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Corsica by sailboat and catamaran

Guide to the most beautiful destinations, coasts and islets of Corsica

Bonifacio, Lavezzi and Calvi and the Girolata are just some of the best destinations for a sailing or catamaran vacation in Corsica

Corsica allows you to choose from many different itineraries depending on your starting point. You may decide to embark on a crossing from the island of Capraia, arriving at the northernmost point of the "finger" and then circumnavigating it to visit Saint Florent and the azure bays facing the Agriates desert. Or travel the east coast, with its steep cliffs creating a myriad of different bays and ravines where you can pause in peace and engage in snorkeling. Finally, you can opt for the more popular tour of southern Corsica, with characteristic Bonifacio and the beautiful Lavezzi Islands. In short, whatever your port of departure, you will find a piece of paradise nearby waiting for you. 

The best time of year

The best time for a sailing vacation in Corsica is from April, when the warm weather arrives and the sea starts to warm up, until October, when temperatures are still pleasant and the beaches truly deserted. In the middle months of summer you will find warm, sunny days that allow for serene and enjoyable sailing. The wind often picks up throughout the year, especially if you pass through the Straits of Bonifacio.

Travel Ideas

Travel Ideas

Embarking on a sailing vacation in Corsica means having fun sailing from one cove to another in search of the most beautiful bay where you can spend the night at the anchor and wake up the next day to a barren but spectacular landscape. True lovers of the sea and its biodiversity will be fascinated by the richness of the waters surrounding this island and can enjoy snorkeling in some of the most unexplored French bays. Even during the peak season months, Corsica offers spaces of absolute quiet.

Sustainable tourism

Sustainable tourism

Corsica is dotted with unspoiled territories and havens of biodiversity, many of them accessible only by sea. The entire island lies at the center of the marine protected area of the Pelagos Sanctuary, the cetacean sanctuary. During a sailing cruise in Corsica it will be really easy to spot dolphins and minke whales. In addition, from north to south you will find wild and wonderful looking parks and nature reserves, such as the Agriates Desert, the Scandola Nature Reserve, and the Bocche di Bonifacio Nature Reserve.

Perfect for

Perfect for

If you are looking for an adventurous vacation in wild vistas and away from destinations taken by storm by the masses of tourists, then Corsica is for you. Whichever itinerary you choose, once you arrive in Corsica you will be blown by the wind into secluded bays and along pristine coastlines. Snorkelers will also find a paradise for diving and sightings. To experience unforgettable sensations reach the island by sailing for hours on the open sea starting from nearby Capraia!

First time on a boat

First time on a boat

In mistral conditions, the wind can be strong but the forecast indicates this well in advance. When it is not blowing, however, conditions are optimal for smooth sailing. The east coast, on the other hand, is always very sheltered. For those who are less experienced, the advice is to set off from the Maddalena Archipelago and only make a small detour to Corsica. Sometimes nights at anchor are a necessity given the absence of numerous ports and marinas in some places but an experienced skipper will know the perfect bay in which to stop.

The best itineraries for visiting Corsica by sailboat

North: Bastia to Calvi

North: Bastia to Calvi

Having arrived in Bastia by ferry, or after a crossing from Capraia, you will be ready to sail up the Cap Corse stopping at its main bays, such as Plage des Iles or Plage de Barcaggio where, in all likelihood, you will spot a few cows intent on strolling along the shoreline. After circumnavigating the "finger" you will arrive in Saint Florent, for a refueling stop in its colorful and lively marina and perhaps even a tour of the citadel from which to enjoy the view of the entire gulf thanks to its elevated position. Depart again for the Agriates Desert with mandatory dives in front of Plage du Lotu and Plage de Saleccia, two Caribbean bays accessible only by sea. You can also ask to pass by the Cabane du Lodu, a corner of paradise where you can spend an evening to the rhythm of music and aperitifs. A stop in the roadstead at Plage de l'Ostriconi and then you will reach Calvi, where you can stroll among small restaurants and small stores until you reach the famous citadel positioned high on the limestone promontory.

West: from Calvi to Ajaccio

West: from Calvi to Ajaccio

Corsica's west coast is certainly very windy, but also full of coves and gulfs where you can find natural shelter and where you can stop and dream in front of truly breathtaking views. One of these is the Scandola Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and accessible only by sea... but only in part to preserve its biodiversity! Here the red cliffs have been shaped by wind and water over millennia, forming an endless series of caves: a perfect environment for the many species that inhabit it above and below sea level, such as groupers, moray eels, dolphins, red coral, but also ospreys and cormorants. Continuing south, there are alternating rocky points and small gulfs where you can drop anchor and enjoy the scent of the Mediterranean maquis. Along the way it is possible to stop in a pristine roadstead devoid of tourists even in August, and if you can't do without a cultural tour you can always go down to Ajaccio, Napoleon's hometown.

South: from Bonifacio to Porto-Vecchio

South: from Bonifacio to Porto-Vecchio

Visiting Bonifacio is a must if you are in southern Corsica. The old town is perched on a narrow peninsula made of limestone cliffs overlooking the sea and retains its medieval walls within which you will find a maze of narrow streets and winding alleys that open into small squares with cafés and brasseries full of people. But to get to this rocky paradise, you'll have to pass through the Bocche di Bonifacio Nature Reserve, the strait that separates Corsica from northern Sardinia, famous for its currents and winds that make it a short but exciting stretch of sailing. However, the Straits also offer numerous shelters in heavenly bays, such as those of the Lavezzi Islands. If the mistral shows no sign of abating, on the east coast you will find the Gulf of Sant'Amanza and the famous Rondinara Bay: sheltered from almost all winds, they have transparent waters and fine sandy bottoms. Leave Porto-Vecchio at the end: you will find a welcoming harbor and a colorful citadel to discover.

Corsica: islands and beaches with crystal clear waters

Bonifacio by seaBeach of Lavezzi
Group of friends in Lavezzi
Inland in Corsica

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9 reasons to visit Corsica by sailboat

  1. 1

    Italy and France Together

    To visit the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean, French-speaking but with a strong Italian culture.

  2. 2

    Sailing among bays that take your breath away

    To experience fun and exhilarating sailing among coves deserted even in summer and paradise islands.

  3. 3

    History and culture

    To learn about Napoleon's homeland and visit places related to his childhood in the city of Ajaccio.

  4. 4

    Nature Reserves

    To dive into the crystal clear waters of the Mouths of Bonifacio Nature Reserve and snorkel among many different marine species.

  5. 5

    Natural parks

    To visit Scandola National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which with its jagged red cliffs and caves is accessible only by sea.

  6. 6

    Food and Wine Course

    To taste the many local products and enjoy pleasant walks among the colorful villages of the coast.

  7. 7

    Unparalleled beaches

    To visit the paradisiacal beaches accessible only by sea in the Agriates Desert, an entire region of completely uninhabited and wild Mediterranean scrub.

  8. 8

    Corsican wine

    To enjoy a glass of good Corsican rosé while sitting comfortably in the cockpit in front of a sunset.

  9. 9

    Marine Fauna

    To go in search of the many marine species that inhabit the seas of Corsica, which is fully included in the Pelagos Sanctuary.

Practical Info

Geography

Corsica is the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean and stretches vertically from Cape Corso, "the finger of Corsica" in the north, to Cape Pertusato in the south, counting more than 1,000 km of coastline. It has a predominantly mountainous terrain with its peaks already visible from the Tuscan coast in good weather.

 Getting there

There are numerous ferries from Italy and France, especially during the summer. Flights are available to arrive in Bastia, Calvi and Ajaccio. 

Climate

The climate is typically Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and little chance of rain, perfect for sailing. Rainfall is concentrated in autumn and winter, especially in November.

Winds

Corsica is buffeted by a number of winds that can reach strong intensities. The main ones are the mistral from the northwest, the libeccio from the southwest, and the sirocco from the southeast.

Ports and marinas

There are not many ports, but there are plenty of bays and inlets where to drop anchor in case of wind or wave. An experienced skipper will know how best to arrange the itinerary between days at anchor and evenings in port, such as those in Bonifacio, Calvi, Saint Florent or Bastia.

What to eat

Corsica offers many typical sea and land dishes and products that you should definitely try before you leave. For example, Aziminu, a fish soup with lobster and seafood, Civet de Sanglier, wild boar casserole served with vegetables and herbs, as well as many cheeses and cold cuts accompanied by local wines.

Costs

Unlike neighboring Sardinia, Corsica is still little visited by tourists, so visiting it is truly affordable. A week-long sailing itinerary can cost from 700 to 1,000 euros depending on the time of year and services on board.

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