Day cruise to the Cerbicales & Lavezzi Islands with lunch

The best part of this full-day cruise is the coastal tour of southern Corsica, where you see the Cerbicales Islands, famous beaches, Bonifacio’s wind-cut limestone cliffs, and the Lavezzi Islands in one long sweep. I like the generous route and the chance to swim in clear coves, plus the family connection behind the boat: Captain Vincent Chiocca has 40 years at sea, and the Chiocca family has shared these waters for four generations.

I also like that lunch, drinks, and several swimming stops are included in the $129 price. The main tradeoff is the 180-passenger boat. This is a big-capacity cruise, not a quiet little skiff trip, and the swimming time may feel short if your main goal is exploring Lavezzi on foot.

Key points to know before booking

• A full day on the water: Depart Porto-Vecchio at 9 a.m. and return around 6 p.m.
• Bonifacio from the sea: Weather permitting, the boat passes the limestone cliffs and famous sea caves.
• Lunch in a Lavezzi cove: Choose from three menus, but contact the supplier before departure to select yours.
• Two swimming opportunities: One near Lavezzi and another late in the day at Carratoghju or the Cerbicales Islands.
• A large ship with family roots: The boat carries up to 180 passengers and is operated by the Chiocca family.
• Useful booking terms: Lunch and drinks are included, snorkeling equipment is not, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours ahead.

What this Corsica cruise actually gives you

This is a panoramic sea day, not a quick island shuttle. The route is designed to show off a long stretch of Corsica’s southeast coast, with the boat doing most of the moving while you sit back, eat, listen to the captain, and get in the water at set points.

You leave from the port of Porto-Vecchio at 9 a.m. sharp. Crew welcome begins at 8:15 a.m., when a snack is served on board. That early arrival matters. You will want time to find the meeting point at H7RM+FF Porto-Vecchio, settle in, and get a good seat before the boat pulls away.

The route can change with the weather. In good conditions, the boat heads toward Lavezzi via the cliffs of Bonifacio. Along the way, the captain points out beaches and islands from the water, including the Cerbicales Islands, Palombaggia, Santa Giulia, Rondinara, Sperone, and Bonifacio.

That list tells you what kind of day this is. You are not spending hours at each beach. You are collecting views of several of southern Corsica’s best-known coastal spots in one outing. If you have limited time in the region, that broad route is a real advantage.

Captain Vincent Chiocca and a family at sea

The Chiocca name is central to the character of this excursion. Captain Vincent Chiocca has 40 years of experience on the water and comes from a family of fishermen. The company traces its sea work through four generations, giving the trip a stronger local connection than a basic sightseeing boat ride.

Vincent Chiocca Junior, born in 1977, followed the same path. He left school at 14, attended the Merchant Marine school in Sète for three years, became a captain at 17, and became a fishing boss at 18. Those details give you a sense of the family’s long relationship with the coast and its working waters.

You should not expect a formal history lecture at every turn. The appeal is more personal. The captain shares stories and points out the coast from the viewpoint of someone who knows it through fishing, weather, family, and years at sea. That local perspective is one of the more distinctive parts of the trip.

The crew speaks English, French, and Italian. That makes the cruise easier for an international audience, though the exact amount of commentary in each language may vary.

From Porto-Vecchio to the beaches of the southeast

The first part of the cruise is a slow coastal survey. The boat runs along the shore while the captain identifies the beaches and islands ahead.

Palombaggia is one of the best-known names on the route, with its celebrated beach setting and clear water. Santa Giulia and Rondinara add more views of the southern coast, while Sperone brings you closer to the Bonifacio area. Seeing these places from offshore gives you a different sense of their position and shape than you get from a road trip.

The Cerbicales Islands are especially important to this outing. They are part of the protected marine area south of Corsica, and the trip uses them both as a scenic subject and as a possible swimming location. You may find this stretch most rewarding if you enjoy watching the coastline unfold rather than rushing from one fixed attraction to another.

The boat is described as moving gently, but the sea is still the sea. Weather affects both the route and the comfort of the ride. One scheduled cruise was canceled because of poor conditions, with notice given the day before. If your holiday schedule is tight, keep this in mind and avoid placing the cruise on your final possible day.

Bonifacio’s cliffs and sea caves from offshore

The approach to Bonifacio is one of the strongest visual moments. From the water, you can see the town’s pale limestone cliffs, shaped by wind and weather, along with the famous sea caves.

This is not a stop in Bonifacio. You do not get off to walk the citadel or explore the harbor. Instead, the boat gives you a broad view of the cliffs from below, where their height and irregular edges make more sense.

That distinction matters when you compare this cruise with a dedicated Bonifacio excursion. If your priority is the old town, fortress, or street life, you need a separate visit. If you want to add Bonifacio’s coastal drama to a day centered on swimming and islands, this route does it efficiently.

The captain’s commentary adds value here. A good view is better when you understand what you are looking at, and the family’s knowledge of the coast helps turn the passing cliffs into part of the day’s story.

Lunch in a Lavezzi cove at noon

At about noon, the boat stops in a cove around the Lavezzi Islands and serves lunch on board. You can choose from three menus, but you need to contact the supplier before the cruise to select your menu.

Lunch and drinks are included in the $129 price. That helps the value of the trip, since you are out for roughly nine hours and do not need to arrange a separate midday meal. Recent comments also point to the food as a strong part of the experience. One passenger praised the meal as succulent, while another found the dessert light but the overall meal correct.

Keep expectations sensible. This is boat catering, not a restaurant meal in Bonifacio. Still, having lunch served while anchored in a Lavezzi cove is a pleasant use of time. You can eat, look out at the water, and avoid losing part of the day searching for food on shore.

The menu choice is worth handling early. If you have dietary needs or simply want a particular option, do not wait until boarding to ask. The supplied information specifically tells you to contact the operator ahead of time.

Lavezzi Islands: swim or walk ashore

Around 1:30 p.m., the boat reaches the Lavezzi Islands. This is the main island stop, and you can choose between swimming and visiting the island.

Lavezzi is known for its rocky setting and clear Mediterranean water. The stop gives you a chance to get off the boat and see the island directly, rather than viewing it from a distance. You can also use the time for a swim.

Here is the key decision: do you want water time or island time? You may not get enough time to do both in a relaxed way. One passenger felt the cruise would be better with less swimming and more time to visit Lavezzi. That is useful advice if your main goal is walking among the island’s rocks and discovering its shore.

Bring your own snorkeling equipment if you want to look below the surface. Snorkeling gear is not included. Swimming is included, but the supplied information does not promise equipment rental, so pack what you need rather than counting on the boat to provide it.

The schedule gives you about two hours between the Lavezzi arrival and the 3:30 p.m. departure. That sounds generous, but it includes getting settled, swimming, eating if you have not finished, and returning to the boat on time. Keep an eye on the departure time.

Passing the Island of Cavallo on the return

At about 3:30 p.m., the boat begins the return toward Porto-Vecchio and passes the Island of Cavallo. This keeps the afternoon scenic rather than turning the ride home into a straight run.

Cavallo adds another island view to a day already packed with coastal landmarks. You remain on board, so the value here is visual. Find a place where you can see out, listen to the captain, and watch the shore change as the boat heads north.

This part of the cruise also gives you a chance to rest after the Lavezzi stop. A full day on a boat can be tiring, especially if you have been swimming in the sun. The return section is a good time to eat a snack, take photos, and enjoy the changing views without trying to fit in another activity.

The late swim at Carratoghju or Cerbicales

Around 5 p.m., the boat stops again for a swim. The location may be Carratoghju or the Cerbicales Islands, depending on the plan and conditions.

This second swimming stop is a nice feature for people who want more than sightseeing. It breaks up the long return and gives you one last chance to get into the water before the boat reaches Porto-Vecchio around 6 p.m.

It also explains the main criticism of the schedule. If you care more about exploring Lavezzi on foot than swimming, the two water stops may feel like too much time given to swimming. If you enjoy getting in the sea, the balance will make more sense.

The water color around these coves is one of the reasons to choose a sea cruise in southern Corsica instead of a land-only day. Still, you should pack for practical comfort: swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and anything you need for a full day outdoors. Snorkeling gear remains your responsibility.

Is $129 a good value?

At $129 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see one beach or take a short boat ride. It is easier to justify if you use the whole day.

The price includes the cruise, lunch, drinks, and swimming stops. You also get a route covering the Cerbicales Islands, several famous beaches, Bonifacio’s cliffs and caves, Lavezzi, Cavallo, and a final cove. Paying separately for transport, food, and several coastal viewpoints could quickly add up.

The large capacity changes the value calculation. With up to 180 passengers, this is a shared outing with a busy-boat feel. You are paying for a broad itinerary and included food, not for privacy or a custom route.

I would consider it good value for a first visit to southern Corsica, especially if you want one organized day that combines views, a meal, and swimming. I would look elsewhere if your top priority is a small group, a quiet atmosphere, or extended time at one island.

Who should book this day at sea?

This cruise suits you if you want to cover a lot of coastline without arranging several separate trips. It is also a good fit for people who like a clear schedule, included lunch, and the option to swim more than once.

Families and mixed-interest groups may find the format useful. One person can enjoy the scenery, another can swim, and another can explore Lavezzi during the island stop. The boat is wheelchair accessible, which may make the outing workable for some passengers who need accessible facilities, though the practical details of getting ashore or entering the water are not specified.

The cruise is less suited to you if you dislike large boats or need a quiet, private experience. It may also disappoint if you expect a long walking visit in Lavezzi or a full visit to Bonifacio. Bonifacio is a sea-view stop, not a town visit, and Lavezzi time is shared with swimming.

High-season departures may also be available from Pinarello, but the standard departure is Porto-Vecchio. Check the date and departure point carefully when booking.

Practical details that affect the day

The boat leaves at 9 a.m. sharp, with welcome and a snack from 8:15 a.m. Plan to arrive early rather than treating 9 a.m. as your arrival time.

The cruise lasts about a full day, from morning until roughly 6 p.m. That makes it a major part of your itinerary, not a quick add-on. Leave your evening flexible, especially if the sea is active or the return takes longer than planned.

The experience is offered in English, French, and Italian. Lunch and drinks are included. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so bring your own if you want it.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. These terms are useful when the forecast is uncertain, though the operator may also cancel for weather and offer another date.

Should you book the Cerbicales and Lavezzi cruise?

Book it if you want a full coastal overview of southern Corsica, included lunch, several swimming opportunities, and a captain with deep family ties to the sea. The route packs a lot into one day, and the Bonifacio cliffs viewed from offshore are a strong reason to choose it.

Skip it if you want a small boat, a private feel, or several hours to explore Lavezzi on foot. The 180-passenger capacity is the main compromise, and the schedule gives real weight to swimming.

For most first-time visitors with one open day in Porto-Vecchio, I think the cruise offers solid value. Contact the supplier about your menu, bring swimming and snorkeling gear, arrive before the 9 a.m. departure, and keep a weather backup plan if your holiday schedule is short.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The standard departure point is the port of Porto-Vecchio, at H7RM+FF Porto-Vecchio, France. Some high-season departures are scheduled from Pinarello.

What time does the cruise leave?

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

What is included in the price?

The $129 price includes the boat cruise, swimming stops, lunch, and drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included, so you need to bring your own equipment if you want to snorkel.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise begins in the morning and is scheduled to return to Porto-Vecchio around 6 p.m.

Which languages are available?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.