Egadi Island-Favignana, Levanzo
e Marettimo
Marettimo,
Favignana and Levanzo are the real heart of the
Egadi Islands, while Formica, Porcelli, Maraone
and Asinelli are only big rocks, even if none can
remain unimpressed by their beauty. But at the same
time these rocks are also cases of archaeological
and natural jewels, for this reason the Egadi Islands
are the new destination of the charter in Italy.
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 Favignana
is the biggest island of the Egadi, 54 hectares
of marine reserve. Its shape is like the one of
a butterfly, 9 km long and 4 km large. Inside the
land Favignana offers you a particular kind of show:
the “closed gardens” . In fact, the
island is made above all of tufa and in the past
times the cutting to extract it, leaved big bare
holes. Today the same are full of rich vegetation,
wonderful hidden gardens, impossible to see from
the streets and for this reason all to discover.
But it is from the sea that Fav.ignana offers itself
in a total splendour. Its depths are a classical
underwater museum which has saved all: from the
Roman ship to the Arabian one of the X sec. With
all its goods aboard, but also you can find the
corsair galleon. On the island there are many scuba
divers who can help you to visit this underwater
richness. The most beautiful shores are: Cala Rossa
– accessible with the south wind – Cala
Azzurra, Lido Burrone – accessible with the
north wind – Stornello, Cala Rotonda and Cala
Grande – with the west one -. A note must
be done for the caves on the north-east side of
the island, for sure you have to visit them, specially
the Grotta del Bue Marino. It is also worth to visit
the little islands around: Galera, Galeotta and
Prevedo.
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 Marettimo
is the second island of the archipelago and the
farest one from Sicily. It is divided from Marsala
by 20 miles of sea, 13,5 miles far from Favignana
and 70 miles far from Capo Bon (Tunesia). Marettimo
is the oldest island of the Egadi islands. It is
defined as a natural botanical garden, in fact the
island is an impressive mountain rich of plants
and paths. But it is in its sea around that Mar.ettimo
gives its best : the paradise of scubas and of whom
loves to discover caves, in fact Marettimo is the
island of caves. Sailing to north you reach a strange
rock which has the shape of a camel, hidden inside
is the Grotta del Cammello (Cave of Camel), following
the route you will reach Cala Mione, a shelter when
the sea becomes dangerous, and the Grotta del Tuono
(Thunder cave) so named for the strong sounds made
inside, caused by the water. Crossing P.ta Due Frati
you will be in front of a magnificent crack in the
rock: it is a cave of green marble, and more over
Grotta Berciata, Grotta Bombarda and Grotta del
Presepio, the last one has inside stalagmites ,
stalactites and statues.
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 Levanzo
is the littlest of the 3 islands, only 10 km of
surface. It is 6,5 miles far from Marsala and 2,2
far from Favignana. Its depths are very rich of
archaeoligical ruins of the Roman and Punic times.
What is important is that in Levanzo there is one
of the most fascinating caves of all Europe: Grotta
del Genovese. The walls of this cave are full of
graffiti of 15.000 years ago. There is only one
asphalted road in the island and it crosses the
town of Cala Dogana, the other road is a mule trail
that crosses the island from south to north, to
Grotta del Genovese, along which there are Cala
Tramontana and Cda Case, an area wellknown by those
people who loves trekking.
Aboard, sailing from the little harbour of Cala
Dogana to west, you will find P.ta Pesce , where
there is an underwater cave, following this direction
there are : Pizzo del Monaco, P.ta dei Sorci and
Cala Tramontana, a rocky scenery made of caves and
caverns. Making the circumnaviigation of the island
to south you will meet Cala Calcara and P.ta Altarella.
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 Lampedusa
is in the point where Europe starts and finishs.
It is 9 km long, 61 km far from the Tunesian coast
and 116 far from the Italian one. Lampedusa and
its minor islands, Linosa and Lampione, are the
Pelagie archipelago. Lampedusa is above all a desertic
place - in past times it had been deforested by
some Maltese colonists, who wanted to create new
agricoltural places but sooner they leaved the progect
- . Around the island, in its depths, it is possible
admire a tropic fauna, very rare in the Mediterranean
sea. The coast of Lampedusa is full of little shores
and caves all to discover by the sea. You can start
following the west - route, and you will arrive
in Spaiggia della Guitgia, going on this route there
is Cala Croce, Cala Madonna, Cala Greca and the
very famous Cala Galera. A not deep line of water
divides Lampedusa from the famous Isola dei Conigli
(Island of Rabbits, one time this was populated
only by rabbits).
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 Pantelleria
is the nearest to Africa, 46 miles far from Capo
Bon (Tunisia). Known as the blak pearl of the Mediterranean
Sea for the colour of its shores, blak. The magic
of this island is given by the weave among the sea,
caves, clear waters and hot vapours. Here the wild
nature is linked to the tipical human buldings of
Pantelleria called “Dammuso”, this is
made of thick walls of lava that mantain fresh the
temperature inside it . It is possible to rent them
during the summer. From the sea, the circumnavigation
of the island can start from the harbour of Pantelleria
Centro and sailing following the sunwise route you
will find the San Leonardo lighthouse. Overcrossing
it you will arrive to Bue Marino. Sailing to Cuddia
Randazzo there is the first cave, named Curritia
and the lighthouse of P.ta Spadino. Overcrossing
P.ta Falconetto and P.ta Finestra you enter in the
Gadir Gulf.
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Tunisia
has been conquered, over the centuries, by maritime
civilizations, attracted by its strategic location
just like nowadays yachtsmen sailing this area both
for its beautiful position and its well organized
port facilities The most important Mediterranean
civilizations, from Phoenicians to Romans and Arabs,
considered Tunisia a short of "center access"
to the Mediterranean Sea, and have left here a wide
range of different historical monuments, not found
anywhere else. The Rome and Carthago war is one
of the most important events of the west civilization.
Today Tunisian shoreline has a leading place in
the international tourism market thanks to both
its strategic position and European investments,
which have led to the building of modern holiday
resorts and marinas, as well as the restoration
of existing historical facilities. The charter activity
is well established and several chartering operators,
located in the country main ports, offer a wide
range of boats. Tunisia, however, can be easily
reached from Sicily and the Pelagic islands. Crossing
the Sicily channel is just a few hours navigation
and Pantelleria island lies right off the Tunisian
coast. Sidi Bou Said is a clear example of Tunisian
strategic location. The village, called the Tunisian
Sant Tropez where the traditional Mediterranean
architecture and modern tourist facilities are masterly
mixed together, has characteristic white houses
with turquoise windows and railings and plenty of
green trees, making one believe these are the only
colors available here! Those landing here have the
choice of tasting the unique Turkish coffee at the
famous and traditional Mat Caff, while berthing
in a modern marina where 380 berths are available
(60 for transit traffic). From here, a tour to Carthagòs
ruins and to Tunis (a must for its renowned and
huge Bazaar) can be easily organized. Yachtsmen
will be more attracted by the famous La Galite island,
with beautiful white beaches surrounding it, which
is a real Mediterranean fauna oasis: the rare Pharaoh
Sarago and the Monk Seal (actually almost disappear)
can be found here. The archipelago, placed 40 miles
off the Tunisian coast, was, during the 50's, a
coral fishing colony, while today is almost entirely
occupied from a military facility. La Galite, known
since the down of civilization, as suggested from
the Ipogean tombs found here, were known for the
several fresh water springs used by ancient seamen.
The archipelago can be reached from Biserta, offering
a marina with 200 berths. Tabarka port, currently
under re-building and with a picturesque castle
overlooking it, is a good alternative. More than
100 berths are reserved to pleasure boats, but more
will be available soon. Those looking for a worldly
holiday should steer eastbound indeed, sailing from
La Goulette port located in the Tunis gulf. Here
150 berths (30 for transit traffic) and a Yacht
Club are available, and Tunis is easily reachable.
Sidi Daud and Keliba ports, almost entirely occupied
by fishing vessels, are located on the extreme Tunisian
peninsula end. These two facilities are very characteristic
places but not suitable for large yachts, which
should steer south of Bon cape, where landing can
be found at El Kantaui, offering 160 berths on 3.5
meters water depth. Beni Khiar port, nearby Hammamet,
has a draught limitation to 2.5 meters too, and
only daylight landing (best if assisted by a local
guide) is recommended. Once there , do not miss
a tour to Hammamet, probably the most renowned tourist
center over the entire North African coast: from
Flaubert to Maupassiant, including Oscar Wilde and
Wiston Curchill have all been charmed by this beautiful
town. The fortress, a splendid example of classical
architecture, built in the XV century, and the tourist
resorts in the nearby coast, are beautifully cast
in the surrounding environment, ensuring complete
comfort to vacationers. El Kantaoui, surrounded
by a residential complex, offer a new Mediterranean
boating style. The nearby Sousse town feature a
wonderful natural scenario and port, now mainly
used by fishing vessels. The town is surrounded
by walls and is overlooked by the Khalaf Al Fata
tower, built in 859, on top of which one can enjoy
a breathtaking view, ranging from the town to the
endless sea. Monastir, located at the Hammamet gulf's
extreme end, was once a fortress built on the promontory
to prevent sea invasions; several rules followed
here along the centuries, including the Punic, Roman,
Spanish and Turkish who made it an "Holly City".
Few days spent in Monastir were enough to gain eternal
paradise, and, the legend says, Mohammed stated
that the door to paradise was hidden here. Monastir,
however, is surely a boaters paradise, offering
400 berths and a charming town with characteristic
alleys and stores, overlooked by Ribat castle, for
centuries the seclusion monks see. Further south,
Mahdia port, located just 50 miles from Lampedusa,
offer 610 berths, followed by La Chebba port with
421 berths. In the southernmost part of the Tunisian
coast, nearby Djerba island, there are several minor
landings, where entrance should be considered only
with good weather conditions and with low draught
boats. We suggest to sail, in your maiden voyage
along the Tunisian coast, with a local experienced
skipper on board, however, on common routes, cruises
can be safely undertaken and common marine knowledge
will.
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