Day cruise to the Cerbicales & Lavezzi Islands with lunch

Corsica looks best from the water. This full-day cruise from Porto Vecchio takes you past the Cerbicales Islands, Palombaggia, Santa Giulia, Rondinara, Sperone, Bonifacio, and the Lavezzi Islands. I like the broad coastal route and the chance to see famous beaches and limestone cliffs in one day. I also like that lunch, drinks, and several swimming stops are included.

The main drawback is the size of the boat. With room for up to 180 passengers, this is not a small sailing trip or a quiet private outing. You should also expect the exact route to change with the weather, and the time on Lavezzi is limited if you prefer walking and exploring over swimming.

Key things to know before booking

• The boat leaves Porto Vecchio at 9 a.m. sharp, with boarding and a crew-served snack from 8:15 a.m.
• The route covers a lot of southern Corsica, including the Cerbicales Islands, Palombaggia, Santa Giulia, Rondinara, Sperone, Bonifacio, Cavallo, and Lavezzi.
• Lunch and drinks are included, but you need to contact the supplier ahead of time to choose from three menus.
• Swimming is built into the day, with a main stop at Lavezzi and another stop near Carratoghju or the Cerbicales Islands.
• The ship carries up to 180 people, so expect a shared excursion rather than an intimate boat ride.
• Captain Vincent Chiocca comes from four generations of fishermen, bringing strong local ties and long experience on this coast.

Leaving Porto Vecchio at 9 a.m.

Your day begins at the port of Porto Vecchio, listed at the meeting point H7RM+FF Porto-Vecchio. Boarding starts at 8:15 a.m., when the crew serves a snack. The vessel leaves at 9 a.m. sharp, so you should arrive with time to find the boat, settle in, and handle any menu choice before departure.

This early start matters. The cruise lasts roughly nine hours, returning around 6 p.m., and the route is ambitious. You are not simply being taken to one island and back. The boat follows a long stretch of Corsica’s southern coast, with views of beaches, islands, cliffs, and sea caves along the way.

Some high-season departures leave from Pinarello instead of Porto Vecchio. Check your selected date and departure point carefully, since the two ports are not interchangeable for your morning plans.

The ship is wheelchair accessible, which is useful for passengers who need step-free access or extra assistance. Still, the information provided does not describe every part of the route ashore, so you should confirm the practical details with the operator if you plan to leave the boat at Lavezzi.

A long coastal view past Corsica’s famous beaches

Once underway, the captain guides the boat along the coast toward the Lavezzi Islands. Depending on conditions, the route may pass by the cliffs of Bonifacio. The boat moves along the shoreline while the captain points out the beaches and coastal features.

You can expect views of the Cerbicales Islands, Palombaggia, Santa Giulia, Rondinara, and Sperone. These names matter because they represent some of the most admired coastal scenery in southern Corsica, but a boat gives you a different experience from a beach visit. You see the shape of the bays, the relationship between the beaches and offshore islands, and the full sweep of the coast.

I like this part of the cruise because it gives you a useful overview. If you have several days in southern Corsica, you can use the ride to see places you may want to visit later by land. If you only have a short stay, the boat lets you take in many coastal highlights without changing hotels or arranging separate transport.

The tradeoff is time. The cruise covers plenty of ground, so the scenery arrives in succession rather than as a long stop at each beach. You will want to keep your camera ready, but also take time to listen to the captain’s commentary.

Bonifacio’s cliffs and sea caves

The approach toward Bonifacio is one of the strongest visual parts of the day. The town sits above pale limestone cliffs shaped by wind and sea. From the water, the cliffs form a dramatic wall beneath the old settlement, and the famous sea caves add another layer to the view.

The route near Bonifacio depends on weather. That qualification is important. The coast can be exposed, and the captain has the final say about safe navigation. One scheduled cruise was canceled because of poor weather, with passengers notified the day before and offered another date. If you are visiting Corsica for only a few days, keep this possibility in mind when planning.

This is a cruise-by view, not a full Bonifacio visit. You should not book this excursion expecting time to walk through the town, see its citadel, or explore the harbor on foot. The value here is the seaward perspective, especially the cliffs and caves that are difficult to understand from the streets above.

The weather can also change the order or extent of the route. That is not a flaw in this kind of trip, but it is part of the bargain. A safe captain who adjusts the itinerary is more important than a fixed promise to reach every viewpoint.

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 Chiocca Croisières before the trip to make your selection.

Lunch and drinks are included in the $129 price. That makes the cost easier to judge because you are not adding a separate restaurant bill during a full day on the water. It also saves you from packing a substantial meal, although you may still want personal snacks if you have particular dietary needs.

The food receives some of the strongest praise attached to this experience. One recent assessment called the meal succulent, and another found the meal correct while wishing for a lighter dessert. That gives you a fair expectation: lunch is a valued part of the outing, but this is not a gourmet restaurant cruise.

The meal is served on a large excursion boat, not in a waterfront dining room. You will be eating while surrounded by water and island scenery, which is part of the appeal. At the same time, the atmosphere may feel practical rather than intimate. One passenger specifically noted the lack of music, so do not book this expecting entertainment or a party soundtrack.

Lavezzi Islands from 1:30 to 3:30

The boat reaches the Lavezzi Islands around 1:30 p.m. You then have time to swim or visit the island before returning to the boat at about 3:30 p.m.

Lavezzi is known for its rough granite forms, clear water, and small coves. The islands feel far removed from the mainland, even though they are reached during a day cruise from Porto Vecchio. This stop gives you the closest thing to independent island time in the itinerary.

You should think carefully about how to use the two-hour window. If swimming is your priority, bring a towel, swimsuit, sun protection, and anything else you need for a quick change. If you want to walk around, the time may feel short, especially once the group has disembarked and you have found the path or viewpoint you want.

A useful choice is to decide before arrival. Trying to swim and see every corner of the island can leave you doing neither particularly well. One assessment suggested dropping the swimming stop in favor of more island time. That is a fair criticism if you are a walker or photographer, but swimmers will appreciate having the water time built into the schedule.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. Bring your own gear if you want to look below the surface, but the supplied details do not promise that rentals are available onboard. Do not assume the crew will provide masks, fins, or flotation equipment.

Cavallo and the final turquoise-water stop

At about 3:30 p.m., the boat begins the return trip toward Porto Vecchio, passing by the Island of Cavallo. The route then includes another swim stop around 5 p.m., in a cove with turquoise water at Carratoghju or near the Cerbicales Islands.

This second stop breaks up the return journey and gives you another chance to get in the water. It also means the schedule favors a relaxed day at sea rather than maximum sightseeing time ashore. You are likely to spend a good part of the afternoon moving between swimming, viewing the coast, and enjoying the boat.

The final return to Porto Vecchio is planned for around 6 p.m. After nine hours, you will have had a full day outdoors. The schedule is generous for a cruise, but it may feel long if you are not comfortable spending most of the day on a large vessel.

The boat’s capacity is the key practical detail here. With up to 180 people aboard, swimming stops can feel busy, and finding a preferred place to sit may require arriving early. The large ship may offer more stability than a small boat, but the experience will not have the quiet, personal feel of a family sailing trip.

Captain Vincent Chiocca and a family connection to the sea

The cruise comes from the Chiocca family, which has shared the waters around southern Corsica for four generations. Captain Vincent Chiocca has 40 years of experience at sea, and his family background is tied to fishing.

Vincent Chiocca Junior, born in 1977, followed a similar path. He left school at 14, studied for three years at the Merchant Marine school in Sète, became a captain at 17, and a fishing boss at 18. That history gives the outing a local, working connection to the sea rather than a purely commercial sightseeing feel.

You should not expect a formal lecture or a museum-style history lesson. The appeal is the captain’s knowledge of the coast and the family stories connected to it. The description promises commentary as the boat passes beaches and landmarks, which helps turn the ride into more than a transfer between swimming spots.

The captain’s experience also matters when weather affects the route. A boat trip along exposed cliffs and offshore islands needs someone who knows when conditions are unsuitable. The canceled sailing due to poor weather shows that the operator does not simply force the planned route regardless of conditions.

Is $129 a fair price?

At $129 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Corsica. It is also more than a simple ferry ride. You are paying for a long guided cruise, multiple coastal viewpoints, the Lavezzi stop, swimming breaks, lunch, and drinks.

The value is strongest if you want an all-in-one day and do not have your own boat. Reaching the Lavezzi Islands, viewing Bonifacio from the sea, and passing several famous beaches would take more planning if arranged separately. Lunch included in the fare keeps the final cost clearer.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long, quiet visit to Lavezzi. The stop lasts about two hours, and some of that day is spent traveling along the coast. You may prefer a shorter transfer or a smaller boat if your goal is island walking, snorkeling, or a private atmosphere.

I would also factor in the number of passengers. A 180-person ship can make the price reasonable for a broad sightseeing route, but you should not compare it directly with a small-group sailing charter. Those are different products with different strengths.

The average rating is 4 out of 5 from 132 ratings, which fits the overall picture. The cruise earns strong approval for its scenery, meal, and crew, while weather cancellations, the large ship, limited Lavezzi time, and the basic entertainment level keep it from being perfect for everyone.

Who will enjoy this day on the Mediterranean?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want to see a wide section of southern Corsica in one day. It suits people who enjoy a mix of sightseeing, boat time, a prepared lunch, and swimming without needing to organize each piece separately.

It is also a good fit for families and mixed groups. Some people can focus on the scenery, others can swim, and nobody has to spend the day driving between coastal stops. The included meal and drinks make the day easier for a group with different needs.

The experience may work well for first-time visitors to the Porto Vecchio area. You get an introduction to the Cerbicales, the southern beaches, Bonifacio’s cliffs, Cavallo, and Lavezzi. Later, you can decide which places deserve a longer land visit.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you dislike crowds or want a quiet, personal boat ride. I would also think twice if your main goal is exploring Lavezzi on foot. The two-hour stop is useful, but it is not an entire afternoon.

Bring your own snorkeling gear if you want it, since equipment is not included. Contact the supplier in advance about the menu, and keep the weather in mind before placing the cruise on the final day of a short holiday.

Practical booking details

The cruise is offered with live guiding in English, French, and Italian. That language range is helpful for an international group, though the specific amount of commentary in each language is not stated.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your weather plans are still taking shape. If the operator cancels because of weather, a different date may be offered, but you should confirm the refund process directly if rescheduling does not work for you.

The advertised meeting point is H7RM+FF Porto-Vecchio, France. Since the boat leaves at 9 a.m. sharp, plan to be at the port before boarding closes. High-season departures may instead start from Pinarello.

Should you book the Chiocca cruise?

Book this tour if you want a full coastal sampler with lunch, swimming, Bonifacio views, and a visit to Lavezzi. Its best features are the wide route, the captain’s long family connection to the sea, and the convenience of having food and drinks included.

Skip it if you want a small boat, extended island time, or a quiet trip with no fixed group schedule. The large capacity and long day are real considerations.

For most visitors staying near Porto Vecchio, this is a solid way to see the south coast from a new angle. Just choose your menu early, arrive well before 9 a.m., pack snorkeling gear if needed, and treat the route as weather-dependent.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

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

What time does the boat leave Porto Vecchio?

The boat departs at 9 a.m. sharp. Boarding begins at 8:15 a.m., when the crew serves a snack.

How long does the cruise last?

The day begins with early boarding and is scheduled to return to Porto Vecchio around 6 p.m., making it a full-day excursion.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and drinks are included. You should contact the supplier ahead of time to choose from three menu options.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

How much time do you spend at the Lavezzi Islands?

The boat arrives at Lavezzi around 1:30 p.m. and returns toward Porto Vecchio at about 3:30 p.m. During that period, you can swim or visit the island.

How many people can the boat carry?

This is a large-capacity ship with space for up to 180 passengers.

What languages are available on the cruise?

Live guiding is available in English, French, and Italian.

Can you cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.