Review · ITALY

Boat tour to Favignana & Levanzo with Tastings and Swim stop

4.7 · 76 reviews 6 hours From $71 Operated by Egadi Discovery Favignana · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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The best Sicilian days end in the water. This six-hour boat trip links Favignana and Levanzo with five swim stops, cave views, and time to walk around Levanzo village. I like the generous mix of swimming and sightseeing, and I like that typical products, two pieces of fruit, wine, and water are included. The main drawback is the pace: with so many stops packed into one day, each place gets a taste rather than a long visit.

You meet at Egadi Discovery Favignana on Via Vittorio Emanuele 10, then set off by boat for a full circuit of the islands. The boat has been described as comfortable and welcoming for 12 people, with a toilet onboard. Fabio and Nanny have earned special praise for their friendly, easygoing service, which matters on a small boat where the crew shapes much of the day.

Key points to know before you book

Boat tour to Favignana & Levanzo with Tastings and Swim stop - Key points to know before you book

  • Five swim stops include Cala Rossa, Bue Marino, Cala Azzurra, Cala Minnola or the Faraglioni, and the Blue Grotto area.
  • Levanzo gets real walking time, with about an hour to visit the small port village, browse, and take photos.
  • Food and drinks are part of the day, including a tasting of typical products, two fruits, wine, and water.
  • Snorkeling gear is supplied, so you do not need to bring your own equipment.
  • The boat suits a small group, with space described as comfortable for 12 people and a toilet onboard.
  • The day is active but relaxed, combining short boat rides, swims, a village visit, and coastal views.

Why this six-hour island trip works

Boat tour to Favignana & Levanzo with Tastings and Swim stop - Why this six-hour island trip works

Favignana and Levanzo sit in the Egadi Islands, off Sicily’s western coast. They are close enough to connect by boat in a day, yet each has a different feel. Favignana gives you dramatic coves and several famous swimming spots. Levanzo is smaller and quieter, with a compact port village that you can explore on foot.

That contrast is the main reason to choose this trip. You are not simply taking a boat out, stopping once, and heading back. You get several chances to swim, then a change of scene on land, followed by more time in the water.

I also like the fact that the trip does not force you to choose between sightseeing and a beach day. You can look at caves and rocky coastlines from the boat, then get in the water when the conditions are right. The schedule includes short navigation periods, so the boat rides connect the stops rather than swallowing the whole afternoon.

Still, this is not a slow island-hopping cruise. The schedule is tightly arranged. If you want to spend half a day at one cove or linger over lunch in Levanzo, this boat trip may feel too busy. It works best if you enjoy variety and are happy with a series of good short stops.

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Starting from Favignana and reaching Cala Rossa

Boat tour to Favignana & Levanzo with Tastings and Swim stop - Starting from Favignana and reaching Cala Rossa

The meeting point is the Egadi Discovery Favignana agency at Via Vittorio Emanuele 10. From there, the first boat ride takes about 15 minutes. That short opening run gets you quickly away from the starting point and into the coastal part of the day.

Cala Rossa is the first major swim stop, with about 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. It is one of Favignana’s best-known coves, and the appeal here is the setting: pale rock, clear water, and a sense that the coast is best seen from the sea.

Thirty minutes is enough for a refreshing swim and a little time with the provided snorkeling equipment. It is not enough for a long, unhurried session, especially if several people need to enter the water one after another. Bring your swimsuit under your clothes and keep your phone in a waterproof pouch if you want photos without fuss.

The boat then continues to two more Favignana stops. One is identified as Bue Marino, and another as Cala Azzurra. Each allows about 20 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. These short stops keep the day moving, but they also mean you should be ready when the crew announces the water time.

For me, the value of having several coves is clear. Sea conditions can vary from one side of an island to another, and a few different stops give you more chances to find calm water. You also see more of Favignana’s coast than you would from a single beach visit.

The trade-off is simple: you get variety instead of long beach time. If you prefer to float, sunbathe, and read for hours, plan a separate beach day. This tour is for seeing several spots in one outing.

Crossing to Levanzo for swimming and local food

Boat tour to Favignana & Levanzo with Tastings and Swim stop - Crossing to Levanzo for swimming and local food

After the Favignana coves, the boat heads toward Levanzo. The first Levanzo stop is Cala Fredda, where the schedule allows time for lunch, swimming, and snorkeling over about an hour and a half.

This is the longest combined stop of the day, and that extra time matters. You can eat without rushing straight back into the water, then take a swim or use the snorkeling equipment. The included tasting of typical products adds a local touch that a simple packed lunch would not provide. Two pieces of fruit, wine, and water are also included.

The supplied information does not specify a full restaurant-style meal, so I would think of the food as a tasting and light onboard lunch rather than a formal dining service. If you need a large meal, bring any extra food you prefer. Water is included, but you should still arrive prepared for six hours in the sun.

Levanzo has a more compact character than Favignana. The island stop gives you a chance to step away from the boat and see its small port village. After the Cala Fredda stop, you get about an hour for a visit, photos, and shopping.

That hour is one of the strongest parts of the trip. Swimming stops show you the coast from the water, but walking around the village gives you a better sense of the island as a place where people live. You can take photos, look around the port area, and buy something small if you find a product you like.

Do not expect a long inland excursion. The visit lasts about an hour and focuses on the small port and village. It is enough to stretch your legs and get your bearings, but not enough for a full island tour. That is a fair compromise on a boat day that also includes many swims.

Cala Minnola, Faraglioni, and the final Favignana stops

Boat tour to Favignana & Levanzo with Tastings and Swim stop - Cala Minnola, Faraglioni, and the final Favignana stops

After the village visit, the boat makes another stop around Levanzo, at Cala Minnola or the Faraglioni, for about 40 minutes of swimming and snorkeling. The exact choice may depend on the day’s conditions or the operator’s plan.

This is another useful feature of the schedule. You have already had time on land, so the return to the water feels like a second chapter rather than one long string of identical stops. Forty minutes gives you more breathing room than the shorter Favignana stops.

A further Levanzo swim stop lasts about 20 minutes. Again, the schedule favors several chances to get in the water instead of one long anchorage. If you enjoy snorkeling, these repeated sessions give you time to test the water at more than one location.

The final major stop comes back on Favignana, in the northern part of the island, near the Blue Grotto. The boat allows about an hour and a half for visiting, swimming, and snorkeling. This is the most generous stop in the timetable and gives the day a strong finish.

The Blue Grotto area is especially suited to a boat trip because the coast and caves are easiest to appreciate from the water. You can swim, look at the rock formations, and enjoy a longer pause before the return ride.

By this stage, you may be ready for a quieter hour. Six hours on a boat, with repeated swims and sun exposure, can be tiring even when the pace feels easy. Use the longer final stop to slow down rather than treating it as another race to get into the water.

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What the boat setup means for your day

Boat tour to Favignana & Levanzo with Tastings and Swim stop - What the boat setup means for your day

The boat has been described as the right size for 12 people, comfortable and welcoming rather than crowded. That is important here. A smaller group generally makes it easier to hear instructions, move around the boat, and get help with snorkeling equipment.

The onboard toilet is another practical plus. With six hours at sea and no guarantee of immediate access to shore, it removes one common worry from a full-day boat outing.

The crew speaks Italian, English, and Spanish. That makes the basic organization easier for an international group, especially when the day includes several transitions between swimming, food, and shore time.

Fabio and Nanny are names worth remembering. They have been singled out for their professionalism, kindness, and relaxed manner. Those qualities are not minor details on a small-group trip. A friendly crew can make the difference between a boat day that feels stiff and one that feels social and easy.

You should still expect a group experience, not a private charter. The timing needs to work for everyone, and the boat will follow a planned route. If you want complete control over departure times and stop lengths, a private boat would give you more freedom, but likely at a higher price.

Is $71 a fair price?

At $71 per person, the value is strong if you plan to swim and use the full route. You are getting six hours on the water, two islands, five swimming stops, snorkeling equipment, a tasting of local products, two fruits, wine, water, and use of the onboard toilet.

The price also covers the boat time needed to connect Favignana and Levanzo. That matters because arranging separate transport, swim locations, and a village visit on your own could take more planning and still give you less structure.

The value is lower if you dislike swimming or want a slow cultural tour. Much of the day centers on getting into the water, and the Levanzo walking visit lasts about an hour. You are paying for access to the coves and for the full boat circuit, not for a long guided history tour.

I would compare this cost with the price of a standard beach day. If you would otherwise pay for transport, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and a boat trip separately, the package is easy to justify. The included extras are modest, but they reduce small expenses and keep the day simple.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure adds useful flexibility, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the date carefully before booking.

Who should book this Favignana and Levanzo trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full day of sea views and swimming without arranging every detail yourself. It is especially suitable for couples, friends, and families with older children who can handle repeated water stops and a six-hour outing.

It also works well for first-time visitors to the Egadi Islands. You get a broad introduction to Favignana’s coves, a look at Levanzo, and enough time ashore to see the port village. You will not know every corner of either island afterward, but you will understand why both belong on a Sicily itinerary.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied, which helps if you do not want to pack your own. You should still bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and any personal snacks you need. Those items are not listed among the inclusions.

I would hesitate if your priority is a quiet, long lunch or an extended walk on Levanzo. The timetable is active, and the boat returns through several stops. I would also think twice if you want a private experience with no fixed schedule.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want maximum coastal variety in six hours. The combination of Favignana’s coves, Levanzo village, five swims, local tastings, and a small boat makes $71 a sensible price for an active day.

Skip it if you would rather settle into one beach, spend hours ashore, or set your own pace. For everyone else, this is a well-balanced way to see both islands, with the strongest praise going to the friendly crew, comfortable boat, good swim schedule, and simple local food.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour meet?

The meeting point is Agenzia Egadi Discovery at Via Vittorio Emanuele 10 in Favignana.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts six hours, with starting times available according to the date you select.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route visits Favignana and Levanzo.

How many swimming stops are included?

Five swimming stops are included. They cover locations such as Cala Rossa, Bue Marino, Cala Azzurra, Cala Minnola or the Faraglioni, and the Blue Grotto area.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with a toilet onboard.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes a tasting of typical products, two fruits, wine, and water.

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