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.
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
Christophe Pigeault, Porto Vecchio
Tel 04.95.78.58.25 or 06.20.61.76.81 (mobile)
Offer beginners day trips for €50 and trips for experienced people for €70. Protective gear supplied.
Corsica Forest, Porto Vecchio
Tel 06 16 18 00 58
Take canyoning trips in the valley up to Bavella from Solenzara, €45pp. Also have a VIA FERRATA in the same valley. For the less adventurous they have two adventure trails, one at Lecci and the other on the south side of Porto Vecchio.
Lezardos
Bonifacio
Tel 06 86 98 27 85 for canyoning and climbing.
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).
The waters around Bonifacio are the most dived in Corsica mainly because of the marine nature reserve (Réserve Naturelle des Bouches de Bonifacio). Diving here is a treasured experience with depths of up to 800m. Beginners can take advantage of the small inlets whilst the more experienced divers have the chance to visit the more renowned sites.
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.
Dolfinu Biancu
Bonifacio port
Tel 04 95 72 01 33 / 06 21 46 71 49
La Palanquee et Sub Pelago
Next to the Casino in Porto Vecchio
Tel 04 95 70 16 53
Kalliste Plongée
Plage de Palombaggia
Tel 04 95 70 44 59
Oxygene
Santa Giulia
Tel 06 09 69 58 62
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.
Ecole de voile de Pinarella
plage de Pinarella
Tel 06 03 49 79 50
Group or individual sailing & windsurfing lessons from the age of 7. Also rent out catamarans and kayaks.
Ecole de ski nautique St Cyprien
Commercial centre, St Cyprien
Tel: 04 95 71 64 55 / 06 03 82 01 86
Lessons and accompanied trips on waterskis and wakeboards
Lolly Loops
plage de St Cyprien
Tel 05 95 71 00 48
Lessons and equipment hire for windsurfing, catamarans, pedalos and kayaks.
La Petite Bleue
plage de St Cyprien
Tel 06 75 23 25 08
Group sailing lessons, boat rentals and also boat trips available
Santa Giulia windsurfing school
Route de Moby Dick
Tel 04 95 70 58 62
Hire out windsurfers and catamarans as well as give instruction
Santa Giulia Ski club
plage de Santa Giuila
Tel 06 14 23 59 99
Offers water skiing, wakeboarding, monoskiing and other activities
Jet Liberty Palombaggia
Plage de Palombaggia
Tel 06 21 46 48 16
Over 16s only can rent out jet skis from 30 mins (€68) up to 5 hours (€250-€300). An induction course must be attended beforehand unless you are able to provide documentation to prove competence in piloting a jet ski of the power you are seeing to hire.
Bonifacio Windsurf
Piantarella
Tel 04 95 73 52 04
Hires out windsurfers, kitesurfers and kayaks
Bonifacio Sailing Club
rue St Erasme
Tel: 06 67 22 42 08
Windsurfing, dinghies, catamaran, Kayak and pedaloes for hire.
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.
Golf de Lezza
Rte de Bonifacio
Tel 04 95 72 06 89
A 6 hole course with a small driving range
Ste Lucie mini golf
la Testa
Tel 04 95 71 40 27
An 18 hole course in a lovely setting. Closed during the hot period of the day.
Jet Skiing
Another weather dependant activity, which requires a calm and flat sea. As the wind often picks up during the day, this is often only available early mornings.
Pirate Adventure Corsica
La Tonnara beach
Tel 04 95 73 56 36
Quad and mountain bike hire is also available here.
Nautic Aventure
port de Bonifacio next to the hotel Solemare
Tel 04 95 10 43 52
Rent out jet skis and motor boats.
Tennis
There are a number of Tennis clubs in the area.
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 Porto Vecchio.
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.
Pony club A Stalla
Route de Palombaggia
Tel 04 95 70 47 51 / 06 16 56 73 60
Small ponies and treks for children from 3 years old are also available.
Country Horse
Sainte Lucie de Porto Vecchio
Tel 06 11 99 45 93 / 06 20 91 01 37
Ponies and horses available for varying types and lengths of trips
Le Kentucky
Caramontinu, Ste Lucie de Porto Vecchio
Tel 04 95 71 49 21 / 06 83 82 79 50
Offers treks from 1hour up to full day.
Les Ecuries de L’Oso
pont de L’Oso St Cyprien
Tel 04 95 70 69 81
Organised walks in the maquis, in the river or on the beaches on horses or ponies.
Boat Trips
No trip to Bonifacio is complete without taking a boat trip around its impressive coastline. Here you will notice the extraordinary position of the town on top of the magnificent chalky cliffs not to mention the stunning secluded bays. Boats can be hired in most seaside towns or we can arrange to charter a yacht, complete with a skipper and crew, or arrange a boat trip from the port.
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.
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
A Dieu Vat, Santa Giulia
Tel 06 09 56 02 44
Mini cruise on board a 17m sailing yacht to the Lavezzi Islands. Leaves 9h from Santa Giulia and returns for 18h. Adults €65 and children €40.
Ruscana Croisieres
Port de Plaisance, Porto Vecchio
Tel 04 95 70 33 67 / 04 95 71 41 50
A motor boat trip lasting a full day (going to Bonifacio and the Iles de lavezzi) including breakfast and lunch.
Walking
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
