Catamaran cruise to the Lavezzi Islands

The best part of this day is the mix of quiet coves and open-sea cruising. You begin with a swim at the secret beach of Carrataghju, then sail toward Cavallo and the Lavezzi Islands, where the water, rocks, and wide coastal views do most of the entertaining. I like the generous food and drink service, and I like that Sylvain or another crew member provides paddles, snorkeling masks, and swimming noodles instead of leaving you to bring all the gear yourself.

The main thing to consider is the length. Nine hours on the water is a full day, not a quick sightseeing trip. The price is also significant at $212 per person, although lunch, wine, snacks, soft drinks, fuel, crew, and water equipment are included. If you want a short boat ride with one swim stop, this is more than you need.

Key points at a glance

• Carrataghju starts the day gently: You get a morning swim, coffee, and canistrelli before the longer sailing begins.
• The route covers several prized coastal stops: The boat visits Cavallo, the Lavezzi Archipelago, and Porto Novo.
• Food is part of the experience: Depending on the season, lunch is either seafood and chicken paella or Corsican cheese, charcuterie, and pasta salad.
• You do not need to pack water toys: Paddles, snorkeling masks, and swimming noodles are supplied.
• The mood is personal rather than mass-market: The outing is described as semi-private, with a comfortable boat and an attentive captain.
• The crew can make the day: Sylvain is known for humor and care, while Tom and Noe have also been part of the crew on some departures.

Why this nine-hour cruise works so well

This is not simply a ride from one port to another. It is a full day built around swimming, food, scenery, and easy time on the water. The schedule gives you several chances to get in the sea, but it also leaves long stretches when you can sit back and enjoy the boat.

I especially like the balance between planned stops and unhurried time at anchor. You are not constantly climbing on and off the catamaran. At Carrataghju, the emphasis is on a calm start. At Lavezzi, you get roughly two and a half hours for lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and photographs. Porto Novo gives the day one last swim before the return to port.

The trip begins at the meeting point marked Croisière Exclusive. The boats are directly in front of the sign, so you should have a clear landmark when you arrive. The stated guide languages are French and English. Sylvain is the central personality described for the experience, but the crew can vary. Tom has served as captain, and Noe has worked as a deckhand on at least some outings.

That human element matters on a boat trip. The strongest praise is aimed at the crew’s good humor, professionalism, attention, and ability to adapt. You are not signing up for a silent transfer. Expect conversation, practical help, and a warm welcome.

Carrataghju gives you an easy start

The first sailing leg takes about 45 minutes. Rather than rushing straight to the farthest islands, the boat heads to Carrataghju for a morning stop. This is a smart opening to the day. You can settle into the catamaran, take in the coast, and get your first swim before lunch or the longer crossings.

The stop includes coffee and canistrelli, a Corsican biscuit that gives the morning a local touch. It is a small detail, but it helps the outing feel connected to Corsica rather than like a generic boat rental. You can swim, take photographs, snorkel, or simply stay aboard.

Bring a towel and beachwear that you can move in comfortably. Sandals are useful around the boat and at the water’s edge. Biodegradable sunscreen is specifically requested, which is sensible for a day spent in clear coastal water.

The available equipment includes snorkeling masks, paddles, and swimming noodles. That range suits different energy levels. You can paddle or look beneath the surface, or use a noodle for a low-effort float. Still, do not expect a guided marine-life lesson. The activity provides equipment and free time, not a formal snorkeling course.

Cavallo Island is a short but scenic stop

After about an hour of sailing, the route reaches Cavallo Island. The planned stop is brief, around 15 minutes, and is mainly for photographs. That timing is important. Cavallo is not treated as a full shore excursion, so you should not expect a long walk or an extended visit on land.

The island is associated with luxury homes and a wealthy summer crowd, giving it a different feel from the more natural Lavezzi stop. From the boat, the appeal is the setting and the chance to see another part of the southern Corsican coast. If you enjoy photographing shorelines, boats, and rocky islands, this is a useful pause.

If your main goal is to spend hours ashore, Cavallo will feel too short. The schedule uses it as a scenic waypoint, not the heart of the day. The real time for swimming and lunch comes next at the Lavezzi Archipelago.

Lavezzi is the main event

The boat spends about two and a half hours around the Lavezzi Archipelago. This is the longest stop and the point where the day’s pieces come together: an aperitif, lunch, free time, swimming, snorkeling, paddling, and photography.

At anchor, Sylvain serves a homemade aperitif with an island planter, a rum-based drink often associated with the French Caribbean rather than Corsica. It adds a festive note before lunch. Drinks also include rosé wine, still and sparkling water, cold beverages, and a local digestif.

Lunch changes with the season. In low season, the meal is seafood and chicken paella followed by fresh fruit salad. In high season, the spread includes Corsican cheese and charcuterie, mixed pasta salad, melon, and fresh fruit salad. This is more substantial than the usual packet of crisps and a sandwich found on many boat trips.

The seasonal menu also gives you a practical reason to check the timing of your booking. If you have allergies or special dietary needs, tell the operator in advance. The meal includes several ingredients that may matter to people with dietary restrictions, including seafood, meat, dairy, and alcohol.

You can use the Lavezzi stop in several ways. Snorkel near the boat, paddle around the anchorage, swim, or remain on deck with a drink. The catamaran setup makes this flexible. You are not required to turn every stop into an athletic event.

The drawback is that the program offers free time rather than a detailed guided visit. You may get striking views of the island group, but the information provided does not promise a walking tour, historical commentary, or a naturalist explanation. Choose this trip for time on the water and scenery, not for a formal island lecture.

The return route includes one last swim

After Lavezzi, the catamaran sails for about 45 minutes along the coast toward Porto Novo. This part of the route keeps the day moving without packing in another major excursion. You can watch the shoreline pass, rest after lunch, or prepare for the final swim.

Porto Novo is the last water stop and lasts about an hour. The schedule includes swimming, snorkeling, free time, and local snacks. The listed refreshments are frappes and Pietra, a Corsican beer. That makes the final stop feel like a relaxed afternoon break rather than another formal sightseeing visit.

A last swim is a good choice for the end of a long boat day. You get one more chance to use the masks, paddles, or noodles, then return to port after roughly an hour of sailing. If you are prone to motion sickness, the repeated sailing legs and full-day duration are worth considering. The provided information does not mention motion-sickness medication, so bring anything you normally use.

What is included, and why the price can make sense

At $212 per person, this is not a bargain excursion. I would judge the value by adding up what you would otherwise need to arrange: a captain, fuel, a nine-hour boat outing, lunch, wine and other drinks, snacks, and water equipment.

The included food is a major part of the calculation. You receive breakfast-style coffee and biscuits, an aperitif, a substantial lunch, cold drinks, a local digestif, and an afternoon snack. For someone who would otherwise pay separately for meals and drinks during a full day out, the package is easier to justify.

The semi-private format is another reason the price may appeal. One departure included two other families along with the booking party, giving a useful sense of the intended scale. The exact group size is not stated, so do not assume you will have a private boat or a tiny party. Ask the operator if group size is important to you.

The catamaran itself is described as comfortable. That matters over nine hours. You have a stable base for eating, resting, changing between activities, and staying aboard when you do not feel like swimming.

Still, value depends on your priorities. If you mainly want transportation to Lavezzi, a cheaper transfer may suit you better. This outing charges for a hosted day with food, drinks, crew service, and leisure time. It is most worthwhile when you plan to use those extras.

Practical preparation for a full day at sea

Pack a towel, sandals, beachwear, outdoor clothing, a jacket, and biodegradable sunscreen. The jacket is worth taking even if the morning is warm, since open-water sailing can feel cooler than time ashore.

Wear clothes that make it easy to move from the deck to the water. You may be swimming, drying off, eating lunch, and sailing again several times. A waterproof bag for small personal items would also be sensible, although it is not specifically listed as required.

Tell the operator about allergies or special dietary requirements before departure. The menu changes by season, but both versions include multiple ingredients and drinks. Do not wait until lunch to raise the issue.

English and French are offered, so the outing can work for visitors who do not speak French. The captain’s style appears to be part of the appeal, with humor and a welcoming manner repeatedly emphasized. If you prefer a quiet, private charter, the social atmosphere may not be your ideal fit.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Corsica schedule is still shifting. Starting times depend on availability, so check the departure details when booking.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend it to couples, families, and small groups who want a complete day on the water rather than a bare sightseeing transfer. It suits people who enjoy swimming but also want food, drinks, and a comfortable place to rest between stops.

Families may appreciate the swimming noodles and the range of activities. Not everyone has to snorkel or paddle, and the boat provides a place to sit while others use the equipment. The crew’s attentive reputation also matters when you are coordinating several people.

It is a good choice for anyone who values local touches, including canistrelli, Corsican cheese and charcuterie, Pietra beer, and a local digestif. The menu is not designed as a formal culinary tour, but food is clearly central to the day.

I would hesitate to recommend it to someone with only a few hours available, someone who dislikes group outings, or someone who wants extensive time walking around the islands. Cavallo is a short photo stop, and Lavezzi is mainly an anchorage for water activities and lunch.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran cruise if you want a sociable, food-filled day that combines southern Corsican scenery with several swims. The strongest reasons are the long Lavezzi stop, the amount of food and drink included, the supplied water equipment, and the crew’s friendly, adaptable approach.

Skip it if $212 feels high for a day spent mostly aboard a boat, or if you want a highly structured cultural tour. For the right visitor, though, the trip offers a lot: Carrataghju in the morning, Cavallo by camera, Lavezzi at anchor, and Porto Novo for a final swim, all without arranging the pieces yourself.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

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

Where do I meet the boat?

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

Which languages are available?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. 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.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. The trip includes coffee, canistrelli, an aperitif, rosé wine, still and sparkling water, a local digestif, cold drinks, and snacks. Porto Novo refreshments include frappes and Pietra.

What equipment is provided for swimming?

Paddles, snorkeling masks, and swimming noodles are included. You should bring your own towel, sandals, beachwear, jacket, outdoor clothing, and biodegradable sunscreen.