From Palau: South Corsica Trip by Wood Speedboat with Lunch

The star of this outing is the crossing from northern Sardinia to southern Corsica, where white cliffs, pale rock islands, and clear water turn a boat ride into a full day by the sea. I especially like the classic wooden Aurora, with its shaded area, sun deck, bathroom, and hot-water shower, and I like that the route changes with the wind instead of forcing a fixed plan. The main consideration is that Bonifacio town is not guaranteed, since harbor mooring depends on space.

I also appreciate the generous food program: fresh fish, local produce, a snack, coffee, sweets, and drinks are part of the day. The boat carries only 10 participants, but the trip needs at least four people to run, and it is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users.

Key points at a glance

• Cross the Strait of Bonifacio: Sail from Sardinia toward Corsica and the Lavezzi islands.
• Three long sea stops: Plan on roughly an hour at each stop for swimming, snorkelling, or relaxing.
• A real wooden boat: The 11-meter Sorrentine Gozzo Aurora has two cabins, a bathroom, a sunbathing area, and shade.
• Lunch is part of the experience: Expect fresh fish and local products, with a snack later in the day.
• Small group setting: The maximum is 10 participants plus crew, with Italian and English available.
• Flexible route: Wind and skipper decisions determine whether you visit Bonifacio town or swim beneath its cliffs.

From Palau to Corsica by wooden boat

This is not simply a transfer from Sardinia to Corsica. The crossing is the backbone of an eight-hour day built around quiet coves, short swims, and time on the water. You leave from Palau or La Maddalena, depending on the option you book, then head across the Strait of Bonifacio toward the southern Corsican archipelago.

The wooden motorboat gives the outing a more personal feel than a large ferry or crowded excursion boat. Aurora is 11 meters long and 4.5 meters wide, with room for 10 participants plus crew. That size matters. You have enough space to sit in sun or shade, but the group remains small enough for the skipper to keep an eye on everyone during swimming stops.

The boat has two cabins, a bathroom, a boarding ladder, safety equipment, inflatable accessories, snorkelling equipment, and a stand-up paddleboard. A hot-water shower is also available, a useful touch after swimming in the open sea. You should still think of this as an active sea day rather than a formal cruise. Bring a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear, and expect to go barefoot on board.

The route depends on the wind

The advertised route includes Lavezzi, Isola Piana, and Bonifacio, but the skipper makes the final call based on weather and wind. That is a sensible arrangement in this part of the Mediterranean. The Strait of Bonifacio can be breezy, and a good skipper needs room to choose the safest and most comfortable water.

At least three stops are planned, with each lasting about an hour. You may spend that time swimming, using the snorkelling gear, trying the SUP, or simply resting on deck. The pace gives you a proper break between stretches of sailing, though anyone expecting a full day of sightseeing on land should know that most of the outing takes place from the boat.

This flexibility is one of the tour’s strengths, but it also means you should not treat every listed location as a guaranteed stop. The sea conditions guide the day. You might see all the main sights from the water, or the skipper might shorten one section to give you better conditions elsewhere.

Lavezzi and Cala Acciarino

The first major destination is Lavezzi, reached by crossing the Strait of Bonifacio. The island group is known for pale rock, small coves, and clear water. The planned swim at Cala Acciarino gives you about an hour to enjoy the sea rather than just photograph it from the deck.

This is where the included gear earns its keep. You can use the mask and snorkel to look below the surface, or take the SUP out for a slower view of the cove. Inflatable accessories are also provided. The water is the main attraction here, so bring sunscreen that you can reapply and keep your towel close.

Lavezzi is less about a long walk or a guided visit on land and more about the setting around the boat. If you want ruins, streets, or a substantial island visit, this will feel limited. If your ideal Corsica day involves a beautiful anchorage and time to swim without rushing, it fits well.

Isola Piana and the long lunch break

The next planned swim is at Isola Piana. Like Lavezzi, this stop is built around the water. You can swim, snorkel, use the SUP, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. Having a full hour here gives you time to settle into the day instead of treating each stop as a quick photo pause.

Lunch is served on board, which keeps the group together and avoids wasting time looking for a restaurant. The food is described as fresh fish and local produce, with a substantial spread that can include antipasti, mussels prepared with Sardinian myrtle, and pasta. Coffee, liqueurs, and pastries are also part of the meal, followed by a snack later in the afternoon.

The exact menu can change, so do not book this as a restaurant tasting with a fixed course list. Still, the meal appears to be one of the stronger reasons to choose this excursion over a basic boat hire. You get a proper Sardinian-style lunch while anchored in the islands, not a sandwich grabbed between stops.

If you have dietary restrictions, the supplied information does not specify alternatives. Ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the crew can adjust the menu.

Bonifacio from the sea

The final major section brings you toward Bonifacio, one of the most dramatic sights in southern Corsica. The town sits above white cliffs, and seeing those cliffs from the water gives you a perspective that a normal walking visit cannot provide.

The plan is either a swim beneath the cliffs or a stop in Bonifacio town. The town visit depends on available mooring places in the harbor. That is an important detail. You may get time to walk ashore, but you should not count on it when planning the day.

If the boat cannot moor, the sea stop beneath the cliffs keeps the focus on swimming and scenery. If a berth is available, you may have a short chance to see Bonifacio on foot. The eight-hour schedule includes the return to Palau or La Maddalena, so even with a harbor stop, this is not a full Bonifacio city tour.

I would choose this excursion for the combination of cliffs and coves, not for guaranteed time in town. If walking through Bonifacio is your main goal, a dedicated land visit gives you more control.

What the boat is like for eight hours

Aurora’s design suits a day that mixes movement and rest. The large sunbathing area gives you space to stretch out, while the shaded section matters during the strongest part of the afternoon. The ladder makes getting back aboard easier after a swim, and the bathroom means you are not dependent on reaching shore.

The maximum group size is 10 people plus crew. That is small enough for a relaxed feel, but the boat is not private unless you book the whole group. You will share the deck, swimming equipment, and lunch space with the other participants.

The vintage fishing-boat style is part of the charm, but it also sets the right expectation. This is not a luxury yacht with extensive indoor space. The cabins are listed as part of the equipment, yet the main experience happens outside. People who enjoy sea air, casual meals, and a little movement will likely be comfortable. Anyone who needs a broad, stable indoor area may want a different boat trip.

The skipper is also central to the experience. Marco and Federico are named as members of the crew, and the excursion is offered in Italian and English. The guide is not only there to drive the boat. The day includes local anecdotes, route decisions, safety guidance, and help with the water equipment.

Is $154 a fair price?

At $154 per person, this costs more than a basic ferry ride or a simple half-day swim cruise. The comparison is not quite fair, though. The price covers eight hours, fuel, a skipper, lunch, a snack, snorkelling equipment, a SUP, inflatables, and a small group capped at 10 participants.

You are also paying for the crossing into Corsica and the skipper’s ability to adjust the route. The boat itself is part of the value. A classic wooden vessel with shade, a bathroom, a shower, and a sun deck creates a more comfortable base for the day than a bare charter boat.

I see the price as reasonable for someone who wants one complete sea day and plans to make full use of the stops and meal. It is less attractive if you mainly want a quick look at Bonifacio or prefer to spend most of the day on land. You should also remember that the trip runs with at least four participants, so the booking is subject to that minimum.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Meeting points vary according to the option you choose. One arrangement described for a Palau booking used a rubber boat to take participants to La Maddalena, where the main vessel was waiting, so read the meeting instructions carefully.

Who should book this sea day?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and families with older children who want swimming, scenery, and a good meal in one outing. The small group and onboard guide suit people who prefer a social day without the scale of a large excursion boat.

It also works well for anyone staying in northern Sardinia who wants to see Corsica without arranging a separate ferry trip and land itinerary. You get a taste of Lavezzi, Isola Piana, and Bonifacio in one day, with the route handled for you.

You should think twice if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair, or dislike boat motion and open-water activity. Infants up to 11 months can go free, but you must tell the skipper in advance for safety reasons. There is no indication that the boat is wheelchair accessible.

This is also not the right choice if your priority is extensive sightseeing in Bonifacio town. The town stop depends on harbor space, and the planned swim beneath the cliffs may replace it.

Practical tips for a smoother day

• Bring the basics: A towel, sunscreen, and beachwear are required essentials.
• Pack lightly: The boat has useful facilities, but deck space is shared.
• Read the meeting point: Departure may be from Palau or La Maddalena, and the exact arrangement depends on the option booked.
• Expect bare feet: A prior arrangement advised going barefoot on board, which is sensible around a wet deck.
• Tell the skipper about an infant: Babies up to 11 months are allowed free, but advance notice is compulsory.
• Keep the route flexible: Wind can change the order or location of stops.
• Do not count on town time: Bonifacio harbor access depends on available mooring space.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a full, food-filled day on the water rather than a quick coastal ride. The best parts are the small wooden boat, three generous swim stops, the chance to see Lavezzi and Bonifacio from the sea, and a lunch that goes well beyond a packed snack.

The decision is less clear if Bonifacio town is your main target or if you need firm control over the itinerary. For everyone else, $154 buys a well-rounded outing with transport, equipment, crew, food, and a route through one of the most striking stretches of water between Sardinia and Corsica. Just choose your departure option carefully and pack for swimming.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

You can choose an option departing from the port of Palau or La Maddalena. The exact meeting point varies according to the option booked.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts eight hours, including the boat ride, stops, lunch, snack, and return to Palau or La Maddalena.

What places can I see?

The planned route includes Lavezzi, Isola Piana, and the white cliffs of Bonifacio. The final route can change with weather and the skipper’s decisions.

How many swimming stops are included?

At least three stops are planned, each lasting about one hour. These may include Cala Acciarino at Lavezzi, Isola Piana, and the water beneath the cliffs of Bonifacio.

Can I visit Bonifacio town?

You may stop in Bonifacio town if there is an available mooring place in the harbor. Otherwise, the tour plans a swim beneath the cliffs.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, a snack, and fuel are included in the price. Lunch features fresh fish and local products.

Is snorkelling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkelling equipment, inflatable accessories, and a SUP are included.

What boat is used?

The boat is the 11-meter Sorrentine Gozzo Aurora, a wooden motorboat with a vintage fishing-boat style. It has a bathroom, two cabins, a sunbathing area, shade, a ladder, and a hot-water shower.

What languages are available?

The live tour is available in Italian and English.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users. Infants up to 11 months are allowed free, but you must notify the skipper in advance for safety reasons.