The Lavezzi Islands are off the south east coast of Corsica in the straits separating it from Sardinia. There are numerous small rocky outcrops but two main islands, Lavezzi and Cavallo. We looked in to the most popular bay on Lavazzi and it was the closest packed place we have seen all year with big tripper boats muscling their way between the small craft and rocks close by – no thanks.

We went ‘next door’ into Cala di Ghiuncu and this was more normal, busy and tripper boats around but enough space that you wouldn’t feel threatened all the time. We dropped anchor and had a mostly peaceful afternoon despite the tripper ferries. Around 15.00 another British flagged boat with a ‘Cruising Association ‘burgee came and anchored next to us. We were invited on board ‘Start Again’ by Ray and Judy for a cup of tea and chatted for a couple of hours. They came to see Splice that evening and dinner was delayed until well past 20.30 as we drank wine/beer and chatted.

Despite being well sheltered from the easterly wind in the Cala we found it was subject to regular large swells coming in from the south, probably large ships passing in the Straits. Whilst not dangerous it was annoying and so when ‘Start Again’ suggested a visit to Porto Pozzo and eating in the very good restaurant we had heard about and they knew, we were happy to move on. A nice anchorage and worth a nights rolling for the rock formations and crystal clear water.


Photo: Cala di Ghiuncu beach with Fizz ashore and the anchorage behind