Introduction

While in Bonifacio, we took one of the best 1-day trips in southern Corsica and visited the Lavezzi Islands.

Located in the Bouches de Bonifacio Nature Reserve, the Lavezzi Archipelago is a little slice of paradise you don’t want to miss on a road trip through Corsica.

Getting there is super easy, just hop on a 30-minute boat ride from Bonifacio, and you’ll find yourself on pristine beaches surrounded by massive granite boulders, sculpted by the wind and sea.

But the best part is that the Lavezzi islands have no infrastructure at all.

In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know to visit the Lavezzi islands, including various options for getting there, where to eat, and so on.

Lavezzi Island At a Glance & Top Travel Tips

Here is what you need to know at a glance:

• Location: 10 km southeast of Bonifacio.
• Access: Only by boat (shuttle, rental, or tour).
• Vibe: Rugged, untouched, and crystal clear.
• Top Tip – The “Last Boat” Trap: If you visit in July or August, avoid taking the very last shuttle back. Thousands of people try to leave at the same time, and the queues at the pier can be several hours long. We recommend heading back mid-afternoon so you can enjoy your evening in Bonifacio instead of waiting on a hot dock.
• Pack Like a Pro: Since there is zero infrastructure, you are responsible for your own survival for the day! You must bring at least 2 liters of water per person, a high-SPF sunscreen, and a sturdy sun umbrella. There are no trees for shade, and the sun reflecting off the white rocks can be intense.
• Leave No Trace: Because this is a protected reserve, you must stay on the marked trails to protect the local flora. Also, make sure to take all your trash back to the mainland with you.
• Snorkeling is a Must: The water here is incredibly clear and full of fish because fishing is restricted. Bring your own mask and fins; you’ll see some of the best underwater life in Corsica right off the beaches.

The Lavezzi islands

The Lavezzi islands are part of a breathtaking archipelago of around 100 islets and granite reefs located off the southern coast of Corsica, within the Bouches de Bonifacio Nature Reserve.

Known for their wild landscapes, turquoise waters, and sculpted granite formations, these islands offer a secluded and untouched paradise just a short 30-minute boat ride from Bonifacio.

Among the few accessible islands, Île Lavezzi (Lavezzi island in English, Lavezzu island in Corsican) is the largest and most visited, offering stunning white-sand beaches, hidden coves, and crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The island is uninhabited, with no infrastructure, making it a truly wild and natural escape.

Île Cavallo, on the other hand, is privately owned and home to a handful of luxury villas, restricting public access.

The Lavezzi Archipelago is a protected marine reserve, meaning no hotels, restaurants, or shops—so be sure to bring everything you need for a day in this unspoiled slice of Corsican paradise.

From now on, we will be focusing only on the island that can be visited, the Lavezzi islands

Getting to the Lavezzi islands

The Lavezzi islands are located 10 km southeast of Bonifacio in the Bouches de Bonifacio Nature Reserve and are only accessible by boat. You can visit them on your own or with an organized tour.

But you can also visit them from Porto-Vecchio. However, we wouldn’t recommend that, as you will have a much longer boat ride and anyway going to Bonifacio is a must for us.

By Boat Tour (Easiest Option)

The most popular way to visit the Lavezzi Islands is by taking a boat tour from Bonifacio. Several companies operate daily shuttle boats and guided tours to the islands, especially from April to October.

• Departure: From Bonifacio Marina (you can park your car in the marina parking)
• Duration: 30–45 minutes one way
• Price: Around 39€ per person (round trip)
• Tickets: Can be booked online, at ticket offices in Bonifacio Marina, or on-site before departure
• Best Boat Operators: SPMB Société des Promenades en Mer Bonifacio
• Departures: Every hour from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
• Returns: Every hour from 12:30 PM to 6:30 PM

It is also important to note that boats are leaving once full, so be sure to be earlier and wait a bit in front of the boat.

The boat will drop you off on the Lavezzi Islands, and when you have enoug,h you can just take it back. This will give you several hours to explore before.

On the way back, you will cruise around Cavallo Island, Porragia, and Bonifacio’s cliffs.

By Private Boat Rental (More Freedom)

If you want more flexibility and privacy, renting a boat is a great option. You can explore the Lavezzi Islands at your own pace and even visit hidden coves around Cavallo and Porragia.

• Boat Rental from Bonifacio or Porto-Vecchio
• No license is needed for small boats (5hp)
• Price: From 120–300€ per day depending on the boat size
• Companies: See on the Bonifacio website

By Private Yacht or Catamaran (Luxury Option)

For a high-end experience, you can charter a private yacht or catamaran with a skipper. This allows you to enjoy the islands with complete comfort, snorkeling stops, and a gourmet meal on board.

• Departures from Bonifacio, Porto-Vecchio, or Sardinia
• Cost: Starts at 500–1000€ per day
• Best for: Groups, special occasions, or those looking for an exclusive experience

Where to Stay in Bonifacio

Bonifacio has multiple accommodations, and, to be honest, it wasn’t easy to select which one to recommend. We spent 3 nights in Bonifacio, but you could easily stay 7 to 10 nights.

Santa Teresa Hotel: If you want to stay right in the old town, this is the spot. It sits at the very end of the cliffs, so you get incredible views of the sea and the sunset. It’s perfect if you want to walk out of your door and be surrounded by history.

Résidence Casarina: This was our favorite place to stay. It’s located a bit outside the town, which makes it super peaceful. It feels more like a cozy eco-lodge surrounded by greenery, and it’s a great base if you have a car and want to explore the nearby beaches like Rondinara.

Hotel Solemare: For those who prefer to be near the water, it is located right on the marina. You can watch the boats coming in and out from your balcony, and you’re just a short walk from all the waterfront restaurants and the “Petit Train” that takes you up to the citadel.

When to Visit

Choosing the right time to visit the Lavezzi Islands really depends on what you want to do once you get there. If you enjoy hiking through blooming wildflowers and prefer a quieter vibe, spring is a beautiful choice with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 22°C (59°F – 72°F).

Once summer hits between June and August, it gets much warmer, usually between 25°C and 30°C (77°F – 86°F), which is perfect for swimming and snorkeling in those crystal-clear waters, though you should expect plenty of company on the beaches.

We personally love the autumn months of September and October; the sea stays warm enough for a dip, but the air is a comfortable 20°C to 27°C (68°F – 81°F) and the crowds finally start to thin out.

During the winter, from November to February, the islands become very quiet and peaceful with temperatures dropping to around 10°C to 15°C (50°F – 59°F), but keep in mind that boat services are much more limited.

No matter when you decide to go, we always recommend checking the local wind forecast before booking your boat, as the conditions in the Strait of Bonifacio can change quickly.

Many tourists choose to spend a day exploring these islands during their stay in Bonifacio. However, due to its modest size, Lavezzu Island, for instance, covers only 0.64 km²—the area can become quickly saturated, especially during July and August.

During these peak months, shuttle services transport large numbers of tourists to the islands, diminishing the serene charm that defines the Lavezzi experience.

Additionally, the return journey can be challenging; while arrivals are staggered throughout the morning, afternoons see a convergence of visitors all aiming to depart simultaneously, particularly during the last three departure slots at 16:30, 17:30, and 18:30.

This often results in long queues, with not everyone able to board the desired boat. Some travel guides even advise against visiting the Lavezzi Islands in July and August due to these overcrowding issues.

What to bring to the Lavezzi islands

As mentioned, there is no infrastructure on the Lavezzi islands, meaning that you will have to bring your lunch. There is a SPAR supermarket in the Marina where you can get everything you need (bread, snacks, spreads like hummus, cheeses, water, and so on…).  Be sure to have at least 2 liters of water per person

We also recommend that you bring a sun umbrella, sun cream, towels, and even snorkeling equipment.

Note that it is forbidden to fly a drone over the Lavezzi archipelago. Before flying a drone in France, it’s imperative to consult the map on the Geoportail website.

How to visit the Lavezzi Islands

Going There

If you have the opportunity, we recommend that you sit next to a window or in front of the boat, outside. This way, you will get breathtaking views of Bonifacio.

Fucone Cemetery

We took the 9:30 am boat and arrived around 10 am on the Lavezzi Islands. We started by exploring the south of the island as we thought, let’s explore now, and after that let’s chill.

So, we started by walking from the pier toward the south end of the island. We quickly passed the first beach and the Fucone cemetery that serves as a memorial to the victims of the 1855 shipwreck of the French frigate La Sémillante.

This maritime disaster occurred during a violent storm in the Strait of Bonifacio, leading to the loss of all 773 individuals on board, including 393 soldiers en route to the Crimean War.

In the aftermath, approximately 560 bodies were recovered and interred on the island, with 124 laid to rest in the eastern cemetery at Cala Furcone.

Lighthouse

After the cemetery, we continued southward to reach the lighthouse. The trail was beautiful, and waking onthe Lavezzi islands was enjoyable.

It’s easy to find your way around the island, as well-marked trails and markers at intersections are pointing you the way to the beaches (it’s forbidden to walk off the marked paths)

Unfortunately, we couldn’t reach the lighthouse as it is located in a restricted area. So, once we reached the south pier, we walked back with a new goal in mind. Find a secluded spot for us.

Finding the right beach

Once we reached the central part of the island, we actively looked for a nice spot. Even though we were visiting end of September, there were some people, we were all alone and the main beaches were already starting to get a bit crowded for our taste.

Also, most of the beaches on the Lavezzi islands aren’t that big, so it can get crowded quickly.

We followed the trail until we saw a nice little spot. Where we were almost all alone. It was perfect and we right away set our sun umbrella and towels on the ground.

We enjoyed swimming in the fresh seawater, sunbathing, and taking it slow.

A bit before 1 am, we had our picnic lunch. Which was simple but nice. Once done, more and more people were coming and our little piece of paradise was slowly going away.

It was time for us to move and keep exploring the north of the Levezzi islands.

We quickly ended at another beach, Cala du Chiesa, which was also beautiful, but the beach was quite full already.

So, we continued and found another amazing spot, it also was a small beach without much space left on the sand but the water was just incredible.

This spot doesn’t have a real name that we know about. But it was like another slice of heaven. The water was calm, it wasn’t crowded, and it was shallow. Everything we love.

We enjoyed ourselves there for a while.

Return

We didn’t want to return too late to Bonifacio, as we planned on chilling by the swimming pool in our accommodatio,n which was beautiful.

So, around 4 pm, we left and headed for the pier to catch the 4:30 pm boat back to Bonifacio.

The return was really fun, even if we didn’t get the best seat. This time, there was a guide telling us lots of information about the Levezzi Archipelago. He was super witty and made tons of jokes. Unfortunately, it was only in French.

Cavalo island

That was when we passed by Cavallo Island, a private island where only billionaires have summer villas. It is the largest and only inhabited island in the Lavezzi archipelago.

Known as the “Island of Billionaires” due to the wealth and fame of some villa owners, the boat guide was pointing out these celebrity residences, often humorously referring to them as “SDF” (sans difficultés financières—without financial difficulties).

If you’re considering an overnight stay on Cavallo Island, you have 2 options:

• Hotel & SPA des Pêcheurs: As the island’s sole hotel, it provides exclusive services and pricing that reflect the island’s prestigious reputation.
• CAMARU CANTU: A private apartment with 2 rooms

Cost of visiting the Lavezzi Island

For your budget planning, here is a breakdown of what you can expect to spend for a day trip like ours. We’ve kept the costs in Euros as that’s what you’ll be using on the island.

• Bakery: 5.20€ (Perfect for grabbing a few fresh baguettes or pastries before you head to the boat).
• Îles Lavezzi (Boat Shuttle): 78.00€ (This is the total for two people taking the standard shuttle from Bonifacio).
• Parking: 18.20€ (Parking in the Bonifacio Marina for the full day while you are out at sea).
• Grocery: 10.03€ (Stocking up on plenty of water, snacks, and some local cheese for your picnic).

Total for the day: 111.43€

Since there are no shops or restaurants on the islands, your biggest expenses are really just getting there and securing your car. We found that packing a nice lunch from the local SPAR and the bakery not only saved us money but also let us stay on our favorite hidden beach much longer without having to worry about finding food!

Plan Your Trip to Corsica

If you are planning a full road trip around the island, you are in the right place. We have written detailed guides for every stop we made to help you plan the perfect itinerary:

• The Ultimate Itinerary: The Best 13-Day Corsica Road Trip
• Budgeting: Cost to Travel to Corsica: Our 2024 Budget Breakdown
• Essential Tips: 17 Things to Know Before Your Corsica Trip
• Where to Stay: 16 Best Hotels in Corsica for 2025
• The Best Beaches: 12 Most Beautiful Beaches in Corsica

Our Other Regional Guides:

• 11 Best Things to Do in Cap Corse: Our Perfect 1-Day Road Trip
• Saleccia & Lotu: The Agriates Desert’s Best Beaches
• 6 Stunning Places to Discover in Balagne
• 15 Best Things to Do in the Gulf of Porto
• 20 Best Things to Do in Ajaccio
• 20 Best Things to Do in Bonifacio
• 12 Best Things to Do in Porto-Vecchio
• 8 Best Things to Do in Corte
• 18 Most Beautiful Places in Corsica