Private charter Egadi Islands

The best part of this private Egadi Islands charter is the freedom to shape your day. You can board in Trapani, Favignana, or Levanzo, choose from several boats, and ask your skipper to adjust the route. I especially like the included masks, fins, ice box, and drinks, plus the warm, hands-on service reported from skippers such as Antonio, Pepe, Dino, and Rosario.

I also like that the boat is reserved for your group of up to eight, so you are not tied to a fixed public-tour schedule. The main thing to consider is the sea crossing from Trapani to Favignana, which can feel rough even when the water around the islands is calm. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring Dramamine.

Key points to know before you book

• Choose your boarding island: Pickup is available in Trapani, Favignana, or Levanzo by dinghy. Marettimo requires advance phone coordination.
• Private boat, private pace: Your group alone joins the activity, with a skipper handling navigation and the route.
• Several boats are available: Direct bookings are assigned the 8-meter Stingher GT800 unless you arrange another vessel.
• Swimming gear is included: Masks and fins, an ice box, and soda are provided. Lunch costs extra.
• Flexible stops matter: Skippers can adjust the route, skip a crowded cove, or show you caves and quieter swimming spots.
• Plan for a full sea day: The listed duration ranges from about one to eight hours, so confirm the time and route you want before departure.

A private route through the Egadi Islands

The Egadi Islands sit off western Sicily, with Trapani as the main mainland gateway. Favignana is the largest and easiest island to reach, Levanzo is smaller and quieter, and Marettimo lies farther out, requiring more planning.

This charter is less about checking off a fixed list of sights and more about having a boat, a skipper, and a flexible day at sea. You can swim, look for caves, stop for lunch, or spend longer in a cove that suits your group.

That flexibility is especially useful for families and mixed-age groups. A four-year-old, a grandparent, and a strong swimmer may all want different things from the same outing. A private skipper can keep the pace relaxed, help younger children, and change the plan when a stop does not suit you.

Your skipper also gives the outing a personal touch. Antonio has been praised for his kindness and practical help. Dino is noted for answering questions and keeping the mood light. Pepe has taken families between swimming coves, Levanzo, and cave sites while helping children back to the boat when they drifted too far. Those details matter because a boat day is only as good as the person managing it.

Leaving from Trapani, Favignana, or Levanzo

The listed meeting point is Vento Di Maestrale Srl on Via dei Gladioli in Trapani, with a 10:00 a.m. start. Yet the company also offers pickup directly by dinghy from ports in Trapani, Favignana, and Levanzo.

That gives you a useful choice. If you are staying in Trapani, you can begin from the mainland and make the crossing to Favignana or another island part of the trip. If you are already based on Favignana or Levanzo, you can avoid that extra transfer and spend more of your time around the islands.

Marettimo works differently. Pickup there must be arranged by phone before booking, so do not assume the standard reservation process covers it. If Marettimo is your base, confirm the boat, meeting point, and route before paying.

The company says you can decide the boarding point and preferred transport arrangement. In practice, I would settle these details early, especially in the high summer season. The activity is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 121 days.

What the Stingher GT800 gives your group

A direct booking assigns the Stingher GT800, an 8-meter rigid inflatable boat with a Suzuki 300 engine. The fleet also includes larger boats:

• Kardis Apache, 8.80 meters, with a Suzuki 300 engine
• Capelli Tempest 900, 9 meters, with two Yamaha 250 engines
• Capelli Tempest 1000, 10 meters, with two Yamaha 250 engines
• Icon 40 GT, 10 meters, with two Yamaha 300 engines

The larger boats may be useful if your group values extra room, wants a different seating arrangement, or prefers a particular vessel. The information provided does not give a standard upgrade price, so ask before booking if you want a specific boat.

A private charter for up to eight people costs $844.76 per group. With eight people aboard, that works out to about $105.60 per person. For a smaller group, the individual cost rises quickly, but you are paying for privacy, a dedicated skipper, and control over the route rather than a seat on a shared boat.

That makes this a better value for a full group than for one or two people. It may also be worth the higher cost for a family that wants shade, swimming time, and a calm pace without negotiating with strangers.

Swimming coves, sea caves, and clear water

The main reason to book is time in the water. Masks and fins are included, and the charter carries an ice box with ice and soft drinks. Several outings have included stops at beautiful coves for swimming, with the skipper providing a floating mat for children.

You should expect the exact swimming locations to depend on the sea, weather, and your chosen route. The company authorizes access to Marine Protected Area Zones B, C, and D, which covers the designated protected waters included in the operating area.

The swimming stops are not just quick photo breaks. A flexible private route can let you stay longer in a cove or move on if the spot is too crowded. One family asked Pepe to skip a busy stop, and he showed them other locations with interesting caves instead.

That is the sort of small decision that can make a private charter worth its price. A fixed boat excursion may keep to its timetable. Here, you can explain what your group wants and let the skipper adjust the day.

Still, do not expect every cove to feel empty. Popular sites can be crowded, particularly in the peak season. The advantage is not a guarantee of solitude. It is the ability to leave one location and try another.

Favignana and the rougher crossing from Trapani

Favignana is the most common focus for a day from Trapani. The crossing gives you wide sea views and a direct route toward the island, but it may be the least comfortable part of the outing for anyone sensitive to motion.

The water around the islands can be still while the passage from Trapani to Favignana feels rough. That difference is easy to underestimate when the forecast looks pleasant. Bring motion-sickness medicine if you need it, and consider taking it before the crossing rather than waiting for discomfort to start.

Once you reach the island area, the day can become much easier. You may stop at coves, swim from the boat, and visit sea caves. The charter includes drinks, and you can use the ice box to keep the day simple, but lunch is not included.

If you want lunch ashore, confirm the plan with your skipper. A stop on Levanzo has included a restaurant beside the dock with views over clear water. That can be a pleasant break from the boat, but it also takes time away from swimming. Decide whether you want a long meal or more time at sea.

Levanzo for lunch and a slower island stop

Levanzo offers a different feel from a route focused only on swimming. Its small scale makes it suitable for a shore stop, and the dockside lunch option gives your group a chance to stretch your legs and eat at a table.

The stop can work well for families who do not want to spend the entire day on the boat. It also gives you a practical chance to buy lunch, since food is the main item not covered by the charter.

The timing is flexible enough to suit your group, but the information does not promise a particular restaurant or a set menu. Ask your skipper where the boat will stop and how long you will have. If you have dietary needs, handle that directly before departure.

After lunch, you can return to the water. Pepe has used floating mats for children at later stops, which is a useful detail for families with young swimmers. Skippers have also helped keep an eye on children and assisted when someone drifted too far from the boat.

Marettimo requires extra planning

Marettimo is part of the possible pickup network, but it is not as straightforward as Trapani, Favignana, or Levanzo. The company asks you to arrange Marettimo service by telephone before booking.

That extra step matters because Marettimo sits farther from the main launch area, and the standard meeting instructions may not apply. Do not book first and sort out the island transfer later. Call ahead to confirm that the boat can collect you, where it will meet you, and how the timing will work.

The available information does not promise a particular Marettimo itinerary. Your route, swimming stops, and total duration should be agreed before the reservation is final.

The skippers make the difference

A boat and a beautiful sea are not enough for a good day. You also need someone who can read the conditions, explain the area, keep the group comfortable, and respond when plans change.

The skippers connected with this charter have received strong praise for their personal service. Antonio has been described as helpful and warm. Dino is noted for answering questions and maintaining an upbeat mood. Rosario and Pepe have been attentive and willing to join family activities, including a playful jumping contest from the boat.

Giuseppe has been praised for being friendly and personable, while Marco has paid close attention to shade, water, and drinks. Marco also provided first aid after two people were stung by jellyfish. That does not mean medical incidents are expected, but it is reassuring to know the crew takes basic safety needs seriously.

Alessandro has also been singled out for making sure people were well cared for. The repeated pattern is clear: the human service is a major part of the product.

You can help the skipper help you by explaining your priorities at the start. Say if you want quiet coves, long swims, caves, a lunch stop, or a family-friendly pace. Also mention if anyone has motion sickness or limited swimming ability.

What is included, and what you still need to bring

The charter includes:

• Masks and fins
• An Igloo ice box with ice
• Soda or soft drinks
• Authorization for Marine Protected Area Zones B, C, and D
• A private skipper and boat for your group

Lunch is not included. Bring money or make a lunch plan with the skipper if you want to eat ashore.

The information does not list towels, sunscreen, swimwear, or personal medication as included items. Pack the basics you normally need for a day on the water, and bring Dramamine if rough crossings affect you.

The boats offer different sizes, but the listing does not specify cabin space, toilet facilities, or a guaranteed amount of shade. If those details matter to you, ask before booking. Shade was a concern during at least one outing, and a considerate skipper helped make sure everyone had access to it.

Timing, weather, and cancellation

The advertised duration ranges from about one to eight hours, which is a wide range. The 10:00 a.m. start suggests a standard daytime departure, but you should confirm whether you are booking a short trip or a longer charter.

A full day gives you more time for several swimming stops, a cave visit, and lunch on Levanzo. A shorter outing may suit you if you mainly want a quick swim and boat ride. Do not assume the price covers the same schedule for every booking.

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund, so watch the local time and weather forecast.

Who should book this charter

I would choose this for a group that values privacy and flexibility more than the lowest possible price. Eight friends or a larger family can spread the cost and make good use of the private boat.

It is also a strong fit for families. Skippers have worked well with children as young as four, helped younger swimmers, and provided a floating mat at some stops. Grandparents can enjoy the views and shade while stronger swimmers spend time in the water.

This may not suit you if you dislike boats, are highly prone to motion sickness, or want a tightly scripted sightseeing program with fixed stops. The crossing from Trapani can be rough, the route changes with conditions, and lunch is extra.

It may also be excessive for a solo visitor or couple unless privacy is your top priority. With only two people, the per-person cost becomes much higher than the advertised group rate.

Should you book the Egadi Islands charter?

Book it if you want a private day where your skipper can respond to your group. The strongest reasons are the flexible pickup points, included swimming equipment, private setting, and attentive crew members such as Antonio, Pepe, Dino, and Rosario.

Before you commit, confirm three things: your boarding island, the exact duration, and the boat assigned to you. Ask about shade, lunch, and the expected sea conditions if you are leaving from Trapani.

For a full group of up to eight, the $844.76 price can be fair for a private boat, personal service, and several hours among the Egadi Islands. For a small group, compare the total cost carefully. If your ideal day includes swimming in clear coves, visiting caves, and changing plans when a stop is crowded, this charter gives you the right kind of freedom.

FAQ

Where does the charter start?

The listed meeting point is Vento Di Maestrale Srl on Via dei Gladioli in Trapani. Pickup is also available from ports in Trapani, Favignana, and Levanzo by dinghy.

Can I board from Favignana or Levanzo?

Yes. The company can collect you directly by dinghy from Favignana or Levanzo, so you do not have to begin in Trapani.

Can I be picked up on Marettimo?

Marettimo pickup must be arranged by telephone before booking. Confirm the details with the company first.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people.

What boat will I receive?

If you book directly through the standard option, the assigned boat is the Stingher GT800, an 8-meter vessel with a Suzuki 300 engine. Other boats are available in the fleet, but you should contact the company to request a specific one.

Are masks and fins included?

Yes. Masks and fins are included, along with an ice box with ice and soda or soft drinks.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. A stop for lunch on Levanzo may be possible, but arrange the plan with the skipper.

What time does the experience start?

The listed start time is 10:00 a.m. Confirm the exact schedule because the activity duration can range from about one to eight hours.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If the company cancels because of poor conditions, you can select another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.