Yacht catamaran trip to the Lavezzi Islands

The best part of this Lavezzi Islands catamaran trip is the water: clear enough to see fish around the boat while you swim from a quiet cove. You sail from Corsica aboard a spacious Bali 4.6, with Nicolas and Bénédicte handling the boat and hosting the day in French.

I like the deliberately small group of 22 people, which leaves room to find shade at the stern or sun on the front loungers and flybridge. I also like that lunch, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, paddle use, fuel, and the skipper and hostess service are included. The main consideration is the long two-hour crossing each way, plus the fact that the route and meeting point can change with the weather.

Key Points

• Two-hour sail to Lavezzi or Cavallo: The destination depends on sea and wind conditions, with Lavezzi the planned focus when conditions allow.
• Clear water in a protected reserve: Anchor in a cove for swimming and snorkeling among fish.
• Comfortable 22-person setup: The boat can carry more, but the company limits each outing to 22 people.
• Lunch served at the table: Pasta with pesto, Gruyère, and Parmesan is available, with a €30 Corsican menu option.
• Useful water equipment included: Snorkeling equipment and a paddle are provided.
• French-language hosting: Nicolas and Bénédicte run the day, with information and service in French.

Setting Out From Corsica at 8:30 a.m.

This is a full day on the water, not a quick boat transfer. Departure is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. from either Paragan Bay or Sant’Amanza Bay, both near Bonifacio, and the exact meeting point is sent the day before your outing.

That last-minute location matters. The operator chooses between the two bays according to the day’s weather, aiming for the calmest possible navigation. You should have your own car or arrange a taxi, since there is no public transport to the meeting points. Free parking is available a few metres from the departure spot.

The transfer from shore to the catamaran takes place in a small tender, called an annex. Wear practical clothes for this short boat transfer, and remember that shoes are not allowed on board. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun cream, and a hat. The supplied information specifically lists a towel as something to bring, but you should also plan for a long day in strong Mediterranean sun.

Two Hours of Sailing Toward Lavezzi

The journey to the islands takes about two hours. That sounds long if you are expecting a direct ride, but it is an important part of the experience. This is sold as a sailing day, and the catamaran may sail during the outward and return legs when the wind permits.

The Bali 4.6 is a broad, stable catamaran, so the ride should feel less cramped than a standard excursion boat. One particularly useful account describes sailing in winds between 20 and 32 knots while the boat remained impressively stable. Conditions like that can still mean a lively ride, so anyone prone to seasickness should think carefully about the two-hour crossing.

The boat is described as an ecological vessel, and its size gives you several ways to spend the crossing. Sit in the shaded stern, stretch out on the forward sun loungers, or head to the flybridge for sun. Since the group is limited to 22 people, you have a better chance of finding a comfortable place without competing for every seat.

Smoking is permitted outdoors. The boat uses fuel for the outing, and diesel is included in the price, so there is no fuel surcharge to worry about.

Choosing Between Lavezzi and Cavallo

The main destination is Lavezzi Island, but the captain may choose Cavallo instead if the weather makes it the better option. This is not a fixed ferry service with a guaranteed route. The crew makes the call on the day to provide calmer and safer sailing.

That flexibility is sensible around Corsica’s exposed southern coast, but it does mean you should not book this expecting a rigid list of stops. The supplied plan allows for Lavezzi or Cavallo, depending on conditions. Ask for the day’s route when you meet the crew if the destination is especially important to you.

Lavezzi is the more clearly described stop. The catamaran anchors in a beautiful cove, where clear water and fish provide the main attraction. The focus is simple: swim, snorkel, use the paddle, and spend time ashore rather than rush from one photo stop to another.

Swimming Where Fish Gather Around the Boat

The water is the star of the day. Once anchored, you can swim in transparent water around the catamaran and use the included snorkeling equipment to look for fish. The trip information specifically highlights swimming with beautiful fish, and that is likely to be the most memorable part for anyone who enjoys being in the sea.

You do not need to bring your own mask or snorkel, since equipment is provided. A paddle is also available, giving you another way to enjoy the cove without staying on the boat or walking ashore.

The water is in a natural reserve, which helps explain the appeal of this stop. You are not simply swimming beside a crowded beach. The attraction is the combination of clear water, marine life, and a boat that can reach a cove suited to swimming.

Still, conditions matter. Wind, sea state, and the day’s route can change the experience. One outing had unusually favorable weather, while another sailed in strong wind. The operator clearly warns that activities can change according to the conditions of the day. Pack with that in mind, and treat the exact swimming plan as weather dependent.

Walking on Lavezzi Until 4 p.m.

The shore time lasts until a maximum of about 4 p.m., followed by the return journey and arrival around 5:30 p.m. That gives you several hours for a mix of swimming and walking on Lavezzi.

This is useful for people who do not want an entire day confined to a boat. You can alternate between the water and land, dry off, explore on foot, and return to the catamaran when you want shade or a drink.

The supplied details do not give a marked walking route or a guided island tour, so you should expect independent time rather than a formal historical visit. The main value is the freedom to enjoy the island at your own pace. If you want a detailed archaeological or cultural tour, this is not the right format.

The schedule also has a practical advantage. The boat leaves the island by 4 p.m. at the latest, keeping the return predictable. You are not left waiting for a late departure after a tiring swim.

Lunch at the Table, With a Corsican Upgrade

Food is included, and lunch is served at the table rather than handed out as a quick snack. The standard meal includes pasta with pesto, Gruyère, and Parmesan. Unlimited soft drinks are also included.

For an additional €30, you can choose a more typically Corsican menu. It includes tomato and mozzarella salad with a tasting of Corsican charcuterie, Bonifacio-style eggplant as the main course, and fresh fruit salad for dessert.

The menu is one of the more appealing touches because it connects the outing to the food of southern Corsica. Bonifacio-style eggplant gives you a local specialty rather than another generic boat lunch. The charcuterie also makes the optional menu a better choice if you want a fuller taste of the region.

There is a detail worth clarifying before you pay: the basic program describes pasta as available, while the optional Corsican menu costs €30. Some descriptions of the day present a full starter, main course, and dessert meal as included. Ask the operator exactly which menu applies to your booking and whether the €30 upgrade is required for the full Corsican meal.

Food allergies and dietary requirements are not addressed in the supplied information, so contact the company before departure if that matters to you.

Space, Shade, and the Bali 4.6 Layout

The catamaran is a recent Bali 4.6 with shaded seating at the stern, large sun loungers at the front, and more sunbathing space on the flybridge. This layout gives the day a more relaxed feel than a narrow open boat.

The operator deliberately limits each trip to 22 people, even though the boat’s maximum capacity is 38. That choice matters. You are more likely to have room around you, find a place in the shade, and move between the swimming, dining, and lounging areas without feeling boxed in.

This is still a shared outing. You will not have a private yacht, and the atmosphere depends on the other people on board. But the reduced number is a real value point at $188 per person, especially since the price includes fuel, crew, food, drinks, equipment, parking, and a full eight hours.

The service is handled by Nicolas and Bénédicte. Nicolas is identified in the available accounts as the captain, while Bénédicte helps host the day. Information and service are provided in French, so basic French will make the experience easier. The boat’s friendly, family-style feel may suit you if you prefer personal hosting over a large commercial cruise.

Is $188 a Fair Price?

At $188 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the islands. You are paying for a full-day boat experience rather than a simple ride to Lavezzi.

The price makes more sense when you add up what is included:

• Skipper and hostess service
• Food and unlimited soft drinks
• Snorkeling equipment
• Paddle use
• Fuel
• Table service
• Free parking near the meeting point
• Eight hours on the water

You also get a small group and a spacious catamaran. Those details separate this outing from a basic island shuttle, where you may pay less but receive no meal, no onboard host service, and less room to spread out.

The optional Corsican menu adds €30. If you are mainly interested in swimming and do not care about a regional lunch, the standard pasta may be enough. If food is part of your reason for visiting Corsica, the upgrade gives the day a more local flavor.

The value depends heavily on the weather. On a calm, sunny day with good visibility, the included equipment and long swimming stop make the price easier to justify. On a rough day, the two-hour crossing may feel like a lot of time at sea, even on a stable catamaran.

Who Will Enjoy This Day Most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a slow, comfortable day at sea rather than a packed sightseeing schedule. Families may appreciate the large boat, stable platform, meal service, and choice between swimming, walking, shade, and sun.

It also suits couples and small groups who want a more personal boat setting without paying for a private charter. The 22-person limit helps keep the boat comfortable.

You should be happy swimming or snorkeling to get the most from the trip. The clearest highlights are the cove, fish, and reserve water. If you do not enjoy long boat rides, you may find the two-hour outward journey and two-hour return less appealing.

This is also not the best choice if you need an English-language guide. The stated tour language is French, and the crew’s service and information are provided in French.

Practical Details Before You Book

Plan to be ready for an early start at 8:30 a.m. The exact bay is confirmed the day before, so keep your phone available and avoid making a tight morning plan far from Bonifacio or the southern Corsican coast.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sun cream, and cap or hat. Shoes stay off the boat. You can use the snorkeling equipment supplied, and soft drinks are included, but the information does not promise alcoholic drinks or a full range of beverages.

There is no public transport to the meeting points. A car or taxi is necessary, and free parking is available close to the departure location.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, with a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The boat trip remains subject to the weather, so keep some flexibility in your wider Corsica plans.

Should You Book the Lavezzi Catamaran Trip?

Book it if you want clear water, fish, a stable catamaran, and a full day that balances sailing with time on land. The strongest reasons are the small 22-person limit, generous seating, included snorkeling gear, and the personal hosting by Nicolas and Bénédicte.

Think twice if you dislike long crossings, need English guiding, or want a guaranteed Lavezzi itinerary. The captain may choose Cavallo or alter the plan when weather requires it.

For the right kind of day, $188 is a reasonable price for eight hours with food, drinks, equipment, fuel, parking, and crew included. I would choose the Corsican menu upgrade if regional food matters to you, and I would confirm the exact meal arrangement before booking.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip depart from?

It departs from either Paragan Bay or Sant’Amanza Bay near Bonifacio. The exact meeting point is provided the day before because it depends on the weather.

What time does the excursion leave?

Departure is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.

What time does the boat return?

The planned return is around 5:30 p.m., after leaving Lavezzi by 4 p.m. at the latest.

Does the trip always visit Lavezzi Island?

No. The boat may visit Cavallo Island instead, depending on the weather conditions.

How long is the full experience?

The excursion lasts eight hours.

How many people are on the catamaran?

The company limits each trip to 22 people, although the catamaran has a maximum capacity of 38.

Is lunch included?

Food is included. The standard meal includes pasta with pesto, Gruyère, and Parmesan. A Corsican menu is available for an additional €30.

Are drinks included?

Unlimited soft drinks are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a paddle are included.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun cream, and a cap or hat. Shoes are not allowed on board.

Is the excursion available in English?

The stated tour language is French.

Is parking available?

Yes. Free parking is available a few metres from the meeting point.

Is public transport available to the departure point?

No. You need to arrive by car or taxi because there is no public transport to the meeting points.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.