South Corsica by boat: Bonifacio, Lavezzi and the rules of the nature reserve

The south of Corsica is remarkably varied in a small space: deep inlets around Porto-Vecchio, the round bay of Rondinara, the granite islands of the Lavezzi and Cerbicale, and finally Bonifacio, the town on white limestone cliffs above a fjord-like harbour. Legs are short – just right for a week in which swimming and anchoring matter more than miles.

Much of the coast between Porto-Vecchio and Bonifacio and the islands off it belong to the Bouches de Bonifacio nature reserve. The French authorities set the rules with orders for individual bays. The main points, as described for the 2026 season:

• Access channels: in several busy bays, such as Rondinara, Piantarella, Sant'Amanza and the Lavezzi, buoyed channels lead to the beach. They are for entering and leaving only, not for stopping or anchoring; the limit there is 5 knots. Generally in France the limit is 5 knots within 300 metres of the coast.
• Anchoring bans: in parts of Rondinara bay and around some islands anchoring is forbidden, whatever the type of anchor.
• Lavezzi: anchoring only in the marked zones; some areas around the smaller Lavezzi islands have been closed to boats since 2023 to protect seabirds. Landing is allowed only at certain places, and dogs are not allowed on the islands.
• Swimming zones: motor boats, tenders included, may not enter.

The orders are published by the Préfecture maritime de la Méditerranée (link under «Sources»). Your provider gives you the current chart at check-in; if in doubt, what it shows applies.

Between Corsica and Sardinia every westerly or easterly wind is accelerated. In a westerly (ponente or mistral) it can blow hard in the Strait of Bonifacio, while the bays north of Bonifacio and around Porto-Vecchio stay sheltered. In an easterly (levante) it is the other way round. On the west coast the libeccio from the south-west brings swell. A plan for South Corsica therefore always has two versions – and the morning forecast decides.

Porto-Vecchio is the classic base for the south: Rondinara, the Lavezzi, Bonifacio and the Cerbicale are each a day's leg away. Our week-long route idea describes it day by day.

Ajaccio on the west coast suits the Gulf of Valinco with Propriano and Porto Pollo; our four-day idea shows the legs.

For motorboats over 6 hp (4.5 kW) France requires a boat licence (permis plaisance). For sailboats, providers ask for proof of your experience or offer a skipper. Your provider tells you before booking which documents apply to your boat.

June and September combine warm water with room in the bays; in July and August Rondinara and the Lavezzi are very busy during the day. Arriving early in the morning pays off in every season.