ROUTE
EGADI ISLANDS
THE TOUR OF THE UNCONTAMINATED ISLANDS
An adventure full of emotions. The Egadi archipelago is located in the Sicilian channel, a few miles from the Sicilian west coast. It includes three main islands: Favignana, Levanzo, Marettimo and the islets of Formica and Maraone, little more than two rocks.
ITINERARY
Here you come to experience the sea with simplicity aboard our boats discovering the infinite variety of emotions that these islands can offer: a swim in the bay early in the morning, or in the blinding light of the sun, or at sunset, or even on a warm day in May or in cool water in August, or simply in the sweet warmth of September. Here everything is pure emotion. In Favignana the protagonists are the sea and the tuna.
In fact, it is enough to dock at the port to have in front of the scenario designed by the ancient buildings of the Florio Tonnara, where once the nets were set up for fishing and tuna was processed to preserve it.
Today the Florio Tonnara can be visited under the guidance of one of the old employees who guards it. The king of the Egadi islands is tuna and it is worth taking the opportunity to both taste it fresh and stock up on the preserved one. Typical is the tuna bottarga made from eggs cooked in salt with which the typical dish of spaghetti with bottarga is also prepared on board our boats.
Favignana is the largest of the group and the closest to Trapani and is barren and marked by numerous inlets bordered by splendid white tuff caves and white sand beaches. Notable are the low and jagged coasts, cavities and caves, areas of refuge and development of many animal species, one of which is the “caretta caretta” sea turtle.
On board our boats it will be possible to visit the cave of Bue Marino, swim in front of the beautiful beach of Preveto characterized by a very fine white sand. At sunset and with calm sea, we will toast in one of the most splendid inlets of Favignana, Cala Rossa.
In the following days, we will explore Cala Monaca, Cala Rotonda and Cala Azzurra. In short, in the morning in Favignana all you have to do is decide the color of the sea in which to bathe or the bay where you can indulge in the sun: whether it is white and sandy like in Burrone and Cala Blu, or high and rocky in Cala Rossa; whether to stop at the Perciato cave or Scala Stornello protected by Preveto islet. For diving enthusiasts with local divers, it is possible to organize a scuba diving trip to the caves al Relitto di Punti Lunga or at Punta Fanfalo. In the evening, ashore we will go to the Piazza della Matrice for a drink or to enjoy a good dish of couscous in one of the many local restaurants.
Just 4 miles north of Favignana stands Levanzo, the small island made up of crystalline white limestone. Sparsely inhabited, it is rich in fauna, where it is possible for trekking lovers to take long and pleasant walks through the dedicated paths. The island has numerous caves including that of the Genovese of inestimable value for the presence of graffiti dating back to 11,000 / 12,000 years ago. With favorable weather we will anchor at Cala Dogana or Cala Minnoli both adjacent to the port.
We will then be able to explore by circumnavigating the entire island passing again through the stacks to return in the evening to the buoys in front of the port and then go ashore to enjoy a relaxing evening in one of the few restaurants that offer good local fish. About 12 miles west of Favignana stands Marettimo: the real jewel of the entire archipelago where you can admire all the colors of the sea. For its geological history, for its particular conformation and for its vegetation it represents one of the most important sites in the entire Mediterranean basin. The island is mountainous and Dolomite and its peak is about 700 meters above sea level.
It appears imposing and suggestive on the horizon. The richness of its terrestrial environment is determined by 3 main factors: the total mountainousness, the presence of spring water, the isolation dating back to 600 thousand years ago, factors that have allowed the conservation of over 500 rare botanical entities, or absent in Sicily as well as unique in the world. The island is home to numerous seabirds including the storm bird.
Moored in front of the harbor in one of the park's buoys, we will be able to explore the town of Marettimo and the typical fishing village. here everything takes on another dimension, the characteristic building is made up of small fishermen's houses and narrow alleys where you can breathe the smell of the sea. On this island in particular the marine reserve of the Egadi protects a natural heritage of immense value and that is why some areas are totally forbidden to navigate.
Please note: the itinerary and excursions may vary according to weather, sea and wind conditions. The captain therefore reserves the right to change the cruise itinerary, taking into account that the real "captains" are always Neptune and Aeolus, the God of the sea and the God of the wind.
HOW TO GET TO PALERMO
By plane: flights to Trapani or Palermo from the main Italian cities.
By train: Palermo-Messina line, Palermo central station
By car: Palermo-Messina highway, ss. 113.