Corsica: 15 Boat Days and Coast Runs

1.Ajaccio & Sanguinaires Gulf Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,931 reviews · 3 hours · from $42Our pick

Take a three-hour French-language boat tour from Ajaccio or Porticcio along Ajaccio’s northern shore and the Sanguinaires Islands. You’ll see the Citadel, Parata Tower, and Mezu Mare, then have one hour to swim or walk to the lighthouse, semaphore, and Lazaretto ruins. Bring water shoes and beachwear.

“It didn’t happen. The excursion started with a ferry to the tour boat. The tour boat left before we arrived”

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2.Scandola Nature Reserve Guided Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,375 reviews · 1 day · from $82

Set out from Ajaccio or Porticcio with a French-speaking guide for a full day along Corsica’s wild western coast. You’ll cruise through Scandola, stop for two hours in sea-access-only Girolata, then see the Gulf of Porto, Calanche de Piana, caves, arches, and Capo Rosso. Bring lunch, swimwear, a hat, and a change of clothes.

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3.Sea trips Scandola Girolata and Calanches de Piana

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,146 reviews · 3 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $84Top rated

Set out from Porto Ota for a 3-hour-15-minute boat trip along Corsica’s wild west coast. You’ll see the Scandola Reserve, Piana Calanques, sea caves, and Girolata, with a 30-minute stop in the fishing village. Boats carry no more than 12 people, and some captains add lively commentary, music, or a brisk ride.

“Super ballade. Le bateau est au top, le guide très sympathique avec bcp d'humour. Les paysages à couper le souffle. Moment inoubliable. Je conseille cet compagnie vivement.”

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4.Magic Sanguinaires Sunset from Ajaccio/Porticcio – Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 956 reviews · 150 minutes - 3 hours · from $58

Join Corsica Marittima from Ajaccio or Porticcio for a 2.5 to 3-hour RIB cruise to the Sanguinaires Islands. Your French or English-speaking captain, including guides such as Tom, shares Corsican stories, stops for swimming, and may let you explore Mezu Mare before serving wine, charcuterie, and local treats at sunset.

“Génial ! La balade au coucher de soleil était incroyable, le guide très sympathique”

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5.Scandola Nature Reserve Eco-Friendly Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 932 reviews · 3 hours - 270 minutes · from $53

Sail from Porto into Scandola Nature Reserve on a hybrid boat, with French commentary, quiet electric cruising inside the reserve, and a 30-minute stop in Girolata. You can swim from the beach, watch for wild cows, and add a longer cruise to the pink granite Calanche de Piana. Priority boarding helps with seating, but weather can change the route.

“la réserve de scandola et les calanques de Piana . Visite de girolata ,c'est moyen”

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6.Bonifacio by Sea: Unmissable Escape from Ajaccio/Porticcio

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 897 reviews · 1 day · from $84

Spend a full day cruising from Ajaccio or Porticcio to Bonifacio. French commentary points out Roccapina, Napoleon’s Hat, the Grain de Sable, and the King Aragon Steps. You get four hours in Bonifacio, plus a mini-train shuttle to the citadel. The boat is wheelchair accessible, but the three-hour ride each way requires patience.

“Excellent day out. Boat very clean, staff very helpful. We do not speak much French but the tour guide seemed to be giving a very good commentary on places of interest throughout the trip.”

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7.Scandola and Calanches of Piana Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 719 reviews · 3 hours · from $76

You’ll take a three-hour motorboat trip from Porto with a live guide in English, French, or Italian. Damien may lead the outing, adding Corsican songs to the ride. Expect close views of Scandola’s cliffs, the Calanche de Piana rock formations, and a possible swimming stop at Girolata.

“Le confort du bateau sièges trop durs par rapport à un confrère et un petit en cas lors de l’arrêt sur l’île car pas grand chose à faire”

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8.Scandola & Girolata Tour by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 698 reviews · 3 hours - 270 minutes · from $53

From Porto, you’ll cruise aboard a quiet hybrid boat with a French-speaking guide, explore the UNESCO-listed Scandola Nature Reserve, pause in Girolata, and see Elbu Bay’s clear water and red cliffs. A multilingual leaflet helps in English and Italian. Check the exact duration and meeting point when booking.

“paysage magnifique. les explications etaient top et tres enrichissantes. l'animateur très sympathique”

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9.Scandola and Calanche de Piana Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 681 reviews · 3h 30m · from $82

Join a French-speaking guide on a 210-minute semi-rigid boat trip from Porto. You’ll visit Scandola Nature Reserve, stop at sea-access-only Girolata, view the pink granite Calanche de Piana, and swim if weather allows. Guides such as Nicolas add lively commentary, while the 12-person group keeps the outing personal.

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10.Half-Day Cruise Scandola Reserve & Calanche de Piana

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 672 reviews · 3 hours · from $82

Set out from Porto-Ota with a live French, Italian, or English guide and cruise toward Scandola, the Calanche de Piana, and Capo Rosso. You will see pink granite cliffs, sea birds, clear water, and possibly marine life or a swim stop. Multilingual audio is included, but food and drinks are not.

“Bonne connaissance du guide et des explications intéressantes sans trop en dire. une belle balade”

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11.Scandola Calanques Piana Girolata Swimming

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 670 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $76

Spend about seven hours aboard Isula Croisières from Sagone, cruising past Scandola, the Gulf of Porto, the Calanques de Piana, Capo Rosso, and Omigna Tower. You get a two-hour stop in Girolata for lunch, walking, or swimming, plus a 30-minute swim stop. English is offered, though some commentary may be in French.

“Super excursion avec un guide passionnant et impliqué ! Journée très sympathique : encore merci ! De magnifiques paysages agrémentés d’anecdote sur la corse et la faune”

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12.Boat tour to the Calanches of Piana & Capo Rosso

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 605 reviews · 90 - 270 minutes · from $37Best value

From Porto, cruise the Gulf of Porto by quiet hybrid boat with a French-speaking guide. You’ll see Ficajola Beach, the Calanche de Piana, Capo Rosso’s Genoese tower, and a clear natural pool. Captain Nicolas is known for mixing geology, wildlife facts, humor, and practical local insight when he leads the trip.

“Superbe activité, magnifique. Les calanques mais surtout la visite de la réserve naturelle sont à faire. Nous avions la compagnie Naev va, génial. Beaucoup d'explication et d'humour de la part de l'équipage.”

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13.Visit Scandola, the creeks of Piana by boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 579 reviews · from $169

Sail from Lava Beach, Ajaccio, or Porticcio toward Scandola’s UNESCO-listed reserve. You’ll pass Gargalo, Capo Rosso caves, and the hamlet of Girolata, with two swimming stops along the way. Guide Thomas provides explanations in English. Lunch in Girolata is optional and costs extra.

“About the boat! It was too windy and lots of waves.People with orthopedic problems must know the boat may bump a lot! The driver Thomas and also guide was so good. Translate everything to English.”

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14.Sanguinaires Islands Sunset Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 562 reviews · from $57

From Porticcio, JPS Aventure takes you by boat to the Sanguinaires Islands in about 30 minutes. You get roughly an hour on Grande Sanguinaire to visit the 1870 lighthouse, see the semaphore, or swim. Captains such as Greg and Thomas add commentary, music, and, on some outings, a Corsican aperitif before the sunset ride home.

“Great tour, fun music, saw dolphins and watched one of the most beautiful sunsets ever! The wine was excellent. The company gives you about an hour to explore island”

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15.Sanguinaires Sunset Cruise & Wine Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 455 reviews · from $74

Spend three to four hours aboard Nave Va, cruising Ajaccio’s north shore and the Sanguinaires Islands. A French-speaking guide points out the Tino Rossi house, Greek chapel, Marin cemetery, and Citadel. A sommelier and local wine-grower present Ajaccio white, red, and rosé wines, with Corsican food and live guitar music on board.

“Brilliant boat ride with plenty of wine and small food pairings for the way back. Sunset was beautiful over the islands and all staff very attentive with service.”

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