South Corsica tour: sail between islands and calanques
Take advantage of your trip to Corsica to set sail for the most beautiful iodized treasures of the island of beauty. Embark on our Corsica touron the deck of a hybrid boat. The Lavezzi Islands, the Sanguinaires Archipelago, the Calanques de Piana and the Scandola Nature Reserve invite you to plunge into their intimacy.
Corsicatours offers tailor-made experiences for your boat trip from island to calanques in southern Corsica. Climb aboard from Bonifacio, Porto or Ajaccio - departure is imminent!
1. The irresistible Lavezzi Islands
Depart for the first stop on this tour of Southern Corsica! Your boat will take you off Bonifacio to this uninhabited, unspoilt archipelago.
A 30-minute boat ride from the port of Bonifacio will take you to the heart of this lunar landscape. Embark at dawn for the privilege of being as if alone in the world on the fine sands of Lavezzu Island.
Clear waters and granite rocks mingle in a rugged landscape, ideal for scuba diving and hiking. From the ruins of Santa Maria chapel to the Neolithic rocks, explore every nook and cranny of this wild island, step by step, with a Scopoli shearwater or Audoin's gull as your travelling companion.
Before leaving and returning to Bonifacio, treat yourself to a moment of relaxation on the white sands of Cala di Chiesa, a rock-lined beach.
Our tips for your boat trip
The shuttle departs from Bonifacio harbor every hour, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. A day trip from Bonifacio is also possible.
You can also take a day trip from Porto-Vecchio or take a cruise from Ajaccio.
2. The indomitable Sanguinaires archipelago
Off the coast of Ajaccio, these 4 islands emerge from the Mediterranean, inviting travelers to contemplate the dance of a Yellow-legged Gull.
Departing from Ajaccio, your La Nave boat will dock on the Grande Sanguinaire, facing the steep black rocks of the coastline. The magic happens at the top of the lighthouse, with a breathtaking view of the Gulf of Ajaccio, and in the distance, the Corsican tip of La Parata.
Immediately, the ruins of the lazaret immerse you in the history of the Corsican archipelago. Built in the early 19th century, it welcomed coral fishermen returning from Africa throughout their quarantine. Imagine the gondolas of coral fishermen mounted on holds in the middle of a landscape as hostile as it is heavenly, just outside Ajaccio.
Among our organized toursthe South Corsica tour is undoubtedly one of the most iodized. Spend the night facing the Sanguinaires, in the discreet charm of the Hôtel Dolce Vita. The chef will delight your taste buds with a lunch of southern flavors. The next day, take a break on the beach before heading north to Ajaccio!
3. The flamboyant Calanques de Piana
"The Calanques de Piana are one of the wonders of Corsica; one could say, I believe, one of the wonders of the world". Guy de Maupassant's words still resonate when you cross this natural jewel in the Gulf of Porto.
A UNESCO World Heritage site halfway between Calvi and Ajaccio, the Calanches de Piana offer a striking contrast between turquoise water, lush vegetation and blazing rock. One cove follows another in the heart of this jagged setting, made up of granite rocks carved by the wind to form natural taffoni ("holes" in Corsican).
A wild beauty in its raw state, to be discovered both from the boat and underwater. There's nothing like diving to awaken the senses by penetrating the silence of the underwater world, as close as possible to Corsican nature.
Those with a more earthy disposition can enjoy a stopover between Piana and Porto on the South Corsica motorcycle touror opt for a beauty island tour by car. Along the way, take a tour of Corsica's beaches, stop off in a village or set off on a hiking trail!
From Porto to the calanques in harmony with the environment
Departing from the town of Porto, you'll reach this natural paradise aboard a hybrid boat, which is less polluting and respects the environment.
The seabed is fragile and it's essential to preserve this precious natural environment, just a stone's throw from Porto.
4. the precious Scandola Nature Reserve
For the final stop on this tour of Southern Corsica, set course for one of the wonders of the Mediterranean: the Scandola Reserve. Departing from Porto, enter this protected marine area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If geology is one of your favorite pastimes, you'll be delighted by this Corsican stopover. The reserve includes an ancient volcano whose eruptions have formed granite cliffs of incomparable beauty. The dazzling blue waters are a delight for swimmers.
Located to the north of the Gulf of Porto, the site is home to an exceptional biodiversity that it is essential to preserve. Sharpen your sense of observation by contemplating every detail of the caves carved into the volcanic rocks of the Corsican reserve before you leave.
As your tour of southern Corsica draws to a close, it's time to head north to the town of Calvi. The Hotel Revellata will brighten your night before you rub shoulders the secret soul of northern Corsicain Bastia for the rest of your stay.
