A Life Guided by the Sea - Profile of Christian Vacca
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.
A Life Guided by the Sea
In Porto-Vecchio, many people know Christian Vacca. Every day, you’ll see him at 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 passed on his love of the open sea to him, and ever since, the sea has never left him.
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 a part of your childhood?
Yes, my father instilled in me a love for the sea. I learned to swim here on his boat: he threw me into the water and swam back to me!
• People often say that the sea builds character. What’s the most valuable lesson it’s taught you?
The sea calls the shots. You have to respect it; otherwise, it won’t forgive you. It’s made me reflect on a lot of things: we’re not much of anything on this earth.
• What’s the one place that still gives you goosebumps?
The cliffs of Bonifacio. When you get there, you feel so small in the face of such vastness. The contrast between the colors of the limestone cliffs, the sea, and the sky is striking.
• How does one become a professional sailor? Was it a decision or just the natural thing to do?
It just felt natural. It’s when you have dreams and a desire to see what’s happening elsewhere. My father was an adventurer, too—he always wanted to travel.
• Have you ever been afraid out at sea?
Yes, and that’s how you learn respect.
🏠 TEAM SPIRIT
• Is there an anecdote that really captures the spirit of your team?
A woman came on an excursion with her two daughters. She was a woman with a disability—amputated from both hands and both legs. Some tour operators were hesitant to accommodate her because of the challenges it posed. I said, “We’re going to take her on the excursion.” At the Lavezzi Islands, I went into the water with her. It was a deeply moving experience for me. On the way back, she had tears in her eyes.
🌿 PASSING ON AND PROTECTING
• Is there anything you see at sea today that worries you?
Yes, the changes 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 are arriving, like the dolphinfish from the Caribbean.
• What concrete steps have you taken on your trips to protect this ocean you love?
At the start of each trip, we hand out a brochure about the seafloor, Posidonia seagrass, and how to respect the environment. We also talk about the plastic that can be found in the ocean: it’s a danger to dolphins and sea turtles, who mistake it for jellyfish and die after swallowing it. And then there’s microplastic, which you can’t see… It’s important to know that each person swallows the equivalent of a credit card per year. So, the whole team works together to pick up trash and clean up wild beaches.
🛥️ WHAT MAKES EACH TRIP UNIQUE
• If I board the boat at your location rather than somewhere else, what extra experience will I have?
On our excursions, we stay true to who we are. We welcome visitors with sincerity and warmth, just like our island. A great trip is, above all, one where guests leave with a smile. When I see them happy on the way back, I simply tell myself that I’ve done my job.
• What would you recommend to someone who’s never been on a boat in their life and is afraid?
We’ve had this happen before with nervous passengers. I told them, “If you get seasick, I’ll give you a refund!” because our boat is very stable. We also lend out masks and snorkels for snorkeling at the Lavezzi Islands, along with waterproof identification cards to help identify the different species.
✨ FINAL THOUGHTS
• If you had to give one last piece of advice to someone who’s hesitating to book or who wants to explore the sea?
Give it a try! This is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Anyone who’s traveled will tell you: not doing this means missing out on something special.
Respect the sea, because it always returns that respect. Having spent my life on the water, I speak of the sea as I speak of a woman: it’s my greatest passion, and I could never do without it.