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.
In Terra Corsa
Gare de Ponte Leccia
Tel 04 95 47 69 48
Offers canoeing excursions into the River Asco, together with “rando-canyoning” (sliding down rapids & waterfalls), rock climbing and tree-top & rope bridge walking.
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.
Escalade Association Sportive du Niolo, Calacuccia
Tel 04 95 48 05 22
An affiliated climbing organisation that specialises in climbs on and around Paglia Orba (Corsica’s 3rd highest peak) including the mountain’s vertical north face and the jagged pinnacles of the Cinque Frati.
In Terra Corsa
Gare de Ponte Leccia
Tel 04 95 47 69 48
Organise daily trips of varying difficulties into the Asco valley. Via Ferrata is an excellent and safe way of experiencing the mountain trails, all the while assured by ropes and safety harnesses. They will not accept groups larger than 10 people.
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.
In Terra Corsa
Gare de Ponte Leccia
TEL.04 95 47 69 48
Take daily canoeing excursions into the valley of Asco.
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. The d’Alturaghja (the place of the eagles) is the aptly named site where some of the islands best paragliding is provided, at over 1,000 metres on the slopes of Monte Cinto.
Altore Ecole Professionnelle de Parapente
Montegrosso
Tel: 06 08 72 67 19
Located approx 3km east of junction of D451 & D151 between Calvi and Montemaggiore. The tandem or solo flights offered provide excellent views of the Monte Grosso massif, the valley of the Fiume Secco and Calvi bay.
Escalade Association Sportive du Niolo
Calacuccia
Tel : 04 95 48 05 22
The company offers tandem glides or solo glides on production of the appropriate documentation. The site is easily accessed from Lozzi, just a few kilometres north west of Calacuccia, and, on a clear day, your flight will give you views of west coast, all the way from Calvi up to St Florent.
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.
Calvi Plongée
Port de Plaisance, Calvi
Tel 04 95 65 33 67 or 06 08 05 54 66
Sub Corsica Club
Marine de Sant’Ambroggio
Tel 04 95 60 75 38
Ecole de Plongée de L’Ile Rousse
opposite Hotel Santa Maria
Tel 04 95 60 36 85
I Sbuleca Mare
port San Damiano, Algajola
Tel 06 80 41 67 23
Snorkelling trips accompanied by a local marine biologist lasting around 45 mins. Snorkels provided. Suitable for adults and children over 8 years old.
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.
Calvi Nautique
Plage de Calvi
Tel 04 95 65 10 65 / 04 95 35 96 84
An internationally recognised club, which has English-speaking instructors for windsurfing, sailing and kite surfing. Windsurfers, sea canoes, dinghies or catamarans are available for hire by the hour or at a half-day, or day tariff.
Tra Mare e Monte
Port de Plaisance, Calvi (next to port office on the marina)
Tel 04 95 65 21 26
Rents out motorboats of all sizes (also mopeds, quads and more unusual cars including Porsche, Smartcar & Mini Cooper)
Calvi Ski Nautique Club
Le Blokos, Plage de Calvi
Tel 06 08 62 69 46
Offer water-skiing (in the right conditions), parascending, and wake boarding.
Club Nautique de l’Ile Rousse
opposite Hotel Santa Maria
Tel 04 95 60 22 55
Offer courses in sailing, canoeing, sea kayaks and windsurfing and also equipment rental. They also provide jet-ski trips with qualified pilots.
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.
Calvi Jet Evasion
Plage de Calvi
Tel 04 95 60 17 12
Jet ski hire, bouée and banana rides.
Corsica Jet-Loisirs
Restaurant les Dunes, Plage de Calvi
Tel 06 08 36 87 42 / 06 12 95 33 05
Jet ski hire and accompanied trips around the Revellata Peninsular and to Scandola.
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 du Reginu
Rte de Speloncato (signposted from N197 opposite Lozari plage)
Tel 04 95 61 51 41 or 06 80 14 65 66
A beautiful, if limited, 7 hole course in the bottom of the Reginu vally, with superb views and a challenging layout. Green Fees from €20/day. Equipment hire available. Small driving range (2€:bucket of balls) but very limited clubhouse facilites.
Tennis
There are Tennis clubs in most main towns
Complexe St Francois
Monticello,
Tel 06 18 02 07 32
4 courts, lit at night open from 17h. Very popular so it’s advisable to book in advance.
Tennis Club Ile Rousse
Route de Calvi, Ile Rousse
Tel 04 95 60 20 71
Tennis Club Calvi
plage de Calvi
Tel 04 95 65 21 13
Open from 16h30, it is a very popular club so it’s advisable to book in advance. Equipment hire available.
Tennis Davia
Route de Vignola, Davia
Courts available for residents of 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 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.
Corse Voyages
Blvd Wilson Calvi
Tel 04 95 65 00 47
Half day trips to Fangu/Marsulinu, St-Florent/Murato and Desert des Agriates and full day trips to Corte/Restonica valley.
Corsi 4x4
Ile Rousse
Tel 06 12 38 86 57
Arrange day trips to the surrounding area.
Loc Moto
Ave Christophe Colomb, Calvi
Tel 04 95 47 31 30
Have mopeds & motorcycles of all sizes for rent by the day
Tra Mare e Monti
Port de plaisance Calvi (next to port office on marina)
Tel: 04 95 65 21 26
Have a fleet of Quad bikes for hire
Balagne Evasion
L-D Guadelli (on the Calenzana road)
Tel: 05 95 60 17 12
Organise Quad excursions
Leader Sports
Ave Paul Doumer, Ile Rousse
Tel: 04 95 60 15 76 or 06 14 89 04 19
Situated on the main road at the entrance of Ile Rousse on N197 they have a wide selection of cycles to hire, including mountain (VTT) and road bikes. They will also deliver and collect the bikes from our accommodations for an extra fee. Also have helmets & child seats available to hire.
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.
A Cavallu
RN197 (close to the roundabout for Calvi airport.)
Tel 04 95 65 22 22
Cercle Equestre de Balagne
Le Cormoran, Lumio
Tel 04 95 60 66 66 or 06 13 42 27 62
D’Arbo Valley
Monticello (off the main road approximately 4km the east of Ile Rousse.)
Tel 06 12 06 34 38
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. Take a boat trip to one of the Agriates beaches, inaccessible by car. Boats from the harbour will take you to the beaches of Saleccia and Loto (3-6 departures a day and a 30 min trip).
Colombo Line
Quai Landry, Calvi
Tel 04 95 65 32 10
Full and half-day trips every day (in season) to Scandola and Girolata and once a week to Ajaccio
Ambiance Maxi Catamaran
38 Rue Clemenceau, Calvi
Tel: 04 95 60 29 11
Full and half-day trips to Scandola and Desert des Agriates from Calvi as well as sunset excursion. Carries a maximum of 28 passengers. The catamaran stops for swimming, snorkelling and canoing (all equipment carried on board). Prices include lunch/refreshments. Very popular in season, so early booking recommended.
Walking
The main walking season is between mid-May and early June as well as September. For those who want a real challenge, the internationally renowned GR20 trail is a real must and with other lesser-known pathways, you will be spoilt for choice. Crossing Corsica from northwest to southeast, the GR20 is 170 kilometres long with an average atlitude of 1000m to 2000m, starting in Calenzana in the Balagne, and finishing in Conca near Porto-Vecchio. The path follows the mountain ridge that cuts across Corsica and attracts many hiking enthusiasts every year. Practicable from June to September, the hike requires a high level of fitness, the right equipment, a good head for heights and some climbing experience – in its entirity it takes approximately two weeks to complete. Only one in three walkers complete the trail but you can just do half if desired, thanks to the train station mid-trail in the pine-hidden village of Vizzavona. Many refuges can be found en route, marking the end of each stage which offer basic accommodation with cooking / dining facilities as well as supplies’ stock. More comfortable gîtes d’étapes are also available.
There are a number of shorter circular walks around Calvi and Ile Rousse for the more casual walker, further information can be found from your representative or why not buy a Sunflower guide before travelling.
Wine Tasting
There are many wine producers in the North 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 for the Route des Vins.
AOC Coteaux du Cap Corse
AOC Patrimonio
AOC Muscat du Cap Corse
AOC Corse - Calvi