Things to do in Porto, France

Our most recommended things to do in Porto, France

Porto: Half-Day Cruise Scandola Reserve & Calanche de Piana

Porto: Half-Day Cruise Scandola Reserve & Calanche de Piana

With its serene natural beauty, the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Scandola Peninsula is a must-see on this half-day cruise from Porto. Discover the Gulf of Porto in its entirety as you cruise to highlights and watch nature at its finest under the setting sun. Enjoy commentary from your captain. Set out from Porto in the afternoon on board a sleek cruiser and settle in with your captain, who will also serve as your guide. Head towards the Scandola Nature Reserve by way of the Gulf of Girolata. As you approach the nature reserve, marvel at the clear waters and rock formations. Continue cruising in this remote place while you take in the many types of birds, including cormorants and eagles, and hear about the local, protected plants from your captain. You may also see marine life. Further on, visit the Calanche de Piana, with its strikingly unique vistas. Finally, travel to the Capo Rosso and its "swimming pool." Named for the remarkable pink granite rocks, admire the cape's spectacular shades of red rock and blue waters. Depending on the weather, pause for a swim in this wonderful setting before returning to shore in Porto. 

From Porto: Calanche de Piana and Capo Rosso Boat Tour

From Porto: Calanche de Piana and Capo Rosso Boat Tour

Leave Ota behind and immerse yourself in the beautiful coastal landscape of the Corsica region. Embark on a relaxing boat trip to the Calanche de Piana and Capo Rosso. Come across a wide array of striking natural formations and hear all about their origins. Climb aboard a 12-seater boat in Porto and start out with a thorough safety briefing from your captain. Listen to insightful commentary as you discover the surrounding scenery and enjoy the possibility to stop for a swim, depending on weather conditions. Arrive at the Calanche de Piana and Capo Rosso to discover imposing sea caves, majestic granite rocks, and even a natural pool. Let go of your worries as you surround yourself with nature and sit back on the return trip to Ota.

From Porto: Scandola and Calanche de Piana Boat Tour

From Porto: Scandola and Calanche de Piana Boat Tour

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Scandola Nature Reserve on a scenic boat tour from Porto. Experience one of the last Mediterranean territories to provide shelter for endemic flora and birdlife and discover the striking rocky landscape of Calanche de Piana. Depart from Porto and cruise through the reserve, rich with marine life and seabirds, on board a semi-rigid boat. Stop in the coastal village of Girolata and marvel at its stunning setting, surrounded by the sea. During the winter, watch as it becomes nearly abandoned, with only about 15 residents. Venture into the Calanche de Piana and explore an outstanding landscape of pink granite rocks, shaped over the centuries by changes in temperature, strong winds, and sea spray. Observe the geological diversity of the rocks and jump into crystal blue waters for a cooling swim in a natural pool.

From Porto: Scandola & Girolata Tour by Boat

From Porto: Scandola & Girolata Tour by Boat

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 silent hybrid boat to respect the environment. Stop in the remote coastal village of Girolata and marvel at its stunning setting surrounded by the sea. You can even swim in the sea off the coast here. 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. Add on the option to 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.

Porto: Scandola and Calanches of Piana Boat Trip

Porto: Scandola and Calanches of Piana Boat Trip

Discover the Gulf of Porto by boat and see why this extraordinary natural area is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the Scandola Nature Reserve and admire striking cliffs, surrounded by the deep blue ocean. See the famous rock formations of Calanche de Piana. Board your boat in Porto and begin your trip by sailing to the Scandola Reserve, home to beautiful cliffs and a marvelous sea bed. Take in an impressive location that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1975. Become surrounded by more than 30 plant species. Navigate toward the Calanche de Piana to come up close to its unique natural formations. Snap amazing photos of this mesmerizing wonder, then sail back to your starting point in Porto.

From Ota: Scandola Nature Reserve Eco-Friendly Boat Tour

From Ota: Scandola Nature Reserve Eco-Friendly Boat Tour

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.

From Porto: Calanche de Piana Boat Tour

From Porto: Calanche de Piana Boat Tour

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.

From Porto, Corsica: Piana Creeks Cruise

From Porto, Corsica: Piana Creeks Cruise

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.

From Porto: Piana Creeks, Scandola on Family Boat

From Porto: Piana Creeks, Scandola on Family Boat

Departing from Porto, you can admire the Calanches de Piana by sailing along the coast towards Capo Rosso with its caves and natural pools, a magical place listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. On a family-friendly speedboat, you will set sail for the Scandola nature reserve. During this excursion you will enjoy a swimming break, snorkeling (masks provided) depending on weather conditions. Perhaps you will have the chance to observe dolphins or other cetaceans that might cross your path. Duration of the tour about 3h15

Scandola: visit the nature reserve from Porto (France)

Scandola: visit the nature reserve from Porto (France)

Embark on an unforgettable voyage of discovery along the coasts of Corsica's Regional Nature Park with Jean-Baptiste Rostini, a native of the region, aboard a small speedboat specially designed to enter caves and faults. The guided tour begins with a visit to the calanques of Piana and the caves of Capo Rosso, followed by the Scandola nature reserve and a 30-minute stopover in Girolata; this order may vary according to the requirements of the tour. In summer, a refreshing break in a calanque may be offered, depending on weather conditions. Drinks are served on board, but are not included in the price of the ticket. NOTA BENE: the operator reserves the right to cancel the sea trip in the following cases: -when it deems that sailing conditions are not met; - if the number of passengers is less than 10. Furthermore, the service provider declines all responsibility in the following cases: -loss of personal belongings, damaged equipment (camera, telephone, etc.); -transport damage; -swimming pool surveillance; It also reserves the right to modify its itinerary according to sailing conditions.

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What people are saying about Porto, France

Overall rating

4.6
(1,512 reviews)

Very nice outing with our 2 guides and pilot. A magnificent site and a very friendly speedboat outing (welcome, smiles and Corsican music).

I enjoyed the captain's humorous comments, the spectacle of the granite cliffs getting closer thanks to the captain's good command

Really nice guide. The reserve is beautiful. Boat is modern and well maintained. The corsican music is definitely a plus !

Amazing! 3:00 is the perfect time to take the time to look at everything and appreciate the beauty of this island!!

Honestly, nothing, everything was perfect and our pilot guide Mathieu 👌