Your day on the water in western Sicily starts in Trapani. This private tour stitches together clear coves, snorkeling stops, and a relaxed look at Favignana and Levanzo, with drinks onboard.

I especially like that it’s truly private for up to 12—so you’re not racing strangers for the best swim spots. I also like that the plan gives you real water time at multiple anchorages, plus wine and soft drinks while you’re underway.

One thing to consider: the sea can run cooler than you expect even in June, so bring a plan for chilly water if that affects you.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Private boat for up to 12 from Trapani, so the pace feels like your group
• Snorkeling equipment included, plus several different swim spots rather than one long stop
• Bue Marino cave area is a main feature, with striking color contrast in the water
• Favignana village time on foot, including the chance to walk through the old tonnara area
• Levanzo adds variety with two more snorkeling/sea-stops after a short boat ride
• Complimentary wine and soft drinks mean fewer worries about what to drink onboard

Setting Off From Trapani: A Private Day With a Simple Flow

Trapani is a smart launching point for island exploring. From the meeting area at Via Ammiraglio Staiti, 18 (right in Trapani), you head out on a private boat at 10:00 am and return to the same place at the end. The format is straightforward: swim, move, explore briefly on land, then swim again.

Because it’s private, you can treat this day like a group outing. If your crew prefers longer stretches in the water, or you want a slower rhythm while you take photos, you’re not stuck with a big-tour schedule. The tour is also in English, which helps if you want to understand what you’re looking at while the boat slows near each stop.

Best of all, you get a ready-to-go package. You’ll have snorkeling gear, bottled water, Coke/soda, and wine plus soft drinks onboard. There’s also a restroom on board, which may sound minor until you’re several hours into a sea day.

Cala Azzurra: Quick Setup and First Swim in Cala-Color Water

The first stop is Scogliera Cala Azzurra. The cove is named after its look, and the idea here is simple: get your mask on, get comfortable, then enjoy the water right away.

Timing is short at this first anchorage—about 1 minute for snorkeling practice. That’s not meant to replace the longer swim stops later. Instead, it’s a fast on-ramp so you know your snorkel fits, your breathing feels natural, and you’re not wasting your best energy when the boat reaches the bigger sites.

What I like about this structure is that it removes uncertainty. If snorkeling is new for you, the tour doesn’t throw you straight into the deepest water without guidance. If snorkeling is familiar, you still get a warm-up before the main underwater time.

A practical note: this is an outdoor activity on open water. If you’re sensitive to wind or sun, bring what you need so you can enjoy the short stop without rushing.

Grotta del Bue Marino: Cave-Sea Snorkeling With a Strong Visual Payoff

Bue Marino is the highlight stop for most people, and it’s easy to see why. You anchor for a longer swim time (about 1 hour) at the Grotta del Bue Marino area, where the sea color shifts from bright turquoise to darker tones, set against the look of old tuff quarries.

This is the kind of place where snorkeling feels worth it, not just because you can see fish, but because the environment is dramatic even before you get underwater. When the boat settles, you can watch how the lighting changes across the water surface and then again through the clearer patches once you’re in.

If you’ve ever snorkeled somewhere and thought, okay, that was nice but not special, this is the opposite vibe. The contrast in the water and the quarry backdrop makes the scene more interesting, even if you’re not chasing marine life.

One consideration: cave-area snorkeling can mean you’ll want to feel confident about your buoyancy and comfort. If you’re nervous, take it slow at the start and keep close to the boat area until you find your rhythm.

Scogliera Di Cala Rossa: The Crystal-Water Beach Stop With Fish Nearby

Next up is Scogliera di Cala Rossa, another anchorage designed for swimming and snorkeling. This stop also lasts about 1 hour, and the pitch here is clear: crystal-clear water and fish in the area.

The reason Cala Rossa is such a good mid-tour break is that it feels different from the cave stop. Caves can be visually intense; a beach-style anchorage tends to feel more relaxed and social. You can float, snorkel briefly, then take a breather without feeling like you’re on a strict schedule.

What to expect underwater depends on the day and conditions, but the tour’s emphasis is on visibility and fish presence. Even if you only manage a few minutes with your head underwater, the overall water clarity makes it feel like a win.

Practical tip: keep your snorkel time aligned with when you feel most comfortable. If the water is cooler, you might prefer shorter bursts rather than staying submerged for the full hour.

Favignana by Foot: Ex Stabilimento Florio and Village Time

After the sea stops, you switch gears at Favignana. You’ll moor at the port and have around 2 hours to walk around the village and get a feel for island life.

One key target here is the Ex Stabilimento Florio delle Tonnare di Favignana e Formica. That long name points to the old tuna-factory complex (tonnara). You don’t just stare from a distance—you have time to move through the streets of the maritime village around that area.

This land time is valuable because it balances the full day of water. Instead of only stopping to swim and go again, you get a chance to slow down, take in the architecture and street life, and grab something simple to eat if you want. The tour doesn’t list a full meal included, so think of this as your chance to handle food plans yourself.

If you’re the type who likes context—seeing where an island’s industry lived—this stop adds meaning to the scenery you’ll see out at sea.

Moving Toward Levanzo: A Short Navigation Leg That Breaks the Day

Once Favignana time ends, you relax while the boat heads toward Levanzo. The arrival is expected after about 20 minutes of navigation.

That short transfer is a good design choice. It gives your body a break after snorkeling while keeping the day moving. You’re not stuck waiting for long hours with nothing happening, and you still feel the momentum of island-hopping rather than treating this like a one-island trip.

Use that window to drink water, refuel your sunscreen, and re-check your snorkeling comfort level before the next stops.

Cala Fredda on Levanzo: Another Hour to Swim and Snorkel

Levanzo’s first sea stop is Cala Fredda, with about 1 hour allocated for swimming and snorkeling. This is where the itinerary shifts from exploring one island’s signature anchorages to collecting a second set of water views.

What’s great here is variety. Each cove tends to feel different depending on the shoreline shape, wind exposure, and how the light lands on the water. Even if you snorkel the same way at every stop, the overall experience changes.

Cala Fredda also offers an easy rhythm: get in, check what you can see, then settle into floating and gentle swimming. It’s the kind of stop where you can enjoy the water even if you don’t see a lot of fish at every single moment.

Spiaggia di Cala Minnola: The Final Snorkeling Stop With a Scenic Finish

The last main swim time is at Spiaggia di Cala Minnola, again with about 1 hour for snorkeling. Finishing with Cala Minnola makes sense: by the last stop, you’ve already adjusted to the gear and the day’s water conditions, so you can focus on enjoying the sea rather than troubleshooting masks.

This is also where your photos usually look best. Clear water plus late-day light (depending on conditions) can make for a memorable end to the trip.

If you’re choosing one stop to pay extra attention to during your hour here, prioritize when the surface looks calmest and brightest. Conditions shift fast in coastal areas, and a small change in wind can matter a lot for visibility.

Price and Value: What You’re Actually Paying For

The cost is $1,724.51 per group for up to 12 people, with an 8-hour duration. On the surface, that looks high. In practice, it often pencils out because you’re buying a private boat day with a structured island route and several included extras.

Here’s the value math that matters for you:

• Private means your group sets the pace inside the set stops, not a crowd
• Multiple snorkeling stops (several with about an hour each) rather than just one token swim
• Snorkeling equipment included, so you don’t have to bring gear or rent
• Wine and soft drinks are complimentary, plus bottled water and soda
• Two islands covered in a single day with real time on Favignana by foot

If you’re traveling as a small group, especially friends or a family unit, the per-person cost can become reasonable compared to buying separate tickets or joining less flexible tours. If you’re solo or as a couple, it can still be worth it, but you’re paying for privacy and convenience more than for sightseeing volume.

One more detail: the tour includes all taxes and fees listed for the experience, and it notes a restroom on board. Those little comfort pieces are part of what makes a private sea day feel smooth instead of stressful.

Water Temperature Reality: Bring a Wetsuit Mindset in Summer

One practical thing to plan for: the sea can be cooler than expected. If you’re going in June, be aware that the water may feel around 18°C, which is enough to make some people cut their swim time shorter than they planned.

You can handle it in different ways:

• Wear a thinner wetsuit or consider a thermal layer if you’re sensitive
• If you hate cold water, plan for shorter bursts and longer breaks between swims
• Bring a towel you’re okay using right away, since you may be wet for a while after snorkeling

The tour provides basic snorkeling masks and snorkels, but if you prefer a specific style or fit, you might want to bring your own gear. That’s a small upgrade that can make a big difference in comfort.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Might Want Another Option)

This private boat trip is ideal if you want:

• A group day with privacy and a controlled pace
• Snorkeling time in multiple coves, including the Bue Marino cave area
• A balanced day that mixes water fun with 2 hours on Favignana

It’s less ideal if:

• You strongly prefer long, guided on-land museum-style exploration. This is built around sea stops and short village wandering.
• You’re not comfortable snorkeling, even with equipment provided. The tour is structured for swim-and-snorkel time at nearly every stop.

If you’re traveling with kids who can handle snorkeling calmly, bring a conservative mindset and let the earlier stop set the tone. For adults who want scenic swimming, this route does a good job giving you different looks in a single day.

Should You Book This Private Favignana and Levanzo Boat Tour?

If you’re aiming for a memorable day on the water, I’d say this is a strong booking choice. The mix of private boat comfort, multiple snorkeling stops, complimentary drinks, and real Favignana village time makes it more than just a rides-and-views outing.

Book it if your group values flexibility and wants to spend your time where the water looks best. Consider a different option if you want lots of guided land time or you know you won’t enjoy cooler water conditions. If you’re willing to dress for the sea and treat snorkeling as the main event, this is the kind of day you’ll talk about long after you’re back on land.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

It’s about 8 hours.

How many people can join this private tour?

The private group size is up to 12 people.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Via Ammiraglio Staiti, 18, 91100 Trapani TP, Italy.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 10:00 am.

Which languages are offered for the tour?

The tour is offered in English.

What snorkeling options and equipment are included?

The tour includes use of snorkeling equipment and offers snorkeling practice and swim time at multiple stops.

What drinks are included on board?

You get bottled water, soda/pop, and wine plus other alcoholic beverages as listed.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes, there is a restroom on board.

What stops are included during the day?

You’ll visit Cala Azzurra, Grotta del Bue Marino, Cala Rossa, the Ex Stabilimento Florio delle Tonnare di Favignana e Formica area in Favignana, then Cala Fredda and Spiaggia di Cala Minnola on Levanzo.

Is the tour affected by weather?

It requires good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.