

If your ideal Sicily day includes snorkeling gear, cave time, and multiple swims with lunch and drinks built in, I’d say this is a strong booking. The combination of Favignana coves, Grotta degli Innamorati, and then Levanzo’s Cala Minnola and Cala Fredda is exactly the kind of itinerary that makes the Egadi Islands feel effortless.

I’d book it especially if you like the idea of a small group and a captain-forward experience. Skipper Antonio comes across as friendly and confident, and that tone helps on a day with several quick transitions.

If you’re mainly craving a slow, deep-drift beach vacation or long land exploration on Levanzo, consider a different style of trip. For a full day that maximizes water time and keeps things well paced, this one makes sense.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 8 hours, running from roughly late morning departure to return around 5:30 pm.

What islands do you visit?

You visit Favignana and Levanzo during the full-day excursion.

Is lunch included, and what do you eat?

Lunch is served on board around 1:00 pm and includes Pane Cunzato, with drinks included.

Does the tour include snorkeling gear?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and there are multiple swim stops during the day.

How many swim stops are there?

There are six swim stops in total, with coves on Favignana and two swim stops on Levanzo (Cala Minnola and Cala Fredda).

Where do you meet in Trapani?

Meet at the end of the pier next to the statue of Our Lady, at Columbus Yachting.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a daypack.