From Porticcio: Speedboat Tour to Cupabia Beach with Stops

The best part of this outing is the mix of speed and stillness. You race across the southern shore of Ajaccio in a small RIB, then stop at quiet coves for warm-water swims. Plage d’Argent and Cupabia Beach provide the big postcard moments, while the captain’s charcuterie, cheese, and rosé turn the ride into a long seaside aperitif.

I like the small group of 12 and the chance to see several beaches in one half-day. I also like that the food is local and simple rather than a formal meal. The main drawback is the boat itself: a rigid inflatable boat can be bumpy, exposed, and unsuitable for anyone with serious back, heart, mobility, or other health concerns.

Key points to know before you book

• Four swim breaks: Pack swimwear and a towel because the water stops are central to the trip, not an afterthought.
• Several famous Corsican coves: The route includes Sette Nave, Isula Piana, Cacao, Cupabia, Cala d’Orzu, and Plage d’Argent.
• A captain-prepared aperitif: Expect cold meats, cheese, and rosé, but not a full lunch.
• Chez Francis is extra: You have free time at the famous hut in Cala d’Orzu, but drinks there cost more.
• French-speaking tour: The live guide language is French, and the group is limited to 12 people.
• Strong transport rating: The boat receives a 93 percent perfect score for transport, while the overall activity rating is 4 out of 5 from 51 ratings.

A fast ride along Corsica’s southern shore

This trip is built around contrast. The RIB gives you speed, wind, and open-water views, while the stops slow the day down to swimming, sunbathing, and eating aboard. That rhythm works well in Corsica, where the pleasure often comes from moving between small coastal spots rather than settling at one beach all day.

You leave from the Porticcio area and head toward the southern shore of Ajaccio. The exact meeting point can change with the option you book, so check your confirmation carefully. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, which means you need to arrange your own way to the departure point.

The boat carries no more than 12 people. That matters. You are not dealing with a large sightseeing vessel, a loud onboard crowd, or long lines to get in and out of the water. The small size also lets the captain make the ride feel more personal, though it leaves less room to stretch out.

The ride is not just a transfer between beaches. The captain takes the boat at high speed between stops, with sharp turns and open stretches that create a real sense of motion. If you want a calm cruise with a wide, stable deck, this is not that experience. If you like a little spray and quick movement, the RIB is part of the appeal.

Sette Nave, Isula Piana, and the cove of Cacao

The first part of the route brings you toward Sette Nave, Isula Piana, and the cove of Cacao. These places set the tone for the day: clear water, rocky edges, and small coastal scenes best viewed from sea level.

You can expect the captain to point out the main sights while the boat moves along the coast. The listed guiding language is French, so basic French will help you get the most from explanations. The experience is still largely visual and physical, however. You are here to see the shore, feel the speed, and get into the water.

The early stops are useful because they give you time to settle into the boat. You can take photos during the ride, then put the camera away for a swim. Four swimming breaks are planned across the outing, so you should not treat this as a sightseeing cruise where swimming is optional.

The water is described as warm and turquoise, but conditions can change with the day. Bring sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel. There is no reason to pack as if this were a beach day with a full picnic, since the food provided is an aperitif rather than lunch.

Why the swim stops matter

A boat tour can easily become a string of pretty views seen from a seat. This one gives you repeated chances to get off the boat’s edge and into the sea. That makes the route more active and breaks up the ride, especially during the longer 270 to 390-minute schedule.

The stops also let you compare different parts of the coast. One cove may feel enclosed and quiet, while a beach such as Cupabia opens into a broad sweep of pale sand and clear water. Plage d’Argent provides the final swimming stop, a fitting place to finish after a day of moving between bays.

You should be comfortable climbing in and out of the RIB. The boat is not suitable for wheelchair users, and children under six are not permitted. Pregnant women cannot take part, and the operator asks you to declare any disability, known medical issue, physical limitation, back problem, reduced mobility, severe disability, or heart condition when booking.

That rule is worth taking seriously. A fast inflatable boat has a firm, active ride, and the captain can refuse boarding if a relevant condition was not declared. No refund is provided in that situation.

Cupabia Beach and the long middle of the day

Cala di Cupabia is one of the main goals of the trip. Cupabia Beach is known here for fine sand and turquoise water, and the stop gives you time to enjoy the setting rather than simply photograph it from the boat.

The beach is also a good example of why this outing can offer more than a standard beach visit. You get the approach from the sea, the changing views along the coast, and the chance to swim before or after reaching the sand. The tradeoff is that your time is divided among several places. If your only goal is to spend a full day lying on Cupabia Beach, a direct beach outing may suit you better.

The listed duration can stretch from four and a half hours to six and a half hours. That is a wide range. Check the departure option and available start time before booking, since the longer version gives the day a more leisurely pace while the shorter version may feel more compact.

The tour is best viewed as a substantial half-day or almost full afternoon on the water. It is not a quick two-hour sightseeing trip. Plan around it rather than trying to squeeze in another fixed activity immediately afterward.

Cala d’Orzu and Chez Francis

The route continues to Cala d’Orzu, where you have free time at Chez Francis, a well-known hut by the water. A stop here adds a human, social pause to a day otherwise focused on swimming and scenery.

Drinks at Chez Francis are not included. That is easy to miss when comparing the overall price, so bring a payment method and expect to pay separately if you want something from the hut. Lunch is also not included. The captain prepares cold meats, cheese, and rosé, but that is an aperitif plate, not a full midday meal.

I see this as a pleasant optional break rather than the main reason to book. You can enjoy a drink in a famous coastal setting, then return to the boat and continue swimming. If you are watching your budget, skip the extra purchase and treat the included tasting as your food stop.

The timing of this pause will depend on the day’s route and conditions. The experience is designed to feel flexible, and the captain may adjust the flow around swimming and stops. That flexibility is useful, but it also means the schedule may not feel as exact as a coach tour.

The captain’s charcuterie, cheese, and rosé

The food service is one of the most appealing touches. Back on the boat, the captain prepares a tasting of locally sourced charcuterie, cheese, and rosé wine. It gives you a chance to sit, snack, and look back at the coast without rushing to the next attraction.

The meal works best as an aperitif. You should eat before departure if you need a substantial lunch, especially if you are joining the longer option. The supplied food is ideal for sharing and for taking the edge off hunger, but it should not be treated as a full restaurant meal.

The sunset setting adds to the appeal when the timing lines up with the evening light. The final part of the outing includes local meats and cheese with wine while you watch the sun lower over the water. That combination gives the experience a distinctly Corsican feel: sea, simple food, and time spent outdoors.

Recent departures have been led by captains including Baptiste and Bebel. Their role matters more than a standard guide’s commentary because the captain controls the boat, the pace, and the atmosphere. Bebel is noted for attentive, careful service, while Baptiste is associated with excellent swimming spots and a strong food setup. Captain assignments can change, so do not book on the assumption that one particular person is guaranteed.

Plage d’Argent makes a strong final stop

The last stop is Plage d’Argent, a famous beach used for one final swim. Ending with water time is a smart choice. After the longer ride and the visit to Cala d’Orzu, you get another chance to cool off before the speedboat heads back.

The name refers to the beach’s silvery appearance, and the attraction here is straightforward: sand, clear water, and a memorable final setting. You may want to save some energy for this stop instead of treating the first swim as the main event.

This is also the point where the tour feels most like a complete coastal circuit. You have seen coves, beaches, open water, and a famous hut, rather than repeating the same type of stop. The return ride brings back the speed that defines the outing from the beginning.

Bring a dry layer if you dislike sitting in a wet swimsuit during the ride home. The required packing list is short, but a towel and sunscreen are essential. The boat offers exposure to sun and spray, and you should plan accordingly.

Is the $88 price good value?

At $88 per person, the cost is reasonable if you would otherwise pay for several separate coastal activities. The price includes the speedboat ride, a local guide, access to the southern Ajaccio shore, four swim breaks, and the charcuterie, cheese, and rosé tasting.

You are paying for more than a ride to one beach. The route covers several named coastal spots, and the small group keeps the outing from feeling like mass transport. The 93 percent perfect score for transport also supports the idea that the boat itself is a major part of the value.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink wine, do not want to swim, or prefer a slow beach day. You will also need to cover your own transport to the meeting point, any drink at Chez Francis, and lunch if the included plate is not enough.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make it easier to fit into a changing Corsica schedule. Still, check the meeting point and duration for your selected option before you commit.

Who should book this Porticcio boat trip?

I would choose this for couples, friends, and families with children aged six and older who want an active day on the water. It also suits anyone who wants a social food stop rather than a formal meal, and anyone who likes seeing several coves in one outing.

The trip can work well for children, but the RIB is not a soft, quiet ride. Younger children must be at least six, and everyone should be ready for sun, spray, quick turns, and climbing in and out for swims.

I would be more cautious if you have back trouble, limited mobility, a serious health condition, or you are pregnant. The operator’s restrictions are firm, not a minor footnote. Declare health conditions when booking and do not assume the captain can make exceptions.

The French-only guiding is another practical point. You can still enjoy the views and swimming with limited French, but the commentary and instructions will be in French. If precise spoken guidance in English is important to you, confirm the language before booking.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a fast, social, swim-heavy day along southern Corsica, with several coves, a stop at Cupabia, and local snacks served from the boat. The small group, four water stops, and included rosé make the $88 fare fair for an active half-day.

Skip it if you want a quiet cruise, a full lunch, a wheelchair-accessible boat, or several uninterrupted hours on one beach. For the right person, the strongest memory will likely be the simple combination of warm water, a quick ride, and charcuterie at sea as the light fades.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The experience departs from the Porticcio area, but the exact meeting point may vary according to the option booked. Check the booking details before setting out.

How long does the boat tour last?

The listed duration ranges from 270 to 390 minutes, or about four and a half to six and a half hours. Check availability for the start time and selected option.

How many people are on the boat?

The small group is limited to 12 participants.

What places does the route visit?

The route includes Sette Nave, Isula Piana, the cove of Cacao, Cala di Cupabia, Cala d’Orzu, Chez Francis, and Plage d’Argent.

How many swimming stops are included?

The experience includes four swim breaks at scenic coastal locations.

Is food included?

Aperitif food is included in the form of locally sourced cold meats and cheese, along with rosé wine. Lunch is not included.

Are drinks at Chez Francis included?

No. You have free time at Chez Francis, but drinks there cost extra.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Is the tour offered in English?

The listed live tour guide language is French.

Can pregnant women or wheelchair users join?

Pregnant women and wheelchair users are not permitted on the RIB. Children under six are also not allowed, and passengers with relevant health conditions must declare them at booking.