Gulf of Porto

Set sail from Ajaccio or Porticcio on a full-day boat tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Scandola Nature Reserve and the Gulf of Porto. Experience one of the last Mediterranean enclaves to provide shelter for endemic flora and birdlife. Stop in the coastal village of Girolata and explore the secluded village for 2 hours. Find a nice restaurant for lunch or enjoy a picnic on the beach. In the winter, the village becomes a virtual backwater with only about 15 residents. Then, venture into the Calanche de Piana to discover an outstanding landscape of pink granite rocks shaped over the centuries by changes in temperature, strong winds, and sea spray. Explore the geological diversity and unique location of the rocks that give a particular aspect to the area.

Depart Porto and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Scandola Nature Reserve to experience one of the last Mediterranean enclaves to provide shelter for endemic flora and birdlife such as ospreys and peregrine falcons. Created in 1975, the nature reserve is only accessible by sea and subject to strict protection. Cruise through the reserve, rich with marine life and seabirds, on board a 12-seater, semi-rigid boat. Stop in the remote coastal village of Girolata and marvel at its stunning setting surrounded by the sea. During the winter, the village becomes a secluded backwater with only about 15 residents. It was nearly abandoned at the end of the war, but tourism has restored its fortunes. Then, venture into the Calanche de Piana and discover an outstanding landscape of pink granite rocks shaped over the centuries by changes in the temperature, strong winds and sea spray. Explore the geological diversity of the rocks and originality of their locations that give a particular aspect to the area. Jump into the crystal blue waters for a cooling swim in a natural pool!

Discover the Scandola Nature Reserve and visit the charming village of Girolata as you embark on a boat tour off Porto on the coast of Corsica. Sail in silence on the waters of the reserve on an eco-friendly hybrid boat and enjoy access to prime seating thanks to priority boarding. Meet the ship’s friendly crew who will assist you with the boarding process and then set off to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Nature Reserve, which is only accessible by sea and subject to strict protection. See coastal caves and observe diverse marine life and seabirds, such as ospreys and peregrine falcons, from a respectable distance so as not to disturb the natural environment. Learn about the reserve’s ecology through live French commentary throughout the tour. Stop for 30 minutes in the remote and quaint coastal village of Girolata, surrounded by the sea and only accessible by boat. Walk around the village or cool off with a swim and be on the lookout for the resident wild cows that roam the streets, cafés, and beach of Girolata. Upgrade and extend your experience with an optional trip to the stunning Calanche de Piana rock formation. Admire a beautiful pink granite geological landscape, which has been uniquely created from centuries of strong winds and sea spray.

Discover the Gulf of Porto by boat and see why this extraordinary natural area is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin your boat trip by sailing to the Scandola Reserve, home to beautiful cliffs and a sea bed. Located in the north of the Gulf of Porto, the Scandola Reserve has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1975 and contains majestic cliffs with more than 30 plant species. Afterward, stopover in Girolata, a small village on the edge of a scenic bay. This picturesque village is only accessible by sea or by a small path. Then visit the Calanche de Piana creeks, a dream-like place filled with magnificent colors. At the conclusion of your experience, you'll sail back to your tour starting point.

Let yourself be carried away by the magic of the beach and mountain landscapes in Porto Orta. Embark on a hybrid sightseeing boat specially designed to protect flora and fauna. The electric propulsion allows it to navigate in protected areas without polluting emissions or noise pollution.  Choose to take an excursion in the turquoise waters of Calanche de Piana and Capo Rosso and their impressive panoramas, or opt to sail to the Scandola nature reserve and its paradisiacal village of Girolata where you can take a dip in the crystal-clear waters.  Or select the complete tour of the Gulf of Portowhere you'll discover the most beautiful wild and protected areas of the Isle of Beauty.

Depart Porto and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Calanche de Piana in the Gulf of Porto by silent hybrid boat to respect the environment. Located halfway between Ajaccio and Calvi, close to the village of Piana, the Calanche de Piana is part of a volcanic complex that towers up to 300 meters above sea level at its highest altitude. Marvel at the pink granite rocks shaped over centuries by changes in the temperature, strong winds, and sea spray. Discover a series of fantastic rock formations sculpted into spectacular shapes and surrounded by crystal blue waters. Rich with marine life and seabirds, the area also demonstrates a tremendous diversity of rocks in locations that give a particular aspect to the surroundings.

Discover the most beautiful landscapes of western Corsica: Calanques de Piana, Capo Rosso, Girolata and to finish in style: the visit of the sublime Scandola Nature Reserve. An unforgettable sea visit: Scandola by boat! the famous Scandola Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the star of the Gulf of Porto. On this almost inaccessible peninsula, the rocks forged by water and wind have taken on intriguing, almost supernatural shapes, reinforced by the red tone of the cliffs. The Scandola Nature Reserve is home to many species of protected plants and birds such as golden eagles, peregrine falcons and the iconic osprey. It's hard to resist the urge to discover this wild and unspoiled nature, aspiring to rock structures in the caldera, a remnant of very old volcanic eruptions or undulating under pure, crystalline water. Scandola: the star of the Gulf of Porto How not to fall in love with the star of the region? The Scandola reserve is a natural marvel both maritime and land listed, of course, in the heritage of Unesco. Here, nature has dictated its law, giving the rocks their specific shape and letting the flora flourish freely. The fauna is not left out in the Scandola reserve. As ospreys spread their wings in search of their next prey, gulls squirm and squawk. At sea, groupers, red mullets and other moray eels form an incessant ballet, an intriguing and captivating spectacle that your skipper will be delighted to introduce you to. Your sea trip to visit the Scandola Reserve by boat and the must-see places in western Corsica Program of your excursion – Full discovery of the Gulf of Porto: Scandola Nature Reserve Your sea trip begins in Ajaccio accompanied by your captain. Well settled in your boat, enjoy the sumptuous landscapes during this boat tour punctuated by the comments of your captain. History of the region, anecdotes, legends and other explanations on the surrounding flora and fauna as well as on the geology of the place, everything is there to return satisfied from this walk. Discover the highlights of western Corsica by going first to the famous Calanques de Piana, a place listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site Embark on board and head to Scandola for a magical ride. Your Captain will share with you his love for Corsica and the sumptuous nature reserve of Scandola, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stop at Girolata will be an opportunity for you to stroll through the picturesque little village. An unforgettable ride....with postcard landscapes that will mark you for life....And will make this day your best holiday memory!!

Visit one of the best sites of Corsica on boat routes designed to provide a unique and beautiful experience. Get to know Porto's magical gulf, and see Piana's beautiful creeks. Depending on your option, embark comfortably aboard a standard semi-rigid pneumatic boats or on a family-friendly speedboat with 12-person capacity. Thanks to their small size they can enter caves, navigate to the sea bank and allow you to appreciate the beauty of the landscapes. Enjoy this outing at sea, with an expert guide, and observe dolphins or other aquatic mammals that might cross the path of the boat.

Come and explore the Scandola Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and all of its caves. Two hours of stopovers in the small village of Girolata, accessible only by sea, for lunch. After crossing the Gulf of Porto, visit the Calanche di Piana and swim stop at Capo Rosso.

Discover the West Coast of Corsica's natural highlights on this full-day tour from Ajaccio. Visit the Scandola Nature Reserve and Calanques de Piana, as well as some of the area's small islands and villages like Girolata and Ficajola, before admiring the sunset with some charcuterie and rosé wine. Set sail from the convenient meeting point with your guide. Head to Scandola Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the island of Gargalo through to the cathedral fault and learn about the local wildlife. Then visit Girolata, a small fishing village built around an 18th century fort accessible only by sea. Here you can enjoy some free time to meet the wild cows that live in the village. Stop at the cove of Ficajola, then at the Calanques de Piana, a natural rock formation and UNESCO World Heritage site. Swim at Cala di Pala cove and dive from the cliffs. Dock at the Sanguinaires Islands and swim or visit the lighthouse, then enjoy an aperitif of local charcuterie and rosé wine whilst admiring the sunset.