Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
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Last updated on May 3, 2021
Located on the main island’s east coast, Cala di u Grecu is one of the three best snorkel spots on the Lavezzi Islands, a small archipelago located about ten kilometers southwest of Bonifacio. The area has been included in a marine preserve for about 40 years: no surprise the islands now boast the most pristine waterscapes and thriving sea life in Corsica. This spot is the closest to the eastern jetty. It encompasses two small, generally sheltered bays.
The easiest (and cheapest) way to get to the Lavezzi Islands is to take the maritime shuttle leaving from Bonifacio harbor (round trip: 37€/adult, 2021). Departure times are flexible (several round trips per day, expect even more boats during summer) and you will be free to explore the islands the way you like. The crossing to the islands is direct and takes about 30 minutes, but the return trip takes one hour, as the boat makes several stops at touristic points of view (Cavallo Island, Bonifacio cliffs…).
Many operators also offer cruises to the islands from Bonifacio and Porto Vecchio. They include a meal onboard, stops to bathe in the sea and even sometimes an aperitif drink at sunset (prices from 60€/adult for a day). Finally, you can rent a boat, or drive your own boat, to the islands.
Once on the island, walking is the only means of transportation. A few paths lead to the beaches and creeks. Cala di u Grecu is located on the island’s east side, about 100 meters from the eastern jetty (walking distance: 5 minutes) and 500 meters from the western jetty (walking distance: 15 minutes). Tags will guide you down the paths.
We advise you to enter the water from one of the small beaches inside the creek (see map).
The exploration area encompasses two small rocky bays, the larger one being about 150 meters wide. Do not swim out of the bays: the maritime shuttle route to the eastern jetty is right outside.
Underwater life especially thrives on the rocky areas rimming the small bays (↕0,5-2m/2-6ft). The rocks are covered with seaweed that shelters many fish species such as blennies, rainbow wrasse, ornate wrasse and brown wrasse.
If lucky, you might also spot a red starfish. Close to the shoreline, fry from various species sometimes gathers in groups of hundreds. At the center of the bay, water is much deeper (↕2-6m/6-20ft) and the seabed is covered with Posidonia meadows.
This place is ideal to try to spot a school of salema porgy with their horizontal grey and yellow stripes, or gilt-head bream, a fish that is uncommon outside of protected areas. Water is crystal-clear most of the time on this spot, and it is particularly calm, but jellyfish can come here at certain times of the year.
If you have enough time, consider combining this spot with a visit to Cala Achiarina’s natural pool (located 500 meters to the west) or to Cala della Chiesa’s rocky maze (located 500 meters to the north).
The Lavezzi Islands are included in a nature preserve, where you won’t find any drinking water or food. Most visitors bring their lunch and have a picnic (bring your waste back with you as there are no garbage bins). Bring a lot of water: the island is barren, and shade is rare. Beach umbrella day rental is possible at the maritime shuttle counter in Bonifacio.
This reference identification guide includes all the 860 marine fish species that may be encountered while snorkeling in coastal Western Europe and the Mediterranean.
These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
