An archipelago of granite and coves off Bonifacio, inside the Bouches de Bonifacio nature reserve, where you can land for the day.
Off Bonifacio, in the strait between Corsica and Sardinia, the Lavezzi archipelago is a scatter of wind-polished granite islets, white-sand coves and very clear water. It is part of the Bouches de Bonifacio nature reserve, created in 1999 and covering 79,460 ha. The main island, Lavezzu, is the only one where excursion boats land their passengers.
Photo : Kévin et Laurianne Langlais / Pexels
Strangely shaped rounded boulders, sheltered coves such as the cala de l’Achiarina, and seabirds: Scopoli’s shearwater, European shag and Audouin’s gull. Underwater, the granite seabed and the posidonia seagrass meadows draw snorkellers.
Photo : arnaud audoin / Pexels
On 15 February 1855 the frigate Sémillante, which had sailed from Toulon under the command of Captain Jugan, was wrecked on the Lavezzi reefs in a storm: around 700 sailors and soldiers died. Two cemeteries and a pyramid-shaped memorial on Lavezzu island, listed as historic monuments in 1983, recall the disaster.
Photo : arnaud audoin / Pexels
For the water, first of all: the coves of Lavezzu are worth the crossing on their own. In high summer, though, a lot of people arrive on the island at the same time. Take the first boat of the morning, or come in May, June or September, and follow the paths away from the landing stage: the coves in the south of the island are quieter.
Photo : arnaud audoin / Pexels
Updated 30 October 2026
Shuttle boats leave from the port of Bonifacio and land on Lavezzu island after a crossing of about 30 minutes. Some trips sail round the islands without landing, so check before you buy your ticket. See visit Bonifacio.
Full-day or half-day trips, often by catamaran, head south to the archipelago with swimming stops. The journey is longer. See visit Porto-Vecchio.
Piantarella bay, east of Bonifacio, is the starting point for sailing and sea-kayak trips. Kayaking calls for a calm sea and some experience.
The price may include the tax on passenger sea transport to protected natural areas, collected by French customs. See our travel formalities for Corsica.
The island’s waymarked paths are flat and stony, leading from one cove to the next as far as the Sémillante cemeteries. There is no shade, no water, no toilets and no bins on the island.
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The archipelago is part of the Bouches de Bonifacio nature reserve, created by the decree of 23 September 1999 and managed by the *Office de l’environnement de la Corse* (the Corsican environment agency).
In the zones of strengthened protection, you may land only on Lavezzu island, Piana island and the Pyramide islet, and only on the beaches and waymarked paths (article 26 of the decree).
Dogs and other pets are banned (article 27), as are camping and bivouacking (article 28).
You are free to swim, but none of the beaches has lifeguards. The decree does not regulate swimming.
The Agence du tourisme de la Corse (Corsica’s tourist board) points out that smoking, fishing, taking plants or animals, climbing the rocks and leaving the paths are all forbidden. Spearfishing is banned in the zones of strengthened protection (article 22).
Flying lower than 150 m requires an exemption (article 29). Anchoring is regulated by the maritime prefect, and dropping anchor in posidonia seagrass meadows is forbidden.
Text of the decree on Légifrance; reserve manager: Office de l’environnement de la Corse. Visitor numbers on the island are controlled, so check before you set off in high summer.
Water, a hat, sun cream and a picnic: there is nothing on the island. Take your rubbish back on the boat.
The Bouches de Bonifacio is a windy strait. In strong winds the boats stay in port or cut the trip short, so leave yourself a spare day.
There are no lifeguards. Stay in the sheltered coves and watch out for the current between the islets.
Make a note of the time of your company’s last boat: tickets are not always valid on another operator’s shuttle.
Rated excursions from Bonifacio or Porto-Vecchio.
Prices and ratings checked on GetYourGuide in October 2026. We may earn a commission when you book through our partner links, at no extra cost to you.
