Lampedusa: Boat Cruise with Swimming Stops and Italian Lunch

Tabaccara’s natural saltwater pool is the star of this Lampedusa cruise. You sail along the island’s bright coast, stop at coves and caves, and jump straight from the boat into clear water. Rabbit Island adds a memorable shore view, especially for anyone interested in its protected turtle-nesting beach.

I like the private-group format, which should make the day feel more personal than a crowded boat outing. I also like the lunch served aboard, with antipasto, a main course, cannoli, fennel, fruit, and coffee rather than a rushed meal back on land.

The main thing to consider is the Italian-only guiding. You also need to eat breakfast, since the cruise starts in the morning and lunch comes later. The tour runs only when weather allows, so keep some flexibility in your plans.

Key details before you book

• Tabaccara’s saltwater pool is the main swimming stop and one of the day’s most distinctive sights.
• Rabbit Island is known for its beach, where turtles lay their eggs.
• French Cove, Creta Cove, Chick Cove, and Water Bay add variety to the route.
• Lunch stays on the boat, with antipasto, a main course, coffee, cannoli, fennel, and fruit.
• The meeting point is specific: find the El Fumador tobacconist about 30 meters past the gas station at the new port.
• The tour costs $84.96 per person and includes the cruise, lunch, swimming stops, and an Italian-speaking guide.

Setting out from Lampedusa’s new port

Your day begins at the new port on Via Alessandro Volta. Meet at 9:30 AM, near the El Fumador tobacconist, located about 30 meters past the gas station. The boat leaves at 9:45 AM, so this is not a good morning for wandering around looking for the meeting point.

The activity provider is Gitainbarcaconzorro. An Italian-speaking guide leads the outing, and the group is private. The exact boat size is not provided, so you should not assume the private format means a small sailboat or a completely exclusive yacht. It does mean the booking is arranged as a private group rather than a standard shared excursion.

From the start, the day has a relaxed rhythm: sail, stop, swim, look around, and continue along the coast. You are not being hurried from one land attraction to another. The point is to experience Lampedusa from the water, where many of its coves and rock formations are easier to appreciate.

The listed duration is eight hours, while the cruise itself is described as seven hours. With a 9:30 AM meeting and a return around 5:00 PM, plan on most of your day being committed to the outing.

Tabaccara pool and the first swim

The boat heads toward Tabaccara, home to a natural saltwater pool by the beach. This is the stop I would use as the test of whether the cruise suits you. If you like getting into the sea, floating in sheltered water, and seeing the coast from water level, Tabaccara gives the day a strong start.

Swimming stops are included, but the schedule does not specify how long you stay at each one. Bring what you need to feel comfortable in the water, and do not count on a long period of dry sightseeing at every location. This is a boat-and-swim day first.

Tabaccara is also a good example of why a boat trip adds something beyond a simple beach visit. From the water, you can see the shape of the pool, the beach, and the surrounding coast as one scene. You are not limited to a single patch of sand.

The sea can be the main event here, but conditions matter. The cruise operates only when the weather permits, and rough conditions can affect the comfort of the ride and the ease of swimming. If the forecast looks poor, use the free cancellation policy, which allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours in advance.

Rabbit Island and its protected beach

Rabbit Island is another major stop. Its beach is known as a place where turtles lay their eggs, giving the site more meaning than a simple scenic pause. You can look toward the beach, take in the open sea, and understand why this part of Lampedusa is treated with care.

The information provided does not promise a landing on Rabbit Island, so plan to see it from the boat unless your guide tells you otherwise. That matters if you expect a beach walk. The attraction here is the view and the chance to see one of Lampedusa’s best-known natural sites from the sea.

I like this stop because it connects the day to the island’s natural life. The cruise is not only a sequence of pretty swimming spots. Rabbit Island gives you a reason to slow down and look closely at the coast, even if you stay aboard.

You may also find this section of the route more peaceful than the swimming stops. The sea, the beach, and the turtle connection create a quieter break in the day. Keep your phone ready, but do not spend the whole stop staring at the screen.

Coves, caves, and changing coastal views

The route continues past French Cove, Creta Cove, Chick Cove, and Water Bay, along with other inlets and sea caves. Each name may sound like a quick stop on a map, but the value comes from the changing views and the way the boat lets you reach places that are difficult to access from land.

Some stops are for swimming. Others are likely short viewing pauses, although the exact timing is not stated. That flexible approach can work well when sea conditions or the interests of your group change the pace. It also means you should not expect a minute-by-minute schedule for every cove.

The caves and inlets add texture to the trip. Open sea can feel grand, while a narrow cove gives you a closer look at the rock and water. French Cove and Creta Cove help break up the sailing, and Chick Cove and Water Bay add more places to pause, photograph, or swim.

I would keep expectations sensible. The description promises visits to these locations, but it does not guarantee that you will enter every cave or stop for a long swim at every cove. The guide will need to work with the weather and the boat’s route.

Lunch served aboard the boat

Lunch comes in the afternoon, aboard the boat. The meal includes an appetizer, a main course, and coffee, with antipasto, cannoli, fennel, fruit, and other Italian foods specifically listed. This is more than a token snack, and it helps explain part of the $84.96 price.

Eating at sea changes the feel of the day. You do not lose time returning to port or finding a restaurant between swimming stops. Instead, you stay with the coast, eat in comfort, and feel the breeze while the boat continues or pauses.

The menu has a distinctly Italian character. Antipasto gives you small savory bites, fennel adds a local-style side, and cannoli provides a sweet finish. Fruit and coffee round out the meal. The exact main course is not stated, so do not book this expecting a particular pasta, fish dish, or dietary menu.

You should eat breakfast before meeting the boat. Lunch does not arrive at the start of the excursion, and the morning includes sailing and swimming. If you have food allergies or special dietary needs, the available information does not confirm alternatives, so ask the provider before booking.

What the $84.96 price includes

At $84.96 per person, this is not simply a boat transfer. The price includes about seven hours of cruising, the Italian-speaking guide, swimming stops, and lunch with an appetizer, main course, and coffee. For a full day on the water, the package offers a fair amount in one booking.

I see the best value for someone who wants a complete Lampedusa sea day without arranging separate boat transport, meals, and swimming locations. The private-group setup may also matter to couples, families, or a group of friends who prefer a shared plan designed around their own party.

The value is less clear if you only want a short ride or if you do not plan to swim. Much of the appeal comes from the repeated stops and the chance to get into the sea. A person who prefers land-based sightseeing may feel that the cruise uses too much of the day.

The lunch also helps make the cost easier to accept. You are not paying only for scenery. You are paying for time on the water, access to several coastal sites, a meal, and an organized route. Since the boat size and the exact food portions are not specified, I would compare this with other cruises based on inclusions rather than promises of luxury.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want to see several sides of Lampedusa’s coast in one day. It suits confident swimmers, sun lovers, photographers, and anyone who likes a relaxed outing built around the sea.

Families may appreciate the private-group format, but the activity details do not state the boat’s child facilities, seating arrangements, or safety equipment. Ask the provider if you are traveling with young children.

The cruise also suits food-minded visitors who want lunch to be part of the experience rather than an interruption. Antipasto, fennel, cannoli, fruit, and coffee give the meal a local Italian feel, even though the full menu is not fixed in the information available.

I would hesitate to recommend it to you if you dislike boat travel, need an English-speaking guide, or want a guaranteed beach landing. The guide language is Italian, and the route depends on weather. You should also be comfortable spending most of the day outdoors.

Practical planning for a smooth day

Start with breakfast, arrive at the new port by 9:30 AM, and look for the El Fumador tobacconist past the gas station. Meeting at the precise landmark is easier than relying on a general port address.

Wear practical swim clothing and bring anything you need for time in the sun. The tour includes swimming stops, but the supplied details do not list towels, snorkeling equipment, sun protection, or storage for personal items. Pack accordingly rather than assuming those items are provided.

The activity ends back at Via Alessandro Volta at about 5:00 PM. Since the day may occupy nearly eight hours, avoid scheduling a tight connection, evening meal, or other fixed activity immediately afterward.

The tour runs daily when weather permits. If your stay in Lampedusa is short, consider booking early enough to leave another day available in case the sea cancels the outing. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund.

Should you book the Lampedusa boat cruise?

Book this cruise if your ideal Lampedusa day includes clear sea, several coves, swimming at Tabaccara, a look at Rabbit Island, and lunch served aboard a private boat. The route covers many of the island’s best-known coastal sights without making you organize each stop yourself.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the natural pool at Tabaccara, the private-group arrangement, and the substantial Italian lunch. The clean boat and kind service noted in the available feedback also support the sense that the basic onboard experience is well cared for.

Think twice if English guiding is important, if you want long beach visits, or if you prefer a short and highly structured tour. The language is Italian, the exact stop durations are not listed, and weather can change the plan.

For swimmers and sea lovers, $84.96 is a reasonable price for a full day that combines transport by boat, coastal sightseeing, swimming, and lunch. If that sounds like your kind of Lampedusa, this is a practical way to give the island’s coast most of a day.

FAQ

Where does the Lampedusa boat cruise start?

Meet at the new port on Via Alessandro Volta at 9:30 AM. Look for the El Fumador tobacconist about 30 meters past the gas station.

What time does the boat leave?

Board the boat for a 9:45 AM departure.

Where does the activity end?

The cruise returns to the starting point on Via Alessandro Volta, at about 5:00 PM.

How long does the tour last?

The activity is listed as eight hours, while the boat cruise itself is described as seven hours. The stated meeting and return times cover most of the day.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes Tabaccara, Rabbit Island, French Cove, Creta Cove, Chick Cove, Water Bay, caves, inlets, and other coastal sites around Lampedusa.

Are swimming stops included?

Yes. Swimming stops are included, including a stop at the saltwater pool at Tabaccara.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch aboard the boat includes an appetizer, a main course, and coffee. The food listed includes antipasto, cannoli, fennel, fruit, and other Italian delicacies.

What language does the guide speak?

The live guide speaks Italian.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. The group type is listed as a private group.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.