BOAT-COMPARATOR Guide
Trapani and the Egadi Islands (Favignana, Levanzo, Marettimo) by Boat
Off Sicily's western tip lies the Mediterranean's largest marine protected area: how to plan a boat trip from Trapani.
Trapani, a historic port at Sicily's far western tip, opens straight onto the Egadi archipelago — Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo — protected by the largest marine reserve in the Mediterranean.
Three islands, three faces
Favignana, the largest and busiest, owes its butterfly shape to two headlands and is home to Cala Rossa, a turquoise cove carved out of old tufa quarries. Levanzo, the smallest, hides prehistoric cave paintings inside the Grotta del Genovese, reachable only by sea or along an isolated trail. Marettimo, the furthest out and most mountainous, remains the wildest of the three, with very few roads and sea caves accessible by boat all around its coast.
A marine reserve worth respecting
The archipelago forms the Riserva Naturale Isole Egadi, the largest marine protected area in the Mediterranean: navigation, anchoring and sometimes even swimming are regulated according to zones with varying levels of protection. As in every Mediterranean marine protected area, it's worth checking the zone map before setting off rather than finding out on the water.
What you'll spot at sea
The Egadis' protected waters rank among Sicily's richest for biodiversity: seagrass meadows, grouper, and occasionally dolphins offshore. Our guide to watching dolphins and turtles from a boat covers the right way to approach wildlife without disturbing it, especially useful in a reserve this busy in summer.
Planning your trip from Trapani
The port of Trapani remains the most practical starting point, with its historic saltpans visible from the water as you leave port. Crossings to Favignana or Levanzo take under an hour; Marettimo, further out, calls for a longer run and more settled weather, best kept for calm summer days. From the harbour, you can also spot the hilltop medieval town of Erice, perched on its rocky peak, and the Trapani and Paceco saltpans, where traditional windmills still grind the salt harvested each summer. Expect Sicily's usual rates: €200-600/day for a RIB, enough to cover all three islands in a single outing on a calm day.
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