Marettimo Island
Small Sicilian island in the Aegadian archipelago.
Part of Sicily's Egadi archipelago, Marettimo offers steep trails, sea caves and clear water for snorkeling; visitors take day boats from Trapani for hiking, boat tours and fresh seafood in the island's small harbors.
Marettimo at a Glance#
About Marettimo#
Marettimo is a small, rugged island in the Egadi Islands archipelago off the western coast of Sicily, Italy, known for steep limestone cliffs, sea caves and traditional fishing villages. The island’s compact settlement and coastal scenery make it popular for day trips, diving and short coastal walks.
The island village occupies a sheltered harbour and provides small-scale accommodation, eateries and boat excursions to nearby caves and coves. The marine environment around the island is valued for clear waters and biodiversity, contributing to regional marine protection initiatives.
Historically the island has long had a fishing community and retains a low-density population and traditional maritime activities. Its landscape is predominantly rocky with limited arable land.
Geographically Marettimo sits in the Tyrrhenian sector of the central Mediterranean, west of the Sicilian mainland, and is the most remote of the three main Egadi Islands, reached by ferry from Trapani.
- Island group access: Part of the Egadi (Aegadian) island group off western Sicily and served by regular ferries from the Sicilian port of Trapani during the tourist season.
How to Get to Marettimo#
Regular ferries sail from Trapani and Favignana during spring-autumn; crossing times from Trapani are approximately 1-1.5 hours depending on vessel. Private boat charters can be arranged from San Vito Lo Capo and the Egadi islands.
Tips for Visiting Marettimo#
- Take the early morning ferry from Trapani or San Vito Lo Capo to avoid afternoon Meltemi winds that can rock the little ferries.
- Explore the island's west caves (Grotta del Cammello) during calm seas; hire a local skipper rather than attempting them in a rented dinghy.
- Walk up to the small castle ruins and lighthouse for panoramic views; the circular trail from the harbor is short but steep in parts.
Best Time to Visit Marettimo#
Best visited May-October; calmer seas and more regular ferry connections in late spring and early autumn.
Weather & Climate near Marettimo#
Marettimo's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 7°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (564 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 8° - 12° | 7° | 69 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 5.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.8h |
| February | Good | 7° - 12° | 7° | 58 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 5.4 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.7h |
| March | Good | 8° - 13° | 10° | 52 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 4.8 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 9° - 15° | 12° | 47 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 4.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 13.0h |
| May | Excellent | 13° - 19° | 16° | 25 mm | some cloud | 84% | 4.0 m/s | 1.8 very high | 14.0h |
| June | Ideal | 17° - 23° | 20° | 7 mm | mostly sunny | 84% | 3.7 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 14.5h |
| July | Ideal | 19° - 26° | 23° | 6 mm | clear | 80% | 3.6 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 14.3h |
| August | Ideal | 20° - 26° | 23° | 11 mm | mostly sunny | 78% | 3.6 m/s | 2.0 very high | 13.4h |
| September | Excellent | 18° - 24° | 21° | 50 mm | some cloud | 77% | 3.9 m/s | 1.4 high | 12.3h |
| October | Very Good | 15° - 20° | 18° | 80 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.2 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.1h |
| November | Very Good | 11° - 16° | 14° | 85 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.7 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.0h |
| December | Good | 9° - 13° | 11° | 74 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 5.3 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.5h |