Favignana and Levanzo are built for boats. This Shalimar IV excursion shines because you get two snorkeling breaks with masks and snorkels provided, plus a full on-board lunch with water and wine. One caution, though, is that the captain can feel more serious than welcoming, so if you want nonstop chatter and jokes from the wheelhouse, this may not be your style.

What I like most is how the day mixes sea time with actual time on land. You sail past big-name coves and then get a real two-hour stop in Favignana port, not just a quick look and go.

The main thing to consider before you book is movement and swimming. This trip has a moderate fitness level, the toilet is downstairs with high steps, and it is not suitable if you cannot swim.

Key highlights at a glance

• Two included snorkeling sessions with tube and fin mask provided
• Lunch and drinks on board, including a Trapanese rustic appetizer and pasta with mint and capers
• Cove-hopping on the Egadi Islands, with stops around Favignana and Levanzo
• Two hours in Favignana port to actually wander and reset
• Small-group feel with a maximum of 28 travelers
• A practical, covered lounge plus sunbathing mattresses for the slow parts of the ride

Yacht excursion Shalimar IV: the feel of the day

This is an 8-hour yacht excursion in English, starting at 9:30am and returning to Trapani around 5:30pm to 6:00pm. It is designed for people who want the sea to be the main event, not a shore-only tour with a boat ride tacked on at the end.

The boat itself is set up for comfort during travel between coves. There is a covered lounge area (useful if the sun is strong), and you can sunbathe on the mattresses when you want a slower pace. The day is also paced around opportunities to cool off, with swim stops timed after sailing segments.

If you are the type who enjoys watching the coastline shift, Favignana and Levanzo are a great match. The islands have lots of bends, caves, and small places where water looks calm enough for snorkeling.

Price and value: what you pay, and what can cost extra

At $108.37 per person for about 8 hours, the value comes from how much is included. You get snorkeling equipment, lunch, water, and wine with the meal, plus the crew and fuel. There is also a ground stop in Favignana for about 2 hours, and you are sailing with panoramic views of both islands during the day.

One extra cost to plan for: there is a Marine Protected Area fee of €5.00 per person, which is not included. That matters for budgeting, and it is smart to set aside the cash in advance or have it ready on your phone.

There is no mention of a bar service, and it is explicitly forbidden to bring alcohol or hard alcohol on board. So if you think of boat days as a grab-a-cocktail kind of event, this one is more about the included meal and the sea time than spending extra during the trip.

Your morning start in Trapani and how the timing works

The day begins at 9:30am and it is built around getting to the Favignana area soon after departure. Expect the first sailing segment to be about an hour before you reach Favignana, based on the schedule.

This timing is practical. You do not spend the whole morning looking at the dock. Instead, you hit the coves when the sea is still fresh and when you still have energy for a snorkeling session. The afternoon continues the coast-hugging rhythm and ends with Trapani return in the late afternoon.

The tour is capped at 28 travelers, which usually helps keep swim stops from turning into chaotic line-ups. It will still be a shared boat day, but the group size is small enough that you will likely be able to find your spot on the lounge or mattresses.

Stop 1: Cala Rossa and Favignana, two-island cave country

The first big moment is the stretch between Favignana and Levanzo, with views of coves like Cala Rossa, Bue Marino, Cala Azzurra, Lido Ravine, Cala Fridda, Cala Minnula, and Cala Tramontana (you get the coastline variety as you sail). After about an hour, you reach Favignana and make the first swim stop in a cove that is chosen for being more sheltered from the island’s predominant winds.

This wind detail matters. If you have ever done open-water snorkeling, you know how quickly a windy surface can turn a calm swim into a tiring one. Choosing a sheltered cove increases the odds that the water stays manageable for snorkeling.

Snorkeling gear is provided by the crew, including a mask and snorkel setup with tube and fin mask. That is a real value boost because it avoids the need to rent or bring your own equipment.

Favignana is also known for its geological features, including beaches and caves, so the snorkel and swim time is not just about seeing fish. You are also seeing the island’s “shape,” which is part of the fun if you like nature details.

Lunch on board: Trapanese comfort with simple structure

Lunch is offered on board during the day, and it is part of the trip’s strength. You are served a Trapanese rustic appetizer, followed by a pasta first course with fresh mint and capers tomato tuna, plus fresh seasonal fruit, with water and wine included with the meal.

This is not a fancy plated experience, but it is practical and filling. You are not stuck searching for food between swim stops, and the meal being included helps this day feel more like a complete package than a collection of errands.

It also affects pacing. Because lunch is built into the boat day, you can keep moving without losing the momentum of sea time. For many people on Egadi tours, that is what makes the day feel smooth instead of rushed.

Stop 2: Cala Azzurra for a swim break

After Favignana, you move along the coast toward Levanzo, then you reach Cala Azzurra for a stop timed for a swim break. The schedule gives you about one hour here, with admission tickets not required for the stop.

Cala Azzurra is the kind of name that draws attention, and it also represents what this excursion is about: short, targeted moments in the water at coves that have the right combination of access and beauty.

The trade-off is that this is not a long soak. If you want a long beach-style day where you can spread out and hang for hours, this is not that format. It is more of a “get in, cool down, enjoy, then move on” rhythm.

Stop 3 and 4: More Favignana time, including the port pause

You do get additional time associated with Favignana, including a stop area for lunch and then a separate Favignana port stop of about 2 hours.

That 2-hour pause is where the trip becomes more than snorkeling. You have time to stretch your legs, walk around, and experience Favignana at street level instead of only from the deck.

A practical note: this tour still centers on moderate fitness. The boat has a toilet downstairs with high steps, which can affect anyone with walking difficulty. Even if you are fine on the water, port time can involve uneven footing and moving between spaces.

If your main reason to book is snorkeling, you might wonder why you need the extra port stop. The answer is balance. That break is what lets you recover between water sessions and gives you a chance to do something other than swim.

Stop 5 and 6: Levanzo coves, then back to Trapani

Levanzo is where the scenery shifts again. After leaving Favignana, the schedule includes a stop on Levanzo for bathing at either Cala Fridda or Cala Minnula, again for about one hour.

Levanzo’s appeal is that it still feels more natural and less built up, and that fits the style of this day. You are not chasing big-city stops. You are getting the Egadi vibe, slowed down by small coves and the island’s quieter feel.

Then you head back to Trapani, with return scheduled around 5:30pm to 6:00pm. By the time you are back, you should feel like the day was “spent properly,” not just transferred from one place to another without time to enjoy anything.

Crew comfort, music, smoking, and the captain vibe

This is the area where the reviews lean into real-life details. The crew is described as friendly and attentive, and one standout is Marianna, noted for kindness, smiles, and making people feel welcome. That kind of human touch can make a boat day go from pleasant to genuinely memorable.

Still, there are also some rough edges to be aware of. One complaint is about smoking on board, described as happening non-stop, which can be unpleasant if you are sensitive to smoke. Another issue is that music can be loud at times, though the crew can adjust it down.

The most pointed consideration is the captain. In at least one experience, the captain felt professional and safety-focused, but not particularly warm or engaging. That does not usually affect your comfort on the water, but it can affect the mood if you expect a more social guide style.

So here’s how I’d frame it: you are booking a sea day with swims and included food. The crew can keep it friendly, but the captain’s personality might not match a party-on-a-boat expectation.

Who should book Shalimar IV, and who should skip it

This excursion is best for adults and confident swimmers who want snorkeling in coves around Favignana and Levanzo. It is not recommended for children under 5, and it is not recommended for people with walking problems, disabled travelers, or anyone who will struggle with the boat’s high-step access to the toilet.

It is also explicitly not suitable for people who cannot swim. That one is non-negotiable, because the experience involves time in the water during the swim stops.

For timing and physical expectations, the tour calls for moderate physical fitness. That means you should feel comfortable moving around the boat and handling stairs and shifting deck surfaces without major strain.

On the plus side, the maximum group size of 28 can make the day feel manageable. If you like meeting people but still want a calmer experience than huge ferry crowds, this fits.

Booking window: when to reserve

The tour is typically booked about 31 days in advance on average. With only 28 travelers max and a good-weather requirement, reserving early gives you a better chance of getting the departure date you want.

Good weather matters because the experience requires it. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book this yacht excursion?

Yes, if you want an Egadi Islands day that is built around snorkeling, included lunch, and real time in Favignana port. The included meal alone makes this feel more complete than many “pay extra for food” boat trips, and the two snorkeling stops plus wind-sheltered cove choice is a strong setup for getting quality swim time.

Skip it, or at least think twice, if you are smoke-sensitive, dislike louder music, or need a highly interactive captain-guide dynamic. Also skip if you cannot swim, have significant mobility limits, or expect lots of beach lounging.

If you do book, I’d go in with the right mental picture: this is a sea-first day. You are there to enjoy coves around Favignana and Levanzo, eat on board, and swim when the boat stops.

FAQ

What time does Shalimar IV depart?

The tour starts at 9:30am and returns to the meeting point around 5:30pm to 6:00pm.

How long is the yacht excursion?

The duration is about 8 hours.

What language is the tour offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

What snorkeling items are included?

You get use of snorkeling equipment, including a tube and fin mask.

What food and drinks are included with lunch?

Lunch includes a Trapanese rustic appetizer, a pasta first course with fresh mint and capers tomato tuna, fresh seasonal fruit, plus water and wine with the meal.

Is the Marine Protected Area fee included?

No. There is a Marine Protected Area fee of €5.00 per person that is not included.

Is the tour suitable for children or people with mobility issues?

It is not recommended for children under 5. It is also not recommended for disabled people or those with walking problems, and the toilet is downstairs with high steps.