A catamaran cruise in Corsica: a change of scenery, authenticity, heavenly beaches, gastronomy
The unique feature of Corsica lies in its incredible variety of landscapes, both in the mountains and along its coastline. It’s simply impossible to name “a favorite spot”. Depending on the length of your stay and your desires, Marie-Hélène can help you create your dream catamaran cruise in Corsica. Here are some tips to get you started
Corsica Cruise: the south of the island of beauty
The journey south to Bonifacio allows you to anchor in beaches with incredibly clear and turquoise waters. Bonifacio is probably one of the most beautiful ports in the world, a prime stop during your Corsica cruise! Its upper town, overlooking the limestone cliffs, gives incredible charm to the southern tip of the island. This area is also particularly known for being the windiest place in France, so hoist the sails! Depending on the time you have, it will also be possible to make a detour to Sardinia or go as far as Porto-Vecchio.
Corsica Cruise: West of the island: Piana - Scandola
Although many turquoise beaches line the west coast of Corsica, a cruise to the Calanches de Piana is a quest for authenticity. The landscapes there are simply magnificent and offer access to wonderful hikes. In Scandola, we enter a nature reserve, where the red volcanic rocks directly embrace deep, intense blue water. In Piana, you’ll find caves with astonishingly clear waters. The natural pools with their water-green colors will allow you to cool off and better admire the ospreys.
On the way to Piana, there are some atypical villages rich in character, such as the village of Cargèse, an ancient Greek town known for its two churches facing each other. Don’t hesitate to stop at the fabulous Sanguinaires Islands. These wild islands, with their black volcanic rocks, inspired writers like Alphonse Daudet in “Letters from My Windmill”.
Corsica Cruise: Sailing around Corsica
To truly enjoy a tour of Corsica, it is highly recommended to plan for a minimum of 15 days to 3 weeks for the cruise. The advantage of circumnavigating the island of beauty is truly being able to appreciate the incredible variety of landscapes our island offers. You can discover Cap Corse, probably the wildest and most preserved area of our region. Here, granite is no longer king; schist has taken its place and creates a completely different atmosphere. From Erbalunga, with its Genoese tower, to Centuri, a small fishing village lost on the west coast of the Cap at the foot of the mountains, passing through Nonza and its black sand beach, you will probably realize what has shaped the character of the islanders. Beware, in this region, the wind is a major factor!
After passing Cap Corse from “East to West, you will come across Saint-Florent, a small Corsican town with undeniable charm, the gateway to the Désert des Agriates and its turquoise beaches that could make some earthly paradises blush. And if you thought you had already seen the most beautiful, it’s not over yet… you will arrive at Calvi, a small fortified town nestled against a magnificent beach bordered by a pine forest reminiscent of the Landes and its magnificent peninsula of La Revelata, a wild point where it is always magical to admire the sunset.
And as if all this wasn’t already a dream, you will probably have the opportunity during your stay to have some magical encounters such as dolphins, sperm whales, or whales. Corsica is indeed located in the Pelagos Sanctuary. A maritime area of 87,500 km² subject to an agreement between Italy, Monaco, and France for the protection of marine mammals that frequent it.
These explanations are just a draft of a program, don’t hesitate to discuss it with Marie-Hélène!
When to go on a catamaran cruise in Corsica?
Each season has its charm to make the most of an idyllic catamaran cruise in Corsica.
A catamaran cruise in Corsica in spring - the charm of the off-season!
April – May are months when the outdoor temperature remains pleasant. You can explore the various coastal paths, with the added bonus of the maquis in bloom and all its scents reminiscent of island honey. It will be easy to enjoy anchorages alone. The water remains quite cool, generally around 18 to 21°C. The ideal season for walks, paddleboarding, kayaking, lounging in deserted anchorages, enjoying the first beach bars. Probably one of the best seasons to discover authentic Corsica.
June: The water starts to allow for swimming more easily. The maquis remains in bloom for part of the month, anchorages are not crowded, and the days are long. Enough to enjoy good aperitifs with Corsican charcuterie and cheese, interspersed with refreshing swims
A catamaran cruise in Corsica in summer - water temperatures that are both mild and refreshing!
July – August : high season. The water temperature is between 28 and 30°C, ideal for diving between sunbathing sessions ! The advantage of traveling by boat during this season is that the outdoor temperatures feel 10 degrees cooler than on land, making the catamaran the best way to visit Corsica without suffering from the heat. Anchorages are less deserted than in the off-season, although Corsica has the advantage of remaining quite protected.
A catamaran cruise in Corsica in autumn - mild water - free anchorages!
September – October: the light becomes exceptional and allows for magnificent photos of the blue hues of our waters and the ochre shades of the granitic chaos that make up our island of beauty. The sea water remains at pleasant temperatures (for September around 24 – 26 °C), anchorages become quiet again. The storm season begins, and it is advisable to consider possible shelters during your stay. An opportunity to discover the charm of small Corsican and Sardinian ports.
November to March: probably the least pleasant period because the days are short and the outdoor temperatures are very cool. However, anchorages are deserted, the mountains are snow-covered, the sea urchin season is open, and the coastal paths are very pleasant to walk.
