The island of Cavallo is a private island in the Strait of Bonifacio whose name is rarely spoken above a whisper in charter circles. It sits between the Lavezzi marine reserve to the north-west and the Maddalena archipelago to the south-east, in a position that makes it the quietest and most discreet anchorage in the whole strait. Access is by tender from an anchorage off the southern coast; the island has no public facilities and no regular ferry service, which keeps the visitor count low even in August.
Motor yachts chartering in the Bonifacio Strait naturally include Cavallo in any itinerary that combines the best of southern Corsica and northern Sardinia. The anchorages off the island’s south and east coasts are sheltered from the summer Maestrale, the water is a clear aquamarine over granite and white sand, and the island’s single village of private residences ensures a level of quiet that the marinas of Porto Cervo and Porto Vecchio cannot match.
Weekly charter rates for motor yachts working this area range from around 50,000 euros for a 35-metre vessel to 400,000 euros for a large 65-metre superyacht. The advance provisioning allowance, around 30 percent, covers fuel for daily passages between Corsica and Sardinia, food, and berthing fees at Bonifacio when the yacht returns to port. High season runs July and August.
Cruising between France and Italy in this area requires the appropriate documentation. A cruising permit for Italian territorial waters is typically arranged by the broker before the charter begins.
