Two islands, one day, lots of sea time. This mini-cruise from Trapani is built around hopping between Favignana and Levanzo, with swimming pauses and views of the Egadi coastline.

What I really like is how the schedule gives you choice: you can wander the villages and museums on land, or spend real time out on the water when the boat stops in the right coves. The second big win is the onboard lunch, which is typically Trapanese-style pasta served with wine, water, and fruit.

One consideration: this is a day trip with a packed rhythm, so if you hate crowds or you’re prone to seasickness, you’ll want to plan ahead and pick your spots smartly.

Key things to know before you go

• Favignana has the most time, plus a chance to visit Ex Stabilimento Florio and walk the fishing village area
• Swimming is the headline, with stops that let you enter from the boat and also have beach time nearby
• Lunch on board is a real meal, not a snack, and it’s paired with Sicilian wine for many departures
• Levanzo is shorter on purpose, so you’ll focus on the village atmosphere more than long beach lounging
• Extra fee on site: Egadi Islands Marine Protected Area entry is not included (€5 per person)
• Timings are tight, so arriving early to find your seat helps, especially if the boat gets busy

From Trapani: the cruise format that makes the day feel easy

This is the kind of trip I like for Sicily when you want something outdoorsy but still structured. You start in Trapani, transfer by small boat, and then sail your way around Favignana’s coast and over to Levanzo. You get a mix of land time and water time, and you’re not stuck doing one long stretch without breaks.

The total day runs about 8 hours, with a morning departure around 9:30 a.m. from Via Ammiraglio Staiti, 93, and a return to Trapani around 17:00 to 18:00. The pacing is designed around ferry legs and timed stops, so you won’t lose the day to transit.

Also, the boat experience matters here. From what you’ll see described on similar departures, the boats are set up for comfort enough for a full day, with seating and onboard restrooms. There’s also a bar onboard, so you can add a coffee or a drink if you want to, rather than waiting until you reach land.

Arrival in Favignana around 10:20: where your time actually goes

Favignana is the bigger of the two islands, and the day plan reflects that. You’ll usually arrive around 10:20 a.m., then you’re given free time to do your own thing.

This is when you can:

• Shop and stroll the port area
• Visit Ex Stabilimento Florio, the tuna museum you’ll hear about as part of Favignana’s seafood story
• Take a quick swim from the area in front of the port, if the water and access look good

What’s smart about this timing is that it avoids the trap of arriving late in the day. Early arrival means you can walk first, then let the boat cruising and swims do the rest.

A note on priorities: Favignana has a spread of sights, and walking everything can eat your time fast. If your goal is beaches or views, consider doing museum and shopping quickly, then shift your energy toward getting positioned for the best swimming stop later.

Guided coast stops: Cala Rossa, Cala Azzurra, and Bue Marino

After you board again around 12:30, the boat changes gears into cruising mode. You’ll sail along Favignana’s coastline and pass iconic creeks and bays, including places like Scalo Cavallo, Cala Rossa, Bue Marino, and Cala Azzurra.

Then come the “photo stop plus guided explanation” moments. At spots such as Cala Rossa, Cala Azzurra, and Bue Marino, you’ll have brief chances to look, take pictures, and hear local context. The guided bits aren’t meant to turn this into a classroom day, but they do help you connect the scenery to what you’re seeing: rocky coves, fishing traditions, and the way the island’s coastline shapes everyday life.

This is also where the day’s rhythm becomes very Mediterranean: you’re moving, stopping, and then moving again, with the sea as the constant. If you’re someone who gets impatient on group tours, the trick is to treat the guided stops as quick resets for your eyes. Let the scenery do the work.

The swimming reality check: when it’s best and how to enjoy it

Swimming is a core part of this itinerary, not an optional add-on. You’ll have at least one swim break during the sailing around Favignana and additional opportunities where the boat docks or anchors near attractive spots.

Expect water entries from the boat. Some stops are described as calm and clear enough to make the swim feel like a highlight rather than a chore. You’ll also have opportunities to swim around or near beaches tied to the port areas.

Two practical tips based on what’s consistently mentioned:

• Bring sunscreen and reapply after your first swim, even if the sky looks mild.
• If you’re sensitive to motion, consider planning for it. This route can feel a bit choppy at times, and taking seasickness tablets in advance is the kind of small move that saves the day.

Also, be realistic about shoes. Some beaches you may reach can be rocky, and it can be helpful to have a way to protect your feet if you plan to walk into the water.

Lunch on board: Trapanese pasta, wine, and a no-fuss reset

Lunch is served on the boat after the morning sailing portion. The standard pitch is classic: typical Trapanese lunch onboard, usually centered on pasta like Penne alla Trapanese, plus wine and water.

I love this part of the design because it removes decision fatigue. You’re not hunting for lunch spots, and you’re not cramming a meal into the middle of a long walk. You sit down, eat, and get back to the sea.

From what’s described for these days, lunch often includes:

• A pasta course with generous portions, and in some cases the option to go for seconds
• Wine, plus bottled water
• Fruit like melon or watermelon as dessert

Is it fine dining? No. But it’s properly Sicilian in spirit: local flavors, simple comfort, and it keeps you moving without wasting the best daylight.

If you’re the kind of person who cares about dietary needs, the itinerary data doesn’t spell those out. So do what you always do for food on tours: double-check ingredients and ask staff once you’re onboard.

Levanzo after lunch: village time on a smaller island

After lunch, you head to Levanzo. You’ll stop at the port, then you get about 1 hour of free time to explore the small, characteristic village.

Levanzo is a great contrast to Favignana. It’s quieter, and it feels like a place you’d linger in if you had more hours. But the structure here is clear: you’re getting the atmosphere, not a full-day beach plan. Use your time to:

• Walk the village edges and look for viewpoints
• Browse small shops if they’re open
• Grab a drink or gelato if you want a break from sun and salt air

One small timing thing to keep in mind: depending on the day, some shops may close during the island’s rest period. If you’re arriving and you care about specific stores, build in flexibility.

Then the boat continues with cruising along Levanzo’s coastline and returns you toward the next stage of the day.

Sailing along Levanzo’s faraglioni and creeks

Between village time and your final return leg, you’ll sail past scenery that makes Levanzo famous: Faraglioni (rock formations) and the kind of small coves that look made for a quick swim.

This is where you’ll likely get the visual payoff for the day. The coastline here is dramatic in a simple, rock-and-sea way, and you see how the islands feel different even when they’re close on the map.

You may also have another short photo stop and a bit of cruising before the return. It’s not built as a long lingering segment, but it does keep the day from feeling like “two islands, then back.”

Value for around $53: what your money is really paying for

The headline price is about $53 per person, and that’s where this tour can look like a bargain compared to private boats. But the real value is what that price buys you:

• Transportation and time: You’re not arranging ferries, you’re not driving across the island, and you’re not piecing together day segments.
• Onboard lunch: A full lunch with wine and water changes the math. If you’d otherwise spend that on food and drinks alone, the tour feels more reasonable.
• Multiple swimming moments: You’re getting more than one sea stop, which is hard to replicate if you’re just using public transport.

One extra note about costs: you’ll likely pay an entry fee for the Egadi Islands Marine Protected Area (€5 per person, paid on site). That isn’t included, so keep it in mind when you calculate the true total.

Still, even with that add-on, the experience tends to be good value for a day trip where the itinerary is built around sea time plus lunch. If your goal is just beach lounging, you might spend less on ferry-only plans. But if you want a guided, structured day with swimming built in, this is where the price makes sense.

Logistics that can make or break your day

This tour runs on a schedule, so small practical details matter.

Meeting point reality: The pickup point is listed as Via Ammiraglio Staiti, 93. On a few departures, people have found that the exact boat kiosk can be slightly different from what they expected at first glance. My advice is simple, arrive earlier than you think you need, and orient yourself on the spot rather than assuming.

Crowding: Some boats can feel busy when the day hits peak season. If you want the easiest boarding and the best view, aim for a spot early, then move if the boat layout lets you shift after the first sailing segment.

Seasickness: The itinerary includes open-water sailing between stops. If you get motion sickness easily, take precautions before you board. It’s one of the best “cheap fixes” for a nicer day.

Coffee and drinks: There’s a bar onboard with the option to buy items like coffee and other drinks. That’s useful because you can control your own comfort rather than waiting for land time.

Who this cruise fits best (and who might want a different plan)

This mini-cruise fits best if you want:

• A day that’s mostly outdoors, with real time on the water
• A taste of two islands without planning separate transport
• Lunch included so you can keep moving
• Swimming breaks that are built into the route

It might feel less ideal if you’re the type who wants slow travel. Favignana and Levanzo each get meaningful moments, but not long roaming time. Also, if you need a quiet, uncrowded experience the entire day, you may prefer a smaller private boat.

Should you book Blu Lines Srl’s Favignana and Levanzo mini-cruise?

If you’re visiting Trapani and you want the Egadi Islands highlight reel in one day, I’d book it. The combination of Favignana time, village atmosphere on Levanzo, and swimming stops plus lunch is exactly the kind of value day trip that works well when you have limited time.

Book it now if:

• You want a simple plan with lunch onboard and sea time built in
• Swimming from the boat sounds like your kind of vacation
• You’d rather not micromanage ferries and island logistics

Skip it, or change your expectations, if:

• You need lots of quiet time on the islands
• You hate structured schedules
• You’re not comfortable with open-water sailing windows

If you do book, go in ready to enjoy the sea. Arrive early, protect your skin, and treat the guided coast stops as your bonus content. Then let Favignana and Levanzo do what they do best: look stunning from every angle.

FAQ

What time does the tour start in Trapani?

The tour starts at 9:30 a.m. from the port of Trapani, with the meeting location listed as Via Ammiraglio Staiti, 93.

How long is the cruise and when do we return?

The duration is about 8 hours. You return to Trapani and arrive back at the port around 17:00 to 18:00.

Which islands are included?

The tour includes visits to Favignana and Levanzo, with sailing along the islands’ coasts and creeks.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included as part of the onboard meal during the cruise.

Do I have to pay any extra fees?

Yes. The Egadi Islands Marine Protected Area entry fee is not included, and it costs €5 per person, paid on site.

How much free time is there on each island?

You get about 2 hours free time on Favignana, and about 1 hour free time on Levanzo.

Is swimming included?

Yes. There are swim opportunities during the day, including swimming from the boat and time near the port/beach areas.

What languages are offered?

The tour is offered in Italian and English.