28. The Egadi Islands on the West Coast of Sicily

28. The Egadi Islands on the West Coast of Sicily

There are three main islands and some smaller islands. The only two smaller islands are Maratone and Formica. The island of Maraone is now a rehabilitation centre. I am not sure what type of rehabilitation. It could be drugs and alcohol or it could be criminal. Whatever once on the island there is no getting off! The small island of Formica was a Tuna fish factory. Tuna fishing was very big in this area and I believe the invention of tinned tuna was from the factories on Isolo Favagnana.

The islands are a marine reserve and supposedly the largest in the Mediterranean. To sail there you need a permit and are advised to use the mooring buoys provided. The bays are patrolled all the time and the fines for not having a permit are costly. 

The coloured areas around the islands show the zones which you are allowed to visit or anchor. With the permit we were allowed into zones B, C and D.

Isola di Levanzo

After sailing from the most Western tip of Sicily we headed for the first of the Isole Egadi - Isola di Levanzo. These Islands are supposedly the best cruising area in Sicily and they did not disappoint. The islands are quite beautiful and the sea is crystal clear aquamarine. The islands  can be windy at times as we found out later as we did have some strong winds to contend with.

Isolo Levanzo 

Isolo Levanzo is the smallest of the three main Egadi Islands. It has a small harbour and village. A stunning whitewashed village with a picturesque small harbour. We took a mooring buoy in a bay close-by and motored in the dinghy to the harbour.

The small harbour. 1.

                                                    The small harbour. 2. 

                                           The Village at Levanzo