Lampedusa Boat Tour: Swim, Snorkel & Fresh Fish Lunch

Summary

Swim coves eat fresh fish and hear falcons on Lampedusa

You’ll swim in sapphire coves around Lampedusa, snorkel above old shipwrecks near Rabbit Beach, and share laughter with locals over a long seafood lunch served right onboard. Expect honest flavors, sun-warmed skin, and those rare moments when everyone just listens to the sea together.

What’s the experience like?

“You’re not going to eat all that,” Gianni grinned as he slid over a plate of marinated anchovies. I’d barely dried off from our first swim—somewhere near Rabbit Beach, the water clear enough to see your own feet kicking below. The sun was already warming my shoulders, but there was always this patch of shade under the awning where you could cool off and just listen to the sea slap against the hull. Someone’s kid giggled every time a wave rocked us. I didn’t expect to feel so at home on a boat full of strangers.

Our local guide—can’t remember if her name was Lucia or Luisa—pointed out the Sacramento stack as we passed, telling stories about Madonna rock and the old steamship wreck like she’d grown up with them (maybe she did). We stopped there too, engines off, and suddenly it was quiet except for these wild falcons overhead. She called them queen’s falcons. Their cries echoed off the cliffs in this way that made everyone pause mid-conversation. Even Gianni stopped talking about caponata for a minute.

I’m still thinking about that lunch: pasta with fish so fresh it almost tasted sweet, aubergine caponata made by someone’s auntie (that’s what they said), raw prawns and scampi I never thought I’d try but somehow did. Dessert came out after coffee, and then fruit—someone peeled an orange for me because my hands were salty from swimming. We lingered in some cove—I lost track of which one—just floating or snorkeling or lying back with eyes closed while the boat drifted. If you’re looking for a day trip in Lampedusa that feels both laid-back and quietly special, this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Boat tour with swimming and lunch

• Depart at 9:30am for boat tour
• Visit 4 or 5 scenic stops
• Stop for swimming and snorkeling
• Enjoy fish-based lunch on board
• Swim and snorkel at lunch cove
• Swim and snorkel at old shipwreck
• Pass Sacramento stack and Madonna rock
• Stop at Muro Vecchio for swimming
• Stop at Punta dell'Acqua for snorkeling
• Return by approximately 5pm

Top questions

How long does the Lampedusa boat tour last?

The tour runs from 9:30am to about 5pm.

Is lunch included on the Sciatumia day boat tour?

Yes, a multi-course seafood lunch is served onboard.

Do you stop at Rabbit Beach during this boat trip?

Yes, Rabbit Beach is one of the main stops for swimming and snorkeling.

Are there toilets on board?

Yes, there are separate toilets for men and women on the boat.

Can children join this Lampedusa day trip?

Yes, infants and small children can join; strollers are allowed.

What kind of food is served for lunch?

Pasta with fresh fish, homemade aubergine caponata, prawn and scampi crudités, marinated anchovies, dessert, fruit, coffee, and digestive are included.

Are drinks included during lunch?

Coffee and digestive are included; other drinks aren’t specified.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

This isn’t specified; best to bring your own or ask when booking.

What’s included

Your day includes several swim and snorkel stops around Lampedusa’s coast—including Rabbit Beach—a generous multi-course seafood lunch served at your table on board (with homemade caponata), dessert, fruit, coffee and digestive. There are shaded areas to relax in between swims plus separate restrooms for men and women before returning by late afternoon.