A Life Guided by the Sea
Sylvie, Product Manager and avid traveler, imagines our tours as she travels, with the eye of an enthusiast who knows the terrain and knows how to reveal the most beautiful experiences.
Una vita guidata da u mari
In Porto-Vecchio, many people know Christian Vacca. Every day, you'll come across him on the harbor, a smile on his face, ready to set sail. Born here, he grew up to the rhythm of the waves and the boats. His father instilled in him a taste for the open sea, and the sea has never left him since.
Behind his sincerity, good humor, and deeply endearing personality lies an experienced sailor. Trained at a maritime school, he has been sailing for decades between the cliffs of Bonifacio and the Lavezzi Islands. He has an intimate knowledge of this exceptional region, which he generously shares on every outing. For him, the sea is much more than just a backdrop: it is a school of life that has taught him humility, respect, and patience.
A lover of his island and deeply committed to its preservation, Christian uses every excursion to share what is close to his heart: the fragile beauty of the seabed, the essential role of Posidonia seagrass beds, and the importance of protecting this unique environment.
Setting out with him means discovering Southern Corsica through the eyes of a man who has known it all his life. From the cliffs of Bonifacio to the Lavezzi Islands, every trip reveals exceptional landscapes and a deep passion for the sea.
⚓CHRISTIAN, THE SOUL OF THE OPEN SEA
- Were you born here in Corsica? Was the sea already part of your childhood?
Yes, my father gave me a taste for the sea. I learned to swim here with his boat: he threw me in the water and joined me!
- It's often said that the sea builds character. What is the most valuable thing it has taught you?
The sea runs the show. You have to respect it, otherwise it's unforgiving. It's made me think about a lot of things: we're not much on land.
- What's the place that still gives you the shivers?
The cliffs of Bonifacio. When you arrive, you're so small in front of the immensity. The contrast between the colors of the limestone rock in the sea and the sky is breathtaking.
- How did you become a sailor by trade? Was it a decision or a matter of course?
Obvious. It's when you have dreams and want to see what's going on elsewhere. My father was an adventurer too, and always wanted to travel.
- Have you ever been scared at sea?
Yes, and that's how you learn respect.
🏠 TEAM SPIRIT
- Is there an anecdote that illustrates the spirit of your team?
A lady came on the excursion with her two daughters. She was a disabled lady, with both hands and both legs amputated. Some facilities were reluctant to welcome her because of the constraints involved. I said: "We'll take her on an excursion". At Les Lavezzi, I got into the water with her. It was a very emotional moment for me. When we got back, she had tears in her eyes.
🌿 TRANSMIT AND PROTECT
- Is there anything you see at sea today that worries you?
Yes, the change over the years. We're seeing fewer and fewer species. We're seeing fewer dolphins, whereas in April and May we usually see them. There's global warming and new species arriving, like the dolphinfish from the West Indies.
- What concrete steps have you taken on your outings to protect the sea you love?
We present a booklet at the start of the outing on the seabed, posidonia and how to respect them. We also talk about the plastic that can be found at sea: it's a danger for dolphins and turtles, who mistake it for jellyfish and die when they swallow it. And the micro-plastic that you can't see... We swallow the equivalent of one credit card a year per person. So, with the whole team, we collect and clean up the wild beaches.
🛥️ WHAT MAKES EACH OUTING UNIQUE
- If I come on board with you instead of somewhere else, what will I experience?
On our excursions, we stay true to who we are. We welcome visitors with sincerity and friendliness, just like our island. A great outing is above all one where customers leave with a smile on their face. When I see them happy on their return, I simply say to myself that I've done my job.
- What would you recommend to someone who has never been on a boat before and is afraid?
We've already done this with people who are scared. I told them: "If you get seasick, I'll pay you back", because our boat is very stable. We also lend out masks and snorkels for snorkeling in the Lavezzi, with waterproof tags to recognize the species.
✨ THE FINAL WORD
- If you had to give one last piece of advice to someone who's hesitating to book or wants to discover the sea?
Give it a try! Here, it's one of the most beautiful places in the world. As anyone who has traveled will tell you: if you don't, you're missing out. Respect the sea, because it always repays you. When you've spent your life on the water, I speak of the sea as I would of a woman: it's my greatest passion and I could never do without it.