Favignana and Levanzo hit different from the boat. I like the sea views of the Egadi Islands and the chance to swim in the famous coves. The one catch: you’ll need cash for the marine protected area access fee.

You’ll leave Trapani, reach Favignana in about 45 minutes, then get 2 hours to walk the small town and cool off at nearby beaches. After that, the boat heads to Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra for a swim stop, serves a typical Sicilian dish onboard, and continues to Levanzo by sea with more coast-time for bathing.

Key moments you’ll care about

• Favignana town time (2 hours) to actually step off the boat, not just pass by
• Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra swim stop with sand-bottom colors that change through the day
• A typical Sicilian lunch onboard plus water and wine
• Levanzo by boat, including Faraglione views and coves you reach best from the water
• Marine protected area fee paid in cash before departure (extra €5 per person age 5+)

Why This Egadi Islands Cruise Feels Like a Best-Of Day

This is built for people who want a full Egadi Islands experience without turning their day into a logistics project. You get the big picture views first—Favignana and Levanzo seen from the sea—and then the practical payoff: real time on Favignana and a proper swim stop in the most photogenic coves.

I like that the day has a clear rhythm. You do town time in Favignana, then you shift gears to the water with Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra, then you finish by cruising along Levanzo’s coast, including the Faraglione. It’s not just sightseeing from a distance; it’s a mix of walking, swimming, and eating.

One more thing I appreciate: the cruise runs for 8 hours, which is long enough to feel like a trip, not a quick hop. And you depart from Trapani’s Marinella quay for former submarines, looking for Egadi Excursions by Torre Lines at BOX n 3—easy to find if you show up with a little buffer.

Favignana Town and Beach: 2 Hours That Go Fast

The day starts in Trapani, then after about 45 minutes of sailing you arrive at Favignana, described as the capital of the Egadi Islands. Your schedule gives you 2 hours here—enough time to stroll the quaint little town and head to the adjacent beaches.

How you use that 2-hour window matters. If your priority is photos and a relaxed walk, spend your first half hour orienting yourself in the town, then move toward the beaches while you still have time to swim or just cool down. If you want sand time, keep your pace brisk—two hours slips by quickly once you’re on island time.

This is also where the tour’s value really shows. Many boat trips don’t bother with actual town time. Here, you get transportation to the islands as part of the experience and time to explore, not just time to watch.

Tip: wear comfortable shoes even if you think you’ll only beach it. Favignana’s town area is where you’ll feel the island vibe most.

Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra: Swim Where Sand Turns Colorful

After Favignana, you head to the two most renowned coves in the area: Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra. They’re known for a cool optical effect: the white sand under the water creates pink and blue reflections depending on where the sun angle hits and the time of day.

You’ll have a swim stop during this part. This is the moment most people come for, because it turns the day into something active, not only scenic. The water is described as limpid, so expect conditions that make swimming feel worth it rather than a quick dip.

What I’d plan for: this is your chance to enjoy the coves properly, including floating, swimming, and taking your time with the water views. If you’re prone to getting cold, you might want to stay on the warmer side after swimming; the tour keeps moving after this stop.

Also, note that drinks at a bar on board are not included, so if you want anything besides what’s provided, that’s something to plan for.

Lunch Aboard: One Sicilian Plate, Water and Wine

When you stop in the coves, you’ll eat onboard. Lunch is 1 typical Sicilian dish, served with water and wine. That’s a nice setup because it saves you the hunt for food on island and keeps the day flowing.

In practice, this matters for two reasons. First, you don’t waste your limited Favignana time queuing for lunch. Second, it’s a chance to eat something local in a relaxed setting while the boat is anchored and the coast scenery is right there.

A quick reality check: lunch is a single dish, not a buffet. If you have strong preferences or dietary needs, communicate intolerances or allergies when booking—this tour specifically asks you to do that.

And yes, you’ll likely be hungry after swimming. The good part is that the meal arrives right when you need it, not hours later.

Levanzo by Boat: Faraglione and Coves from the Sea

After lunch, the cruise continues to Levanzo. From here, you get a boat-based exploration of the coast, not a long walking schedule. The plan includes more bathing time along the coast and a sea pass that lets you view the majestic Faraglione plus “the most beautiful and interesting coves.”

This is a classic Egadi Islands pattern: Favignana is your town-and-beach stop. Levanzo is where the scenery does the talking. The boat makes it practical to see multiple coves without spending time transferring around the island.

What to expect in this phase: the mood tends to shift from “find a beach” to “sit back and watch.” You’ll be on the water again, catching views from the sea while the boat works its way along the coastline.

If you love the look of rugged coasts and sea-carved rock formations, this part tends to feel like the payoff for the earlier swim time. And if you’d rather stay in the shade, this is also the section where you can balance sun exposure with calmer time on deck.

Price and Value for a Full 8 Hours at Sea

At $65 per person for an 8-hour cruise, the value depends on what you’d otherwise do for transport, lunch, and boat access.

Here’s what’s included in the price:

• Coastal tour of Favignana and Levanzo
• 2 hours in Favignana
• Transportation to and from the islands
• Lunch: 1 typical Sicilian dish
• Drinks: water and wine

So you’re paying for a packed day that bundles boat travel plus a full meal. If you tried to recreate this on your own, you’d still be paying for separate boat or ferry routes, and you’d still need to plan lunch.

What’s not included is also part of the math: the marine protected area entrance fee is separate, and drinks at the bar on board cost extra. But even with that, the tour is set up like an all-in-one day from Trapani rather than a pick-and-choose schedule.

The duration also helps. You’re not rushing between islands all day—there’s time to actually enjoy Favignana, plus dedicated water time at Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra and coast time at Levanzo.

Marine Protected Area Fee: The $5 Cash Add-On

There’s one extra cost you can’t ignore: the marine protected area entrance fee. It must be paid in cash before departure at BOX 03 ticket office, where you’ll receive a valid ticket for boarding.

The fee is €5.00 per person, for ages 5 years and older. This fee is specifically called out as something you handle before you board, not something tacked onto the tour after you’re already at sea.

So bring cash and don’t plan on resolving this at the last second. It’s a small amount, but it’s a real gate to boarding.

Also keep your plan flexible. If weather is adverse, the reservation may change or be cancelled. And the tour notes possible transfer of passengers, so don’t be surprised if boarding details shift slightly on the day.

Language note: the experience is listed as Italian, and the driver is Italian. If you speak basic Italian, you’ll feel more relaxed, but the core rhythm of the day is straightforward even if you don’t.

Should You Book: When This Trip Makes Sense

Book this cruise if you want a straightforward day that mixes boat views, real swim time, and island walking—especially if you’re short on time in western Sicily and you’re starting from Trapani.

This is a great fit for:

• Beach-and-water people who want a swim stop at Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra
• Anyone who wants a town visit on Favignana without ferry planning
• Visitors who like seeing islands from the sea as the main event

You might think twice if:

• You don’t want to deal with the cash payment for the marine protected area fee
• You’re extremely weather-sensitive (the tour can change if conditions aren’t good)

If you do book, I’d focus on one thing: show up ready for the day’s format—swim time first, lunch in the middle, Levanzo by sea after. With that mindset, this itinerary clicks.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The duration is 8 hours. You can check availability to see the starting times.

Where does the tour start?

You meet at the Marinella quay for former submarines, looking for Egadi Excursions by Torre Lines at BOX n 3.

How long do you spend on Favignana?

You get 2 hours on Favignana to visit the town and adjacent beaches.

Which islands and coves are included?

You visit Favignana and Levanzo and go to the coves of Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra, with a swim stop during that part.

Is there swimming on the trip?

Yes. There is a swim stop at Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra, and you continue with bathing along the Levanzo coast.

What’s included for lunch and drinks?

Lunch includes 1 typical Sicilian dish. Drinks included are water and wine.

What extra fee do I need to pay?

You need to pay the marine protected area entrance fee in cash before departure. It costs €5.00 per person for ages 5 and older.

What should I bring?

Bring cash for the marine protected area fee. You should also communicate any intolerances or allergies when booking.

What happens if the weather is bad?

In adverse weather conditions, the reservation may be subject to change or cancellation.