Catamaran cruise to the Lavezzi Islands

The best part of this day is the mix of beautiful island stops and easygoing time on the water. You begin with a morning swim at Carrataghju, cruise past Cavallo, spend a long stop around the Lavezzi Archipelago, then finish with another swim at Porto Novo. It feels more like a full day by the sea than a rushed sightseeing trip.

I like the small-group feel and the fact that food, drinks, paddles, and snorkels are included. Sylvain is described as warm, funny, and attentive, while Tom and Noe have also been praised for professional, friendly service. The main drawback is the price: at $212 per person, this is not a bargain boat ride, and nine hours in the sun may feel long if you prefer short excursions.

Key points to know before you book

• Carrataghju starts the day with a swim: You get an early chance to enter the water before the longer island cruise.
• The Lavezzi stop lasts about two and a half hours: This is the main beach, swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and free-time portion of the day.
• Lunch changes with the season: Low-season meals include seafood and chicken paella, while high-season meals are built around Corsican cheese, charcuterie, pasta salad, melon, and fruit.
• Local drinks are part of the experience: Expect rosé, still and sparkling water, a local digestif, an island planter, Pietra beer, and frappes.
• The boat carries simple water gear: Paddles, snorkeling masks, and swimming French fries are supplied.
• The $212 price covers nearly the whole day: The captain, fuel, meals, snacks, and drinks are included, so you are not paying for transport alone.

A full Corsican day, not just a boat transfer

This outing works because it gives you several ways to enjoy the coast. You can swim, paddle, snorkel, take photos, eat a long lunch, or simply stretch out on the catamaran. That variety matters during a nine-hour trip. You are not expected to spend every minute in the water.

The boat leaves from Croisière Exclusive, where you should look for the sign directly in front of the boats. The route begins with roughly 45 minutes aboard the catamaran. That opening ride gives you time to settle in, meet the crew, and get ready for the first stop.

The exact character of the day depends on the crew and conditions, but the service is clearly intended to be personal rather than formal. Sylvain is the main host described in the experience, with a southern French accent and a friendly style. Recent outings have also included Tom and Noe. The praise centers on their attention, professionalism, adaptability, and good humor, which are useful qualities on a small boat where the crew affects the entire day.

Carrataghju begins the morning with coffee and a swim

The first stop is the secret beach of Carrataghju, reached after about 45 minutes on the catamaran. You can expect a photo stop, coffee, canistrelli, free time, swimming, and snorkeling. Canistrelli are traditional Corsican biscuits, so this is a pleasant local touch rather than a generic packaged breakfast.

Starting with a swim is smart. You get into the rhythm of the day before the main island stop, and the coffee and biscuits give you something small to eat without turning breakfast into a long meal. If you prefer to ease into the morning, you can stay aboard and enjoy the scenery instead of entering the water.

The stop is listed at about 45 minutes, so keep your expectations sensible. This is a short first pause, not a full beach morning. You will have time to swim and snorkel, but you should not expect a long shore visit or a broad range of activities.

The supplied equipment includes snorkeling masks, paddles, and swimming French fries. The last item is likely a simple floating aid, but the information uses that exact term, so think of it as basic support for relaxing in the water rather than serious water-sports equipment.

Cavallo Island provides a quick look at the celebrity side of the coast

After Carrataghju, the catamaran continues for about an hour toward Cavallo Island. The stop itself is brief, around 15 minutes, and is mainly for photos. That short timing tells you how to use it: admire the setting, take a few pictures, and listen to the crew rather than expecting a long visit ashore.

Cavallo is known here as the island of billionaires, which gives this part of the route a different feel from the more natural swimming stops. You are seeing an exclusive side of the southern Corsican coast, but you are not booking a luxury-resort visit. The appeal is the view from the water and the chance to pass through an area associated with high-end private living.

I would treat Cavallo as a scenic interlude. It breaks up the cruise and adds visual variety, but the Lavezzi Archipelago is where you will spend the serious time. If taking photographs matters to you, have your camera ready before arrival because 15 minutes goes quickly.

Lavezzi is the main event, with two and a half hours at anchor

The catamaran then reaches the Lavezzi Archipelago for the longest stop of the day. You have about two and a half hours for photographs, lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and free time. This is the part that justifies the outing’s full-day length.

Lavezzi is known for clear water, rocky island scenery, and small coves that invite swimming. The information provided emphasizes breathtaking views rather than a guided land walk, so plan for a water-based visit. You may spend the whole stop near the boat, move around with a paddle, snorkel with the supplied mask, or relax and watch the coast.

The crew serves a homemade aperitif at anchor, along with an island planter. This gives the stop a social, unhurried feel. You are not simply being dropped at a beach and left to arrange your own day. Drinks and food are part of the rhythm, with time built in to enjoy them.

Lunch changes by season. In the low season, expect seafood and chicken paella, followed by fresh fruit salad. In high season, the meal is a platter of Corsican cheese and charcuterie, mixed pasta salad, melon, and fresh fruit salad. Both versions are accompanied by cold drinks, including rosé wine and still or sparkling water, with a local digestif also available.

That seasonal difference is worth noting if food is important to you. The low-season paella is a more substantial hot meal, while the high-season platter and salads sound better suited to warm weather and a day of swimming. You do not choose between the two menus; the season determines what is served.

The lunch setup is one of the strongest values in the price. A day around the Lavezzi Islands can become expensive once you add a restaurant meal, drinks, and equipment rental. Here, those basics are already covered. You should still tell the provider about allergies or special dietary needs before the trip, since the meal includes seafood, chicken, dairy, cured meats, and other mixed ingredients.

Swimming, paddling, or doing very little

The boat carries paddles, snorkeling masks, and swimming French fries, so you have options beyond sitting on deck. The supplied details do not promise guided snorkeling or advanced instruction. I would view the equipment as a way to explore close to the boat at your own pace.

The crew also allows you to simply relax aboard. That is important because not everyone in a group wants the same kind of day. One person can snorkel while another rests in the shade or enjoys a drink, assuming the boat’s available space and conditions allow it.

Bring a towel, beachwear, sandals, a jacket, outdoor clothing, and biodegradable sunscreen. The jacket is a sensible addition even on a warm day because the boat ride can feel cooler than time spent on shore. Biodegradable sunscreen is especially appropriate when you are swimming and snorkeling near coastal water.

The sea portion is a central feature, so this outing suits people comfortable around water. At the same time, the schedule includes food, views, and time aboard, so you do not need to be active for all nine hours. The main thing is to avoid booking it if you strongly dislike long boat rides or have little interest in swimming.

Porto Novo finishes the route with beer and one last swim

After Lavezzi, the catamaran travels for about 45 minutes along the coast to Porto Novo. The final stop lasts about an hour and includes a photo stop, free time, swimming, snorkeling, local snacks, beer, and frappes.

This is a good ending to the day. You have already had the main meal and the longest island stop, so Porto Novo can be relaxed rather than ambitious. You can take one last swim, enjoy the coastal views, and have a Pietra beer or a frappe before the return ride.

Pietra is a Corsican beer, so it gives the final stop a local touch. The snack service also helps bridge the gap between lunch and the return to port. If you are tired by this point, you can simply enjoy the catamaran and skip the water.

The final ride back takes about an hour. From the morning departure to the return to Croisière Exclusive, the schedule fills most of the day. The route has enough pauses to keep it from becoming a straight transport journey, but the total duration is still substantial.

What the $212 price really buys you

At $212 per person, this is a premium day trip. The price is easier to justify if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat transfer, lunch, drinks, and water equipment. You also receive the captain, fuel, snacks, and onboard service without having to organize each part yourself.

The value is not just the number of inclusions. A semi-private outing can feel more relaxed than a large boat with a fixed crowd and limited personal attention. The strongest praise given to the crew focuses on their friendliness, professionalism, and ability to adapt. Those qualities can make a real difference when the day includes several stops and changing preferences.

Still, you should compare the price with your own priorities. If you want only a quick ride to one beach, this is too much time and money. If you want a long, social day with several coastal stops and nearly all food and drinks covered, the price becomes more reasonable.

The rating is a perfect 5 from 43 reviews, and 93 percent of participants gave the transport a perfect score. Those figures point to a consistent strength in the boat and crew experience. They do not remove the normal limits of a sea excursion: the day depends on water conditions, sunlight, and how much you enjoy spending time aboard.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and small groups who want a full day around southern Corsica without handling the route themselves. The food and drink service makes it convenient for families, while the semi-private setup and local touches suit adults looking for a social but not overly formal day.

It is also a good choice if your ideal day includes several short experiences rather than one long beach stay. You get Carrataghju, Cavallo, Lavezzi, and Porto Novo, with different uses for each stop.

I would be more cautious if you dislike fixed schedules. The timing is built around several boat transfers, and the Cavallo photo stop is only about 15 minutes. You also need to be comfortable with a nine-hour outing, even though the schedule includes plenty of breaks.

The language support is French and English. That should make the main arrangements easier for English-speaking visitors, while the atmosphere remains distinctly Corsican through the food, drinks, and coastal route.

Small practical details that improve the day

The meeting point is straightforward: find the sign marked Croisière Exclusive, with the boats directly in front. Availability determines the start time, so check the schedule when booking rather than assuming a standard departure.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Corsica plans are still shifting. These policies are useful, but they do not change the main planning point: set aside the entire day.

Tell the provider about allergies and special dietary requirements before departure. This matters because the menu may include seafood, chicken, Corsican cheese, charcuterie, pasta, fruit, wine, and local digestifs.

Pack lightly, but do not forget the basics:

• Towel
• Sandals
• Beachwear
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Jacket
• Outdoor clothing

A camera is also worthwhile for Cavallo and the Lavezzi Archipelago, although it is not listed as required equipment. Keep personal items secure and easy to reach while moving between swimming, lunch, and the boat.

Should you book it?

Book this catamaran cruise if you want a complete Corsican sea day with swimming, island scenery, a homemade meal, local drinks, and a crew that takes care of the practical details. The strongest reasons to choose it are the long Lavezzi stop, the included food and equipment, and the friendly service associated with Sylvain, Tom, and Noe.

Skip it if you want a cheap, short boat ride or prefer to spend the day on one beach. At $212, it earns its price through the nine-hour schedule and broad list of inclusions. For the right person, it is an easy, sociable way to see several of the region’s most striking coastal stops without planning every detail yourself.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

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

Where does the cruise meet?

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

What islands and coastal areas does the cruise visit?

The route includes Carrataghju, Cavallo Island, the Lavezzi Archipelago, and Porto Novo.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Low-season lunch includes seafood and chicken paella with fresh fruit salad. High-season lunch includes Corsican cheese and charcuterie, mixed pasta salad, melon, and fresh fruit salad.

What drinks are included?

The included drinks include rosé wine, still and sparkling water, a local digestif, an island planter, Pietra beer, and frappes.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in French and English.

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. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.