Palau or La Maddalena: southern Corsica 4-hour RIB tour of

The best part of this excursion is the chance to reach southern Corsica by fast RIB, rather than spending the whole day on a large ferry. In four hours, you cross the Strait of Bonifacio, swim in three beautiful spots, and return to Sardinia with a proper taste of the island’s coast.

I like the small-group format, which keeps the boat more personal, and I like the mix of swimming, snorkelling, and short scenic rides. The main catch is the weather: strong wind or rough water can change the route, and one trip could not reach every planned Corsican island.

Key points to know before booking

• Three planned water stops: Cala Acciarino on Lavezzi, Isola Piana, and the cliffs of Bonifacio.
• Two departure choices: Set out from Palau or La Maddalena, depending on the option you book.
• Small boats, small group: The boats hold 10 or 12 people, with a skipper on board.
• Useful gear included: Fuel, water, snorkelling equipment, a SUP board, life jackets, and safety equipment are provided.
• Choose your boat carefully: The Silver boat is smaller and simpler, while the Gold boat has more room and extra onboard features.
• A weather-sensitive trip: The skipper can change the route when conditions make part of the crossing unsafe.

A quick ride from Sardinia to Corsica

This is not a slow sightseeing cruise. The RIB is built to move quickly between islands, so the ride itself becomes part of the fun. From Palau or La Maddalena, you head north across the Strait of Bonifacio toward the Corsican Archipelago.

The crossing gives you a taste of two island regions in one morning or afternoon. You begin in northern Sardinia and soon find yourself among Corsican coves, pale beaches, and clear water. That makes this a smart choice if your base is in Sardinia but your schedule does not allow a full day in Corsica.

You should expect a lively ride, not a quiet ferry crossing. The boats have outdoor seating and an awning, but you are still on an open RIB. Bring beachwear and a towel, and protect anything you carry from spray.

The group is limited to 12 people, although the smaller Silver boat carries no more than 10. That is a useful middle ground. You get more space than on a large excursion vessel, but you are not paying for a private charter.

Lavezzi: the first major swimming stop

The boat sails toward the island of Lavezzi through the Strait of Bonifacio. Lavezzi is known for its clear water, pale sand, and rocky shoreline, and the first scheduled stop is at Cala Acciarino.

You have about half an hour here for swimming and snorkelling. That may sound brief, but it keeps the trip moving and lets you see more than one place. If you prefer to spend a long, lazy morning in one cove, this tour will feel rushed. If you want several different water stops, the timing works well.

The included snorkelling equipment means you do not need to bring your own mask and gear. A short stop also makes the experience easier for mixed groups, since swimmers can enjoy the water while others stay aboard and take in the view.

The trip description calls the water crystal clear, and the stop is chosen for its natural beauty. Still, sea conditions can affect visibility and comfort. The skipper has the final say on where the boat stops, so treat the named locations as the intended plan rather than a promise made regardless of weather.

Isola Piana and its natural pool

The second swimming stop is Isola Piana, another small island in the Corsican Archipelago. Here, the attraction is the water itself, with a natural pool-like setting that suits a quick swim and snorkel.

A half-hour stop gives you enough time to get into the water, look around, and climb back aboard without losing too much of the day to one location. I would have your towel and beachwear ready before the boat arrives. With only four hours overall, every minute matters.

You also have access to a SUP board. The supplied information does not promise a long paddle session, and the skipper may limit its use based on wind, waves, and time. Still, it gives you another way to enjoy the stop beyond swimming.

Water is included, but food and drinks are not. One piece of practical advice is to eat before departure and bring anything else you need if the operator allows it. The published information specifically includes water, while one past experience expected soft drinks and found only water, so do not count on a wider drink service.

The cliffs of Bonifacio from the water

The third stop is under the cliffs of Bonifacio. This is the most dramatic part of the route, as the boat approaches the famous white cliffs at the southern tip of Corsica.

You get roughly half an hour for another swim stop. The setting gives you a different view from Lavezzi and Isola Piana. Instead of focusing only on a beach or cove, you are looking up at the coastal rock formations while floating below them.

The exact approach depends on conditions and the skipper’s judgment. One trip included an extra run toward Bonifacio and lasted longer than planned, while another could not reach every intended Corsican island because of the weather. That tells you two useful things: the crew may adapt the route, and a flexible schedule helps.

Do not book this expecting a formal walking tour of Bonifacio. The experience is based on the water, with scenic views and swimming rather than time ashore. If your main goal is to explore the old town or walk along the cliffs, you need a separate land visit.

Silver or Gold: which RIB suits you?

The Silver boat, a Gassa RIB, measures 8 metres long and 4 metres wide. It carries up to 10 people and uses a 200-horsepower engine. There are cushions at the bow, an awning, a boarding ladder, an outdoor freshwater shower, and standard safety equipment.

This is the simpler choice. It gives you the core experience: a nimble boat, a skipper, swimming stops, and room to sit under cover. If you care most about the route and the price, the Silver option may be enough.

The Gold boat, Nonnagina II, is larger at 10 metres long and 4.5 metres wide. It carries up to 12 people and has twin 350-horsepower engines. It also adds cushions at both the bow and stern, a refrigerator and hob, Bluetooth radio, an awning, a diving platform, a boarding ladder, an outdoor freshwater shower, and safety equipment.

The Gold boat should appeal to you if comfort matters during the ride. The extra cushions and larger deck give you more places to sit, while the diving platform makes getting into the water easier. Do not assume that the refrigerator and hob mean a meal is included. Food and drinks remain your responsibility.

The booking choices are tied to the departure point and boat option, so check the exact combination before paying. The meeting point can change depending on what you choose.

What the skipper adds to the day

The tour includes a certified skipper who handles the boat, navigation, and safety decisions. You are not simply dropped at a beach and left to work things out. The skipper decides how to handle the Strait of Bonifacio, where conditions are suitable for swimming, and whether the planned route needs to change.

The guides speak Italian and English. One guide named Giulio received especially warm praise for being available and at home on the sea. You cannot assume Giulio will lead your departure, but his name is useful to know if you are comparing the available options.

The amount of commentary may vary. One past experience found the information adequate but wished for more explanation, while the crew became friendlier as the trip went on. I would book this primarily for the sea time, not for a lecture-heavy tour.

That is not a serious flaw, but it helps set expectations. The skipper’s most important job is getting you safely between the islands and choosing sensible stops. If you want detailed natural and cultural interpretation at every stage, you may find the commentary light.

Is four hours enough?

For most people, four hours is the right length for this kind of outing. You get the crossing and three swimming stops without giving up an entire day of your holiday. A half-day also leaves room for lunch, sightseeing, or a second activity in Sardinia.

The tradeoff is simple: this is a sampler, not a complete Corsican coast tour. Each swimming stop lasts about 30 minutes, so you will spend a good portion of the trip moving between sites. That variety is the appeal, but you should not expect long beach time.

Morning and afternoon departures are available, subject to the schedule. Think about what suits your holiday rhythm. A morning trip can leave the rest of the day free, while an afternoon outing may work better after a slow start.

The trip is confirmed with at least four participants. That means a very small booking may depend on enough people joining. Check availability for the exact date and departure time before building a tight schedule around it.

What the $70 price really covers

At about $70 per person, the price is reasonable for a half-day sea trip that includes the skipper, fuel, water, snorkelling equipment, a SUP board, life jackets, and safety equipment. Fuel alone matters on a fast boat crossing between Sardinia and Corsica, so the headline price is not the whole story.

You are also paying for access to a route that would be awkward to manage without a boat. Lavezzi, Isola Piana, and the cliffs near Bonifacio are not connected by an easy land route from Palau or La Maddalena. The boat turns several separate sights into one compact outing.

The value drops if you dislike quick stops or are mainly interested in walking around Bonifacio. In that case, a ferry or land-based visit may suit you better. The price makes the most sense for you if swimming, clear water, and island scenery are the main goals.

Food and drinks are not included. Pack or buy what you need before departure, but remember that the confirmed inclusion is water. You should also bring a towel and beachwear. Pets are not permitted.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend this trip to couples, friends, and families with older children who want an active half-day on the water. The small group and short duration make it easier to enjoy than a full-day boat outing if you have limited time.

The experience is recommended from age two onward. Infants from 0 to 11 months must be reported in advance. Pregnant people should not book this activity.

You also need to be comfortable with a fast open boat, repeated boarding, and swimming from the RIB. The ladder and freshwater shower help, but this is still a sea excursion, not a calm harbor cruise.

It is a good match for you if you want variety, flexibility, and a little speed. It is less suitable if you need long time ashore, detailed guiding, or a guaranteed route in all conditions.

Weather, changes, and practical expectations

The skipper can change the route because of weather and sea conditions. This is not a minor footnote. The Strait of Bonifacio can affect the ride, and an unsafe crossing or rough stop is not worth forcing for the sake of a printed plan.

One outing failed to reach all the Corsican islands because of the weather, while another made an extra run toward Bonifacio and lasted longer than scheduled. You should see this as a useful sign of operational flexibility, but also accept that the four-hour plan is not fixed to the minute.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if the weather forecast is uncertain, though you should still check the exact conditions and departure instructions close to the day.

The meeting point depends on your selected option. Confirm it carefully, especially if you are choosing between Palau and La Maddalena. A small mistake here could cost more time than the tour itself.

My verdict: book it for the water, not the checklist

Book this RIB trip if your ideal Sardinian day includes a quick ride to Corsica, several clear-water swims, and scenic stops in a small group. The best features are the compact four-hour format, the three distinct water locations, and the chance to use snorkelling gear and a SUP without arranging extra rentals.

Choose the Gold boat if extra seating, a larger deck, and easier water access matter to you. Choose Silver if you want the basic boat experience and do not need the added comforts.

Skip it if you want a guaranteed route, a long stop in Bonifacio, or a highly detailed guided talk. Weather can change the plan, and the commentary may be fairly light. For the right kind of holiday, though, this is a useful and fairly priced way to sample southern Corsica from the sea.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

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

How long does the excursion last?

The excursion lasts four hours and may be offered in the morning or afternoon, depending on availability.

Which islands and sites are included?

The planned route includes Lavezzi, Isola Piana, and a swimming stop beneath the cliffs of Bonifacio.

How long are the swimming stops?

The planned stops are about 30 minutes each at Cala Acciarino on Lavezzi, Isola Piana, and beneath the cliffs of Bonifacio.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the half-day RIB excursion, skipper, fuel, water, snorkelling equipment, a SUP board, life jackets, and safety equipment.

Are food and drinks included?

Food and drinks are not included. Water is provided, so bring any additional food or drinks you need.

Is the tour suitable for young children or pregnant people?

The experience is recommended from age two. Infants aged 0 to 11 months must be reported in advance, and the tour is not suitable for pregnant people.