Day cruise to the Cerbicales & Lavezzi Islands with lunch

The best part of this day is the changing view of southern Corsica. You glide past beaches, limestone cliffs, sea caves, and protected islands before stopping for lunch and a swim near Lavezzi. Captain Vincent Chiocca brings four generations of fishing knowledge to the route, while Vincent Chiocca Junior also grew up in the family trade.

I like the generous mix of scenery and time in the water. I also like that lunch, drinks, and a snack are included, so the $129 price covers more than a bare boat ride. The main drawback is the 180-passenger ship. This is a large-capacity cruise, not a quiet private outing, and the day can feel busy when everyone gathers for meals and swimming.

Key things to know before booking

• The route covers southern Corsica by sea: You pass the Cerbicales Islands, Palombaggia, Santa Giulia, Rondinara, Sperone, Bonifacio, Cavallo, and Lavezzi.
• Lunch is served onboard: Contact the operator before departure to choose one of three menus.
• Swimming is part of the schedule: Bring your own snorkeling gear if you want to explore below the surface.
• The ship carries up to 180 people: Expect a roomy excursion boat with a social, organized feel rather than an intimate sailing trip.
• The day runs from 9 a.m. to about 6 p.m.: You need to be at Porto Vecchio early, with boarding and a snack from 8:15 a.m.
• Weather controls the route: The captain may alter or cancel the cruise when sea conditions make the trip unsafe.

From Porto Vecchio to the open Mediterranean

Your day begins at the port of Porto Vecchio, with departure set for 9 a.m. sharp. Boarding starts at 8:15 a.m., when the crew welcomes you with a snack. I would arrive with time to spare because this is a full-day outing, and a late arrival could mean missing the boat.

The meeting point is listed at H7RM+FF Porto-Vecchio, France. Some high-season departures also leave from Pinarello, so check the exact port carefully when booking. The trip is available with live guidance in English, French, and Italian.

The boat heads toward the Lavezzi Islands, with the route passing the cliffs of Bonifacio when weather allows. The captain points out the coast as you go, turning the first part of the day into a moving introduction to the far south of Corsica.

This is not a simple transfer from one island to another. You spend much of the morning watching the coast unfold from the water. That matters in Corsica, where many coves, cliffs, and beaches are easiest to appreciate from offshore.

A coastal roll call of Corsica’s famous beaches

As the boat moves south, the captain identifies the Cerbicales Islands, Palombaggia, Santa Giulia, Rondinara, Sperone, and Bonifacio. Each place offers a different view of Corsica’s coast, and the steady pace gives you time to take photographs without rushing from one lookout to the next.

Palombaggia and Santa Giulia are known for their bright water and beach setting. Rondinara gives you another fine coastal view, while Sperone brings the boat toward the Bonifacio area and its dramatic rock formations. You are not promised a long shore visit at each place, so think of this section as a scenic cruise and guided orientation rather than a beach-hopping day.

Bonifacio is the visual high point of the morning. Its pale limestone cliffs have been shaped by wind and water, and the boat offers a viewpoint that you cannot get from streets above the harbor. Sea caves add another layer to the scene, though the exact approach depends on weather and sea conditions.

I like this part of the route because it gives the day some context. You are not simply dropped at Lavezzi and left to occupy yourself. You see how the islands, beaches, cliffs, and resort areas fit together along the southern coast.

Captain Vincent Chiocca’s family connection to the sea

The Chiocca family has shared the sea with visitors for four generations. Captain Vincent Chiocca has about 40 years of experience, and his family background is tied to fishing in southern Corsica.

That personal connection shapes the feel of the cruise. Vincent is described as a fisherman’s son who learned the coast through family life and work, not only from a chart. Vincent Chiocca Junior, born in 1977, followed a similar path. He left school at 14, studied at the Merchant Marine school in Sète for three years, became a captain at 17, and was working as a fishing boss by 18.

Those details are useful because they explain what kind of guide you are getting. This is a family-run sea experience with local fishing roots, not a generic sightseeing route assembled for a passing season. The commentary may appeal most if you enjoy hearing how a place is connected to the people who work on its waters.

Do not expect a formal historical lecture with a long list of dates. The appeal is the captain’s firsthand knowledge, family stories, and familiarity with the coastline. The atmosphere can feel more personal than the size of the boat suggests.

Lunch in a Lavezzi cove at noon

Around noon, the boat stops in a cove near the Lavezzi Islands, and lunch is served onboard. You can choose from three menus, but you need to contact the supplier ahead of time to select your meal.

Lunch and drinks are included in the $129 price. That is an important part of the value, since buying a full meal and drinks separately during a day around Corsica’s islands can add up quickly. You also receive a welcome snack before departure.

The food feedback is generally positive, with particular praise for a tasty meal and good crew service. One practical note is that the dessert has been described as light. If dessert is the part of lunch you look forward to most, keep expectations modest. The main meal appears to be the stronger point.

Lunch is served on a large boat, so this is not a secluded picnic on an empty beach. The setting is still special: you eat while anchored in a cove surrounded by the Lavezzi area. On a sunny day, that combination of sea air, island scenery, and a prepared meal makes the midday stop a welcome break.

Lavezzi Islands: swim first or walk the island

The boat reaches the islands at about 1:30 p.m. You then have time to swim or visit the island. This is the most flexible part of the day, but the available time is limited by the return schedule.

Lavezzi is known for its rough granite formations, small coves, and clear water. Here, the pleasure comes from choosing your pace. You can get into the sea, stay aboard, or walk on the island and examine the rock formations from land.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and sturdy footwear if you plan to walk. Snorkeling equipment is not included, so pack your own mask and fins if you want to look below the surface. The provided information confirms swimming stops, but it does not promise guided snorkeling or equipment rental.

One point deserves attention: the Lavezzi stop is not especially long. The schedule allows arrival at 1:30 p.m. and departure at 3:30 p.m., followed by the return journey. If your main goal is to explore the island on foot, two hours may feel short. If you prefer swimming and a quick look around, the timing should work better.

Some passengers would trade a later swim for more island time. That is a fair criticism if Lavezzi is your top priority. This cruise is designed to show you several parts of the coast, not to give you an entire afternoon on one island.

Cavallo and the late afternoon swim

At about 3:30 p.m., the boat begins heading back toward Porto Vecchio, passing the Island of Cavallo. The return is not dead time. You continue seeing the southern coast from the water, and the captain may point out additional features along the route.

Around 5 p.m., the boat makes another swimming stop in a cove with turquoise water. The possible locations are Carratoghju or the Cerbicales Islands. As with the morning approach to Bonifacio, the exact location depends on conditions.

This second swim gives the day a useful rhythm. You have a morning of sightseeing, lunch at sea, time around Lavezzi, and one final chance to get into the water before returning. If you are happier swimming than walking, this schedule may suit you well.

If you would rather spend every available minute on land, the extra swim may feel like a poor trade. The itinerary clearly gives swimming a major role, so book this experience for the sea, not just for island sightseeing.

The boat is expected back in Porto Vecchio around 6 p.m. That makes this a substantial day, with roughly nine hours between the early boarding period and return. Plan dinner and evening activities with a little flexibility in case weather affects the timing.

What the 180-passenger ship means for your day

The most important practical fact is the size of the boat. Up to 180 passengers can be onboard. That capacity offers stability, space for a full meal service, and a social atmosphere, but it also means you should not picture a small skiff slipping into empty coves.

At busy moments, such as boarding, lunch, and swimming stops, the boat will feel active. Finding a favorite viewing position may require arriving early or moving around as the cruise develops. If you want a quiet, private experience with personal attention from the captain, a smaller charter would be a better match.

The size can also work in your favor. Families and mixed-age groups may feel more comfortable on a substantial vessel than on a small fast boat. A larger ship also makes it easier to spend a full day onboard with food service and organized timing.

One review compared the atmosphere to a playful group cruise. That is a useful warning. The experience is scenic and easygoing, but it is not designed as a silent nature expedition. There may be no music, which some people will appreciate and others may find surprising. The atmosphere depends more on the crew, the sea, and the people onboard.

How much value is packed into $129?

At $129 per person, the cruise is not a budget boat transfer. It is closer to a full-day package, and the value depends on how much of the included program you use.

The price includes:

• A full day on the Mediterranean
• Live guidance in English, French, and Italian
• Lunch
• Drinks
• A welcome snack
• Swimming stops
• The coastal cruise past Bonifacio and southern Corsica
• Time at the Lavezzi Islands

You would pay separately for food, drinks, and transport on many island outings. Here, those costs are grouped into one booking, and the itinerary covers a wide stretch of coast in one day.

The value is strongest for you if you want variety. You see beaches, cliffs, caves, islands, and coves without arranging several separate trips. It is weaker if you only want a long Lavezzi visit, a small boat, or an intimate meal.

Weather also affects the value. A rough sea can change the route or lead to cancellation. One scheduled cruise was canceled because of weather, with notice given the day before, and an alternative date was offered. If your Corsica holiday is tightly planned, keep a backup day available when possible.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make planning easier. These terms are useful, but they do not remove the need to watch the forecast.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this day to you if you want to see a lot of southern Corsica from the water and do not mind sharing the boat with a large group. It suits families, couples who like a full organized day, and anyone who wants swimming built into the schedule.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy local stories. Captain Vincent Chiocca’s fishing background gives the trip a strong sense of place, and the Chiocca family connection adds a human layer to the scenery.

You may want another type of outing if your priorities are solitude, extended walking, or underwater exploration. Snorkeling gear is not supplied, and the Lavezzi stop lasts about two hours rather than a full afternoon. The ship’s 180-person capacity is another clear reason to look elsewhere if you prefer small-group travel.

The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible, which can make the experience possible for more visitors. Still, the supplied details do not explain access to every area of the ship, the island, or the swimming stops. Ask the operator for precise arrangements if you need particular assistance.

Six practical ways to prepare

Arrive before the 8:15 a.m. welcome period. The vessel leaves at 9 a.m. sharp, and this is not an excursion where you want to test the meaning of sharp.

Contact CHIOCCA croisières to select your lunch menu before departure. There are three choices, but the menu details are not provided here, so ask about ingredients if you have dietary concerns.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and your own snorkeling gear. Swimming is included, but equipment is not.

Wear shoes you can walk in if you plan to visit Lavezzi. You may spend time on rough island ground rather than only on the boat.

Keep your phone or camera protected from sea spray. The best views include cliffs, caves, and open water, and conditions can be wet even when the weather is pleasant.

Leave some flexibility in your schedule. The route can change with the weather, and a canceled sailing may be offered on another day instead.

Should you book the Cerbicales and Lavezzi cruise?

Book it if you want a full coastal portrait of southern Corsica in one day. The route combines Bonifacio views, famous beaches, Lavezzi, Cavallo, the Cerbicales area, lunch, and two chances to swim. Captain Vincent Chiocca and his family history give the trip more character than a simple sightseeing boat.

Skip it if you want a small vessel, long independent time on Lavezzi, or a quiet private outing. The 180-passenger capacity and organized timetable are central to the experience, not minor details.

For most people who value variety and convenience, $129 is a fair price for the amount included. Just choose it for a day on the sea with scenery, food, swimming, and local stories. Do not choose it expecting an intimate charter or a long island hike.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart?

The main departure point is the port of Porto Vecchio, France. Some high-season departures are also scheduled from Pinarello, so confirm the exact departure port before going.

What time should I arrive?

Welcome onboard begins at 8:15 a.m., with a snack served by the crew. Departure from Porto Vecchio is at 9 a.m. sharp.

What does the $129 price include?

The price includes the cruise, live guidance, lunch, drinks, and swimming stops. Snorkeling equipment is not included.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts one full day. The planned return to Porto Vecchio is around 6 p.m.

Is lunch available in different options?

Yes. You can choose from three menus, but you need to contact the supplier before departure to select your menu.

Can the cruise be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The captain can cancel the cruise when weather conditions are unsuitable. An alternative date may be offered, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.