It smells of the sun, flip-flops and the beach:the holidays are here. If you still don't know where to go, it's time to opt for Corsica and its more than 300 km of beach .
And what better than to discover the Isle of Beauty by boat ? We tell you everything!
Before setting off on an adventure to rent a boat from a professional, start by asking yourself the right questions :
If you are going with friends without children , we recommend the perfect sports boats or semi-rigid boats to be able to go on a lot with a measured budget.
For Corsica, prefer boats with a sun awning because the sun at its zenith can quickly become unbearable.
Let's go for a day of walks off the most beautiful beaches of the Island of Beauty .
The definite advantage of the semi-rigid is also to be able to beacher i.e. pulling the boat onto the beach in order to take advantage of the many beach bars. The engines of the semi-rigid coupled with the lightness of the boat allow you to easily practice water sports such as wakeboard or water skiing.
If you are going as a family or with children , we recommend open hull type ships instead or cabin cruiser safer thanks to the guardrails around the cockpit. Some offer small cabins to shelter toddlers in case of hot weather.
Very often, tenants think that the issue is the price of the boat rental, but it is above all availability, especially in high season, that is critical .
It is tedious to find the rare pearl unless you call all the rental companies one by one. HeyCaptain.fr is a site that connects the schedules of boat rental professionals and boaters . By choosing the day and the duration of navigation, you will find all the boats available and the price for your trip.
On this point the choice is wide , especially in Corsica. Just the fact of walking or picnicking on this turquoise and translucent water or lounging on the sunbeds will be enough for the happiness of many men and women...
But you can also opt for more sporty activities . Put on flippers, masks and snorkels and go snorkeling to discover the underwater flora and fauna that inhabit its magnificent waters.
Snorkeling is too flat for you? You can practice a multitude of water sports depending on the boat chosen ranging from wakeboard to water skis and barefoot (a kind of water skiing … but barefoot without skis).
The innovation of the moment is still the seabob. To know where to practice this, follow the guide!
Without a boat, you will only discover a small part of the paradisiacal beaches of the Island of Beauty. Destinations abound between Scandola , Girolata , Bastia , Rousse Island , the Gulf of Porto or the Calanche de Piana . We're going around the Island of Beauty with you!
The Agriates Desert is the largest natural site protected by the Conservatoire du Littoral. An immensity of coasts sculpted by the sea air where you can meet the largest population of dolphins in Corsica . The marine fauna and flora are impressively rich, but should be treated with the greatest respect!
From Saint-Florent , you will discover the Gulf but also the transparent waters of the white sand beaches:that of Lotu , wild and surrounded by mountains, or the long beach of Saleccia between white sand and Aleppo pines to take refuge in the shade.
Another fantastic destination by boat:Île-Rousse , a masterful archipelago whose main island sounds good for piracy "Ile de la Pietra" . Its lighthouse is listed as a cultural heritage, we advise you to see it from the sea.
Finally, anchor off Napoleon Beach , THE beach on Île Rousse where you can enjoy a magnificent view and, if you feel like reaching the mainland, fine, warm sand.
The tip of the Revellata in Calvi is populated by irreducible protectors of nature and great good to them opposite. The inhabitants have been fighting since the 1960s to protect the biodiversity of the place and it shows !
Thanks to your rental boat, the wild and deserted beaches wedged between cliffs like the Alga beach are yours . In addition to this beauty out of the water, go snorkeling to discover some of the most remarkable seabed in Europe.
The creeks of Piana are to be discovered by boat since only one beach is accessible on foot (that of Ficajola ) as shown in this LCI report. They are a geological formation of red porphyry of volcanic origin with igneous rocks.
For us it doesn't mean much except that it explains the pink hues of the magnificent rocks lit by the late afternoon sun . The translucent waters and the caves that you can discover by boat will delight lovers of magical landscapes.
To the islands of the Sanguinaires archipelago , we recommend a stop on the majestic island of Mezzu Mare and its ruins of the old lazaretto. The walk ashore to the lighthouse and semaphore is worth the detour. You will walk between frankenia, these small plants with pink flowers that turn bright red in the fall probably giving their name to the Sanguinaires Islands .
Crossing the gulfs of Porto and Girolata you will arrive at the nature reserve of Scandola , listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accessible only by sea , it is a real refuge for biodiversity :the cliffs inaccessible to ordinary pedestrians protect many birds such as ospreys, cormorants and gulls. Dolphins and monk seals will also be there.
The archipelago of the Lavezzi Islands , and in particular Lavezzu Island , offers a colorful underwater life between sea urchins, starfish, fish of all colors... Be careful when anchoring your boat not to scrape the ground with the anchor, it would be a shame, even criminal, to spoil such a paradisiacal environment.
On the way back, you will discover the mouths of Bonifacio , between caves, cliffs and a unique view of the town of Bonifacio , you will not be disappointed with the trip. Our advice:visit the “enchanting” cave of S’dragulinu (little dragon), accessible only by boat .
Finally our last destination, the beaches of Rondinara , Santa Giulia and Palombagia . Rondinara is known for its shell shape in addition to its crystal clear water and fine sandy beach. Note the dense surrounding maquis which gives it an even wilder appearance.
The beach of Santa Giulia is a real lagoon with translucent waters classified by Unesco among the most beautiful in the world . Further north towards Porto-Vecchio , Palombaggia will be the favorite of the semi-rigid because it is not very deep. Imagine yourself at anchor between turquoise waters bordered and areas shaded by century-old pines.
There you go, all you have to do now is rent your boat and set off to explore the Isle of Beauty
