Catamaran cruise to the Lavezzi Islands

The main appeal here is simple: you spend a full day on the water, moving between Corsica’s southern coves and the Lavezzi and Cavallo Islands without having to plan each stop yourself. The boat feels semi-private rather than crowded, and the day mixes scenic cruising with plenty of time to swim.

I like the warm, personal hosting from captains such as Sylvain and Tom, along with the generous food and drinks. I also like that paddles, snorkeling masks, swimming noodles, coffee, snacks, lunch, wine, water, and a local digestif are included.

The one thing to consider is the nine-hour length. This is not a quick sightseeing trip. If you prefer a short boat ride with one photo stop, the pace may feel long. If you want a full day at sea, the long schedule is part of the value.

Key points to know before sailing

• Carrataghju comes first: Start with a morning swim at a quiet beach, followed by coffee and Corsican canistrelli.
• The day covers three distinct areas: You sail past Cavallo Island, spend the longest stop around the Lavezzi Archipelago, and finish with a swim at Porto Novo.
• Lunch changes by season: Low-season departures include seafood and chicken paella. High-season meals feature Corsican cheese, charcuterie, pasta salad, melon, and fruit.
• Water gear is supplied: Paddles, snorkeling masks, and swimming noodles are provided, so you do not need to pack your own equipment.
• The crew sets a friendly tone: Sylvain is known for humor and attentive hosting, while Tom and Noe are also named among the crew on different departures.
• The price includes nearly the whole day: At $212 per person, the cost is easier to justify because fuel, captain, food, drinks, snacks, and water equipment are all covered.

A full day from Corsica to the Lavezzi Islands

This is a nine-hour catamaran outing from Croisière Exclusive in Corsica. You meet the boat at the sign marked Croisière Exclusive, with the boats positioned right in front. The exact starting time depends on availability, so check the schedule before booking and plan your day around a full morning-to-evening commitment.

The catamaran format matters. Compared with a small rigid boat, a catamaran gives you room to move around and makes it easier to settle in for a long day. You can sit back during the crossings, then get into the water when the boat anchors. The outing is described as semi-private, but no fixed maximum group size is provided, so do not assume it is a private charter.

The tone is relaxed and social. Sylvain brings a southern French accent and a host’s touch, while the crew handles the practical work of sailing, serving food, and getting the water gear ready. The strongest praise centers on professionalism, kindness, humor, and adaptability, which are useful qualities on a day when the sea, weather, and group all shape the rhythm.

The first 45 minutes: Carrataghju and a morning swim

After leaving port, you spend about 45 minutes aboard the catamaran before reaching the first stop. Carrataghju is presented as a more secret beach, and the purpose of this opening pause is to get you into the water early.

That first swim is a smart part of the schedule. You are not waiting until lunch to enjoy the sea, and you get a chance to test the water and settle into the day before the longer sailing sections. Afterward, Sylvain serves coffee with canistrelli, a classic Corsican biscuit that gives the morning a local touch without turning breakfast into a formal meal.

You have free time here for swimming, snorkeling, and taking photographs. The supplied plan also mentions paddles, so you can choose a little activity or simply rest on the boat. Bring your towel and beachwear where they are easy to reach. You will not want to dig through a bag after the first anchor drop.

Sailing past Cavallo Island

The next crossing takes about an hour, followed by a short photo stop at Cavallo Island. You get roughly 15 minutes for photographs, so this is a scenic pause rather than a full island visit.

Cavallo is known here as the island of billionaires, a nickname that hints at its exclusive reputation. The useful point for you is to keep expectations clear: this stop is about seeing the island from the water and taking pictures, not walking around its streets or spending the afternoon ashore.

That short stop also keeps the day moving toward the Lavezzi Archipelago, where you spend the largest block of time. Have your camera ready before the boat arrives. With only 15 minutes, you will get more from the stop if you are not still gathering your belongings.

Two and a half hours around the Lavezzi Archipelago

The main stop lasts about two and a half hours. This is where the outing becomes more than a sightseeing cruise. You have time for a homemade aperitif, lunch, swimming, snorkeling, paddling, and relaxing on the boat.

The Lavezzi area is known for dramatic coastal scenery and clear-water swimming spots, and the schedule gives you enough time to enjoy it at an unhurried pace. You can go into the water, use the snorkeling masks, or stay aboard with a drink. This choice matters because not everyone in a group wants the same kind of day. Strong swimmers can spend more time exploring the water, while others can enjoy the views from the catamaran.

The aperitif includes a homemade drink accompanied by an island planter. This adds a distinctly French Caribbean-style note to the meal service and gives the crew a chance to make the stop feel festive without requiring you to bring anything.

The lunch menu depends on the season. In the low season, you get paella with seafood and chicken, followed by fresh fruit salad. In high season, the meal changes to platters of Corsican cheese and charcuterie, mixed pasta salad, melon, and fresh fruit salad. Cold drinks accompany both menus, including rosé wine, still water, and sparkling water. A local digestif is also included.

This is a substantial advantage at $212. A boat tour can look affordable until you add lunch, drinks, fuel, and water equipment. Here, those costs are built into the day. You should still decide how much value you place on a nine-hour outing, but the price is not just paying for transport between islands.

If you have allergies or special dietary needs, tell the company before the trip. The meal is a major part of the experience, and the operator specifically asks for this information in advance.

Swimming, paddles, and snorkeling without extra rentals

The water activities are low-pressure. You are not signing up for a separate lesson or paying an extra fee for each item. The crew provides paddles, snorkeling masks, and swimming noodles, sometimes described as swimming French fries.

The paddles give you a way to explore close to the boat, while snorkeling masks let you look below the surface. The information provided does not promise a guided snorkeling session, specific marine life, or a particular reef, so keep your expectations focused on casual water time rather than a formal wildlife excursion.

I like this setup because it lets you choose your own level of activity. You can paddle for a while, swim, snorkel, or stay on deck with a cold drink. You should bring biodegradable sunscreen, since you will be spending repeated stretches in the water and sun. Sandals, a towel, beachwear, and a jacket are also recommended.

The jacket is worth noting. Even on a warm Corsican day, the boat can feel cooler during the crossings, especially after swimming. Outdoor clothing gives you more flexibility than packing only a swimsuit.

The coast to Porto Novo and the final swim

After the Lavezzi stop, the catamaran cruises along the coast for about 45 minutes before reaching the next swimming area. The stop at Porto Novo lasts about an hour and serves as the day’s final water break.

This last pause is well placed. By then, you have had lunch and several hours of sun and sea, so a final swim lets you cool off before the ride back. You can also take more photographs, use the snorkeling gear, or simply enjoy the cove from the boat.

The snack service here includes frappes and Pietra. Pietra is a Corsican beer, and it makes a fitting local finish to the day. The combination of a cold drink, a final swim, and a relaxed ride back gives the schedule a pleasant closing rhythm.

After Porto Novo, you spend about an hour sailing to the original departure point. That final crossing is a good time to dry off, put on your jacket, and enjoy the views without needing to hurry to another activity.

What the crew adds to the experience

A boat day depends heavily on the people running it. The strongest part of this outing is the crew’s attention to both hospitality and practical details.

Sylvain is the main personality described in the trip information. He welcomes you aboard, serves the food and drinks, and keeps the day moving with humor and a southern French style. Several comments also single out his professionalism, kindness, and good humor. Tom is named as captain on another departure, and Noe is mentioned as a crew member alongside Sylvain.

The reports of an attentive and adaptable captain are important. A day on the water has several moving parts: meal timing, swimming stops, equipment, and changing group preferences. You want a crew that can keep the schedule organized without making the day feel rigid.

The language options are French and English. If you are not comfortable in French, confirm that you can follow the safety and schedule information in English before departure. The activity provides a live guide, but the amount of commentary during each crossing is not specified.

Is $212 per person a fair price?

At $212 per person, this is not a budget boat ride. It becomes better value when you count what is included: the captain, fuel, drinks, snacks, lunch, paddles, snorkeling masks, and swimming noodles.

You are also buying time. The tour lasts nine hours and reaches several areas that would otherwise require separate planning. There is no need to compare boat rentals, arrange fuel, pack a picnic, or search for water equipment once you arrive.

The price makes the most sense if you want a complete day with food and hosting included. It makes less sense if your main goal is a brief look at the Lavezzi Islands or if you prefer to organize your own beach time. The semi-private format is another reason to compare the cost with larger excursion boats, but the exact group limit is not provided.

The excellent overall rating and 43 submitted ratings point to a consistently positive experience, especially for the crew, comfort, food, and scenery. I would still treat the rating as one part of your decision. The real question is whether you want nine hours on a catamaran with a set schedule.

Who should book this catamaran cruise?

This outing suits families, couples, and small groups who want a social day with plenty of built-in services. It is especially useful if you like swimming but do not want to organize equipment or carry a full meal aboard.

It also works well for people who want several types of scenery in one day. You see a beach, cruise past Cavallo, spend a long stop in the Lavezzi Archipelago, and finish at Porto Novo. The schedule gives you both moving views and time at anchor.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, struggle with long days in the sun, or want a highly private experience. The trip includes several crossings, and you may be sharing the catamaran with other families. Since the group size is not stated, ask the operator if that matters to you.

The tour is also not designed as a full land visit to the islands. Cavallo is a short photo stop, and the Lavezzi visit focuses on time on the water, lunch, and relaxation. Book it for the sea experience, not for extensive walking or island history.

Practical details for a smoother day

Meet at the sign marked Croisière Exclusive. The boats are directly in front, which should make the departure point easy to identify.

Pack a towel, sandals, biodegradable sunscreen, a jacket, beachwear, and outdoor clothing. Keep your towel and jacket near the top of your bag. You will need both at different points in the day.

Starting times vary, so check availability before booking. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option allows you to hold a place without paying immediately.

Tell the operator about allergies and special dietary requirements before sailing. Since lunch differs by season, ask which menu applies to your date if the food is an important part of your decision.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a full Corsican sea day with friendly hosting, included food and drinks, repeated swimming stops, and easy access to paddles and snorkeling equipment. The strongest reasons are the crew, the generous inclusions, and the long stop at the Lavezzi Archipelago.

Skip it if you want a short trip, a private charter, or a land-focused visit to Cavallo and Lavezzi. For everyone else, $212 is a reasonable price for nine hours of sailing, meals, drinks, equipment, and several beautiful anchorages, provided you are happy to share the boat and follow the day’s schedule.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The experience lasts nine hours from departure to return at Croisière Exclusive.

Where does the cruise begin?

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

Which languages are available?

The live guide is available in French and English.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and the menu depends on the season.

What is served for lunch in the low season?

The low-season meal is seafood and chicken paella, followed by fresh fruit salad.

What is served for lunch in the high season?

The high-season meal includes Corsican cheese and charcuterie, mixed pasta salad, melon, and fresh fruit salad.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks include rosé wine, still and sparkling water, a local digestif, and other drinks served during the day. Pietra is served at the Porto Novo stop.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks, paddles, and swimming noodles are included.

Do I need to bring food?

No. Lunch, drinks, snacks, coffee, and an aperitif are included. Bring information about any allergies or special dietary requirements before departure.

What should I bring?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.