Day cruise to the Cerbicales & Lavezzi Islands with lunch

Corsica’s southern coast is best understood from the water, and this full-day cruise gives you a generous serving of it: the Cerbicales and Lavezzi Islands, the beaches of Palombaggia and Santa Giulia, and Bonifacio’s wind-carved limestone cliffs. I especially like the coastal sightseeing before lunch and the chance to choose from three onboard menus. I also like that the captain, Vincent Chiocca, comes from four generations of fishermen and knows this coast as a working sailor, not just as a tour route.

The main trade-off is size. With space for up to 180 passengers, this is a big ship rather than a quiet little boat. You get a stable, social ride and a full day at sea, but the Lavezzi stop can feel short if your main goal is walking around the islands.

Key points to know before you book

• Bonifacio from the sea: The cruise passes the famous limestone cliffs and sea caves, a fine way to see the town’s dramatic setting without staying ashore.
• Three lunch menus: Contact the operator before the trip to choose your meal, with lunch and drinks included in the $129 price.
• Two swimming stops: You can swim at Lavezzi and later in a cove near Carratoghju or the Cerbicales Islands.
• A fourth-generation captain: Vincent Chiocca brings a family fishing tradition and 40 years of experience to the commentary.
• Large-capacity boat: The vessel carries up to 180 passengers, so expect a proper excursion boat rather than an intimate sailing trip.
• Weather matters: The captain can cancel for poor conditions, and the route to Bonifacio may change with the sea and wind.

Why this cruise works for seeing southern Corsica

This is not just a ride to one island. It is a long coastal circuit that links several of Corsica’s best-known sights in one day. From Porto Vecchio, the boat follows the southeastern coast and lets you see beaches, rocky headlands, protected islands, and Bonifacio from a different angle.

I like this kind of outing when you want a broad introduction without arranging several separate trips. You will not spend the whole day at one beach, and you will not have hours to explore each island. Instead, you get a moving view of the coast, a meal at sea, time for a swim, and a few hours to enjoy the Lavezzi area.

The $129 price makes the most sense if you plan to use the whole day. Lunch, drinks, swimming stops, and the long boat route are included. If you only want transport to Lavezzi, a shorter transfer would likely suit you better. If you want a relaxed day that combines sightseeing and swimming, the package has solid value.

The size of the vessel shapes the mood. A 180-passenger ship gives you more room and usually a steadier feel than a small open boat, but you should not expect a private excursion. The experience leans toward a classic group cruise, with a set schedule and a broad mix of passengers.

Starting early at Porto Vecchio

Plan to be at the port well before the 9 a.m. departure. The crew welcomes you from 8:15 a.m. and serves a snack before leaving, so arriving early is useful rather than wasted time. The boat departs sharply at 9 a.m., and the schedule is built around a full day on the water.

The stated meeting point is H7RM+FF Porto-Vecchio, France. Check the exact port position with CHIOCCA croisières before you go, especially if you are staying outside central Porto Vecchio. Some high-season departures also leave from Pinarello, so confirm your departure port rather than assuming every sailing starts in Porto Vecchio.

The early start pays off. You have nearly the entire day for the coast, lunch, the Lavezzi stop, and the afternoon swim. Bring a light layer for the morning, since conditions on deck can feel cooler than they do on shore.

The coast from Cerbicales to Bonifacio

The first part of the cruise is a sightseeing run along the coast. The captain points out the Cerbicales Islands and beaches including Palombaggia, Santa Giulia, Rondinara, and Sperone. These names matter because they mark some of southern Corsica’s most prized shorelines, and seeing them from the boat gives you a quick sense of how varied this corner of the island is.

The boat then heads toward Bonifacio, depending on weather and sea conditions. From the water, the town’s position becomes clear. Bonifacio sits above pale limestone cliffs, with the sea and wind shaping the rock into sharp walls, ledges, and caves.

This is one of the strongest parts of the day for photographers. The view is not the same as walking Bonifacio’s upper town or visiting its harbor, but it shows the scale of the cliffs and the exposed setting far better than a street-level visit. You can simply sit back while the captain identifies the beaches and coastal features.

Do not treat this section as a guaranteed close approach in every condition. The route can change with weather, and the description specifically makes the passage by Bonifacio dependent on the sea. That flexibility is sensible for safety, but it means you should think of the cliffs as an important possibility within the cruise, not the only reason to book.

Lunch in a Lavezzi cove

Around noon, the boat stops in a cove near the Lavezzi Islands, and lunch is served onboard. You choose from three menus, but you need to contact the supplier ahead of time to select one. That small step matters. Do not wait until you are boarding if you want a particular option.

Lunch and drinks are included, which makes the price easier to judge. You are not paying $129 and then adding a meal and beverages on top. The schedule allows about an hour and a half around lunch before the island arrival at 1:30 p.m.

Food is one of the better parts of the experience based on the available feedback. One recent rating specifically praised the meal as excellent and thanked the whole crew. Another description called the meal correct but found the dessert light. That sounds like a straightforward boat lunch rather than a long restaurant-style meal, so keep your expectations in the right place.

There is no need to hunt for a café or carry a full picnic. The trade-off is that you eat according to the ship’s timing and menu choices. If lunch is a major part of your day, contact CHIOCCA croisières in advance and ask exactly what the three menus contain.

Lavezzi Islands: swim first or walk ashore

The boat reaches the islands around 1:30 p.m. You can swim or visit the island, giving you a choice between water time and a short shore visit. Lavezzi is known for its low, rocky island setting and clear water, so both options fit the place well.

If you swim, you get a proper break from sightseeing. This is a good reason to bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and anything you need to stay comfortable on deck afterward. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own gear if you want to look below the surface.

If you go ashore, the time may feel limited. One practical criticism of the schedule is that some people would prefer less swimming and more time to explore Lavezzi. That is worth taking seriously if walking the island is your main goal. This cruise gives you a sample of Lavezzi, not an extended island visit.

I would choose the island visit if this is your first time seeing Lavezzi and you care about the scenery on land. I would choose the swim if you have already explored the islands or simply want a slow afternoon in the water. The fact that you can decide onboard gives the stop some welcome flexibility.

The afternoon route past Cavallo

At about 3:30 p.m., the boat begins the return journey toward Porto Vecchio, passing the Island of Cavallo. This keeps the ride from becoming a simple out-and-back crossing. You continue to see the southern coast from new angles as the afternoon light changes.

Cavallo adds another island viewpoint, but the supplied schedule does not promise a landing there. Think of it as a coastal passage rather than a separate stop. The route is useful for anyone who likes seeing how the islands fit together geographically, especially after spending time near Lavezzi.

The long return also gives you time to rest. A full day on the sea can be tiring, even when the pace is gentle. On a large vessel, you can usually move around and find a viewing position, but the most popular spots may be busy. If a clear view matters to you, arrive early and pay attention during boarding.

The final swim near Carratoghju or Cerbicales

At around 5 p.m., the cruise pauses again for a swim. The stop may be in a cove near Carratoghju or among the Cerbicales Islands, with turquoise water as the main attraction.

This second swim is a nice touch because it breaks up the long return ride. You are not asked to spend the last few hours simply sitting while the boat heads back. It also gives you a second chance to swim if the first stop at Lavezzi was too short or crowded for your taste.

Still, the timing explains the mixed reactions to the schedule. The cruise tries to include many things in one day: beaches, Bonifacio, lunch, Lavezzi, Cavallo, and two swims. That variety is the point, but it also means no single stop receives unlimited time. If you want hours of quiet swimming, choose a beach day. If you want several highlights in one outing, this format works better.

The boat is expected back in Porto Vecchio around 6 p.m. That makes the day roughly nine hours from departure to return, including the early welcome aboard.

The Chiocca family connection

The family story gives this cruise more character than a standard sightseeing ride. The Chiocca family has shared the sea with visitors for four generations, and Captain Vincent Chiocca has about 40 years of experience along the southern Corsican coast.

His background is rooted in fishing. Vincent Chiocca Junior, born in 1977, trained at the Merchant Marine school in Sète after leaving school at 14, became a captain at 17, and later worked as a fishing boss. That history helps explain the emphasis on local sea knowledge and family stories.

You should not expect a formal lecture at every point of the route. The value is more personal: the captain knows the coast through generations of fishing, changing weather, and daily work at sea. That connection can make the beaches, channels, and islands feel less like a parade of names and more like a place with a human story.

The available ratings also praise the crew, with one highly positive comment singling out both the meal and the team. On the other hand, one rating noted there was no music onboard. That may be a plus if you prefer natural sea sounds, but it is worth knowing if you expect entertainment between stops.

What the $129 price really includes

At $129 per person, this is not a budget boat transfer. It is a full-day package. You are paying for the long coastal route, the Bonifacio passage when conditions allow, lunch, drinks, two swimming opportunities, and time at Lavezzi.

The value is strongest for someone who would otherwise pay separately for transport, a meal, and a water excursion. It is also useful if your time in southern Corsica is limited and you want to cover several famous places in one day.

The value is weaker if you dislike group outings or want detailed time ashore. The large ship and fixed schedule make this less personal than a small private boat. You also need to bring your own snorkeling equipment, and the dessert may be modest rather than a major part of the meal.

The experience has an overall rating of 4 out of 5 from 132 ratings, which fits the balance here: strong scenery, good food, and a pleasant full-day format, with some limits around boat size, weather, and island time.

Who should book this day at sea

I would suggest this cruise if you want:

• A broad look at southern Corsica from the sea
• A full day with lunch and drinks already included
• Both sightseeing and swimming
• A chance to see Bonifacio’s cliffs from offshore
• A guided experience in English, French, or Italian
• A stable group boat rather than a small, highly personal craft

I would think twice if you want long walks on Lavezzi, a quiet private outing, or a schedule built around one beach. You should also be comfortable with the possibility that bad weather can cancel or alter the plan. One scheduled sailing was canceled the day before because of weather, and a replacement date did not work for that passenger’s holiday. The operator offers cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, but weather-related changes are still an important practical risk.

The cruise is wheelchair accessible, though the supplied information does not describe specific boarding or island conditions. If accessibility is important for you, confirm the details with the operator before booking.

Should you book the Cerbicales and Lavezzi cruise?

Book it if you want a big-picture day on southern Corsica’s water, with several coastal sights, a solid lunch, and two chances to swim. The captain’s fishing background adds a local voice, and the route gives you views of Bonifacio and beaches that are difficult to fit into one shore-based day.

Skip it if your priority is quiet travel or extended time on Lavezzi. For many people, the best choice is to treat this as a scenic sea day, not as a dedicated island exploration trip. Contact CHIOCCA croisières before departure to choose your menu, arrive early for the 9 a.m. sailing, and pack swimwear, sun protection, and snorkeling gear if you want it.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart?

The main departure point is the port of Porto Vecchio, France. Some high-season departures are scheduled from Pinarello, so confirm the port for your chosen date.

What time does the cruise leave?

The boat departs Porto Vecchio at 9 a.m. sharp. Boarding and a snack begin from 8:15 a.m.

What time does the cruise return?

The planned return to Porto Vecchio is around 6 p.m.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and drinks are included. You should contact the supplier before the cruise to choose from the three available menus.

Does the cruise stop at the Lavezzi Islands?

Yes. The boat reaches the Lavezzi Islands around 1:30 p.m., where you can swim or visit the island.

Are swimming stops included?

Yes. The cruise includes swimming stops at Lavezzi and later at a cove near Carratoghju or the Cerbicales Islands.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included, so bring your own if you want to use it.

How many people can the boat carry?

This is a large-capacity ship with room for up to 180 passengers.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English, French, and Italian.