Snorkeling at Cala Achiarina

How to reach Cala Achiarina in the Lavezzi Islands?

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). 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 Achiarina is located on the island’s west coast, about 800 meters from the eastern jetty (walking distance: 20 minutes) and 1 500 meters from the western jetty (walking distance: 35 minutes).

Tags will guide you down the paths. Tours boats can sometimes drop customers directly in the bay, next to the beach.

Getting into the water to snorkel Cala Achiarina

We advise to enter the water on the beach’s western side, from the sandy strip in front of the marine cemetery. This way you will quickly reach the natural pool while staying close to the rocky areas (see map).

Cala Achiarina snorkeling tips and recommendations

The best area for snorkeling in Cala Achiarina is in the bay’s west side. It is closed by the beach at one side and rocks at the other one, making it a perfectly sheltered natural pool. Starting from the beach, the sandy seabed steadily lowers until you reach a deeper area (↕2-4m/6-12ft) that ends when meeting a rocky barrier.

Cala Achiarina is the most frequented beach on the Lavezzi islands and fish are accustomed to human presence, making the place a true aquarium. Fish will come to you from your very entrance in the water, perhaps because they are used to be fed.

Over sandy areas, you will mostly spot saddled seabream and mullets, often right underneath the water surface. Most other species prefer the deeper areas, especially where the first rocks are to be seen (about 10-15 meters from the beach).

So many different fish species in such a small area is a rare thing. You will notably encounter schools of common two-banded seabreams, sometimes about thirty fish big; sargo, peacock wrasses, striped red mullets, and painted combers. Gorgeous gilt-head breams, sometimes 50 cm big, so hard to spot elsewhere, come and go over the seabed, and sometimes come to meet snorkelers.

But the most inquisitive of all fish undoubtedly are males Mediterranean rainbow wrasses, who sometimes even come examine snorkelers’ diving masks. The vivid red stripe running along their body makes them easy to identify.

If the sea is calm, those willing to visit further can go explore Neptune seagrass and rocky areas located further from the beach (see map). Depending on the season, jellyfish can sometimes be present in the bay.

If you have enough time, consider combining this spot with a visit to Cala di u Grecu (about 500 meters from Cala Achiarina, close to the eastern jetty), or to Cala della Chiesa (about 1000 meters to the north).

Restaurants & accommodation nearby

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.