The Essential Corsica
The air is thick with the scent of the maquis, a wild perfume of herbs and pine that defines Corsica. Your journey begins in the imperial city of Ajaccio, tracing the coastline south where granite cliffs plunge into turquoise bays. You round the southern tip at Bonifacio, a medieval citadel perched impossibly on limestone, before turning north towards the dramatic red rocks of the Scandola Reserve. This is an island of raw beauty and fierce identity, a landscape that unfolds from the deck of your private yacht, revealing its secrets one secluded anchorage at a time.
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- DAY 01
Ajaccio & Îles Sanguinaires
Embark at Port Charles Ornano in the vibrant city of Ajaccio, Napoleon Bonaparte's birthplace. Spend the afternoon exploring the handsome, palm-lined streets before a short sunset cruise to the Îles Sanguinaires. As the sun dips, the archipelago’s porphyry rock glows a deep, blood red, a spectacle best viewed from the privacy of your yacht's deck.
- Explore Maison Bonaparte, Napoleon's ancestral home
- View Italian masterpieces at the Musée Fesch
- Discover local produce at the Marché Central d'Ajaccio
- Take a sunset tender tour around the Îles Sanguinaires
- Anchorage
- Mouillage de l'Île de Mezzu Mare
- Dining
- A Cantina for authentic Corsican cuisine or welcome dinner aboard.
- DAY 02
Golfe de Valinco
A gentle morning cruise south brings you to the wide, sheltered expanse of the Golfe de Valinco. Drop anchor off the magnificent white sands of Plage de Cupabia for an afternoon of swimming and watersports in the transparent water. Later, the unassuming harbour town of Propriano offers a low-key charm for an evening stroll.
- Swim and paddleboard at Plage de Cupabia
- Visit the prehistoric alignment site of Filitosa
- Explore the harbour and town of Propriano
- Enjoy the yacht's water toys in the calm, protected bay
- Anchorage
- Marina de Propriano or Mouillage de Portigliolo
- Dining
- Terra Cotta for refined Mediterranean dishes in Propriano.
- DAY 03
Cala di Roccapina
Today is about raw nature as you anchor in the iconic Cala di Roccapina. The bay is watched over by a lion-shaped granite outcrop, the 'Lion de Roccapina', and a classic Genoese watchtower. The beach is a perfect crescent of white sand, and the water is an astonishing shade of blue, ideal for a peaceful day of relaxation and swimming.
- Swim and relax on the pristine beach of Cala di Roccapina
- Hike up to the Genoese tower for commanding views
- Take the tender to explore the smaller coves nearby
- Enjoy a quiet afternoon reading on the sun deck
- Anchorage
- Mouillage de Roccapina
- Dining
- Dinner aboard prepared by your private chef, savoured in this wild, secluded setting.
- DAY 04
Bonifacio
The approach to Bonifacio is one of the world's great maritime experiences. Your yacht navigates a narrow, fjord-like entrance into a bustling harbour, set below spectacular white limestone cliffs. Atop sits the ancient citadel, a labyrinth of narrow lanes, historic buildings, and breathtaking views across the strait to Sardinia.
- Descend the 187 steps of the Escalier du Roi d'Aragon
- Wander the labyrinthine streets of the medieval citadel
- Visit the hauntingly beautiful Cimetière Marin de Bonifacio
- Explore the sea caves by tender from the harbour
- Anchorage
- Port de Bonifacio
- Dining
- L'Auberge Corse for traditional fare or Stella d'Oro for its vaulted ceilings.
- DAY 05
Îles Lavezzi
A short cruise from Bonifacio lies the Lavezzi archipelago, a protected marine reserve. This collection of granite islands and islets feels otherworldly, with wind- and sea-sculpted boulders scattered across a landscape of turquoise lagoons. Spend the day snorkelling among friendly grouper in the clear waters of Cala Lazarina.
- Snorkel or dive in the protected waters of the marine park
- Explore the walking trails on Île Lavezzu
- Visit the memorial to the 1855 Sémillante shipwreck
- Paddleboard through the maze of smooth granite boulders
- Anchorage
- Mouillage de Cala Lazarina (day anchorage)
- Dining
- A gourmet picnic lunch on a secluded beach.
- DAY 06
Porto-Vecchio & Palombaggia
Navigate to the east coast to experience one of Corsica's most famous beaches, Palombaggia. Red-hued rocks and mature umbrella pines frame a stretch of fine white sand leading to shallow, azure water. In the evening, head into the chic hilltop old town of Porto-Vecchio for boutique shopping and a vibrant atmosphere.
- Anchor off the celebrated Plage de Palombaggia for swimming
- Enjoy watersports at the equally beautiful Plage de Santa Giulia
- Explore the stylish boutiques and citadel of Porto-Vecchio
- Enjoy cocktails at a waterfront bar in the marina
- Anchorage
- Porto-Vecchio Marina or anchor in the gulf
- Dining
- Le Belvédère for a gastronomic experience with sea views.
- DAY 07
Campomoro
After rounding the southern tip again, find tranquillity in the peaceful bay of Campomoro on the west coast. This quiet fishing village is home to the largest Genoese tower on the island, which now houses a small museum. The long, sandy beach and exceptionally calm waters make it a perfect spot to unwind and deploy the water toys.
- Visit the historic Genoese tower of Campomoro
- Walk a section of the coastal path, the 'Sentier du Littoral'
- Kayak or paddleboard across the serene, protected bay
- Relax on the uncrowded, family-friendly beach
- Anchorage
- Mouillage de Campomoro
- Dining
- Le Bistrot for fresh seafood with your feet in the sand.
- DAY 08
Scandola Nature Reserve & Girolata
Cruise north to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Scandola Nature Reserve, a geological marvel accessible only by sea. Volcanic, red-rhyolite cliffs and strange rock formations plunge into a cobalt sea teeming with protected marine life. Anchor for the night in the tiny, isolated hamlet of Girolata, nestled in its own bay and reachable only by boat or foot.
- Explore the caves and rock formations of Scandola by tender
- Look for resident ospreys nesting on the cliffs
- Swim in the pristine, protected waters
- Experience the unique isolation of Girolata village
- Anchorage
- Mouillage de Girolata
- Dining
- Le Bon Ami in Girolata, or dinner aboard under the stars.
- DAY 09
Calanques de Piana
Witness another of Corsica's geological treasures, the Calanques de Piana. This stretch of coastline features fantastical, weathered red granite cliffs that drop dramatically to the sea. Time your passage for early morning or late afternoon, when the low sun makes the colours of the rock burn with an intense, fiery light.
- Cruise slowly through the heart-shaped rock 'coeur' and other formations
- Anchor in the Golfe de Porto for lunch with a view
- Hike a section of the 'Sentier Muletier' for views from above
- Explore the small village of Porto and its square Genoese tower
- Anchorage
- Mouillage d'Arone or in the Golfe de Porto
- Dining
- La Tour Génoise in Porto, with views over the small harbour.
- DAY 10
Calvi
Enjoy a final breakfast cruise into the magnificent Bay of Calvi. The imposing citadel, perched on its rocky promontory, dominates the view as you glide towards the harbour. Stroll the palm-lined marina and explore the citadel's cobbled streets one last time before a farewell lunch and disembarkation at the Port de Calvi.
- Explore the winding streets and ramparts of the Calvi Citadel
- Walk the bustling Quai Landry, lined with cafes
- Relax on the long, pine-backed Plage de Calvi
- Visit Notre-Dame de la Serra for a final, panoramic view of the bay
- Anchorage
- Disembark at Port de Calvi
- Dining
- A farewell lunch at U Fanale, overlooking the citadel and harbour.
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Where this route sits in the ecosystem
Destinations, berths and yachts connected to this itinerary — each with the reason for the link.
Destinations on this route
An itinerary is defined by the places it visits
- Sardinia Yacht Charter
Contract relationship visits -> destination recorded by the ecosystem spec; rationale normalized by Phase 2.
- Bonifacio Yacht Charter
Contract relationship visits -> destination recorded by the ecosystem spec; rationale normalized by Phase 2.
- Calvi Yacht Charter
Contract relationship visits -> destination recorded by the ecosystem spec; rationale normalized by Phase 2.
- Corsica Yacht Charter
Contract relationship visits -> destination recorded by the ecosystem spec; rationale normalized by Phase 2.
- Cres Yacht Charter
Contract relationship visits -> destination recorded by the ecosystem spec; rationale normalized by Phase 2.
- Porto-Vecchio Yacht Charter
Contract relationship visits -> destination recorded by the ecosystem spec; rationale normalized by Phase 2.
Berths on this route
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- Cres Town / ACI Cres berths
Berth or call on this route
- Carloforte harbour berths
Berth or call on this route
- Marina di Olbia
Berth or call on this route
- Marina di Porto Cervo
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Yachts able to run the route
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