Private Boat Charter in Favignana & Levanzo: Prices, Skipper & What to Expect
Thinking about a private boat charter in Favignana and Levanzo? Compare prices, boat types, itineraries, skipper options and what you get for the extra cost.
A private boat charter is one of the most flexible ways to explore Favignana and Levanzo. Instead of following a fixed timetable with a larger group, you have the boat to yourselves, more say over where you stop and much more freedom to spend your day swimming, snorkelling or simply relaxing on board.
But private doesn’t automatically mean better for everyone.
A charter costs considerably more than a shared boat tour, and the experience can vary enormously depending on the boat, departure point, season and what is actually included in the price.
So, is a private boat charter around Favignana and Levanzo worth it?
For couples wanting a special day, families, or groups who can split the cost, it often is. The biggest advantage isn’t luxury: it’s flexibility. A good skipper can adapt the day around the sea conditions and your group instead of following exactly the same timetable as everyone else.
This guide explains what private charters usually include, what they cost, which boat to choose and what to check before booking.
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Private Favignana & Levanzo Boat Charters at a Glance
| Private Charter | |
|---|---|
| Best for | Couples, families and groups |
| Typical duration | Around 6–9 hours for a full-day trip |
| Typical group size | Around 6–12 passengers |
| Skipper | Usually included or required |
| Typical 2026 price | Roughly €600–€1,300 for many standard full-day options |
| Luxury options | €1,500+ is possible |
| Common route | Favignana + Levanzo |
| Main advantage | Flexible itinerary and private boat |
| Main disadvantage | Considerably more expensive than a shared tour |
Current 2026 listings show considerable variation. Standard private RIB and motorboat trips commonly start around €600–€1,300 per boat, while premium boats and larger private experiences can cost considerably more. Some smaller boats departing directly from Favignana can also be cheaper.
Our take: If there are six, eight or more of you, always compare the total private charter price with the combined cost of individual tickets on a good small-group tour. The difference per person can sometimes be much smaller than you expect. See our full private-charter arithmetic for the worked example.
Why Take a Private Boat Around Favignana and Levanzo?
You don’t need a private charter to see the Egadi Islands. There are plenty of shared boat tours that visit many of the same stretches of coast for far less money.
What you are paying extra for is control over the experience.
You have the boat to yourselves
This is the obvious advantage, but it changes the feel of the day considerably.
There’s no need to share the deck with people you don’t know, wait while a larger group gets on and off the boat, or adjust your day around other passengers.
For families with children or groups of friends, this alone can make the trip noticeably more relaxed.
The itinerary can be more flexible
A private tour usually has a planned route, but a good skipper has much more freedom to adapt it.
Love one particular swimming spot? You may be able to stay longer.
Not interested in spending much time ashore? Ask whether you can prioritise swimming and coastal stops instead.
Want some time in Favignana town or Levanzo? That can often be incorporated too.
Don’t interpret “private” as meaning you can go absolutely anywhere you want, however. Weather, wind, marine-reserve regulations and safety always take priority.
The waters around the Egadi Islands form part of a protected marine area divided into zones with different rules and restrictions, so navigation and anchoring are not simply a matter of choosing any point on a map.
Your skipper can choose stops for the conditions
This may be the most underrated reason to choose a private tour.
People naturally book with a list of famous places in mind — Cala Rossa, Cala Azzurra, Bue Marino — but the most famous cove isn’t necessarily the best place to swim at every hour of every day.
Wind direction, swell, crowds and boat traffic all matter.
Rather than insisting on a rigid checklist, it’s often worth letting an experienced local skipper decide where the water and conditions are best.
It’s easier with children
A full day at sea with young children is much easier when your family controls the pace.
You can ask for:
- shorter swimming stops
- more shade
- an earlier lunch
- extra time ashore
- fewer stops
- a slower pace
Just check the boat itself carefully before booking. A “private boat” could be anything from a relatively compact RIB to a larger motorboat with a toilet and shaded seating.
Those are very different experiences with children.
What Does a Typical Private Favignana & Levanzo Tour Include?
There isn’t one standard itinerary, but many full-day private tours follow roughly the same pattern:
- Depart from Favignana, Trapani or Marsala.
- Cruise towards the coast of Favignana.
- Stop at several coves for swimming or snorkelling.
- Continue towards Levanzo.
- Explore part of Levanzo’s coastline.
- Stop for more swimming.
- Depending on the tour, spend some time ashore.
- Return to your departure port later in the afternoon.
Full-day tours commonly last around eight hours, although shorter six- to seven-hour private trips and longer excursions are also available.
Best Stops Around Favignana
Cala Rossa
Cala Rossa is Favignana’s best-known coastal spot and understandably appears on many boat itineraries.
From the water you get a completely different view of its rocky coastline and blue-turquoise sea.
It is also extremely popular, particularly during summer, so don’t assume your boat will be alone here.
Bue Marino
The former tuff-quarry landscape around Bue Marino makes this part of Favignana visually very different from a conventional sandy beach.
It’s particularly attractive from the sea, where you can properly appreciate the rock formations and intensely coloured water.
Cala Azzurra
As the name suggests, Cala Azzurra is known for exceptionally clear blue water and is another frequent swimming stop on boat excursions around Favignana.
Cala Rotonda
On the western side of Favignana, Cala Rotonda offers a different coastal landscape and is sometimes incorporated into longer circuits of the island.
Whether your boat visits it will depend partly on sea and wind conditions.
What About Levanzo?
Levanzo is smaller, quieter and much less developed than Favignana, which is exactly why combining the two islands works so well.
Favignana provides the dramatic famous coves; Levanzo gives the day a more peaceful, stripped-back island feel.
Boat itineraries may include places such as:
- Cala Fredda
- Cala Minnola
- Cala Calcara
- stretches of coast around the Faraglione
- Levanzo village
Not every tour follows exactly the same route.
If seeing both Favignana and Levanzo is important to you, check the description before booking rather than assuming that every private Favignana charter automatically includes Levanzo.
Should You Depart From Favignana or Trapani?
This makes more difference than people sometimes realise.
Starting from Favignana
If you’re already staying on Favignana, departing directly from the island is the obvious choice.
You spend less of your charter crossing open water from Sicily and more time exploring the islands themselves. See boat tours from Favignana for what departs from the island itself.
Starting from Trapani
Trapani has a much larger selection of excursions and is extremely convenient if you’re staying in western Sicily.
A typical full-day trip can incorporate both Favignana and Levanzo before returning to Trapani in the evening. See boat tours from Trapani.
The downside is that part of your day necessarily goes towards travelling between Sicily and the islands.
Starting from Marsala
Marsala is another common departure point and can be convenient if you’re staying south of Trapani. See boat tours from Marsala — private inventory is especially concentrated at this port.
A cheaper nine-hour excursion isn’t automatically better value than a seven-hour charter from Favignana if much more of the day is spent travelling to and from the islands.
How Much Does a Private Boat Charter in Favignana Cost?
There is no single price because “private boat charter” covers everything from a small RIB to a substantial motor yacht.
As a rough guide based on current 2026 listings:
| Private boat type | Approximate price level |
|---|---|
| Small/local RIB charter | €300–€600+ |
| Standard private full-day RIB | €600–€1,000+ |
| Larger motorboat | €700–€1,300+ |
| Sailing boat | Often €750–€1,200+ |
| Premium/luxury private boat | €1,500+ |
What affects the price?
The biggest factors are:
- Month of travel – August normally commands the highest rates.
- Boat size
- Boat type
- Departure port
- Tour duration
- Maximum passenger capacity
- Fuel inclusion
- Skipper fee
- Food and drinks
- Premium extras
- Whether the price is per boat or per person
Always check the last point carefully.
Is a Private Charter Worth It for a Group?
Imagine a shared boat excursion costs roughly €80–€100 per person.
For two people, that’s around €160–€200, so a €700 private charter is obviously a significant upgrade.
But for eight people:
€90 × 8 = €720
Suddenly, a €700–€900 private boat doesn’t look extravagant at all.
The larger your group, the more important it is to compare the total cost of a private charter rather than assuming shared tours are automatically cheaper.
Which Boat Should You Choose?
RIB / Gommone
Best for: active travellers, small groups and people who prioritise swimming stops.
Advantages:
- fast
- easy access to smaller coastal areas
- often less expensive than larger boats
- plenty of open deck space
Potential downside:
- less protection from the elements
- fewer facilities
- can feel more exposed in rougher water
Our pick: Trapani: Favignana & Levanzo RIB Tour with Snorkelling — $99 · 4.4★ (4 reviews). Rating is genuine but the review count is thin, so weigh that alongside the price. Full write-up: our RIB tour breakdown.
Traditional Gozzo
A gozzo is a traditional Mediterranean-style boat and arguably one of the most atmospheric ways to explore the Egadi Islands.
Best for: couples and groups who prefer slower, relaxed cruising.
The one dedicated gozzo charter we track — Favignana: Private Gozzo Boat Tour with Skipper, departing the island itself so there’s no crossing to eat into the day — has no reviews yet. That’s a throughput signal rather than a quality one on a route where private operators run one group a day, but it does mean you have less evidence to go on than with a well-reviewed shared boat, so we’re not calling it “the pick” until it has a track record.
Motorboat
Motorboats generally provide more substantial seating and facilities than smaller RIBs while remaining quick enough to cover both islands comfortably.
Best for: families and mixed groups.
Our pick: From Trapani: Favignana and Levanzo Motorboat Cruise — $64 · 4.7★ (5 reviews). Also a thin review count, but the rating and price are both solid for a family day.
Sailing Boat
If being on the boat is part of the experience itself, sailing is much more appealing.
Best for: couples, slower days and travellers who value the journey as much as the stops.
Our pick: From Trapani: Full-Day Sailboat Trip to Favignana & Levanzo — $134 · 4.9★ (45 reviews). The best-evidenced sailing option on the route. Full write-up: our sailboat tour breakdown.
Yacht or Luxury Motor Yacht
Luxury boats offer more space, comfort, lounging areas and potentially better onboard facilities.
They’re particularly attractive for:
- celebrations
- larger groups
- honeymoons
- special occasions
Our pick: Luxury Boat Tour to Favignana and Levanzo — $836 (up to 4 guests) · 4.9★ (9 reviews). The best-reviewed private boat on this route, with lunch and aperitif cooked on board. Full write-up: our luxury charter breakdown.
What Should Be Included in the Price?
Check whether the booking includes:
- skipper
- fuel
- snorkelling equipment
- bottled water
- soft drinks
- wine or prosecco
- aperitivo
- lunch or snacks
- towels
- port charges
- insurance
- hotel transfer, if offered
Fuel is particularly important.
Private Charter vs Shared Boat Tour
| Private Charter | Shared Tour | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Higher | Lower |
| Privacy | Excellent | Limited |
| Flexible itinerary | Usually much better | Limited |
| Swimming time | More adaptable | Fixed |
| Good for couples | Excellent but expensive | Excellent value |
| Good for large groups | Can be surprisingly good value | Cost rises per person |
| Families with children | Very convenient | Depends on the boat/group |
| Special occasion | Excellent | Less private |
| Best value for 1–2 people | Usually not | Usually yes |
Our pick for a shared alternative: From Trapani: Favignana and Levanzo Egadi Island Day Cruise — $64 · 4.8★ (830 reviews), the most-evidenced tour on the whole route. Full write-up: our shared day-cruise breakdown.
Full Day or Half Day?
If you want to properly explore both Favignana and Levanzo, a full-day charter makes considerably more sense.
A half-day trip can work well when:
- you’re already staying on Favignana
- you mainly want to explore Favignana’s coast
- you’re travelling with young children
- you don’t want to spend all day at sea
What Happens If the Weather Is Bad?
Strong wind or rough seas can:
- alter the route
- make particular swimming spots unsuitable
- prevent visiting one of the islands
- delay the departure
- result in cancellation
Before booking, check the weather cancellation policy and whether you’ll receive a refund or alternative date.
Best Time for a Private Boat Charter
May and June
Lower prices, fewer boats and pleasant temperatures.
July
Warm water, long days and a lively atmosphere.
August
The busiest and usually most expensive period.
September
Warm sea after summer, with demand normally beginning to ease after the August peak.
Questions to Ask Before Booking
- Is the price for the whole boat or per person?
- Is the skipper included?
- Is fuel included?
- Which islands does the normal itinerary cover?
- How many hours are actually spent on the tour?
- What’s the maximum passenger capacity?
- Is there shade?
- Is there a toilet?
- Are drinks and food included?
- Is snorkelling equipment provided?
- Can the itinerary be adapted?
- What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?
- Where exactly does the boat depart from?
Is a Private Boat Charter in Favignana Worth It?
For two people travelling on a budget, probably not.
A good small-group Favignana and Levanzo boat tour can show you much of the same coastline for a fraction of the cost. See small-group tours for that comparison.
But the calculation changes quickly for families and groups.
A private charter gives you something a shared tour cannot really replicate:
your own day at sea, at your own pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a private boat charter in Favignana?
Many standard full-day private charters currently fall roughly in the €600–€1,300 range, while small local boats can cost less and premium yacht experiences can exceed €1,500.
Is a skipper included?
Many private tours include a skipper, and on some boats having a professional skipper is mandatory.
Can you visit Favignana and Levanzo in one day?
Yes. Combining Favignana and Levanzo is one of the most common full-day boat itineraries in the Egadi Islands.
Is a private boat cheaper for a large group?
It can be.
Do private Favignana tours include Cala Rossa?
Many do, but no specific swimming stop should be treated as guaranteed.
Do I need a boating licence?
Not if you’re booking a charter with a professional skipper.
Is a RIB or traditional boat better?
A RIB is faster and excellent for hopping between swimming spots. A traditional gozzo offers a slower, more atmospheric experience. We compare every boat type in detail here.
Compare Private Boat Tours to Favignana & Levanzo
Compare the boat, departure port, trip duration, group capacity, skipper and fuel policy before deciding.
The best private tour isn’t necessarily the one promising the longest list of stops.
It’s the boat that gives your group the right combination of comfort, swimming time and flexibility for the day you actually want.
→ Compare private Favignana & Levanzo boat tours, current prices and availability.
Pick Your Boat, Pick Your Port
Trapani, Marsala or Favignana; twelve people or two hundred; lunch on board or lunch ashore. Check live availability and prices before the summer dates go.
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