Yacht catamaran trip to the Lavezzi Islands

The best part of this outing is the combination of real sailing and a long swim stop in the protected waters around Lavezzi or Cavallo. You leave from Paragan Bay or Sant’Amanza Bay, spend about two hours at sea, then anchor in a clear cove where fish gather around the boat.

I like the roomy Bali 4.6 catamaran, with shade at the stern and sun decks at the front and on the flybridge. I also like the small-group limit of 22 people, the table-served lunch, and the friendly team of Nicolas and Bénédicte. The main catch is the weather: the island and departure bay may change, and the meeting point is confirmed only the day before.

Key points before you book

• Two hours of sailing each way: The boat ride is a major part of the day, not just transport to a beach.
• Lavezzi or Cavallo depending on weather: The crew chooses the calmer and safer option for the day.
• Clear water with fish near the anchorage: Swimming and snorkeling are central to the experience.
• Small group on a large catamaran: The boat can hold 38 people, but only 22 are accepted per trip.
• Lunch and soft drinks included: Pasta with pesto, Gruyère, and Parmesan is provided, with a Corsican menu available for an extra €30.
• French-led outing: Nicolas and Bénédicte host the day in French, with skipper and hostess service included.

Setting out from southern Corsica at 8:30 a.m.

Your day begins at 8:30 a.m. from either Paragan Bay or Sant’Amanza Bay. You will receive the exact meeting point the day before, since the crew chooses the departure area according to the forecast and sea conditions.

This is useful planning, but it means you cannot treat the meeting point as fixed far in advance. You need a car or taxi, because public transport does not serve the departure points. Free parking is available a few meters from the meeting place, which makes this easier if you are driving.

The transfer from shore to the yacht takes place in the boat’s tender, or small annex. Wear simple clothes and bring only what you need for the day. Shoes are not allowed on board, so choose footwear you can remove easily. Bring your swimsuit, towel, sun cream, and a cap or hat. These basics matter on a full day surrounded by sun and water.

The early start gives you plenty of time at sea and at the island. It also makes this a poor fit if you prefer a slow morning. The program runs for about eight hours, with an expected return around 5:30 p.m.

Two hours at sea aboard the Bali 4.6

The Bali 4.6 catamaran is recent and spacious. Its twin-hull design gives you a broad, stable platform, with shaded seating at the stern, large sun loungers at the bow, and another sunbathing area on the flybridge.

I see the seating plan as one of the strongest parts of the outing. You can sit under cover when the sun becomes tiring, stretch out at the front, or move around during the crossing. Because the company limits each trip to 22 people even though the boat can carry 38, you should have more room than on a fully loaded day boat.

The sailing itself can vary. On one September outing, wind reached between 20 and 32 knots, yet the catamaran was described as very stable and the boat sailed for much of the outward and return journey. That gives you a useful sense of what the trip can feel like in active wind: exciting, but still supported by a wide, steady boat.

Of course, a windy day may not suit everyone. If you are prone to seasickness, the two-hour crossing deserves serious thought. The crew can change the destination or route according to conditions, but this remains a day on open water. Take the forecast seriously and ask about conditions if you are unsure.

The boat has a skipper and hostess, and the day is led in French. Nicolas and Bénédicte are the team members named for this outing. The atmosphere is described as family-friendly, with information provided throughout the day.

Choosing between Lavezzi and Cavallo

The planned destination is Lavezzi Island or Cavallo Island. The final choice depends on the weather, so you should think of the day as a flexible southern Corsican sailing trip rather than a guaranteed visit to one exact island.

Lavezzi is known for its protected waters, rocky shoreline, and excellent swimming areas. The program allows time to swim and walk on Lavezzi until about 4 p.m. If conditions favor Cavallo instead, the crew will take you there for the day. This weather-based choice is practical: a calmer cove is usually more valuable than a fixed destination reached in rough conditions.

You anchor in a beautiful cove surrounded by clear water and fish. This is not a quick photo stop. The boat remains in the area for swimming, snorkeling, and time on land. The long stop gives you room to set your own pace.

You might spend the morning in the water, eat lunch on board, then take a walk on the island. Or you can stay on the catamaran, use the shaded seating, and watch the water. The schedule gives you options without turning the day into a string of rushed stops.

The drawback is that the exact experience cannot be promised in advance. Weather may alter the island, route, or sailing conditions. If your main goal is specifically to walk across Lavezzi, you should accept that a weather-related change is part of the deal.

Swimming with fish in a protected cove

The water is the star of the island stop. At the anchorage, you can swim among fish in clear water, and the boat provides snorkeling equipment for your use. A paddle is also included, giving you another quiet way to move around the cove.

The snorkeling gear adds real value because you do not need to pack your own mask and fins. Still, bring a towel and remember that swimsuits, sun cream, hats, and towels are not supplied. The clear water can make the swim feel like the main event, especially if you enjoy looking below the surface rather than simply floating.

The cove is also a good place to split up for a while. One person can snorkel, another can paddle, and someone else can sit in the shade. The small-group setup should make this less cramped than a crowded excursion boat.

The water is likely to be the most memorable feature for many people. One passenger specifically found swimming with the fish to be the most impressive part of the day. That makes this outing a better choice for confident swimmers and sea lovers than for anyone who wants a mostly land-based island tour.

Lunch at the table, with a Corsican upgrade

Food is served at the table, which makes lunch feel more like part of the day than a quick packed meal. The standard offering is pasta with pesto, Gruyère, and Parmesan. Unlimited soft drinks are included as well.

The meal arrangement is worth checking carefully when you book. Food is included, but the more elaborate Corsican menu costs an additional €30. That optional menu includes tomato and mozzarella salad, a tasting of Corsican charcuterie, eggplant prepared in the Bonifacio style, and fresh fruit salad.

I would choose the standard meal if you mainly want fuel between swims. The €30 option makes more sense if local food is part of your reason for booking. Bonifacio-style eggplant gives the meal a clear connection to the area, while the charcuterie offers a taste of Corsica without requiring another restaurant stop.

The table service is a plus, especially after a morning in the sun. It also means you should not assume this is a bring-your-own-picnic trip. The crew handles the meal, so you can focus on the water and the views.

A comfortable day, but not a private charter

The company accepts up to 22 people per trip. That is not a private sailing experience, but it is a controlled group size on a large catamaran. You should have enough space to find a seat, move between the shaded stern and sunny front areas, and enjoy the boat without the full capacity of 38 people.

This balance matters to the value. At $188 per person, you are paying for a full eight-hour outing, a skipper and hostess, fuel, lunch, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, paddle use, and parking. You are also paying for a boat with room to spread out rather than a basic transfer vessel.

The price is not low, especially once you add the optional €30 Corsican menu and transport to the meeting point. Yet a separate boat trip, meal, snorkeling rental, and day of parking could quickly add up. For you, the fare makes the most sense if you plan to use the whole day and care about comfort on the crossing.

It is less attractive if you only want a short swim or a simple ride to an island. The two-hour outbound and return passages are part of the experience, so you should enjoy being on a catamaran.

What the crew adds to the day

Nicolas and Bénédicte handle the boat experience together, with skipper and hostess service included. Their role matters because a full day at sea depends on clear instructions, steady organization, and a pleasant rhythm between sailing, swimming, lunch, and shore time.

The outing has earned a 4.8 rating from 84 reviews, with 95 percent of ratings giving full marks. The strongest praise centers on the crew, comfort, food, and the overall family-friendly feel. One September group called the day incredible and said it went beyond expectations. Another singled out the meal, the information provided, and the comfort of the catamaran.

That does not mean every day will feel identical. Weather changes the route, the wind changes the sailing, and the French-only guiding may affect how easily you follow explanations. If you speak French, you will get the most from the live guidance. If not, the core activities are still easy to understand, but detailed commentary may be harder to follow.

Practical details that can make or break the outing

A few small preparations will make this much easier:

• Bring a towel, swimsuit, sun cream, and a hat.
• Leave your shoes ready to remove before boarding.
• Arrange a car or taxi, since there is no public transport to the meeting points.
• Check the exact departure location the day before.
• Expect the destination to change with the weather.
• Smoking is allowed outdoors only.
• Plan to return around 5:30 p.m.
• Remember that the optional Corsican menu costs €30.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if your southern Corsica plans are still shifting, especially since the meeting point depends on conditions.

The boat does not promise a fixed destination in all weather, and that should be clear in your planning. The crew’s priority is a calmer, safer day, not simply following the original route at any cost.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a complete day on the water rather than a quick island shuttle. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value room on board, swimming time, and a proper meal.

It is especially appealing if you want to try sailing but do not want to book a private charter. The catamaran gives you a taste of sailing, while the skipper handles navigation and the hostess takes care of the meal and service.

You should think twice if you dislike long boat crossings, need a guaranteed visit to Lavezzi, or want an English-language guide. The live guide language is French, and wind can make the sailing more active. You also need to organize your own transport to the departure point.

Should you book the Lavezzi catamaran trip?

Book it if the main appeal is clear water, fish, sailing, and a relaxed full-day boat setting. The spacious catamaran, 22-person limit, table-served food, equipment, and helpful crew make the $188 price easier to justify than a bare-bones island transfer.

Before paying, make sure you are comfortable with the flexible destination, French-language guidance, two-hour crossings, and car or taxi access. If those points work for you, this is a strong way to experience southern Corsica from the water, with enough time to swim, eat, sail, and enjoy the islands without rushing.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran trip last?

The activity lasts about eight hours. Departure is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., with a return expected around 5:30 p.m.

Where does the boat depart?

The boat departs from Paragan Bay or Sant’Amanza Bay. The exact meeting point is provided the day before, based on the weather forecast.

Does the tour always visit Lavezzi Island?

No. The crew may visit Lavezzi Island or Cavallo Island depending on the weather conditions of 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 a Corsican meal?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a paddle are included.

How many people are on the boat?

The company deliberately limits each trip to 22 people, although the catamaran has a maximum capacity of 38.

What should I bring?

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

Is the tour offered in English?

The live tour guide language is French.