Yacht catamaran trip to the Lavezzi Islands

The best part of this day is the chance to reach the Lavezzi Islands by boat, then step into crystal-clear water filled with fish. The spacious Bali 4.6 catamaran gives you room to spread out, with shade at the stern and sun loungers on the bow and flybridge.

I like the small group of 22 people and the all-inclusive setup. Nicolas and Bénédicte run the boat together, and the day includes food, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, paddle use, and a table-served meal. The main caution is the weather: the route and meeting point can change, and the sea crossing takes about two hours each way.

At a glance

• Two hours of sailing each way: The journey is a real part of the day, not just transport to the islands.
• Lavezzi or Cavallo Island: The destination depends on the sea and wind conditions.
• Only 22 people aboard: The catamaran can hold more, but the smaller group leaves more room.
• Lunch is served at the table: Pasta with pesto, Gruyère, and Parmesan is included, with a Corsican menu available for an extra €30.
• Swimming and snorkeling in a reserve: Bring your own towel, swimsuit, hat, and sun cream.
• French-language hosting: Nicolas and Bénédicte lead the day, with an emphasis on comfort and a relaxed family atmosphere.

Sailing from Corsica toward Lavezzi

This is an eight-hour outing from one of two possible departure points, Paragan Bay or Sant’Amanza Bay. You do not receive the exact meeting point until the day before arrival because the crew chooses the calmer route and departure area according to the forecast.

That detail is useful, but it means you need a car or taxi. Public transport does not serve the meeting points, and the shuttle to the boat is not included. Free parking is available a few meters from the meeting point, which makes this easier if you are driving around southern Corsica.

Departure is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. The boat transfer takes place in a small annex, so you should be ready to move from shore to catamaran without shoes. Shoes are not worn on board, so choose something easy to remove and keep your luggage compact.

The trip to the islands takes about two hours. That may sound long if your main goal is swimming, but it is also when you get the sailing experience. On a calm day, the crossing gives you time to settle into a shaded seat, watch the coastline recede, and enjoy the boat itself.

Conditions can be lively. One account of the trip describes wind between 20 and 32 knots on the return crossing, yet the Bali 4.6 felt very stable. That is encouraging for anyone who worries about motion, though no catamaran can promise perfectly calm water. If you are sensitive to seasickness, sit where the crew advises and keep your first meal light.

What the Bali 4.6 catamaran feels like

The boat is a recent Bali 4.6 with several different places to sit. The stern has plenty of shade, while the front and flybridge offer large sun loungers. You can move around during the day rather than being stuck in one seat.

The choice matters. Families or anyone wanting a break from the sun can use the shaded stern. Sun lovers can head forward. The flybridge gives you another place to relax, though the most exposed areas may feel hot during the middle of the day.

The operator deliberately limits each departure to 22 people, even though the catamaran’s maximum capacity is 38. That is one of the strongest practical features of the trip. You get more room around the seating areas, less crowding near the swimming platform, and a better chance of finding a comfortable place during the two-hour crossing.

This is not a private charter. You will share the boat with other people, and the day follows a set schedule. Still, the reduced capacity should feel noticeably less packed than a full-capacity cruise.

Nicolas and Bénédicte handle the day together. The feedback about the pair is especially strong, with repeated praise for their warm, family-friendly approach. The official language is French, so you should not expect a full English-language tour. The focus is more on sailing, swimming, eating, and enjoying the boat than on long historical explanations.

Lavezzi Island, or a weather-based change of plan

The planned destination is Lavezzi Island, but the crew may head to Cavallo Island instead. This is not a minor footnote. The route depends on the conditions on the day, with the aim of finding the most comfortable navigation possible.

Lavezzi is known for its clear water, rocky coves, and protected marine setting. The main attraction here is not a long guided tour. It is the simple pleasure of anchoring in a beautiful cove, swimming over clear water, and seeing fish below you.

After anchoring, you have time to swim and use the snorkeling equipment provided. A paddle is also available, giving you another way to enjoy the water without paying an extra rental fee. The boat remains your base, so you can return to shade, soft drinks, and dry clothes when you have had enough of the sea.

You can also walk on Lavezzi Island until about 4 p.m. The walking portion gives the day some variety, but do not think of it as a major island hike. The schedule is built around the cove, the water, and a relaxed stop ashore.

Cavallo Island may replace Lavezzi when the crew considers it the better choice for the day. You should book this with some flexibility. If seeing Lavezzi specifically is your one non-negotiable goal, weather-related changes may frustrate you. If your priority is a safe, pleasant day on the water, the flexible routing makes good sense.

Swimming with fish in the natural reserve

The water is the star of this excursion. The cove is described as exceptionally clear, and the marine life is close enough to see while swimming and snorkeling. The provided equipment means you do not need to arrange a separate rental.

Bring your own swimsuit, towel, sun cream, and cap or hat. The operator lists a towel as something to bring, and a towel is not included with the booking. Sun protection matters because the boat has both shade and open sun areas, while the water and pale rock can make the light feel stronger.

The snorkeling is suited to a relaxed stop rather than a technical session. You swim from the anchored boat or near the island and look for fish in the clear water. You should not expect a specialist marine tour, lengthy instruction, or guaranteed wildlife sightings. The appeal is the easy access to a lovely swimming spot, with gear already aboard.

This part of the day works well for families and mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while others can sit in the shade, paddle, or remain aboard. The flexible layout of the catamaran keeps the day from becoming one long swim session.

Lunch at sea, with a Corsican upgrade

Lunch is included, which makes the $188 price easier to assess. The standard meal is pasta with pesto, Gruyère, and Parmesan. It is straightforward boat food, but a warm and filling plate is welcome after a morning crossing and before swimming.

The meal is served at the table rather than handed out as a quick snack. That small detail gives the day a more comfortable rhythm. You are not expected to balance a paper plate on your knees while the boat moves.

For €30 extra, you can choose a homemade Corsican menu:

• Tomato and mozzarella salad with a tasting of Corsican charcuterie
• Boniface-style eggplant, a specialty associated with Bonifacio
• Fresh fruit salad

This upgrade is worth considering if local food is an important part of your trip. The standard pasta is the practical choice if you simply want lunch included, while the Corsican option gives you a clearer taste of the region.

Unlimited soft drinks are included. The supplied details do not promise alcoholic drinks, so do not assume wine or beer is part of the package. If you have dietary needs, ask before booking because no other meal arrangements are specified.

An afternoon split between water and shore

The main stop continues until 4 p.m. at the latest. That gives you several hours for a mix of swimming, snorkeling, paddling, relaxing on the boat, and walking on the island.

I like this balance. A day that stays entirely on deck can feel repetitive, while a stop that forces you into a long walk misses the point of a sea excursion. Here, you can choose your own pace. Swim for a while, dry off in the sun, retreat to the shade, then take a walk when you are ready.

The drawback is that the schedule is not especially flexible once you arrive. The boat must leave in time to return, and weather can shorten or alter the stop. Keep an eye on the crew’s instructions rather than wandering off at the last minute.

The return journey brings you back around 5:30 p.m. In good wind, the return can be a memorable sailing leg. In rougher conditions, it may be the part of the day you like least. The catamaran’s stability helps, but you should still plan for a full day outdoors and on the water.

Is $188 good value?

At $188 per person, this is not a cheap beach transfer. It is a full-day boat outing with a crew, fuel, food, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, paddle use, parking, and a deliberately limited group size.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, water equipment, and transport to a swimming cove. You are also paying for the catamaran itself. The Bali 4.6 offers more room than a small open boat, with shade, loungers, and several places to sit during the crossing.

The price may feel high if you mainly want a quick swim near Bonifacio. In that case, a shorter excursion could suit you better. This trip makes more sense when you want the whole day at sea, including the sailing time and a proper meal.

The rating is 4.8 from 84 reviews, and the most consistently praised parts are the crew, the comfort of the catamaran, the food, and the clear water. A September outing received particular praise for the boat’s stability in strong wind, while another described the experience with Nicolas and Bénédicte as warm and family-friendly.

Who should book this day

I would choose this trip if you want a relaxed day on the water rather than a tightly packed sightseeing schedule. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value room to sit, a meal included, and time to swim without arranging every detail themselves.

It is also a good match for people who want to see Corsica from the sea. The sailing is a major part of the experience, not background transport. If you enjoy being on a boat, the two-hour crossings add value. If you only care about arriving at the island, those crossings may test your patience.

Families should appreciate the choice of shade, seating, swimming, walking, and paddle use. Strong swimmers will get the most from the cove, but you can enjoy the trip without spending all afternoon in the water.

You should think twice if you need an English-speaking guide, a guaranteed Lavezzi itinerary, or a firm departure point long before the trip. The official guiding language is French, the destination depends on the weather, and the exact meeting point arrives the day before.

Practical details before you reserve

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and pack a towel, sun cream, and a hat. Shoes are not permitted on board, so use footwear that you can remove easily before boarding.

Bring only what you need for the day. The boat has room, but a small bag is easier during the annex transfer. Smoking is allowed outdoors only.

Plan your own transport to the departure point. You need a car or taxi because public transport is not available for the meeting locations. Free parking is close to the meeting point.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans more flexible. Check the available start time when booking, then watch for the precise meeting point the day before.

Should you book the Lavezzi catamaran trip?

Book it if you want a comfortable full day at sea, clear water, snorkeling, an included meal, and a smaller group aboard a proper sailing catamaran. The strong points are practical as well as scenic: Nicolas and Bénédicte, the roomy Bali 4.6, the shade, the food, and the equipment all help the day feel easy.

Skip it if your schedule cannot handle weather changes, if you require English guiding, or if you want a guaranteed Lavezzi stop above all else. For everyone else, the combination of sailing, swimming with fish, and relaxed time ashore makes this one of the more complete ways to reach the islands from southern Corsica.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran trip last?

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

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat leaves from either Paragan Bay or Sant’Amanza Bay. The exact meeting point is provided the day before because it depends on the weather and the calmest navigation route.

Will the trip definitely visit Lavezzi Island?

Not necessarily. The crew may sail to Cavallo Island instead, depending on the weather conditions on the day.

What food is included?

The included meal is pasta with pesto, Gruyère, and Parmesan. Unlimited soft drinks are also included.

Can I order the Corsican menu?

Yes. A homemade Corsican menu is available for an additional €30. It includes tomato and mozzarella salad with Corsican charcuterie, Boniface-style eggplants, and fresh fruit salad.

What should I bring?

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

Is transport to the meeting point included?

No. You need to arrive by car or taxi because public transport is not available for the meeting points. Free parking is available a few meters from the meeting point.