Îles Lavezzi

1. Plage d’Achiarina – The Classic Turquoise Welcome

Your first steps on Lavezzu usually land near Plage d’Achiarina, a crescent of pale sand cupped by rocks, looking straight across to Sardinia on clear days. It’s the most “famous” beach of the archipelago, and for good reason: even in 2026, when Instagram has colonised every bright‑blue corner of the Mediterranean, Achiarina’s colours still feel unreal.

On my most recent trip in May 2026, I made the rookie mistake of dropping my towel within 50 metres of the landing point. Twenty minutes later, three boatloads of day‑trippers arrived, and the cove went from serene to buzzing. Lesson re‑learnt: at Achiarina, walk five extra minutes along the rocks to find semi‑secluded corners.

What to do:

• Swim straight out over a shallow sandy bottom that deepens gradually—great for families and less confident swimmers on calm days.
• Snorkel near the rocky sides where seagrass begins; expect wrasse, bream, and occasionally octopus hiding in crevices.
• Use the early morning light for wide coastal shots; by late morning, the sun is overhead and the colours flatten slightly.

Tips: Arrive on the first ferry from Bonifacio (usually around 9:00 in peak season, earlier shoulder season). Bring a proper sunshade: there’s virtually no natural shade except behind boulders. And keep your distance from the roped‑off seagrass beds—rangers are unforgiving with people trampling Posidonia.

2. Calanca di Lazzarina – The Granite Amphitheatre

Calanca di Lazzarina is where I go when Achiarina feels too social. A 10–15 minute walk over low scrub and slabs brings you to this double‑cove, fringed with sculpted granite formations that look like Henry Moore sculptures dropped from the sky.

On a September 2023 trip, a mistral had scrubbed the sky clean, and the visibility in the water was absurd—at least 20 metres. I spent an hour drifting between rock fingers, following a school of saddled bream as if I were part of the shoal.

What to do:

• Scramble up the low headlands on either side of the cove for panoramic views across the strait; these are some of my favourite wide shots in the whole archipelago.
• Snorkel the rocky perimeter—this is one of the best snorkeling spots in Îles Lavezzi for variety of fish.
• Settle with a picnic behind a wind‑sheltering boulder; the acoustics of the place amplify the sound of waves striking the outer rocks.

Family friendliness: The entry is slightly rockier than Achiarina and can be slippery. Kids who are confident in the water will love exploring; younger children need close supervision and water shoes.

3. Cala di Greco – The Hidden Bowl

Not to be confused with the Bonifacio viewpoint of the same name, Cala di Greco on Lavezzu is a smaller, more intimate basin tucked behind a low ridge. On a June 2021 trip, our guide called it “the silent bowl,” and it stuck.

What makes it special: The cove feels like a natural amphitheatre. Sound is muffled; even on a busy day elsewhere, you can sometimes find a pocket of quiet here. The water stays shallow far out, making it a natural “floating lounge.”

Tips: It’s reached by a slightly less obvious sandy trail; watch for small cairns. Because it’s so shallow, the water warms quickly—perfect for long, lazy floats in shoulder season (May, late September) when the open sea can still bite.

4. Calanque des Petites Îles – A Maze of Mini‑Islands

On the north‑eastern fringe of Lavezzu, a scatter of tiny rocky islets creates the Calanque des Petites Îles, a playground for those who love to hop from rock to rock and pretend they’ve discovered their own private archipelago.

I first ended up here by accident in 2018, after misreading a hand‑drawn map from a Bonifacio skipper. It was one of my happiest wrong turns: we spent an afternoon threading between mini‑channels, finding micro‑pools that glowed turquoise in the sun.

Activities:

• Gentle rock scrambling to reach vantage points and “secret” tide pools (mind the sharp barnacles and always check for sea urchins before stepping).
• Snorkeling in the narrow channels: expect shifting currents, but on calm days, the play of light is extraordinary.
• Photography of granite sculptures—this is where the rocks feel at their most surreal, eroded into improbable fins and domes.

Safety note: This area can become dangerous in rising winds or swell, especially for less experienced swimmers. Always keep an eye on the sky and the chop; if the water shifts from glassy to textured, make your way back towards the main beaches.

5. Grande Plage de Lavezzi – The Open‑Sky Stage

The so‑called Grande Plage is less a single beach than a wide, gently curving shoreline on Lavezzu’s southern side. It doesn’t have the tight, enclosed feel of Achiarina; instead, you get a big sense of space, sky and sea.

On a still July evening in 2023, I watched the last excursion boat pull away while a handful of us lingering stragglers waited for a smaller charter pick‑up. For half an hour, the beach belonged only to the hiss of tiny waves and the metallic chime of someone packing a camp stove. The sun sank behind Corsica, turning the granite mauve. Moments like that are why I keep coming back.

What it’s good for:

• Long, meditative walks along the shore, especially in the late afternoon when day‑trippers thin out.
• Wind‑dependent wave‑watching—on breezier days the swell here can be mesmerising (but less ideal for families).
• Broad, cinematic coastal photos that capture Lavezzi’s big skies.

Tip: Because it’s more exposed, this isn’t my first pick for small children or delicate swimmers. But for couples and photographers, it’s gold.

6. Cimetière des Naufragés – The Shipwreck Cemetery

It’s easy to see only the beauty of Îles Lavezzi and forget how dangerous this strait has always been. The Cimetière des Naufragés (Cemetery of the Shipwrecked) is a sobering reminder.

Here lie the remains of sailors from the Sémillante, a French frigate wrecked on the reefs in 1855, with the loss of nearly 700 lives. The simple white graves and crosses stand stark against the scrub and boulders. Even in high summer, there’s a hush here; people naturally lower their voices.

On a windy day in April 2021, I walked up alone, the roar of the sea on the outer reefs constant in the background. The combination of raw nature and human tragedy is powerful and, I think, essential to understanding these islands beyond their postcard looks.

How to visit respectfully:

• Dress modestly; this is a cemetery, not a selfie backdrop.
• Stay on the marked path, don’t sit on graves or cross boundaries.
• Keep voices low; it’s a place to pause, reflect, and then move on.

7. Pointe di Lavezzu – Edge of the World Viewpoint

Walk far enough towards the eastern edge of Lavezzu and you’ll reach Pointe di Lavezzu, a jagged prow of rocks jutting into open sea. This is one of my favourite viewpoints in all of the Bouches de Bonifacio.

Why it’s worth the walk: From here, you get an almost 360‑degree panorama: Sardinia hazy to the south, Corsica’s cliffs to the north‑west, and the scattered teeth of other islets all around. On certain evenings, the setting sun lights the sea from the side, giving the waves a metallic sheen.

My ritual: I like to bring a lightweight sarong, sit wedged between two boulders to block the wind, and simply watch the light change. On my 2026 spring visit, I spotted a pod of dolphins far offshore, their dorsal fins briefly slicing that glowing surface.

Safety tip: Don’t venture too close to the cliff edges; the rock can be undercut and there are no barriers. Stick to obvious, worn paths.

8. Anse de Fazzio (Mainland Bonus) – The Gateway Mood Setter

Strictly speaking, Anse de Fazzio is on Corsica’s mainland, not the Îles Lavezzi. But I’m including it because I often use a hike or kayak here as a “warm‑up” for Lavezzi days—both share the same palette of turquoise water, white sand, and gnarled rock, but Fazzio is a little more accessible.

On a 5 day itinerary for Îles Lavezzi, I like to dedicate the first afternoon to Fazzio: a coastal walk from Bonifacio, a swim, and then a cliff‑top sunset. It tunes your eyes and ears to the elements you’ll be immersed in among the islands: the smell of maquis, the way wind funnels through the strait, the particular bluish‑green of the water over seagrass.

Tip: Combine this with an early dinner in Bonifacio’s haute ville—my favourite pairing for couples easing into a romantic, sea‑soaked week.

9. North Bays of Cavallo – The Controversial Beauty

Cavallo is the outlier of the archipelago: a semi‑private island with a small airstrip, villas and a hotel. Ask any Corsican about it and you’ll get an opinion, usually strong. Yet the northern bays—reachable by certain regulated boat tours—still have an undeniably wild feel.

On a June 2022 visit aboard a local skiff with a guide I’ve known for years, we anchored off a cove where the villas were screened by vegetation. From the water, it was all dunes, maquis and granite again. A reminder that, even under development, the core beauty of this place resists.

What to know:

• You can’t just wander freely around Cavallo; stick with authorised tours or stay at the hotel.
• The snorkeling off the northern bays is excellent, with deeper patches and occasional barracuda sightings.
• This is more an add‑on for a 6 or 7 day itinerary, not essential if you’re tight on time.

10. Ratino Reef & Islet – For Serious Snorkelers

Ratino is a low, scrubby islet east of Lavezzu, surrounded by a network of reefs and shoals that can be treacherous for boats—hence the captain’s tense face as you approach. Underwater, though, it’s a wonderland.

On a private charter in 2021, we moored in a sandy patch carefully marked by the skipper and slid into some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen. The reef drops off in terraces, each step hosting its own micro‑ecosystem: clouds of damselfish, lazy groupers, small moray eels peering from holes.

Who it’s for: Confident swimmers and snorkelers comfortable in slightly deeper water (5–10 metres). This is where I take friends who think they’ve “already seen” Mediterranean snorkeling; Ratino usually changes their minds.

11. Piana Sandbar & Shallows – Floating on Light

Between Lavezzu and Cavallo lies a shifting area of sandy shoals and turquoise pools around the islet of Piana. Many boat excursions pause here so passengers can slip into what looks like liquid light.

Standing on the sandbar, waist‑deep in the most luminous blue‑green water, with 360 degrees of horizon around you, is one of those “I’m in a screensaver” moments. On my 2026 trip, a couple from Lyon got engaged right there, their friends cheering from the boat. Hard to imagine a more cinematic proposal spot.

Family note: Children adore this, but currents can be sneaky. Keep kids within arm’s reach, listen to the skipper’s briefing, and don’t drift beyond the boat’s sightline.

12. Inner Boulder Pools of Lavezzu – Private Aquariums

One of the subtle joys of Lavezzu is discovering the tiny, shallow pools that form between boulders slightly inland from the main beaches. These aren’t official “attractions” with names, but they’re an essential part of my own Lavezzi ritual.

I usually spend a mid‑afternoon hour tucked in one of these pools, half‑submerged, reading a paperback while the wind rips over the higher rocks and leaves my little hollow calm. The water here warms considerably; it’s like a natural, granite‑framed bath.

How to find them: As you walk between main coves, look for sandy pockets among the rocks that hold residual seawater at high tide. Just be mindful of not trampling vegetation or disturbing nesting birds in spring.

13. The “Bonifacio Line” Viewpoint – Cliffs on the Horizon

Somewhere along the north‑western ridge of Lavezzu (your boat guide can point it out), there’s a spot where Bonifacio’s citadel and limestone cliffs line up perfectly on the horizon. I call it the “Bonifacio line.”

Standing here, you feel the geographic relationship viscerally: Lavezzi as a low, wild outpost; Bonifacio as the precarious fortress watching over the strait. On clear days, the white cliffs seem to float above the sea, almost as ghostly as the distant island silhouettes behind them.

Photography tip: Come in late afternoon when the cliffs catch warm light and the water between glows a deeper blue. A polarising filter helps emphasise the contrast.

14. Night‑Sky Lavezzi (Rare, but Unforgettable)

Spending the night on Lavezzu itself is tightly regulated, generally limited to scientific teams or special permissions. I’ve been fortunate enough—once, in 2019—to join a small conservation group for a permitted overnight stay, and the memory of the night sky over the islands is still one of the most vivid of my travels.

With no artificial light, the Milky Way pours over the boulders like powdered sugar. The sound of the sea becomes a deep, constant breath. Even if you’ll almost certainly leave on the last boat, it’s worth understanding that this is part of Lavezzi’s essence: wilderness that really does belong to the elements when humans depart.

For regular visitors: The closest you can get is a late‑evening return to Bonifacio, watching the stars ignite over the dark silhouette of the islands as your boat hums back to port.

3 Days in Îles Lavezzi – The Essentials

If you only have 3 days in Îles Lavezzi, focus on the greatest hits and one slightly quieter excursion.

Day 1 – First Encounter with Lavezzu

I like to start gently. On my most recent three‑day sprint in May 2026, I arrived in Bonifacio the evening before, slept in the haute ville, and woke early to the gulls and the smell of coffee.

Morning:

• Breakfast at a café overlooking the harbour—croissant, strong coffee, quick check of the wind forecast.
• Head down to the quay and buy a return ticket on the first ferry to Îles Lavezzi. In high season, I book online the day before; in shoulder season, I’ve always bought same‑morning without stress.

The crossing takes about 30–40 minutes, skirting Bonifacio’s cliffs and sometimes pausing at sea caves. I always sit top‑deck, even when the wind bites; the views are worth teary eyes.

On Lavezzu:

• Walk past the first packed sand to stake out a spot on the quieter flank of Plage d’Achiarina.
• First swim of the trip—short, just to shake off the land.
• Mid‑morning, follow the trail towards Calanca di Lazzarina for a late‑morning snorkel and an early picnic among the boulders.

Afternoon: Make a loop past the shipwreck cemetery, paying your respects, then continue towards the Bonifacio line viewpoint for that horizon shot. Aim to be back near the main bay in time for your return boat—don’t cut it too fine; missing the last ferry means a very awkward (and expensive) call for help.

Evening in Bonifacio: Fresh from salt and sun, I love climbing back up into the haute ville for an aperitif: a glass of rosé or a Pietra beer, watching the light fade over the marina. Dinner is often simple grilled fish or linguine aux palourdes (clams) at a harbour‑side restaurant.

Day 2 – Mainland Coves & Clifftop Culture

Rather than returning to Lavezzi immediately, I like to spend day two exploring the coastal world that frames the islands. It deepens the context of your trip.

Morning: Hike or take a short boat/kayak excursion to Anse de Fazzio and/or neighbouring coves. Swim, snorkel, and notice the similarities with the islands: the same seagrass meadows, the same clarity of water, but with the convenience of a walk back into town.

Afternoon: Back in Bonifacio, visit the citadel, stroll the ramparts, and duck into the small museum if you’re curious about the maritime history of the area (shipwrecks, trade routes, and the fraught relationship with neighbouring Sardinia).

On my 2024 and 2026 trips, I also made time for the Escalier du Roi d’Aragon, the dramatic staircase carved into the cliffs. It’s touristy, yes, but the view back towards the sea where the Lavezzi sit is unmatched.

Evening: Sunset drink at a clifftop bar overlooking the void, then dinner in one of the smaller back‑street restaurants specialising in local Corsican dishes: wild boar stew, charcuterie, and brocciu cheese when in season.

Day 3 – Second Lavezzi Day: Going Deeper

Your third day is when the archipelago starts to feel familiar. You notice the change of light, the shift of wind, the way paths interconnect.

Plan:

• Catch a mid‑morning boat—allow yourself a slow breakfast first.
• Head directly towards Calanque des Petites Îles and the north‑east rocks for more adventurous scrambling and snorkeling.
• In the afternoon, retreat to one of the inner boulder pools for a lazy soak and some reading.

If conditions permit and your boat operator offers it, this is also a good day to add a stop at the Piana sandbar on the way back, allowing you to experience that floating‑in‑light feeling as a farewell to the islands.

4 Days in Îles Lavezzi – Extra Time for Calm

A 4 day itinerary for Îles Lavezzi lets you add a dedicated slow day and a bit more food exploration.

Days 1–3: Follow the 3‑day plan above.

Day 4 – Choose Your Own Pace:

• Option A (Relaxed): Sleep in, wander Bonifacio’s morning market to pick up picnic supplies—local cheeses, olives, tomatoes—and then take an afternoon boat to Lavezzi for a shorter, sunset‑leaning visit focused on Grande Plage and Pointe di Lavezzu.
• Option B (Active): Rent a scooter or car and explore nearby beaches like Rondinara or Santa Giulia, comparing their more built‑up feel to the wildness of Lavezzi. It’s a good way to appreciate just how rare undeveloped islands like these are in the Mediterranean.

I’ve done both, depending on my mood. For couples, I lean towards Option A: there’s something deeply romantic about a later boat back, skin still salty, heading straight to a harbour‑side dinner.

5 Days in Îles Lavezzi – Settling into the Rhythm

With 5 days in Îles Lavezzi, you can start living in a kind of sun‑and‑sea rhythm, alternating island days with mainland discoveries.

Day 1: Arrival and gentle Bonifacio exploration.

Day 2: Full Lavezzu day (Achiarina, Lazzarina, cemetery loop).

Day 3: Mainland coves (Fazzio) + citadel and cultural afternoon.

Day 4: Second Lavezzu day (Petites Îles, inner pools, possible Piana sandbar).

Day 5: Food‑ and village‑focused day: visit nearby villages inland—like Sartène or the tiny hamlets above Bonifacio—to taste charcuterie, chestnut flour cakes, and local wines. This isn’t Lavezzi itself, but it rounds out your travel guide for Îles Lavezzi experience with context: the land that sustains the people who work the boats and reserves.

6 Days in Îles Lavezzi – Adding Cavallo & Ratino

A 6 day itinerary for Îles Lavezzi allows you to add the more specialised excursions like Cavallo’s north bays or the Ratino reef.

Days 1–4: Follow the 5‑day plan, but keep one Lavezzu day flexible for weather.

Day 5 – Cavallo or Ratino Excursion:

• Book a small‑group snorkel charter from Bonifacio that includes stops at Ratino reef and, conditions permitting, the outer edges of Cavallo.
• Bring your own mask and snorkel if you’re picky; rental gear is fine, but I prefer my own for anti‑fog reliability.

Day 6 – Free Day: Keep your last day unscheduled. If the best‑weather window fell here, swap things around and make this your final, long Lavezzi day. Otherwise, use it for a repeat of your favourite cove or simply to wander Bonifacio’s alleys, shop for a few edible souvenirs, and linger over long terrace lunches.

7 Days in Îles Lavezzi – The Luxury of Slowness

Spending 7 days in Îles Lavezzi (based in Bonifacio) isn’t about ticking off more “sights”; it’s about deepening your relationship with the place. You’ll begin to recognise boat crews, know exactly which café pulls your favourite espresso, and sense wind shifts on your skin.

Suggested structure:

• 3 full Lavezzi days, non‑consecutive, chosen for the best weather windows.
• 2 mainland coast days (Fazzio, other nearby beaches, cliff walks).
• 1 inland cultural & food day (villages, vineyards, charcuterie).
• 1 pure rest day—sleep late, read on your balcony, wander the port, have an unhurried multi‑course dinner.

On my own 7‑day stays, some of my best memories have been on that “empty” day: sketching the boats in the harbour, chatting with a Lavezzi skipper about winter storms, or watching a full moon rise above the masts while a street musician played Corsican polyphonic songs softly on the quay.