Lavezzi is one of the best places in Corsica to look at the seabed, because fishing has been banned there for decades. With mask and snorkel, Cala di u Grecu (beginners, up to 6 m) and Cala della Chiesa (up to 4 m, wilder) show saddled bream, sea bream, wrasse and more. A 45-minute guided snorkel trail starts from Achiarina beach, from age 8. For scuba, Bonifacio's dive clubs go to sites such as Mérouville, known for its groupers; diving there is regulated by the reserve.
Key facts
- Free snorkeling from the beaches of Lavezzu, without lifeguards.
- Guided snorkel trail: 45 min, from age 8, groups of 5, booking required.
- Scuba with a club: Mérouville, Balise de Sperduto, Tête de cheval, les Cloches.
- Take nothing: the Lavezzi plateau is a no-take zone.
The options
| Activity | Where | Level | Supervision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free snorkeling | Cala di u Grecu, Cala della Chiesa, Achiarina | beginner to intermediate | none |
| Guided snorkel trail | from Achiarina beach | from age 8 | guide, groups of 5 |
| Try dive | reserve sites | from age 8 | state-qualified instructor |
| Scuba exploration | Mérouville, Balise de Sperduto, Tête de cheval, les Cloches, la Tortue | Level 1 or Open Water minimum | club |
Mask and snorkel
At Cala di u Grecu, the rocky edges are 0.5 to 2 m deep and the middle of the bays drops to 6 m over seagrass: you will see shoals of salema, saddled bream, white sea bream, ornate wrasse and gilthead bream. At Cala della Chiesa, further north, the bottom mixes rocks, islets, sand and seagrass; the fish are big because the area is protected. There are no lifeguards: stay close to where you entered the water and watch out for boats at anchor.
The snorkel trail
Visit Corsica describes a guided tour of about 45 minutes in the reserve, starting from Achiarina beach: fins, mask and snorkel are all you need, open from age 8, in groups of 5, booking required. You meet sea bream, wrasse and saddled bream, and the grouper is introduced. Information from the Bonifacio tourist office.
Scuba diving
The Bonifacio Plongée club lists five sites in the Lavezzi reserve, including Mérouville, where dozens of groupers can be approached at depth. The dusky grouper, which can reach 150 cm and live 50 years, has become more common on French coasts since the fishing moratorium. As for the rules, the 1999 decree requires individual authorisation for diving in no-take zones, which include the Lavezzi plateau: go through a club, which knows the open sites. See the reserve rules.
From Porto-Vecchio
Snorkeling trips from a boat and try dives in the reserve also leave from Porto-Vecchio (from €60 and €110 on GetYourGuide, checked on 9 November 2026), mainly to the Cerbicale islands. See Porto-Vecchio.
Book a trip
Guided snorkeling and diving
Porto Vecchio snorkelling tour from a boat in the nature reserve3 hours★ 4.2 (24 reviews)from €60Check availability
Porto Vecchio: Try scuba diving in the nature reserve3 hours★ 4.7 (16 reviews)from €110Check availability
From Bonifacio: Lavezzi Islands Half-Day Boat Tour3 hours★ 4.8 (229 reviews)from €60Check availability
"From" prices checked on 9 November 2026 and may have changed.
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Frequently asked questions
Where can I snorkel on Lavezzi?
Cala di u Grecu, 5 minutes from the eastern landing point, suits beginners in calm seas. Cala della Chiesa, to the north, is wilder and less busy. See also Lavezzu's coves.
Can you see groupers while snorkeling?
The guided snorkel trail introduces the grouper, a protected species. Large groupers mostly live deeper, at sites such as Mérouville, reached by scuba diving with a club.
Do I need a qualification to dive at Lavezzi?
Try dives are open from age 8 with an instructor. Two-dive explorations require at least Level 1 or Open Water, according to the Bonifacio Plongée club.
Sources
Information checked against the sources below. Timetables, prices and rules change: confirm before you go.
- Visit Corsica, Lavezzi underwater trail (in French), accessed 9 November 2026
- Visit Corsica, Bonifacio Plongée offer: sites and levels (in French), accessed 9 November 2026
- Snorkeling Report, Cala di u Grecu, accessed 9 November 2026
- Snorkeling Report, Cala della Chiesa, accessed 9 November 2026
- Decree of 23 September 1999, articles 24, 30 and 31: diving and taking (in French), accessed 9 November 2026
- Wikipedia (French), dusky grouper, accessed 9 November 2026
- Wikipedia (French), Îles Lavezzi: Mérouville, accessed 9 November 2026
