Travels Diary

From South to North, rediscover a different side to Corsica

24 May 2022 | | Reading time 5 minutes

Produced in association with Click&Boat 

Corsica, the Mediterranean‘s diamond in the rough, is one of the top destinations for French boaters every year. Its combined land and sea features delight sailors with an irrepressible desire to enjoy exceptional anchorages, local discoveries and all kinds of sporting activities. You surely have your own image of the Isle of Beauty in mind. Take the time to discover or rediscover it, in total serenity.

An absolute jewel

You really can experience a complete change of scenery without having to travel thousands of miles. Corsica is living proof. Whether it’s wild coasts, isolated creeks, mountains, tiki huts or markets offering Corsica’s unmissable brocciu cheese… The perfect climate throughout the year will put the wind in the sails of your cruising project.

Departing from Ajaccio, step aboard for 5 wonderful days

Day 1: Ajaccio – The Sanguinaire Islands

A living museum in honor of Napoleon Bonaparte. We invite you to board your sailboat or catamaran in Ajaccio for a week away from the crowds. For your first stop, head for the Sanguinaires Islands, an archipelago of 4 rocky islands of magmatic origin. The perfect spot to view a glorious sunset.

 

Day 2: The Sanguinaire Islands – Tiuccia

Nicknamed the “Route nautique des merveilles”(the nautical route of wonders), this is a must-do trip. When you arrive in Tiuccia, a seaside resort found at the foot of the Capraja rock, don’t forget to catch your breath, taken by the splendor of the place.

 

Day 3: Tiuccia – Cargèse

Set a course for the picturesque village of Cargèse and enjoy a stopover that is both a historical one and a gourmet one. With an outstanding reputation, the tasty and authentic Corsican gastronomy will delight your taste buds, answering this typical expectation while on vacation: travel with flavors.

 

Day 4: Cargèse – Piana

Head offshore, bound for the magnificent creeks of Piana! This natural paradise with hidden treasures is where you can drop anchor and swim at the foot of pink granite cliffs. You’ll feel very small beneath these beautiful rocks that plunge directly into the translucent water.

 

Day 5: Piana – Scandola

A day for discovering Scandola nature reserve, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Be careful, the anchorages are regulated. You’ll come across lots of tourist boats, so make sure you get there early.

 

How about carrying on and heading up to the north of the island?

The pleasure of getting away from the crowd

Less popular with boaters, northern Corsica has no need to envy to its southern counterpart. Whether it’s the waves breaking to the rhythm of the wind, or ashore where you can breathe in the air of the maquis scrubland, there’s a great selection of pristine anchorages and fabulous sites to visit. Calvi, Ile Rousse, the Agriates desert, Saint-Florent and Cap Corse: so many spots less frequented than those of southern Corsica await you.

Authenticity, the key word

With its own identity so much in evidence with the locals, either at Centuri, Campomoro or Cargèse, our expert Pierre-Antoine, a native of the Isle of Beauty, invites you to dive into the well-preserved Corsican identity.

Starting with a “Bonghjournu” (Bonjour/Good morning) before letting the local traditions and the bewitching songs carry you away, musicians will bring your moment of relaxation to life. You will learn the history behind the origin of the Corsican flag by taking the time to chat with Corsican locals, always keen to tell their fascinating story.

 

The island with every kind of sport

For serious sports fans who aren’t here to put their feet up. Horseback riding in the scrubland or by the sea, climbing, kitesurfing, canyoning, scuba diving in the Lavezzi islands, and hiking are among the examples of adrenaline-filled activities you plan on your trip.

You can follow the GR20 trail to cross Corsica on foot through 200 kilometers of mountains. It is considered one of the most demanding trails in Europe. So take the time to learn about all the conditions and choose the stages that might suit you best.

 

Click&Boat, Boat charter in Corsica, your reference in Corsica
Number of boats available: >1000
Departure ports: Ajaccio – Tino Rossi, Bastia – Toga, Bonifacio, Calvi, Cargèse, Girolata, Ile Rousse, Macinaggio, Porto-Les Marines, Porto Pollo (Serra di Ferro), Porto-Vecchio, Propriano, Saint-Florent, Sant Ambroggio, Solenzara, Taverna, Tizzano and the old port in Bastia.
A dedicated consultant, native to the island: Pierre-Antoine (contact details P XX)
Best sailing period: early May through late October, the ideal destination to enjoy an Indian summer
Five different anchorages, five different ambiances: Girolata (a must between Scandola and Piana), Roccapina (a ridge in the shape of a lion – with an air of the Caribbean), Rondinara (the Pacific version of Corsica), Centuri and Campomoro, two traditional fishing ports.