Catamaran cruise to the Lavezzi Islands

The best part of this day is its mix of quiet coves and island scenery with the easy pace of a small-boat outing. You start with a swim at Carrataghju, visit Cavallo and the Lavezzi Islands, and finish at Porto Novo rather than spending the whole day at one crowded beach.

I like the thoughtful food and drink program, from morning coffee and canistrelli to a homemade aperitif, lunch, rosé, and a late Pietra beer. I also like that Sylvain and his crew provide paddles, snorkeling masks, and floating swim aids, so you can enjoy the water without packing a boatload of gear.

The main consideration is the price: $212 per person is a serious day-trip cost. It makes the most sense if you value a nine-hour outing with meals, fuel, drinks, equipment, and several swimming stops, not simply a short boat transfer.

At a glance

• Morning swim at Carrataghju: Begin with coffee, canistrelli, and time in the water at a scenic beach.
• Cavallo Island photo stop: Get a brief view of the upscale island known for private villas and a very different feel from wild Lavezzi.
• Two and a half hours around Lavezzi: Enjoy lunch, an aperitif, swimming, snorkeling, and free time in the archipelago.
• Seasonal Corsican meal: Expect seafood and chicken paella in low season, or cheese, charcuterie, and pasta salad in high season.
• Comfortable semi-private boat: The relaxed setting is more personal than a large excursion vessel, though the exact group size is not specified.
• A final Porto Novo swim: End with frappes and Pietra before returning to port.

Why this nine-hour cruise works so well

A full day on the water can sound long, but this trip has a useful rhythm. You move between short sailing periods and stops that give you time to swim, eat, take photographs, or simply sit on deck.

The sailing portions last about 45 minutes to an hour. That is enough time to enjoy the coast without feeling stuck in transit, and each stop changes the mood of the day. Carrataghju is your gentle start. Cavallo gives you a quick look at an exclusive island. Lavezzi supplies the main block of swimming and lunch. Porto Novo gives you one final chance to get wet before heading home.

I especially like that the day does not treat the boat as just transportation. Food, conversation, drinks, and water equipment are built into the experience. The captain, often Sylvain, is described as warm, attentive, humorous, and adaptable. Tom has also led the outing, and Noe has joined Sylvain as crew, so the exact team may vary.

The languages offered are French and English. Sylvain’s southern French accent is part of the character of the trip, but English support is available for visitors who do not speak French.

Starting gently at Carrataghju

The boat leaves from Croisière Exclusive. Look for the sign with that name, since the boats are directly in front of it. The meeting point is simple, but identifying the sign matters when several boats may be gathered near the harbor.

Your first sailing section takes about 45 minutes. That gives you time to settle in, look along the coast, and get familiar with the boat before the first stop.

Carrataghju is designed as a soft opening to the day. You can take a morning swim, enjoy coffee, and have canistrelli, the crisp Corsican biscuits often served with coffee. This is a small touch, but it matters. You are not asked to wait until lunch for food or drink, and the morning starts at an unhurried pace.

Bring a towel and wear beach clothes from the start. Sandals are useful, and biodegradable sunscreen is specifically requested. A jacket belongs in your day bag too, since the boat ride can feel cooler than the beach, even when the day is warm.

The drawback of an early swim is simple: sea conditions and personal comfort vary. If you prefer to warm up before getting in the water, you can use the stop for coffee, photographs, or time on the boat instead.

A glimpse of Cavallo Island

After another sailing stretch of about an hour, the catamaran reaches Cavallo Island for a short photo stop. You have about 15 minutes here, so treat it as a look from the water rather than a full island visit.

Cavallo is known as an island of luxury and private homes. The quick stop gives you a useful contrast with the more rugged character of the Lavezzi Archipelago. You can take photographs, listen to the captain’s comments, and enjoy the view without expecting to walk around or spend a long time ashore.

This is one reason to keep your camera or phone accessible, but protect it from spray. Since the stop is brief, do not bury your belongings in a dry bag at the bottom of your things.

The main event at the Lavezzi Archipelago

The cruise then reaches the Lavezzi Archipelago for roughly two and a half hours. This is the heart of the day, and the schedule gives you enough time to do more than take a quick swim.

The setting is known for striking rock formations, clear water, and small coastal inlets. You can swim from the boat, use a snorkeling mask, paddle around the area, or stay aboard with a drink. The crew supplies paddles, snorkeling equipment, and floating swim aids, sometimes described as swimming French fries. That equipment makes the stop easier for mixed groups, since confident swimmers and relaxed floaters can all use the time in different ways.

I like this freedom more than a tightly managed water activity. You are not forced into one course or one group exercise. If you want to snorkel, you can explore near the boat. If you would rather talk with the crew and watch the scenery, the boat remains a comfortable base.

Snorkeling conditions can vary with weather, wind, and water clarity, so keep expectations sensible. The equipment is included, but this is not presented as a specialist marine excursion with guided underwater instruction. It is a chance to look around, cool off, and enjoy the sea at your own pace.

The crew serves a homemade aperitif with a Corsican-style planter. This adds a local touch without turning the day into a formal dining event. Drinks include cold beverages, rosé wine, still water, and sparkling water. A local digestif is also included, although you should pace yourself carefully if you plan to swim again.

Lunch changes with the season

The food is one of the strongest practical reasons to compare this cruise with a cheaper boat ride. You do not need to organize a beach picnic, and the meal is part of the day rather than an optional purchase.

In low season, lunch is seafood and chicken paella, 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.

The high-season menu sounds particularly suited to a hot day on the water. Cheese, cured meats, pasta salad, and melon are easy to share and do not require a long formal meal. The low-season paella gives the meal a warmer, more substantial feel.

Tell the operator about allergies or special dietary needs before the outing. The supplied information does not promise a specific alternative menu, so do not assume every request can be handled on the spot.

Lunch is accompanied by rosé and water. If you do not drink alcohol, the still and sparkling water provide straightforward alternatives. You may want to bring extra personal snacks if you have special dietary needs, though the included morning food, lunch, and afternoon snack cover the main planned eating times.

The coast and final stop at Porto Novo

After Lavezzi, the boat sails along the coast for about 45 minutes. This is a good transition after lunch and water time. You can watch the shoreline, dry off, and let the day slow down before the last swim.

Porto Novo is the final stop and lasts about an hour. You get another chance to swim or snorkel, and the crew serves frappes and Pietra beer with local snacks. Pietra is a Corsican beer, so this closing drink gives the trip a clear regional note.

The final stop is useful for anyone who wants one more swim but less useful if you are already tired of the water. You are free to remain on the catamaran, and the last hour should not feel like a forced activity. Afterward, the boat takes about an hour to return to Croisière Exclusive.

That return time is worth noting. This is a long day, not a short afternoon sail. You should plan for a full day outdoors, with sun, wind, swimming, food, and a boat ride all in the same package.

What the $212 price really includes

At $212 per person, the cruise is not a budget beach transfer. The value comes from the number of inclusions and the length of the outing.

Your price covers the captain, fuel, drinks, snacks, lunch, paddles, snorkeling masks, and floating swim aids. You also receive a guided route that links Carrataghju, Cavallo, Lavezzi, and Porto Novo in one day.

If you paid separately for a boat ride, lunch, drinks, and water equipment, the comparison would look different. The price is easier to justify for someone who wants a complete day with minimal planning. It is harder to justify if you only want to reach one beach, spend a few hours swimming, or avoid organized excursions.

The semi-private format is another part of the value. The exact number of people is not given, so you should not assume an intimate private charter. Still, the experience is presented as a comfortable boat outing rather than a large ferry trip. The personal service is a major part of its appeal, and praise has focused heavily on the captains’ professionalism, humor, kindness, and ability to adapt.

The consistently perfect rating from 43 reviews supports the idea that service is not an afterthought. The most repeated strengths are the crew, the comfort of the boat, the beautiful stops, and the quality of the food and drinks.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and small groups who want a full day at sea without arranging each part themselves. It suits people who enjoy swimming and snorkeling but also want plenty of time to sit, eat, and take photographs.

Families may appreciate the floating swim aids and the flexible pace. The crew’s attentive style is especially useful when a group includes people with different levels of swimming confidence, though adults remain responsible for supervising children in the water.

It also suits visitors who want Corsican food and drink woven into the day. The canistrelli, planter, Corsican cheese and charcuterie, local digestif, and Pietra make the trip feel more connected to the region than a generic boat excursion.

I would hesitate to book it if you dislike spending most of a day on a boat, need a strict dietary plan that has not been confirmed, or want extensive time walking on the islands. Cavallo is only a short photo stop, and the Lavezzi portion is mainly about swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and scenery rather than a land tour.

Pack a towel, sandals, beachwear, biodegradable sunscreen, a jacket, and outdoor clothing. Keep your phone protected from spray, and let the operator know about allergies before departure. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve while paying later, which helps if your schedule is still shifting.

Should you book the Lavezzi catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want an all-day Corsican sea outing with several stops, a comfortable boat, generous food and drinks, and a crew that puts service first. The strongest reason to choose it is not simply the Lavezzi scenery. It is the way swimming, local food, drinks, and relaxed captain-led hospitality fit together.

Skip it if $212 feels too high for a day spent mostly on the water, or if you want a long walk on the islands. For everyone else, the nine-hour schedule makes this a solid full-day choice, especially when you value convenience and a friendly crew as much as the scenery.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise begin?

The meeting point is Croisière Exclusive. Look for the sign reading Croisière Exclusive, with the boats directly in front of it.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts nine hours, including sailing, swimming stops, lunch, snorkeling, and the return to port.

What food and drinks are included?

The cruise includes coffee and canistrelli in the morning, a homemade aperitif with a planter, lunch, cold drinks, rosé wine, still and sparkling water, a local digestif, and an afternoon snack. 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 snorkeling equipment and paddles provided?

Yes. Paddles, snorkeling masks, and floating swim aids are included.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in French and English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.