Visiting the Lavezzi Islands in Corsica - a great boat trip

Writer: Helena Bergström

What is it like to visit the Lavezzi Islands in Corsica? This group of islands is located just off Bonifacio in southern Corsica and is very popular for boat trips. For us, it was a day trip to one of the main islands, Lavezzu, on a lovely day in July.

The Lavezzi Islands in Corsica

Lavezzi Islands (Lavezzi Islands in French or Isuli Lavezzi in Corsican) is a small group of granite islands, with the two main islands named Cavallo and Lavezzu.

The Lavezzi Islands are located just south of Banifacio in Corsica, between Corsica and Sardinia.

Visiting the Lavezzi Islands

Excursions to the Lavezzi Islands are very popular, especially from Bonifacio, but also from Porto-Vecchio. In the harbour of Bonifacio there are large counters where an excursion company (SPMB Bonifacio) sells four different boat excursions:

• Circuit 1: Falaises Calanques Caves (50 min)
• Circuit 2: Falaises Calanques caves with glass bottom for underwater views (1 h 15 min)
• Circuit 3: Lavezzi Islands Nature Reserve with glass bottom for underwater views (2 h)
• Circuit 4: Lavezzi Islands Nature Reserve (30 min boat journey there and 30 min boat journey back)

We chose "Circuit 4", which is the tour that allows you to get off at the Lavezzi Islands (more specifically, the island of Lavezzu) and stay as many hours as you want during the day, before returning. The boats run many times a day and there is no need to book in advance.

Boat trip to the Lavezzi Islands

The boat trip starts by chugging out through the beautiful harbour of Bonifacio, while spotting the citadel and all the huge luxury yachts.

You then leave the mighty cliffs of Bonifacio behind and head south towards Sardinia.

After 30 minutes you will dock on Lavezzu Island.

There are many different boats arriving during a day, and each time a new group of tourists arrives...

Unique rock formations

The island of Lavezzu has a unique nature with very special rock formations and a relatively barren greenery.

The rocks have soft, rounded shapes, which often stir the imagination.

One rock looks like a turtle and another like an ancient animal. And that, isn't that a stone elephant standing there ...?

It's hard to stop taking photos. The landscape feels almost surreal ...

Beautiful beaches

The island also has many beautiful small beaches. Narrow paths run between the beaches, and you can simply discover one after the other. On the first beaches we visited, it was quite crowded between the sunbathers. Then we suddenly found a place where we were left almost completely alone ...

Plants and wildlife

When visiting the Lavezzi Islands, it is important to bear in mind that this is a nature reserve, so you need to take extra care of nature. You are not allowed to walk off the paths, you are not allowed to pick plants and you are not allowed to fish. Of course, you are not allowed to litter. The vegetation is quite sparse - almost nothing grows higher than knee height - but still beautiful in its own way.

We saw quite a few fish in the water and some birds. One of the birds stood out from the crowd. This wren hovered over one of the most touristy beaches and then made swift attacks on picnic baskets and people with a sandwich in hand...

In one of the attacks, the bird (a young Mediterranean ostrich?) bit into Peter's carefully bandaged toe. Perhaps he thought there would be something edible there ...? This bird was not pleasant company and we chose to eat our lunch on another, more undisturbed, beach ...

Lunch with your own packed lunch

Once we found our picnic beach, we actually got to eat in peace. We had packed a sourdough baguette, some salami, melon and grapes. Fantastically tasty! We also had three litres of water with us. There is nothing to buy on the island and no fresh water either, so you have to bring everything you need!

Lovely boat trip back

After a few hours of sun, swimming and walking, it was time to go back. When we were here, the boats went once an hour, so it was just to walk to the pier when it was time. After a little while of queuing, it was time to go back!

Now the weather had changed and the wind had picked up quite a bit. The boat was steady over the big waves, and the water was rushing in over those sitting closest to the rail.

Some of the children saw the adventure in it all. They equipped themselves with cyclops and faced each wave hanging out of the boat, while howling with laughter.

Things to consider - when visiting the Lavezzi Islands

If you are also planning to visit the Lavezzu Islands, it is best to check the current departure times with the local operator. Keep in mind that the island of Lavezzu is completely uninhabited and there is no fresh water or shops. There are also very few shady spots. Here are tips on what to pack with you:

• Swimwear
• Bath towel
• Sun hat/cap
• Sunscreen cream
• Parasol (Can be good as there is little shade. When we were here, however, we did well without it because it was windy and sometimes cloudy).
• Plenty of water and/or other drinks
• Packed lunch/snacks
• Bag or bucket to bring the rubbish back
• Mobile phone/camera
• Snorkel and cyclops

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

In the vicinity of the Lavezzi Islands, you will discover the marvellous and spectacular city Bonifacioand the beautiful beaches of Sperone. We can also highly recommend visiting the pleasant town of Porto-Vecchio, which is also surrounded by beautiful beaches.

Have you visited the Lavezzi Islands?

Have you visited the Lavezzi Islands? Or maybe you've experienced another great boat trip in the Mediterranean?