Yacht catamaran trip to the Lavezzi Islands

The clearest reason to book this outing is the chance to reach the Lavezzi Islands by sail, then swim in protected water filled with fish. The Bali 4.6 catamaran has shaded seating at the stern and sun loungers on the bow and flybridge, so you can choose between shade, sun, and a steady view of the sea.

I like the deliberately small group of 22 people, and I like that Nicolas and Bénédicte serve lunch at the table rather than treating the boat as a simple shuttle. The main consideration is logistics: there is no public transport to the meeting points, and the exact departure bay is provided only the day before because weather decides the safest route.

Key points to know before booking

• The route can change: You may sail to Lavezzi Island or Cavallo Island, depending on the day’s weather.
• The water is the star: Swimming and snorkeling take place in a cove known for clear water and abundant fish.
• Space is limited: The boat can hold 38 people, but the operator limits trips to 22.
• Lunch is included: Food, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, paddleboard use, skipper, hostess, and fuel are covered, but the upgraded Corsican menu costs an additional 30 euros.
• Plan on a full day: Departure is around 8:30 a.m., island time runs until about 4 p.m., and return is around 5:30 p.m.
• Bring the basics: You need a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, and your own transport to the meeting point.

Why the Lavezzi Islands make a fine day at sea

The Lavezzi Islands sit off southern Corsica, close to Bonifacio, where the sea has a bright, transparent look and the shoreline is marked by low rocky coves. This is not a day built around a long list of monuments. It is about warm-weather pleasures: salt air, swimming, a slow lunch, and time on an island with very little to distract you from the water.

You begin from Paragan Bay or Sant’Amanza Bay at about 8:30 a.m. The exact bay is confirmed the day before, since the crew chooses the calmer option according to the weather. That late notice is useful for safety, but it means you should keep your schedule flexible and avoid booking a tight connection afterward.

The crossing takes about two hours. That is long enough to feel like a real sailing trip rather than a short transfer, especially when the boat is able to use the wind. One September outing had wind between 20 and 32 knots, yet the catamaran remained notably stable during the round trip. Conditions vary, of course, so the crew may alter the destination or route when the sea is rough.

Life aboard the Bali 4.6 catamaran

The boat is a recent Bali 4.6 catamaran with several distinct places to settle in. The stern has plenty of shade, while the bow and flybridge offer broad sunbathing areas. You can move around during the day instead of being stuck in one seat, which matters on an eight-hour trip.

The 22-person limit is one of the strongest features here. The vessel’s maximum capacity is 38, but keeping the group below that number gives you more room around the dining area, swim platform, and shaded sections. You should not expect a private charter, but you also should not be packed shoulder to shoulder.

The catamaran’s size helps with comfort on the crossing. A guest who experienced strong wind described the boat as very stable, and the sailing itself was a major part of the pleasure. Still, this is a sea outing, not a guaranteed calm-water cruise. If you are sensitive to motion, ask about conditions when the departure details arrive.

Shoes are not allowed on board, so wear something easy to remove and expect to go barefoot. The transfer from shore to the boat takes place in the tender, or small auxiliary boat. Smoking is allowed outdoors only.

The two-hour sail to the island

The first stretch gives you time to settle in, watch the Corsican coast recede, and get familiar with the boat. The skipper and hostess handle the practical side of the day, while the French-speaking format keeps the outing local in feel. If you do not speak French, keep that in mind when deciding how much guidance you need.

The route is not fixed to one island. The crew may choose Lavezzi Island or Cavallo Island according to wind and sea conditions. That flexibility is sensible, but it means you should book this for the sailing and swimming experience rather than for a rigid promise of one exact stop.

The wind can change the character of the trip. On a mild day, you may get a relaxed glide across the water. With stronger wind, the catamaran can feel more like a genuine sailing excursion, though the trip may also be less comfortable for anyone prone to seasickness. The supplied safety and route decisions belong with the crew, so accept that the final plan may change.

A clear-water cove for swimming and snorkeling

Once the boat anchors, the day slows down. The catamaran settles in a cove with clear water, and fish gather below the boat. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to rent a mask and fins separately.

The swimming is the main payoff. The water is transparent enough to make looking below the surface worthwhile, and one of the most memorable details from the day is swimming among the fish. Bring your towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and hat, since only a towel is specifically listed as an item to bring and the other beach basics are not supplied.

The paddleboard is also included. It gives you another way to use the cove between swims, although the day is not presented as a formal watersports lesson. You can expect equipment for casual use, not a structured program.

The boat’s layout matters here. Sun lovers can use the forward loungers or flybridge, while anyone needing a break from the glare can return to the shaded stern. On a long day near the water, that choice makes a real difference. I would use sunscreen before boarding and reapply often, since the combination of open sea, reflected light, and wind can catch you off guard.

Lunch choices, from simple pasta to Corsican flavors

Food is included, with lunch served at the table. The standard option is pasta with pesto, Gruyère, and Parmesan, along with unlimited soft drinks. This is a practical meal for a swimming day: familiar, filling, and easy to enjoy aboard.

There is also an optional 30 euro Corsican menu. It includes tomato and mozzarella salad, a tasting of Corsican cured meats, Bonifacio-style eggplant as the main course, and fresh fruit salad for dessert. If you want local flavor rather than a basic boat lunch, this is the more interesting choice.

The meal is one of the outing’s strongest comforts. You are not expected to pack a picnic or eat quickly on a beach. Nicolas and Bénédicte serve the meal at the table, and the full menu has an entrée, main course, and dessert. Because the information lists both an included pasta meal and a 30 euro upgrade, confirm which lunch applies to your booking before departure.

The Corsican menu also connects the day to southern Corsica. Bonifacio-style eggplant gives you a regional specialty instead of another generic sandwich, while the charcuterie offers a taste of the island’s food traditions. If you are watching your budget, the included pasta keeps the total price under control.

Time on Lavezzi Island until about 4 p.m.

After lunch and swimming, you have time to walk on Lavezzi Island. The schedule allows island time until a maximum of about 4 p.m., followed by the return trip and arrival near 5:30 p.m. That leaves enough room to combine a swim with a short walk instead of rushing straight back to the boat.

The island is best approached as a natural stop, not a sightseeing circuit. You will be walking around rocky ground and exposed areas, so sensible footwear for shore time is useful even though shoes cannot be worn on the catamaran. The provided information does not specify a marked route, walking distance, or accessibility details, so do not assume a smooth promenade.

You might prefer to spend most of the stop in the water, especially if snorkeling is your priority. Others will want a quiet walk and a closer look at the island’s unusual rocks and coves. The useful thing is that the schedule gives you room to choose rather than forcing everyone into the same activity.

The weather remains the deciding factor. A calm day can make the island stop feel generous and relaxed. Poorer conditions may shorten or redirect the outing, and the crew may use Cavallo Island instead. The itinerary is designed around safe sailing, not a fixed guarantee of one beach.

Is $188 a good value?

At $188 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the southern Corsican coast. You are paying for a full eight-hour outing on a comfortable catamaran, a professional skipper and hostess, fuel, soft drinks, lunch, snorkeling equipment, paddleboard access, and free parking near the meeting point.

The small group improves the value. A cheaper boat with 38 people aboard could leave you competing for shade, deck space, and room around the swim area. Here, the lower working capacity gives you a more relaxed day and makes the catamaran itself part of the experience.

The price also includes the sailing time, not just transportation to an island. If you enjoy being on the water, the two-hour crossing in each direction helps justify the cost. If you only want to reach a beach quickly, you might find the long sailing time less appealing.

The 30 euro menu upgrade raises the total further, so decide how important the Corsican meal is to you. The standard pasta is included, and soft drinks are unlimited. Parking a few meters from the meeting point is free, another small saving if you are driving.

You must still arrange your own transport to the departure point. There is no public transport to the meeting bays, and the operator advises coming by car or taxi. That cost is not included, and you should wait for the exact meeting location before setting your driving plan.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would choose this trip if you want a social but not crowded boat day, especially if swimming and snorkeling matter more to you than a packed sightseeing schedule. Families may appreciate the roomy catamaran, table service, shaded seating, and the chance to split the day between water and shore.

It also suits couples and small groups who want a slower pace. You can sunbathe, sit in the shade, paddle, eat, swim, and walk without having to organize each part yourself.

Strong swimmers should get the most from the cove, but the trip is not only for people who plan to spend every minute in the water. The boat itself is comfortable, and the island walk adds variety.

This may not suit you if you need an English-speaking guide, since the stated tour language is French. It may also disappoint you if you require a fixed destination, guaranteed calm seas, or a short transfer with minimal time aboard.

The rating is 4.8 from 84 ratings, and the most consistent praise centers on the crew, boat comfort, meal, and swimming. Nicolas and Bénédicte are repeatedly singled out for a warm, capable presence, with one outing described as especially family-friendly. That matches the structure of the day: personal service, an uncrowded deck, and enough free time to set your own pace.

Practical details that can make or break the day

Book only if you can keep the whole day open. Departure is around 8:30 a.m., the island portion runs until about 4 p.m., and the return is expected around 5:30 p.m.

The exact meeting point arrives the day before. It may be Paragan Bay or Sant’Amanza Bay, based on the forecast. Since public transport is not available, arrange a car or taxi and allow enough time to reach the confirmed location.

Pack a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a cap or hat. Bring layers if you dislike wind, though only the listed essentials are guaranteed to be useful. Leave your shoes ready to remove before boarding, and remember that smoking is restricted to outdoor areas.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Weather can change the route or destination, so check the forecast but let the crew make the final call on the safest sailing plan.

Should you book the Lavezzi catamaran trip?

Book it if you want a full day on the sea rather than a quick island transfer. The combination of a stable, roomy catamaran, a 22-person limit, clear swimming water, snorkeling gear, paddleboard use, and a served lunch gives the $188 price real substance.

I would be especially keen to book when the weather forecast looks promising and I had a car available for the meeting point. Choose the Corsican menu if regional food matters to you, or keep the included pasta and spend the savings elsewhere.

Skip it if you need an English-language tour, dislike flexible routes, or want to spend most of the day walking on land. For everyone else, this is a well-balanced southern Corsica outing, with the boat ride and fish-filled cove doing most of the heavy lifting.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran trip last?

The experience lasts about eight hours. Departure is around 8:30 a.m., island time continues until about 4 p.m., and return is expected around 5:30 p.m.

Where does the boat leave from?

The departure is from Paragan Bay or Sant’Amanza Bay. The exact meeting point is provided the day before because the crew chooses the location according to the weather.

Will the trip visit Lavezzi Island?

The boat heads toward Lavezzi Island or Cavallo Island, depending on weather conditions. The final destination is not fixed in advance.

Is lunch included?

Food is included, with pasta, pesto, Gruyère, and Parmesan available as the standard meal. A Corsican menu with salad, charcuterie, Bonifacio-style eggplant, and fruit salad costs an additional 30 euros.

What equipment is provided?

Snorkeling equipment and a paddleboard are included. You should bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and hat.

Is transport to the meeting point included?

No. There is no public transport to the meeting points, so you need to come by car or taxi. Free parking is available a few meters from the meeting point.