Catamaran cruise to the Lavezzi Islands

The best Corsican days end in saltwater. This 9-hour catamaran outing pairs quiet coves, the striking Lavezzi and Cavallo Islands, generous onboard meals, and plenty of time to swim rather than hurry from one sight to the next. I especially like the small-group feel and the fact that paddles, snorkeling masks, drinks, snacks, and lunch are included.

I also like the human touch provided by Sylvain and the other captains, including Tom, who are praised for being warm, attentive, flexible, and professional. The main thing to consider is the price: at $212 per person, this is not a cheap boat ride. It makes the most sense if you value a full day on the water, good food, several swim stops, and a relaxed schedule.

What makes this cruise worth considering

• A full nine hours at sea: You get a real day out, not a quick harbor trip with one rushed swim.
• Carrataghju starts the morning well: The first stop includes coffee, canistrelli, free time, and a swim.
• Cavallo adds a touch of glamour: The island is known as a retreat for wealthy property owners, making the photo stop a contrast to the wilder Lavezzi Archipelago.
• Lunch and drinks are included: The menu changes with the season, with paella in the low season and Corsican platters in high season.
• Water equipment is ready to use: Paddles, snorkeling masks, and floating swimming aids are supplied.
• The crew gets unusually strong praise: Sylvain and Tom are described as cheerful, careful, adaptable, and professional.

Leaving port on a comfortable catamaran

You meet the boat at the clearly marked Croisière Exclusive sign, with the vessels right in front of it. The cruise then sets out by catamaran, with the first ride lasting about 45 minutes.

That opening stretch gives you time to settle in. You are not being hurried into a lecture or pushed straight into an activity. The point is to get comfortable, take in the coast, and let the day’s pace slow down.

The catamaran is described as comfortable, which matters on a nine-hour outing. A small boat can offer a more personal feel, but it can also make a long day tiring if there is little room to move. Here, the feedback specifically praises the boat’s comfort, and the trip is planned around several pauses instead of one long stretch underway.

The atmosphere seems to depend partly on the crew. Sylvain is presented as the main host, with his southern French accent adding character, while other departures may include captains such as Tom and crew members such as Noe. The most consistent praise is for their good humor, attentiveness, and ability to adapt to the group.

Carrataghju gives you an easy first swim

After roughly 45 minutes, the catamaran reaches the secret beach of Carrataghju. The stop is designed as a gentle start: coffee, canistrelli, a swim, snorkeling, and free time.

I like this choice. A morning swim before lunch lets you enjoy the sea while you are still fresh, and coffee with a simple Corsican biscuit gives you something small before the larger meal later. Canistrelli are crisp island biscuits, so this is a more local touch than a standard packaged snack.

You can choose your own level of activity here. Use the time for a short swim, try the snorkeling mask, or remain on the boat with a drink. The water equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange separate rental gear for this stop.

The phrase secret beach should be taken in a practical sense, not as a promise of total solitude. A popular full-day cruise can still share the coast with other boats. The value is the setting and the unhurried stop, not a guarantee that you will have the beach entirely to yourself.

Cavallo Island brings a different kind of scenery

The next major sight is Cavallo Island, reached after about an hour of sailing from the first stop. The visit is short, around 15 minutes, and is mainly a photo stop.

Cavallo has a reputation as an island for the very wealthy. That gives it a different mood from the rougher, more open character associated with Lavezzi. You will not have a long walking visit here, so think of Cavallo as a chance to see the island from the water and take photographs rather than explore its interior.

That brief timing is both a strength and a limitation. It keeps the day moving and leaves more time for swimming, food, and relaxation. If you want a land-based island tour, this will feel too short. If you prefer a boat day with several highlights, 15 minutes is enough to take in the view without turning the cruise into a series of long shore visits.

Lavezzi is the main event

The cruise then reaches the Lavezzi Archipelago, where you spend about two and a half hours. This is the longest stop and the heart of the day.

The schedule here combines a photo stop, an aperitif, lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and free time. That mix is important. The Lavezzi portion is not simply a scenic pass by the rocks. You have a proper block of time to eat, get into the water, use the paddles, and relax on the catamaran.

The archipelago is known for dramatic rock formations and clear water, so this is the place to keep your camera ready. You may prefer to remain aboard for broad views of the coast, or use the supplied masks to look around in the water. The paddles give you another easy option if you want to move a little farther from the boat without turning the stop into a strenuous activity.

The crew serves a homemade aperitif with an island planter, a rum-based drink associated with the French Caribbean rather than Corsica. It sounds like a playful part of the day, but take care if you are swimming afterward. You can enjoy the drink slowly and keep the focus on the water.

Lunch changes with the season:

• In the low season, the meal is seafood and chicken paella, followed by fresh fruit salad.
• In the high season, you get Corsican cheese and charcuterie, mixed pasta salad, melon, and fresh fruit salad.

Both versions are served with cold drinks, including rosé wine, still water, sparkling water, and a local digestif. The menu is more substantial than the usual boat-trip sandwich, and the seasonal change is sensible. A warm paella suits a cooler part of the year, while cold platters and salad fit hot summer weather.

You should tell the operator about allergies or special dietary needs before going. The information provided does not promise a particular alternative menu, so it is better to ask early rather than hope the standard meal will suit you.

Swimming gear keeps the middle of the day flexible

After lunch, Sylvain provides paddles, snorkeling masks, and swimming French fries. The latter are floating aids, useful if you want support in the water or simply want to lounge without swimming hard.

This is one of the strongest practical features of the cruise. You do not have to pack a paddleboard or rent snorkeling equipment separately. You can test several activities without committing the whole group to one program.

The setup also works well for mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can paddle, and someone else can stay aboard with a drink. Families and groups with different energy levels will likely appreciate this freedom.

Still, you should bring your own towel and beachwear. Sandals are recommended, and biodegradable sunscreen is specifically requested. A jacket is also wise because the boat ride can feel cooler than the beach, particularly after swimming or later in the day.

Porto Novo provides the last swim

After roughly 45 minutes of sailing from Lavezzi, the boat follows the coast to Porto Novo. You get about an hour here for a final swim, snorkeling, free time, and a snack.

The timing gives the day a pleasant second wind. You have already seen the main islands and eaten lunch, but the outing does not end as soon as the central stop is finished. Porto Novo lets you enjoy one more swim without the pressure of making it the day’s headline attraction.

The snack includes frappes and Pietra. Pietra is a Corsican beer, while a frappe is a cold blended drink. This is a casual finish, more about sitting back and enjoying the last hour than chasing another major sight.

For some people, the final stop may feel optional after a long day in the sun. That is useful to know. You can treat it as a final chance to get in the water, or simply rest aboard and enjoy the coast while others use the equipment.

Food, drinks, and service add real value

At $212 per person, the cost deserves a close look. You are paying for the captain, fuel, a comfortable catamaran, drinks, snacks, lunch, paddles, snorkeling masks, and floating swimming aids. You also receive a nine-hour schedule with several stops.

A cheaper boat trip may cover the transport but leave you buying lunch, drinks, and water equipment separately. Here, the included food and beverages remove much of that planning. The day also includes both a morning snack and an afternoon treat, not just a single meal.

The value depends on how you use the day. If you want a short scenic cruise and do not care about swimming or lunch, this is more than you need. If you would otherwise pay separately for a full-day boat, food, drinks, and water activities, the package becomes easier to justify.

The service is another important part of the calculation. Sylvain is repeatedly praised for his humor, kindness, and professionalism. Tom is also described as pleasant, attentive, and highly professional, and Noe is mentioned as a thoughtful member of the crew. One departure included two other families, suggesting the outing can feel more personal than a large sightseeing boat, though the exact group size may vary.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a complete sea day with plenty of choice. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who like swimming, light snorkeling, paddling, and scenic boat travel more than formal sightseeing.

It is also a good match for people who want the crew to handle the details. Lunch, drinks, snacks, and equipment are already organized, so you can spend the day in a swimsuit rather than managing reservations and rentals.

Families should pay attention to the long duration. Nine hours is generous, but it is still a full day on a boat. Children and adults who tire quickly from sun, wind, or swimming may need quiet periods. The free time aboard helps, but this is not a short, low-commitment excursion.

The cruise may be less suitable if you want extensive walking on the islands. Cavallo is only a brief photo stop, and the Lavezzi visit focuses on swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and time near the boat. You see the islands from the water and enjoy their setting, but you should not expect a detailed land tour.

Practical details before you book

The experience is offered in French and English. Since the captain is an important part of the day, choose the language that will make you most comfortable with safety information, meal details, and instructions around the water.

Bring a towel, sandals, beachwear, outdoor clothing, a jacket, and biodegradable sunscreen. A waterproof phone pouch could also be useful, but it is not listed as an included item, so do not assume the boat provides one.

The meeting point is simple: find the Croisière Exclusive sign, with the boats directly in front. Check the departure time when booking because the starting time is not fixed in the information provided.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. That is useful when your Corsica schedule depends on weather or changing transport plans, though you should still check the final conditions at booking.

Should you book the Lavezzi cruise?

Book it if you want a full, friendly day on the water with food, drinks, swimming, and several scenic stops included. The strongest reasons are the comfortable catamaran, the flexible activities, the generous meal service, and the crew’s consistently warm reputation.

Skip it if you prefer a short cruise, a quiet private boat for just your own party, or a detailed walking visit on the islands. At $212, it is best viewed as an all-day experience rather than simple transportation.

For most people who want to see Lavezzi without arranging every meal and water activity themselves, I think the package offers solid value. Pack a towel, protect yourself from the sun, leave room for a long lunch, and let the crew set the pace.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise meet?

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

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts nine hours.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in French and English.

What islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Cavallo Island and the Lavezzi Archipelago, along with stops at Carrataghju and Porto Novo.

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 included?

Yes. Drinks include rosé wine, still and sparkling water, a local digestif, and other cold drinks. The final stop also includes frappes and Pietra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks, paddles, and swimming French fries are included.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sandals, biodegradable sunscreen, a jacket, beachwear, and outdoor clothing.

Can I cancel the booking?

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