Bonifacio Lavezzi Islands Boat Trip: An In-Depth Review

Planning a trip around Corsica and maybe Sardinia too? Well, a boat excursion to the Bonifacio and Lavezzi Islands honestly needs to be right at the top of your list! This slice of the Mediterranean is like stepping into a postcard, really. So, it has staggering coastlines, hidden caves, and beaches with unbelievably clear water. I figured I’d share what this boat adventure offers and also give you some insights and ideas to help plan your experience.

Why Bonifacio and the Lavezzi Islands?

Ok, first, let’s talk about Bonifacio. That place is just stunning! Its ancient citadel is perched way up high on these white limestone cliffs, very exposed as it overlooks the sea. Apparently, the town is stuffed full of history and amazing views, which makes wandering around its little streets a totally unique experience. That said, when you pull up on the boat, looking up at Bonifacio really does give you a striking, almost unreal first impression. Then, that Lavezzi archipelago – well, what can I say? It’s a bunch of islands and granite boulders sculpted apparently by time and weather. With only the occasional tiny beach between these strange stone formations, it definitely offers this feeling of untouched wilderness. A bunch of amazing spots for swimming and snorkeling, that’s for sure.

Booking Your Boat Trip

Alright, so there’s quite a bunch of tour operators that run excursions from Bonifacio’s marina, I think. Some are on these huge boats, some on smaller ones. A bigger boat, you might think it is maybe more stable if the sea gets a bit choppy. But a smaller one can get you into some really cool caves and a bit closer to the coast in a way, which I sort of prefer. Really look into how long each tour lasts. So some are just a couple of hours, others can take up most of the day, so plan wisely.

Cost Comparison: You’ll obviously see different price points between different companies. Be sure you compare what’s included. Sometimes it is just the boat trip, and sometimes there is lunch or drinks or even snorkeling gear and that sort of thing.
Read the Fine Print: I would definitely read those booking conditions. Find out their cancellation policy, and keep an eye out for anything not included in the price, just in case.
Book Ahead: Particularly in the high season – so the summer months – these trips can fill up. Reserving your spot ahead is highly recommended to avoid any disappointment.

What to Expect on the Boat Trip: A Detailed Itinerary

Ok, so depending on which trip you select, things can differ a bit, I guess. So most tours generally have this rough itinerary. I’d almost expect to:

Depart from Bonifacio: You are typically going to start from the marina in Bonifacio. Get there kinda early to find parking and to have some time to locate your boat without rushing.
Coastal Cruising: Expect really that they will cruise along the coast so you can see the Bonifacio cliffs from the sea. Guides, so too, often point out certain spots, maybe like the “Staircase of the King of Aragon.” It’s pretty interesting to look at from the water, so they say.
Caves and Grottos: A big part of the tour is typically cruising into the caves, like the Grotte du Sdragonato. A lot of caves light up a very specific way, just illuminating the water in some kind of incredible emerald colour.
Lavezzi Islands Stop: Most trips drop anchor at Lavezzi so that you have the time to swim, explore, or perhaps even have lunch on the boat if it is that sort of trip. Palombaggia beach is very near too.
Return Journey: The trip home usually takes you a slightly different route along the coast.

Must-See Highlights

While basically every part of the tour is great, really try not to miss a handful of sights that people comment about on their trip!

The Cliffs of Bonifacio: Very impressive to look at from the boat. It almost gives you this completely different appreciation for the town itself.
Grotte du Sdragonato: So named apparently because one of the rocks sort of looks like a dragon. You just have to see that unreal blue color inside!
Lavezzi Archipelago: Make sure to take a little time on Lavezzi to walk around a bit. Apparently, there’s all sorts of strange rock formations all over the place.
Piantarella Beach: Piantarella, apparently, provides this little strip of bright sand and turquoise sea and some great photographs too.

What to Bring: Essential Packing List

Alright, it will likely be an entire day out on the water. Therefore, preparation, you’d find, is quite important!

Sunscreen: That sun reflects like mad off the water, basically. Protect the skin!
Swimsuit and Towel: If you have the intent of swimming, I would be sure not to leave these behind!
Hat and Sunglasses: All day exposure to the sun really can get very tiring!
Water and Snacks: Even if that tour has got lunch, you’ll probably want some extra snacks and water along the way.
Camera: I would have a camera, or at least a fully charged phone to take all the photos.
Cash: A lot of these smaller vendors on the beach or on the islands might not take a card!

Snorkeling and Swimming: A Deeper Look

The water around Lavezzi’s super clear, just so you know. Therefore it makes for a pretty decent spot for snorkeling, as it is. If you love checking out the marine life, remember that bringing along your own gear can, like, save you some cash. And even better, you’ll ensure everything fits perfectly, of course!

Best Snorkeling Spots: Many folk like the spots just off of the primary beaches around Lavezzi, but ask the boat crew; they tend to know some of the best places that other people don’t!
Water Safety: Always just double-check how deep it is before you jump in, particularly close to the rocks, if it seems obvious, I’d say. It is very common for currents to unexpectedly shift too.
Respect the Environment: Try not to touch anything underwater. Definitely don’t collect shells or coral.

Lunch Options During the Trip

Depending on the tour you decide on, the availability of lunch can just vary hugely. Several trips just come back to Bonifacio around lunchtime, while a good amount more have lunch included onboard. Other trips will stop at one of the islands for you to just grab food yourself. Always just see what your specific tour provides!

Onboard Catering: With onboard catering, it’s common for things like sandwiches or just light meals. Just always double-check ahead to find out whether there are vegetarian or gluten-free options.
Island Restaurants: If your tour allows a little while at Cavallo or Lavezzi, for instance, you will likely be able to find at least a few little spots to eat, even if they might not look the most high-end, but it just can add this extra layer to your trip.
Pack Your Own: Pack a picnic! This just means that you have exactly what you feel like and you save money, too, very frequently!

Accessibility Considerations

Alright, so you might find these boat trips present certain challenges if, for instance, you have limited mobility. With some boats, you’ll need to step up and down quite high steps, basically. It is often difficult to move around while at sea. Always find out about boat access and if any help can be provided from the tour operator ahead of booking.

Wheelchair Access: Usually, most of the boat tours out of Bonifacio aren’t equipped for wheelchairs. Confirm it well beforehand.
Mobility Issues: Even without being in a wheelchair, just getting onto and off the boats can be very hard, I would say. Particularly during choppy conditions, be super cautious or consider sitting it out!

Best Time to Visit: Seasonality and Weather

So the summer season (I’d probably say June to September) has hot weather. Also, it provides the best conditions for boat trips and swimming. Just be prepared, however, for higher prices and a good amount more crowds then. If, maybe, you prefer things to be a little quieter and you are ok with it not being quite as roasting hot, I would suggest thinking about May or October, if you have a choice!

Summer (June – August): Gets a bit toasty, great for sunbathing and swimming. Tourist crowds do tend to get rather intense.
Shoulder Seasons (May & September/October): The weather is just generally very good and crowds are lighter. Can be a great compromise.
Winter (November – April): A lot of tours won’t run during the off-season.

Are there any other water-based activities aside from boat trips that I can access from Bonifacio?

Absolutely, Bonifacio has plenty more to keep water-lovers happy!

Windsurfing and Kitesurfing: Head over to locations such as the Piantarella beach. That spot’s shallow and windy, very, actually. So it is fantastic for both sports. There is always a lesson or rental just a short hop away too!
Jet Skiing: Need a speed rush? Why not rent a jet ski and start blasting around the coastline! They’re normally rentable by the half-hour or the hour and allow you to just see things under your own steam, that’s if you want to.
Scuba Diving: From Bonifacio you can get access to several pretty awesome dive spots. Many feature things like shipwrecks and amazing rock formations. Again, ask locally or do a little browsing online, if that suits.

Reviews: Real Experiences from Fellow Travellers

Prior to actually making up your mind on a tour operator, you’ll most certainly want to find out what other tourists had to say, alright? TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide, or even just a general Google search can give you a mountain of comments, which is helpful, honestly. Always pay close attention to recent reviews and kinda focus on any patterns that might emerge!

Maximising Your Trip: Tips and Tricks

Go Early: Book an earlier boat to not only escape the intense midday sun, but also beat the heaviest flows of other visitors. The water will be calmer and clearer in the morning, I’ve found!
Pack Smart: That can of Coke, that new book that you’ve been waiting to finally get into reading or that other thing – get your priorities right before putting it in the bag and you’re carrying a weight around. A good book should have less weight!
Ask Locals: Before buying, ask locals, and quiz other travelers, and those who have used boat tour companies before so you know all you can! They all know their stuff, really!

Visiting Bonifacio and the Lavezzi Islands really is quite a stunning, worthwhile trip. Hopefully, this review will have been insightful and informative for you, that it helped highlight every single piece of essential info you want before booking. So, grab those swimsuits and sunnies – it is an adventure like few others!

#Bonifacio #LavezziIslands #Corsica #BoatTrip #TravelReview #MediterraneanSea #IslandHopping