Scandola Nature Reserve

Tours

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 wonders of the Corsican Coast accessible only by sea. Visit the Scandola Nature Reserve and have free time in Girolata. Board a 73-seater ship and take a half-day trip to the famous Scandola Nature Reserve, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hear insightful commentary about the reserve from a local guide. Stop for 2 hours or 30 minutes, depending on the option you book, in the small village of Girolata and enjoy free time to explore. Eat lunch at a local restaurant or bring your own food for a picnic with stunning views. Soak up the sunshine on the warm sand, swim, and browse the unique shops in the village. After your stop, the boat tour will continue to Calanques de Piana before going back to Sagone and Cargèse.

Discover the west coast of Corsica between Cargese and Scandola from a comfortable passenger boat small enough to sneak in all the caves and coves. Enjoy the intense colors of the afternoon on the red rocks, the blue water and the green maquis. From the port of Cargese, start for an incredible journey. As soon as you leave the port, admire the Omigna tower, entirely renovated a few years ago. Then head to Arone and its long sandy beach . Start by discover the tiny cave located at the very start of the Capo Rosso, when the rock change of color. Along the coast, the water is so clear that you can appreciate the seabed by transparency. Enter the bay of monk seal, also called the "swimming pool" because of its so blue and clear water. Admire the huge nests of the fish-eagle, a protected specie. Go trough the Arch of Capo Rosso and continue to the Reserve of Scandola, by the Gulf of Porto. Enter the Reserve of Scandola and go into the faults in the very heart of the rock. Admire the landscape made of volcanic rock. Listen to the comments of the corsican captain about the geological formations and the history of the site and let your imagination run wild in front of the strange shape of the stone. Navigate into the waters of the Reserve and discover the island of Gargalo, the extreme west point of Corsica. Reach the Gulf of Elbo and try to see the grouper that is often encountered in the faults, as the oblades and many others species. Enjoy the shimmering glint of the sun on the sea at the feet of the cliffs. Make a 40-minute break on land in the surprising village Girolata. Take benefits of a walk towards the old fort or just rest on the sand of the beach and swim. Girolata is really small and authentic because it is only accessible by boat or by a footpath. Take the way back and enjoy the magnificent colors of the end afternoon, the best time of day for pictures. Have a look to Capo Senino on the return and experience the discovery of the red rock of the Calanques de Piana with the colors of the sunset. Enjoy the arrival at Cargese, illuminated at nightfall.

Hop on board the new and beautiful Santa Regina boat at the port of Calvi. With a capacity of only 12 passengers, settle in for an intimate and unforgettable ride. Discover the citadel of Calvi by boat, gliding for 1 hour along the west coast of Corsica before entering the UNESCO World Heritage Site, natural reserve of Scandola. Cruise near to the coast and slowly through the beautiful water, allowing you to absorb every detail and even uncover hidden corners of this unique site. As the sun goes down, savor a Corsican aperitif and this unforgettable moment. After a stunning 3-hour trip, return to the port in Calvi.

At a low speed, set sail off the citadel of Calvi into the calm seawater. Listen to historical commentary from your local guide on the way to the wild peninsula of Revellata.  Along the way, take a break for swimming in the turquoise water at the beach of Alga. Reaching Revellata with your captain and small group, relish in the impending sunset. As the sun goes down, savor a Corsican aperitif and this unforgettable moment. Return to Calvi by 8:30 PM.