Beaches
Corsica is renowned for its stunning beaches and sparkling turquoise waters, and with around a thousand kilometres of coastline and 200 beaches there is plenty of choice wherever you are staying on the island. However, the majority of beaches in Corsica do not have a lifeguard so please be aware that there can be strong winds and strong undercurrents on certain coastlines. We recommend that you do not go in the sea under such conditions.
Beach safety
- Familiarise yourself with the local flag warning system (if applicable) and try to find out which are the potentially dangerous swimming areas.
- Beware of local conditions (e.g. tides, winds, currents).
- Bear in mind many of the beaches in Corsica do not have a lifeguard.
- Supervise children at all times.
- Do not swim after eating.
- Beware of any ‘zones’ for powerboats, jet skis etc.
- Always use adequate protection against the sun’s rays (sunscreen and sunglasses).
- Avoid the midday sun, but if you have to go out cover up with loose clothing and a wide brimmed hat.
Canyoning
Canyoning is a popular sport involving travelling down creeks or streams within a canyon by a variety of means including walking, scrambling, climbing, abseiling and swimming. It requires skills in navigation, ropework and climbing. Obviously the operation of canyoning pursuits is dependant on appropriate weather conditions and the level of the water in the river. Therefore, it may be possible that the activity is not operational at times of particularly high (or low) water and, accordingly, we suggest you contact the operator earlier in your holiday rather than later, in order to avoid disappointment. Companies have qualified guides and the necessary equipment but participants should have a reasonable level of fitness and be competent swimmers.
Baracci Natura
Barracci near Olmeto
TEL. 06 20 95 45 34
They organise canyoning, tree-top acrobatic trail, trampoline from 5/6 years onwards.
Tra I Monti
Baracci near Olmeto
TEL. 04 95 76 33 93 or 06 81 51 41 28
This company organises climbing and cycling trips plus equipment rental.
Adventure Parc
Lac de L’Ospédale
Tel: 04 95 72 12 31
Canyoning, rock climbing and hiking available.
Corse Odyssée
Quenza
Tel: 04 95 78 64 05
Organised cayoning and walks
Climbing
The region is not particularly renowned for its climbing amenities, many of the climbs are quite technically difficult and require a degree of competence and fitness so should only be attempted by confident climbers. Areas include the Bavella mountain.
Canoeing
Canoeing is dependant on correct weather conditions and the level of the water in the river. It may not therefore always be possible and you are advised to contact the clubs earlier during your holiday rather than later, in order to avoid disappointment.
Paragliding, parachuting and hang-gliding
A fabulous way to view the stunning scenery! It is advisable to contact the clubs earlier rather than later during your stay if you are interested as places are limited and activities are weather dependant.
ULM
Tavaria Aerodrome near Propriano
Tel 06 12 55 65 40
A motorised hang-glider with room for the pilot and one passenger, Vincent offers journeys of about 20 mins.
Valinco Parachute club
Tavaria Aerodrome near Propriano
Tel 04 95 77 19 15 / 06 83 71 60 79
A tandem parachute jump is an incredible way to view the Valinco. You will need a medical certificate from a doctor.
Flights and helicopter trips
A great way to admire the views!
Helile de beauté
Tel 04 95 72 18 63
Tours for up to 5 people lasting from 15 to 70 minutes leaving from Porto Vecchio or Ajaccio.
Valinco Airclub
Tavaria Aerodrome
Tel 04 95 76 09 82
The Airclub offer a 20 min flight, for up to 3 passengers, around the Valinco gulf and also longer circuits taking in Bonifacio, Porto Vecchio and Bavella.
Diving and snorkelling
The best dive sites on the island are predominantly on the west coast (although the waters around Bonifacio can be equally as interesting). For those who are unqualified, an initiation dive (baptême) can be done with most of the clubs listed below. Those who are PADI qualified can go on organised dives and rent equipment, and include a number of world-renowned sites. Most of the dive shops on the island provide nitrox recharge facilities and sell a range of accessories and dive guides. The 'cathédrales' off the coast at Porto Pollo in the Valinco, the waters around Bonifacio, Scandola, Ajaccio, Cargese, and Propriano are particularly well renowned for being prime diving spots.
The dramatically rugged landscape on the dry side of the shoreline continues underwater in the form of yet more mountains and canyons, needles, sharp peaks, rocky masses and scree. The onshore maquis scrub meanwhile transforms underwater into a handsome carpet of yellow flowering anemone, red coral and gorgonian. Underwater inhabitants on the island include grouper, brown meagre and dentex and there are a number of easily accessible wrecks to explore. Corsica's superb underwater kingdom has been impressively well preserved, thanks to the careful management of two internationally renowned marine nature reserves, the absence of an intensive commercial fishing industry and an almost total lack of polluters and pollutants.
Remember; do not go diving within the period of 24 hours before you are due to fly.
U Levante
Port de Plaisance, Propriano
TEL. 04 95 76 23 83
Valinco Plongée
Port de Plaisance, Propriano
TEL. 04 95 76 31 01
Campomoro plongée Nitrox
Campomoro
TEL. 04 95 74 23 29 / 06 09 95 44 43
Porto Pollo plongée
Hôtel du Golfe
TEL: 06 85 41 93 94
Watersports and Boat rental
There are various sites in the area where you can practise windsurfing, catamaran and dinghy sailing, waterskiing and jet skiing. Remember that water skiing is a weather dependant activity, which requires a calm and flat sea. As the wind often picks up during the day, this is often on offer early mornings.The constant presence of the wind attracts windsurfers to Corsica, and the strong winds that whistle through the straits of Bonifacio are some of the best in the Mediterranean for expert windsurfing. The island’s Mediterranean climate and varied bays and beaches also offer superb opportunities for swimming, rock swimming and snorkelling.
The bigger bays of the west coast and the southeast are the main centres for windsurfing as well as dinghy or small catamaran sailing. You can usually hire equipment, from an hour upwards, from fully licensed sailing clubs and many centres offer tuition. Please be aware that without the appropriate licence, you will only be able to rent a motorboat with an engine up to 6cv. If you wish to enrol on a course, we recommend you book early during your stay, especially at the height of the season.
Centre Nautique de Porto Pollo
Tel 06 09 40 37 65
Hire out windsurfers, catamarans, sea canoes and motorboats on Porto Pollo beach. Waterskiing is also available depending on conditions.
Porticcio Nautical Centre
Plage de la Viva, Porticcio
Tel `04 95 25 01 06
Offers lessons in windsurfing, dinghy or catamaran sailing for ages 8 years up. Also rents out windsurfers, kayaks, dinghies and catamarans
Cors’Aventure
Plage de Porticcio
Tel: 04 95 25 91 19
Hires out canoes, kayaks and rafts
Golf
If you have a passion for golf then you must visit the spectacular Golf de Spérone, located on a breathtaking site at the southern tip of Corsica overlooking the Mediterranean, the Bonifacio Strait and the tiny islands of Cavallo and Lavezzi. Corsica has no other 18 hole courses.
Sperone Golf Club
Domaine de Sperone, Bonifacio
Tel. 04 95 73 17 13
A superb course (ranked in the Top 100 in the world!) of 18 holes, designed by the famous golf architect, Robert Trent Jones. Equipment hire and tuition possible. The club also has a bar and restaurant with panoramic views over the straits of Bonifacio to Sardinia. A handicap certificate is required.
Golfe de Porticcio
Camping Benista
Tel: 04 95 25 95 05
A 9 hole course.
Tennis
There are a number of Tennis clubs in the Valinco area, please call to book and take your own equipment.
Club de Propriano
Tel. 04 95 76 13 35
Three lit courts off the Route de Sartene, reservation advised.
Tennis Club de Sartène
Tel. 04 95 77 18 10
Two lit courts.
Club U Farandu
Tel. 04 95 73 41 69
Two courts, a clubhouse and a mini golf.
Mountain Biking and Quad Bikes
Due to Corsica's mountainous terrain, cycling is not an easy option but fairly active and experienced cyclists will find the challenging climbs and winding routes enjoyable.
For those with enough determination and stamina, the views from some of the coastal roads and mountain tracks are breathtaking. Because of the rough terrain, mountain bikes (vélos tous terrains or VTTs) are preferable over other types of bicycles and can be hired in Ajaccio, and Propriano.
The best time for cycling is during mid-season: May - June and September - October, when the weather is slightly cooler and the roads quieter. To escape the traffic completely there are numerous footpaths, woodland trails and 1,900 kilometres of bridleways which will enable you to discover more of the island's natural beauty, the best of which are near Forêt de l'Ospédale, Bavella and the Coscione Plateau in the south. The Mare e Monti Sud hiking path which runs between Propriano and Porticcio is one of the island's best opportunities for cycling as are the tracks of coastal Sartenais.
For those who prefer to have more than just pedal power, quad biking through the maquis may be a better choice.The following all arrange accompanied trails on quad bikes.
Corsica Mountain Quad
L’Ospedale, Porto Vecchio
Tel 04 95 70 68 08 or 06 20 58 44 84
Circuits from 10 mins up to 5 hours. They also do evening trips on a Wednesday.
Corse Nature, Baie de Santa Giulia
Route de Moby Dick
Tel 04 95 70 56 75
As well as organised tours you can also just rent bikes.
Horse riding
Treks of differing lengths can be booked ranging from two hours to a whole day. When reserving don’t forget to mention whether or not you are experienced. During the heat of the summer, outings are usually limited to early morning and early evening.
Ferme Equestre de Croccano
Route de Granace, on the road to Sartene
Tel 04 95 77 11 37
Cavadda Di Santu Pultru
on the road between Sartène and Tizzano
Tel 04 95 77 23 15 or 06 88 70 42 05
Asinu di Figuccia
on D257 between Barraci and Olmeto
Tel 06 03 28 92 00 or 06 03 28 81 85
In July and August they offer trips on the traditional mode of transport in Corsica - the donkey - for an hour or a whole day trek. Some circuits include a bathing stop in the rock pools.
Centre Equestre de Porticcio
Tel 04 95 25 11 05
Well signposted from the main road in Porticcio, offers treks of differing lengths.
Boat Trips
A boat trip as a passenger is a more relaxing introduction to the best of the coastline. Vedettes, pleasure boats that also operate as ferries are operated by many companies and so there is plenty of choice when it comes to exploring Corsica from the sea.
Promenade en mer Valinco
near the port office, Propriano
Tel 06 12 54 99 28
Offer motorboat trips (12 seater motor launch) and also an 11 seater skippered catamaran “Big Blue” for sailing trips in the Valinco gulf.
I Paesi di U Valincu
Tel 04 95 76 16 78 / 06 11 54 06 38
They offer tours with professional guides, narrated visits (in French): Have two larger boats and offer trips in the gulf and also farther afield to the Calanches of Piana.
Vedettes Thalassa
Bonifacio
Tel 04 95 73 01 17 / 06 86 34 00 49
Shorter and longer trips available taking in the Bonifacio coastline, the caves and also farther afield to les Iles de Lavezzi.
Rocca Croisieres
Bonifacio
Tel 04 95 73 13 96 / 04 95 23 37 91
Walking
The Gulf of Valinco, debated to be the most beautiful gulf on the west coast of the island is a great region to explore. At the eastern end is the principal town of the region, Propriano, which has developed from a sleepy fishing community to a bustling resort. Around the bay to the south finds Campomoro, a peaceful fishing village, with only a few houses, boats, a sandy beach and a eucalypus grove. To the north of the bay you find Cappiciolo - perhaps one of the best spots on the Gulf - and Porto Pollo, a sheltered little port. The coastline to the south of the Gulf of Valinco is mostly inaccessible by car, so the area of rocks, maquis, sandy coves, footpaths and tracks is destined to be experienced on foot.
Wine Tasting
There are many wine producers in the South of Corsica, many of which boast the coveted Appellation d'Origine Controlée Corse accreditation, and all of which are open to the public and offer tastings and sales direct from the vineyard or cave, just look for the signs.
AOC Corse – Sartène
AOC Ajaccio
AOC Corse - Figari
