For Lavezzi, the most practical base is Bonifacio, close to the harbour where the shuttles leave: the marina lets you walk to the first boat, while the upper town has the charm of its lanes on the cliff edge. The Gulf of Santa Manza (20 minutes) and the Piantarella area (15 minutes) are quieter and closer to the beaches. Porto-Vecchio, 34 minutes away, has the widest choice and its own trips to Lavezzi. Camping is banned on the islands.
Key facts
- Bonifacio marina: walk to the first boat.
- Upper town: charm, but a steep climb and difficult parking.
- Santa Manza or Piantarella: quiet and beaches, a car is essential.
- Porto-Vecchio: the widest choice, 34 min from Bonifacio.
The areas
| Area | To the boarding point | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonifacio marina | on foot | first boat, harbour restaurants | busy and expensive in summer |
| Upper town | 10 to 15 min on foot | charm, cliff views | steep climb, parking |
| Gulf of Santa Manza | 10 km, 20 min | quiet, beaches | car essential |
| Piantarella and Sperone | 7.5 km, 15 min | facing Cavallo, beaches | car essential |
| Porto-Vecchio | 28 km, 34 min | wide choice, its own trips | far from the shuttle |
Driving times calculated with OpenStreetMap from Bonifacio harbour. The walking time from the upper town is an estimate to check against your accommodation.
The harbour or the upper town
Shuttles board at the harbour, quai Jérôme Comparetti (SPMB). Staying on the marina means you can catch the first morning boat without a car, which matters in summer: harbour car parks are expensive by the day, and the cheaper ones are about 500 metres away. The upper town, perched on the cliff, is reached on foot from the harbour by a climb.
The east coast: Santa Manza and Piantarella
These areas suit you if you want to alternate beaches and boat trips, or hire a boat at Piantarella (see boat hire). A car is essential: there is no public transport to the beaches.
Porto-Vecchio
Porto-Vecchio, Corsica’s third-largest town, has the widest range of accommodation in southern Corsica and its own trips to Lavezzi. It is also the best base for the Bavella Needles. See Porto-Vecchio.
Book a trip
Trips to book from where you stay
Visit Bonifacio by sea1.5 hours★ 4.9 (361 reviews)from €35Check availability
From Bonifacio: Lavezzi Islands Half-Day Boat Tour3 hours★ 4.8 (229 reviews)from €60Check availability
Half-day: relaxing afternoon to the Lavezzi and Cavallo Islands4 hours★ 4.7 (103 reviews)from €90Check availability
"From" prices checked on 9 November 2026 and may have changed.
Affiliate links: IlesLavezzi.com earns a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. "Show live prices" loads the GetYourGuide module, which sets its own cookies (learn more (in French)).
Frequently asked questions
Can you stay overnight on the Lavezzi Islands?
No. Camping, tents and bivouacking are banned in the reserve's strict protection zones, which include the Lavezzi plateau (article 28 of the 1999 decree). There is no accommodation on the island.
Is it better to stay in Bonifacio or Porto-Vecchio?
Bonifacio if Lavezzi is the main goal: the shuttle leaves from the harbour. Porto-Vecchio if you also want the big east-coast beaches and the Bavella hinterland.
Sources
Information checked against the sources below. Timetables, prices and rules change: confirm before you go.
- OSRM on OpenStreetMap, driving times from Bonifacio harbour, accessed 9 November 2026
- Decree of 23 September 1999, article 28: camping banned (in French), accessed 9 November 2026
- SPMB, FAQ: boarding and harbour parking (in French), accessed 9 November 2026
- Wikipedia (French), Bonifacio: upper town, harbour, accessed 9 November 2026
