Levanzo and Favignana look like a postcard in real life, and this shared yacht day gets you there fast. I like the few-people feel on Yacht Shalimar IV, and I also love that you get multiple swim-and-snorkel stops with equipment included. One consideration: sightings are never guaranteed, and if you’re prone to seasickness this may not be your best plan.

You’ll depart Trapani in the morning, cruise through the Egadi Islands Marine Protected Area, and spend most of the day in the water. It’s built for a relaxed pace, but it’s still an active day with several climbs back aboard and a couple of hours free on Favignana’s main island.

If you want beaches without the fuss, this is a strong fit. If you need wheelchair access or you’re traveling with very young kids, you’ll want to choose something else.

Key highlights worth planning around

• Few people onboard keeps the day from feeling crowded.
• Levanzo first swim gives you a warm-up hour in clear water with snorkeling gear.
• Favignana has two swim windows plus lunch, so you don’t lose momentum.
• Snorkel kit included (mask and snorkel) helps you spot marine life.
• Lunch onboard is practical and timed so you stay on island rhythm.
• Two hours ashore in Favignana lets you actually walk around, not just pass by.

1) From Trapani to the Egadi Islands: how the 8-hour flow works

This is an 8-hour shared boat tour based in Trapani, with a 9:30 am departure from the port. Plan to arrive about an hour early for check-in, and if you’re driving, try not to arrive later than 8:30 am so you can find parking without stress.

You’ll head to Levanzo first, then Favignana, with a final swim stop before returning to Trapani around 6:00 pm. That timing matters because you get the clearest, calm-water hours earlier in the day, and you’re back before the evening port chaos.

The ride is weather-dependent, so think of the day as a “go with the sea” plan. The Captain can adjust the program if conditions shift.

2) Yacht Shalimar IV and check-in: what “shared” really feels like

This tour is shared, but the vibe is more “small group day” than “packed ferry.” The boat is described as comfortable and roomy enough, and check-in is typically handled in a relaxed way, which is a big deal when you’re trying to keep your morning calm.

You’ll meet at the Egadi Explorer Box ticket office number 4, near the white tensile structure and close to the Fire Brigade barracks. Having that specific meeting point helps, especially because ports can feel like a maze right before departure.

Also, arrive ready to move. You’re going to gear up for swim stops, get on and off the boat multiple times, and still have time for island wandering later.

3) Levanzo: the first hour in crystal-clear water

Your first stop is Levanzo, with about an hour for swimming and snorkeling. Levanzo is known for its underwater riches, and the tour’s pitch is that the seabed here has valuable “treasures,” so the snorkeling angle is the point, not just a casual swim.

The snorkeling kit is made available onboard, including a mask and snorkel. You’ll use it while the boat is stopped, which makes it easier than trying to set everything up later when you’re already tired.

Here’s the practical catch: marine life sightings aren’t guaranteed every day. Even with snorkeling gear and good visibility, you might have a day where fish are hard to spot, so I’d set your expectations to enjoy clear water and the underwater world generally, not only a specific checklist of animals.

For this first stop, I’d also take a moment to rinse off your legs and settle your breathing before you go under. It’s not a technical activity, but it’s easier when you’re fresh.

4) Favignana’s swims: two snorkeling breaks and time to explore coves

Next up is Favignana, with a longer snorkeling-and-swim block of about 1.5 hours. This is your main aquatic session, and the tour is designed around seeing wildlife in the Egadi Marine Protected Area.

You may be able to spot animals like groupers, scorpion fish, moray eels, octopuses, and cloud gills. That list is helpful because it tells you what to look for, but don’t treat it like a promise—some days the water is clear and active, other days it’s clear but quieter.

After that, you get lunch onboard (more on that next), then you’ll have another swim window later, around 40 minutes. Then there’s a final swim at Scalo Cavallo before returning to Trapani. Multiple swim opportunities are the best part of this itinerary because you’re not stuck with just one “either it works or it doesn’t” water stop.

Between swims, you’ll get downtime on board with sun and sea air. If you’re the type who can’t relax unless you’re doing something, the boat day still keeps you in motion.

5) Lunch onboard: pasta and tuna, timed for a real break

Lunch is served onboard for about 30 minutes while you’re out at sea. The meal is described as pasta with tuna and side dishes, which is exactly what you want on a boat day: filling, not too heavy, and easy to eat without turning your stomach.

This isn’t an island restaurant experience with dramatic service. It’s better: you get fed while the day stays “in the flow,” so you don’t lose the rhythm of swims and navigation.

I like that the lunch break is short enough that you don’t feel stuck, but long enough that you can actually recharge before the next swim or the Favignana time ashore.

6) Favignana free time: 2 hours for shops, streets, and your own pace

After the boat’s second phase, you get about 2 hours of free time in Favignana. This is your chance to step off the water and connect the dots between what you saw from the coastline and what’s happening on land.

The tour’s promise here is exploration plus shopping, and that two-hour window is meant to be just enough time to walk a few blocks, grab something small, and browse without feeling rushed. I’d focus on the areas that are close to where the boat scenario leaves you, and then decide how far you want to wander based on energy.

You also get a better sense of the island’s coastline because you’ve already been seeing hidden coves and contours from the sea.

7) What you’ll actually see while snorkeling: using the kit well

The snorkeling kit is simple: mask and snorkel. That’s a good thing because you don’t need a pile of gear, and you can keep your prep quick between stops.

If you want better viewing, I’d use a couple of practical habits:

• Stay calm on the surface first, then go down slowly.
• Look slightly to the side of where you’re expecting fish to be.
• Watch for motion near rocky edges and underwater shadows.

The tour mentions animals like groupers and moray eels, plus octopuses. If you’re focused on specific targets, this helps. Still, the day can be unpredictable, and one earlier swim may feel more active than another.

So I’d treat snorkeling as a “see what’s there today” activity. When the water is clear, even without a huge fish parade, the Egadi setting itself feels special.

8) Scalo Cavallo and the last swim: finishing strong

Before the return to Trapani, you’ll stop at Scalo Cavallo for another nice swim, plus time to snorkel again if you want. This is the last aquatic moment, which is exactly when people often realize they either packed the right towel plan or they didn’t.

Try to keep your energy for this stop. If you spend your earlier swims too aggressively, the end-of-day swim can feel like a slog. If you pace it well, the last stop is a satisfying closer: one more look at the underwater world and one more chance to enjoy the protected waters before heading home.

Then you’ll return to Trapani at around 6:00 pm, bringing the day to a clean end.

9) What to bring, and what to skip

For a smooth day on the water, pack the basics the tour asks for:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Beachwear

Biodegradable sunscreen matters here because you’re snorkeling and swimming in a marine protected area, where you don’t want random runoff problems.

Also, know what’s not allowed. The tour does not allow baby strollers or baby carriages, electric wheelchairs, intoxication, alcohol and drugs, unaccompanied minors, or alcohol in the vehicle. If you’re bringing a group, make sure everyone understands those rules before you arrive at the port.

And if you’re sensitive to movement, take that seriously. This isn’t listed as suitable for people prone to seasickness.

10) Marine Protected Area tax: the one extra cost you should expect

There is a Marine Protected Area tax of €5 per person, and you pay it at the ticket office before boarding. It’s a small add-on, but it’s the kind of detail that can surprise you if you don’t plan for it.

I like that it’s clearly stated and paid early, because it avoids awkward last-minute corrections onboard. Just budget for it as part of your day’s total cost.

11) Weather rules and Captain discretion: plan for flexibility

Cruises here are subject to weather conditions, and the program may change at the Captain’s discretion. The tour can also be canceled based on sea conditions, with a refund handled through the booking platform.

For you, that means you should keep your day mentally flexible. If you’re combining this trip with tight schedules elsewhere, don’t put it as the single keystone plan of your entire Sicily day.

If the sea looks rough when you arrive, you’ll likely feel it quickly once you’re onboard. If you’re prone to seasickness, this is one of those times where I’d skip the bet and choose a calmer option.

12) Who this tour fits best (and who should pass)

This shared yacht day is a great match if you want:

• Multiple swim stops rather than a single quick dip
• Snorkeling with a kit provided onboard
• A small-group feel on a boat that’s described as comfortable
• Lunch handled for you, plus time to explore Favignana on land

It’s not a match if you’re traveling with requirements the tour doesn’t support. It’s listed as not suitable for children under 5, babies under 1, pregnant women, people with back problems, wheelchair users, and people prone to seasickness. It’s also not designed for unaccompanied minors.

If you’re simply looking for a day at sea with clear water, coves, and a chance to see the Egadi ecosystem up close, this works well.

13) Should you book Favignana and Levanzo on Yacht Shalimar IV?

I’d book it if your idea of a perfect Sicily day is boats, swimming, and a clear schedule that still gives you room to breathe. The big value is the mix: Levanzo for the first snorkeling hour, Favignana for extended swimming plus lunch onboard, then another swim and a last stop at Scalo Cavallo, capped by 2 hours on Favignana.

I’d skip it if you’re not comfortable with moving water or if you need accessibility accommodations. And I’d set realistic expectations about marine life: you’ll have the tools and the right waters, but sightings can vary.

If you’re a fan of practical travel—show up early, do the water stops, eat lunch onboard, then wander for two hours—this is one of the nicer ways to experience the Egadi Islands from Trapani.

FAQ

What time does the tour depart from Trapani?

It departs from the port of Trapani at 9:30 am. You should arrive about 1 hour before for check-in.

How long is the boat tour?

The total duration is 8 hours.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet at the Egadi Explorer Box ticket office number 4, near the white tensile structure and near the Fire Brigade barracks. The coordinates listed are 38.01348876953125, 12.514264106750488.

What snorkeling gear is provided?

The tour provides a snorkeling kit that includes a mask and snorkel.

Is lunch included, and when is it served?

Yes. Lunch (meal onboard) is included for about 30 minutes while you’re on the tour.

How much is the Marine Protected Area tax?

The Marine Protected Area tax is €5 per person, paid at the ticket office before boarding.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring swimwear, a towel, biodegradable sunscreen, and beachwear.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

It is not suitable for children under 5, babies under 1, pregnant women, people with back problems, wheelchair users, people prone to seasickness, and for unaccompanied minors.