About this tour
When Tom from our team ran this boat tour, we headed out from Trapani to the Egadi Islands—Favignana and Levanzo—on a hybrid vessel built for smaller groups (max 12 people). It's a proper Mediterranean escape: eight hours of swimming, snorkelling in the clearest water you'll find off Sicily, and time to wander Favignana's low-key town centre. The boat's crewed by a skipper and assistant, and you're fed local aperitivo fare while cruising past limestone cliffs and hidden coves. It's the kind of trip where you show up, get shown around by people who know the coastline, and spend most of the day in the water.
Highlights
- Cala Rossa's gin-clear water and dramatic rock formations
- Lovers' Cave grotto—intimate snorkel spot, genuinely pretty
- Max 12 passengers keeps it quiet and social, not crowded
- Local aperitif with drinks served mid-cruise
- Free time to poke around Favignana's streets without rush
- English-speaking crew; hybrid boat fuel-conscious choice
- Levanzo's quieter beaches feel less touristy than main island
- Professional skipper knows safe swimming and snorkel spots
What to expect
You'll meet the crew early morning at the Trapani waterfront and head straight out. The boat picks up speed quickly—the hybrid engine's quieter than traditional ones, so you're not drowning in diesel fumes. First stop is usually one of the Favignana bays within 30 minutes; Tom reckoned the water colour justified every photo he took. You'll get a decent chunk of time in the water (bring your own mask or rent gear on the boat—€15 for a mask, €9 for a snorkel if you forgot yours). Around midday you get an hour or so to wander Favignana proper, grab a coffee, sit on the beach. Then back on board for the aperitif—local cheese, cured meats, drinks—while heading to Levanzo or another snorkel site. It's relaxed pacing; nobody's rushing you through a checklist. Finish up by late afternoon.
The crew sets the tone early: they're not there to entertain, they're there to get you to good spots safely. That's refreshing. Water temperature in summer is warm enough you'll stay in for hours. Wind can pick up in the afternoon, but it's not usually a drama on a boat this size.
What travellers say
- Eco-conscious hybrid boat, quieter ride than fuel guzzlers
- Tiny groups keep the vibe intimate and crew attentive
- Cala Rossa and Lovers' Cave deliver on visual promise
- Local aperitif with proper Sicilian small goods included
- Mix of structured snorkel time and free-roaming town hour
- Snorkel gear rental adds €24 if you don't bring your own
- No hotel transfers; you arrange your own Trapani transport
- Eight-hour sun exposure tests sunscreen and stamina limits
- Afternoon wind can make some swimmers uneasy in open water
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is genuinely small-group stuff—a dozen people max means you're not packed shoulder-to-shoulder like a package tour. If you can snorkel at all and want an easy day of water time without commitment (no diving course, no early-morning rush), this hits the mark. The hybrid engine choice is real—quieter, less petrol smell—so it's a nicer ride than your average tour boat. Aperitif and drinks included is honest value. Crew speaks English and knows the sites.
You'll need your own snorkling kit or pay the rental fee (€24 total for mask and snorkel)—not hidden, just worth budgeting. No hotel pickup, so you're sorting your own way to Trapani. Eight hours in the sun and salt water will knacker you; bring proper sunscreen and a hat. Swimming ability helps; some spots aren't protected beaches, they're open coves. Kids under 5 in a pram or on a lap is fine, but a rowdy toddler on a small boat will test everyone's patience.
Bring swimmers, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a light layer for wind on the water. Snorkel kit or cash for rentals. No wet suits needed in summer. Best May–September. Peak summer crowds mean earlier departures. Expect 8 hours start-to-finish, including downtime in town.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.