Catamaran cruise to the Lavezzi Islands

The best part of this nine-hour catamaran cruise is the mix of quiet coves, open-water swimming, and unhurried time around the Lavezzi Islands. You are not simply ferried from one point to another. The day includes coffee and canistrelli, a homemade aperitif, lunch, snorkeling, paddling, and a final swim at Porto Novo.

I especially like the semi-private feel and the food-and-drink plan, which saves you from packing a picnic or paying for every drink onboard. The main consideration is the price, $212 per person. It makes good sense if you want a full day on the water with meals and equipment included, but less so if you only want a short boat transfer.

Key points

• Carrataghju sets the tone: Start with coffee, canistrelli, and a morning swim at a quiet beach.
• Cavallo is a quick scenic stop: Expect a 15-minute photo pause rather than a long island visit.
• Lavezzi gets the longest stay: You have about two and a half hours for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing.
• Food is included: Depending on the season, lunch is either seafood and chicken paella or Corsican platters with pasta salad.
• The crew shapes the day: Sylvain is known for humor and care, while other departures may include crew members such as Tom and Noe.
• Porto Novo provides the finale: Finish with a swim, frappes, and Pietra before sailing back.

A Full Day From Corsica to the Lavezzi Islands

This is a day for people who want the sea to be the main event. The boat leaves from the Croisière Exclusive meeting point, where you will see a sign with that name and the boats directly in front. From there, the schedule moves in a pleasant rhythm: sail, stop, swim, eat, paddle, and sail again.

I like that the cruise does not try to cram every minute with sightseeing. You get photo stops, but you also get free time. That matters in Corsica, where the pleasure often comes from sitting in the sun, watching the water, and deciding when you feel like swimming.

The setting is beautiful, but this is not a land tour of the islands. Most of your day takes place from the catamaran or in the water. If you want long walks, museums, or a detailed island history, choose a different outing.

Coffee and a Morning Swim at Carrataghju

The first stop is the secret beach of Carrataghju, reached after about 45 minutes on the catamaran. Sylvain welcomes you aboard with the easy manner of a local captain, and the opening service includes coffee and canistrelli, the crisp Corsican biscuits that make a useful small breakfast.

The morning swim is a smart way to begin. You can get into the water before the main meal, use the snorkeling masks, or simply float near the boat. Swimming French fries are also provided, which are basic foam flotation aids, but handy for anyone who wants support in the water.

Carrataghju is a photo stop as well as a swimming stop. The schedule allows about 45 minutes, so you should not expect a long beach visit. The point is to start gently, enjoy the first clear-water pause, and settle into the pace of the boat.

Bring a towel and beachwear in an easy-to-reach bag. You will also want biodegradable sunscreen, sandals, and a jacket for the cooler moments under way.

Sailing Past Cavallo, the Billionaires’ Island

After Carrataghju, the catamaran continues for about an hour toward Cavallo Island. The boat pauses there for roughly 15 minutes, mainly for photographs.

Cavallo is associated with luxury and private villas, so this brief stop gives you a look at the island without turning the cruise into a land excursion. I would treat it as a scenic interlude rather than a major destination. You will have time to point out the views, take pictures, and see the island from the water, but not time for a full exploration.

That short stop also keeps the day moving toward the main event, the Lavezzi Archipelago. If you enjoy a boat ride as much as the stops themselves, the hour of sailing is part of the experience. If you need constant activity, it may feel long, especially in rough conditions. The tour description does not promise a particular sea state, so anyone prone to motion sickness should plan carefully.

Two and a Half Hours Around Lavezzi

The Lavezzi Archipelago receives the longest stop, about two and a half hours. This is where the cruise earns its keep. You have time for a proper lunch, swimming, snorkeling, paddling, photographs, and rest on the boat.

The captain serves a homemade aperitif with an island planter, a rum-based drink, before lunch. Cold drinks are available throughout the meal, including rosé wine, still and sparkling water, and a local digestif. Since alcohol is included, use ordinary judgment if you plan to swim or paddle afterward.

Lunch changes with the season. In the low season, the main dish is seafood and chicken paella, followed by fresh fruit salad. In the high season, the meal is built around Corsican cheese and charcuterie, mixed pasta salad, melon, and fresh fruit salad.

That seasonal change is worth noting. The low-season paella is the more substantial hot meal, while the high-season platters fit a warm day and a relaxed boat setting. Neither option is a restaurant-style tasting menu. It is practical picnic food served as part of a long day outside, and the inclusion of wine, water, and dessert adds real value to the fare.

After lunch, you can use the paddles and snorkeling masks. You might spend the time looking around the rocky shoreline, floating beside the boat, or staying dry and enjoying the view from the deck. The schedule lists a hop-on and hop-off stop, but this should not be read as a public ferry service. It refers to the flexible activity time at the stop.

What the Onboard Equipment Adds

The included equipment makes the cruise easier for you. You do not need to arrange a separate paddle rental or bring snorkeling masks, and the floating aids are useful for relaxed swimming.

The gear is best understood as a way to sample the water rather than as a specialist snorkeling excursion. The description promises masks, paddles, and flotation equipment, but it does not promise a guide, underwater instruction, or a particular marine life encounter. I would bring your own mask if you are very particular about fit, but the provided equipment covers the basics.

You should also pack a jacket. Even on a warm day, the ride can feel cooler when the catamaran is moving. Outdoor clothing is listed as a useful extra, and it makes sense for the sailing portions, while sandals and swimwear cover the stops.

If you have allergies or special dietary needs, tell the operator before the cruise. The meal is included, but the exact ingredients vary by season, so advance notice is important.

Porto Novo Brings a Second Swim

After Lavezzi, the boat sails for about 45 minutes along the coast to Porto Novo. This final stop lasts about an hour and includes another swim, snorkeling, local snacks, frappes, and Pietra beer.

I like the timing here. After lunch and a longer stop, a last swim gives you a reason to get back into the water without rushing. The frappes and Pietra create a casual end-of-day break before the return journey.

Porto Novo is not presented as another major island visit. Think of it as a final coastal pause, with time to cool off and enjoy a drink. If you are tired by this point, you can simply stay aboard and rest. The schedule gives you options rather than forcing one last strenuous activity.

The return catamaran ride takes about an hour, bringing the total day to around nine hours. That is a full outing, so I would not pair it with another major activity the same day.

The Captain and the Feel of the Boat

Sylvain is the central personality in the description, with his southern French accent, humor, and hands-on welcome. The strongest praise focuses on his professionalism, kindness, adaptability, and good mood. One account also names Tom as captain and Noe as his deckhand, so the exact crew may vary by departure.

That is useful information. The day depends heavily on the captain’s style because the cruise includes meals, drinks, equipment, and several changes of pace. A friendly crew can make the difference between a simple boat ride and a memorable day.

The catamaran is described as comfortable, though no technical details about the boat or seating are provided. You should expect a shared vessel rather than a private charter. The semi-private format is a good middle ground: more personal than a large sightseeing boat, but not as expensive as having the entire catamaran to yourself.

The current rating is 5 out of 5 from 43 ratings, and transport receives a 93 percent perfect score. The comments consistently point to a comfortable boat, a professional crew, strong food service, and beautiful stops. That does not remove the normal risks of a marine excursion, such as wind, sun, or choppy water, but it gives you a clear picture of what the operator does best.

Is $212 a Fair Price?

At $212 per person, this is not a budget boat trip. The value comes from the amount packed into the day. You are paying for the captain and fuel, the catamaran, drinks, snacks, lunch, aperitif, and access to paddles, snorkeling masks, and flotation equipment.

If you compare it with a simple boat transfer, the price will seem high. If you compare it with arranging transport, lunch, drinks, water gear, and several stops separately, it becomes more reasonable. The nine-hour duration also matters. You are getting nearly a full day, not a short coastal circuit.

I would book it for a special day on the water, especially if you value convenience and do not want to organize each piece yourself. Families and small groups can benefit from the relaxed schedule and included equipment. Couples and friends who want swimming, food, and scenery in one package should also find the format appealing.

I would hesitate if your main goal is visiting Cavallo on foot, spending a whole day on a beach, or finding a low-cost activity. Cavallo is only a photo stop, and the Lavezzi and Porto Novo stops still divide time between swimming, eating, and sailing.

Practical Details Before You Go

The meeting point is easy to identify: look for the sign marked Croisière Exclusive, with the boats directly in front. The tour is offered in French and English, and live guidance is available in both languages.

Bring a towel, sandals, beachwear, biodegradable sunscreen, a jacket, and practical outdoor clothing. Keep the towel and sunscreen accessible rather than buried under luggage, since the first swim comes early in the day.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Corsica plans are still shifting. Check the available starting time when booking, as the exact departure time is not fixed in the supplied details.

Should You Book This Lavezzi Cruise?

Book this cruise if you want a well-fed, activity-filled day at sea with a friendly crew, several swimming stops, and no need to arrange your own lunch or water equipment. The strongest reasons to choose it are the long Lavezzi stop, the semi-private format, and the thoughtful extras from morning coffee to the final Pietra and frappe.

Think twice if you dislike spending long periods on a boat, need a strictly private experience, or want extended time ashore. The $212 price is easiest to justify when you use the full package: lunch, drinks, snacks, equipment, and nine hours of sailing around some of southern Corsica’s most scenic islands.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts nine hours, including the sailing time and stops at Carrataghju, Cavallo, the Lavezzi Archipelago, and Porto Novo.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Croisière Exclusive. The boats are directly in front of the sign marked Croisière Exclusive.

What food and drinks are included?

Drinks, snacks, lunch, and an aperitif are included. Low-season lunch is seafood and chicken paella with fresh fruit salad. High-season lunch includes Corsican cheese and charcuterie, mixed pasta salad, melon, and fresh fruit salad. Drinks include rosé wine, still and sparkling water, a local digestif, and other refreshments.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Paddles, snorkeling masks, and swimming French fries are included.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in French and English.

Can I cancel the booking?

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