Lavezzi Islands Catamaran Cruise with Snorkelling Bonifacio

Piantarella Beach: setting sail from the south of Corsica

The trip starts at Piantarella Beach, a few kilometres east of Bonifacio, near the very southern tip of Corsica. Its shallow, glassy lagoon of pale sand faces the islands of Cavallo and Lavezzi across a narrow channel, which makes it the closest departure point to the archipelago and one of the most beautiful.

You meet the crew on the beach 15 minutes before departure; the exact time is sent by text message the evening before, and the trip usually sets off around midday. Parking is along the road, with a short walk to the sand, so leave a little extra time in summer. Once on board, the skipper explains how the catamaran works and you sail out for about 45 minutes towards the first anchorage.

The Lavezzi Islands: granite and turquoise water

The Lavezzi Islands are a scatter of granite islands and reefs between Corsica and Sardinia, protected as part of the Bouches de Bonifacio nature reserve. Wind and sea have polished the rock into rounded, sculpted boulders that frame tiny coves of white sand and water of an unreal turquoise. Many travellers searching for a Lavezzi Islands boat trip want exactly this: calm natural pools away from the crowds.

Your catamaran anchors in a sheltered spot chosen on the day according to the wind and the number of boats. For about 45 minutes you can swim, snorkel among rocks and sea grass where small Mediterranean fish gather, paddle around the cove or simply sunbathe on the nets. The islands also keep a moving memorial to a French frigate wrecked here in a storm in 1855.

Cavallo Island: the second swim stop

After another hour under sail, the catamaran anchors off Cavallo, the only inhabited island of the archipelago, a private island of granite hills, low maquis and discreet villas. Its coves are known for their shallow, luminous water over white sand, ideal for a second swim and snorkel.

This stop also lasts about 45 minutes, with time to take the paddleboards out again or practise a little sailing with the skipper. The islet of Ratino and other small rocks nearby may also be used as anchorages when the wind turns. Because there is no fixed itinerary, each trip is slightly different: the crew always looks for the calmest and most beautiful spot of the day.

Bonifacio and its cliffs: the coast if the wind is strong

Bonifacio, the southernmost town in Corsica, stands on white limestone cliffs about 70 metres high, with its old citadel perched on the edge and Sardinia visible on the horizon. If the weather does not allow a safe crossing to the Lavezzi Islands, the catamaran stays close to the coast and sails along these impressive cliffs instead, an equally memorable sight.

Before or after the trip, allow time to explore Bonifacio itself: the narrow lanes of the old town, the long staircase cut into the cliff known as the King of Aragon's Staircase, and the harbour in its deep natural inlet. Together with this catamaran trip, it makes a perfect day in the far south of Corsica.