Yacht catamaran trip to the Lavezzi Islands

Clear water, quiet coves, and a very comfortable boat. This eight-hour sailing day from southern Corsica combines the Lavezzi Islands, swimming, snorkeling, and a relaxed meal aboard a Bali 4.6 catamaran. I like the deliberately small group of 22 people, and I like that the crew limits capacity well below the boat’s maximum so you are not packed onto the deck. The main drawback is practical: the departure point can change with the weather, public transport is not available, and the live tour is in French.

The strongest praise goes to the crew. Nicolas and Bénédicte are repeatedly singled out for their warm service, clear information, and family-friendly approach. I also like the boat’s layout, with shaded seating at the stern, sun loungers at the front, and space on the flybridge. At $188 per person, this is not a cheap beach day, but the price includes the boat, skipper, hostess, fuel, food, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, paddleboard, and free parking.

Key points at a glance

• Two possible island routes: The boat heads toward Lavezzi Island or Cavallo Island, depending on the day’s weather and sea conditions.
• A spacious Bali 4.6 catamaran: The boat carries up to 38 people but is intentionally limited to 22 on each trip for extra room.
• Swimming with fish: The anchorage is in a clear-water cove where snorkeling and swimming are central parts of the day.
• Lunch is served at the table: Pasta with pesto, Gruyere, and Parmesan is offered, with a €30 Corsican menu available as an option.
• French-speaking crew: Nicolas and Bénédicte provide the onboard service, with strong praise for their helpful, friendly approach.
• Plan your own transport: The meeting point is not served by public transport, and the precise location is supplied the day before.

Why this sailing day is worth considering

The Lavezzi Islands sit off the southern tip of Corsica, in one of the region’s most appealing marine areas. The draw here is not a long list of monuments or formal sightseeing stops. It is the combination of open-water sailing, a sheltered cove, fish in clear water, and time to swim or walk ashore.

That makes this a good choice if you want a full day by the sea without having to organize a boat, skipper, lunch, and equipment separately. I especially like the fact that the outing is built around time at anchor rather than a rushed string of photo stops. You get a long stretch for swimming and exploring, with the return journey forming the second half of the day.

The experience is also designed for comfort. A catamaran moves differently from a small motorboat, and one September sailing day included wind between 20 and 32 knots. The stable platform made a strong impression in those conditions. Of course, rough weather can still affect the route, the sailing comfort, or the decision to run the trip at all.

The score of 4.8 from 84 ratings reflects a very consistent level of satisfaction. The most praised features are the crew, the comfortable catamaran, the meal, and the chance to swim with fish. Those are the parts I would weigh most heavily when deciding if the price suits you.

The early departure from Paragan or Sant’Amanza Bay

The day begins at 8:30 a.m. from either Paragan Bay or Sant’Amanza Bay. The operator provides the exact meeting point the day before your arrival, because the departure is chosen according to the weather and the goal of finding the calmest possible navigation.

That flexibility is useful in southern Corsica, where wind and sea conditions can change the feel of a boat trip. It does mean you need to keep your morning open and check your messages before setting out. Do not assume the same bay will be used every day.

You will need a car or taxi. There is no public transport to the meeting points, although free parking is available a few meters from the departure area. This is one of the least convenient parts of the arrangement, especially if you are staying in Bonifacio without a car.

The transfer to the catamaran takes place in a small boat, called an annex. Wear something practical for that short transfer and keep your belongings secure. Once aboard, shoes are not allowed, so choose footwear you can remove easily.

Two hours of sailing toward Lavezzi or Cavallo

The outward trip takes about two hours. This is not simply dead time before the swimming stop. It is a chance to settle into the catamaran, find your preferred place, and watch the coast recede as the boat heads offshore.

The Bali 4.6 has several kinds of seating. The stern offers plenty of shade, while the front has large sun loungers. There is also room on the flybridge for people who want more sun and a higher view. This gives you a useful choice throughout the day: shade when the sun is strong, open air when you want it, and a stable place to sit during the crossing.

The operator accepts up to 22 people per trip, despite a maximum boat capacity of 38. That difference matters. A catamaran can feel crowded when every seat is taken, especially around the lunch table or near the swim platform. The lower guest count should give you more room to move, more choice of seating, and less competition for shade.

The trip is described as an ecological boat experience, and the catamaran uses diesel as part of the included operating cost. The information does not provide technical details about its environmental systems, so I would treat the ecological claim as part of the boat’s positioning rather than a reason to expect a zero-impact outing.

Anchoring in a clear-water cove

The main stop is a magnificent cove near Lavezzi Island, or possibly Cavallo Island if conditions and the day’s route call for it. The boat anchors in clear water surrounded by fish. This is the heart of the trip.

You can swim directly from the catamaran and use the included snorkeling equipment to look below the surface. A paddleboard is also available, giving you another way to spend time on the water. The attraction is simple but powerful: warm-weather swimming, visible marine life, and a boat deck to return to when you want a break.

Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and hat. Sunscreen is listed among the items you need to provide, and there is no mention of towels being supplied. The boat has shaded areas, but you should still prepare for a long day outdoors.

The fish are a major part of the appeal. One particularly enthusiastic account described swimming with them as the most impressive part of the day. If snorkeling is important to you, this is a stronger choice than a trip focused only on coastal views. Still, marine life and water clarity vary with conditions, so no responsible operator can promise the same underwater scene every day.

Lunch on board, with a Corsican option

Lunch is served at the table, which gives the day a more relaxed feel than a bring-your-own picnic. The standard food listed is pasta with pesto, Gruyere, and Parmesan. Unlimited soft drinks are included as well.

There is also an optional €30 Corsican menu. It includes tomato and mozzarella salad with a tasting of Corsican charcuterie, Bonifacio-style eggplant as the main dish, and fresh fruit salad for dessert. The eggplant dish is a local touch connected with nearby Bonifacio, and this menu makes sense if you want the food to feel more tied to southern Corsica.

There is a small point worth clarifying before you pay. The program describes the Corsican menu as optional, while the included services say food and a table meal are provided. Several experiences describe a three-course meal as included, but the clearest pricing detail says the Corsican menu costs €30 extra. Ask exactly which meal is included in your booking and what the €30 upgrade covers.

Food is not the only practical issue. There are no shoes on board, and the boat’s dining setup is part of the shared experience. If you prefer a quiet private lunch, this is not the right format. If you like eating outdoors with the sea around you, it adds real value to the day.

Time ashore on Lavezzi Island until 4 p.m.

Swimming and walking on Lavezzi Island continue until a maximum of 4 p.m. That gives you several hours at the destination rather than a quick landing for photographs.

The island is best approached as a natural reserve setting. You can split your time between walking and swimming, depending on the weather and your energy. The clear water and rocky coves create the main visual appeal, while the walk gives you a break from being on the boat.

The information does not specify a guided island walk or a detailed route, so do not expect a formal land tour with a long historical explanation. The live guide language is French, and the focus remains on the sea, the cove, and your free time.

This stop may suit active families, couples, and anyone who likes choosing their own pace. You can swim for a while, dry off on deck, walk on the island, then return to the water. If you need constant organized commentary or indoor attractions, the day may feel too unstructured.

The island stop also depends on weather. The route may switch to Cavallo Island, and outings can change according to conditions on the day. That is a sensible safety measure, but it means you should book this for the overall sailing experience rather than for one fixed point on a map.

The return sail around 5:30 p.m.

The catamaran leaves the island by about 4 p.m. and returns to the starting point around 5:30 p.m. With an 8:30 a.m. departure, this is a genuine full-day outing, not a short cruise with a swim attached.

The return leg may be especially enjoyable when the wind allows proper sailing. One account described wind between 20 and 32 knots and praised the catamaran’s stability during the round trip. That is useful information for anyone who wants an actual sailing feel rather than a motorboat transfer.

At the same time, stronger wind can make the journey less comfortable for anyone prone to seasickness. The boat’s stability helps, but it does not remove all movement. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where the crew suggests, stay hydrated, and do not arrive on an empty stomach.

The crew also matters during a long day at sea. Nicolas and Bénédicte receive especially warm praise for making the outing feel personal and family-friendly. Clear explanations and attentive service can make a big difference when the group spends eight hours together.

What the $188 price really covers

At $188 per person, this trip sits in the premium day-out category. The value comes from the number of separate costs folded into one booking:

• Skipper and hostess service
• Diesel and boat operation
• Food served at the table
• Unlimited soft drinks
• Snorkeling equipment
• Paddleboard use
• Free parking near the meeting point

A private boat would cost much more, while a basic group boat may offer less space, fewer included activities, or no meal service. The deliberately limited group size makes this option more appealing than a low-cost cruise packed to full capacity.

The value is weaker if you only want a short swim and a quick look at the islands. You are paying for the full eight-hour package, the catamaran, the crew, the lunch, and the long sailing time. It makes more sense when you plan to use all of those parts.

The €30 Corsican menu also affects your final budget. At the base price, the food arrangement should be confirmed carefully. If you want the salad, charcuterie, eggplant, and fruit salad, add the upgrade to your calculations.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want:

• A full day on the water rather than a short sightseeing cruise
• Time to swim and snorkel in clear water
• A stable, spacious catamaran with shaded and sunny seating
• A small group limited to 22 people
• Lunch, soft drinks, and water equipment included
• A friendly, family-style atmosphere
• The flexibility of an alternate route when weather changes

It may not suit you if you need public transport, dislike removing your shoes, want an English-speaking guide, or prefer a tightly scheduled sightseeing program. The listed language is French, so ask questions in advance if you are not comfortable communicating in French.

It is also not ideal if you want complete certainty about visiting Lavezzi Island specifically. Cavallo Island may be used instead, depending on the weather. That is part of the nature of sailing, not a flaw, but it should shape your expectations.

Booking advice and final verdict

I would book this catamaran trip if you want the sea to be the main event. The best reasons are the comfortable Bali 4.6, the small passenger limit, the clear-water swim stop, the included snorkeling gear, and the care shown by Nicolas and Bénédicte.

Before booking, confirm the meeting bay the day before, arrange a car or taxi, and ask which lunch is included. Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, and a light cover-up. Remember that shoes stay off the boat.

The trip is a good value for an all-inclusive sailing day, especially if you will use the paddleboard, snorkeling equipment, meal, and long time on the water. Choose it for a relaxed marine day with some flexibility, not for a guaranteed fixed itinerary or an English-language historical tour.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip depart from?

It departs from either Paragan Bay or Sant’Amanza Bay. The exact meeting point is provided the day before your arrival, based on the weather and the goal of finding calm sailing conditions.

How long does the experience last?

The outing lasts about eight hours. Departure is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., and the return is around 5:30 p.m.

Will the boat visit Lavezzi Island?

The boat heads toward Lavezzi Island or Cavallo Island, depending on the weather conditions. The route can change on the day.

Is lunch included?

Food and a table-served meal are included. Pasta with pesto, Gruyere, and Parmesan is listed, while a Corsican menu with salad, charcuterie, Bonifacio-style eggplant, and fruit salad is offered for an additional €30. Confirm the exact meal arrangement when booking.

Are drinks included?

Unlimited soft drinks are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a paddleboard are included.

Is the tour offered in English?

The live tour guide language is French. No English-language guide is listed.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a cap or hat. You should also arrange your own transport because there is no public transport to the meeting points.