Activities in Corsica
There are numerous activities available on the island during the summer season – for all ages and interests. If you wish to book an activity, please call them giving at least 24 hours notice or call by the activity centre itself. Most operators now take credit cards, but you should clarify this beforehand and credit card details may be required as a form of deposit, particularly when equipment is being hired. Please also ensure you check the extent of the cover provided by your holiday insurance as certain activities may be specifically excluded.
Some facilities are only available in July/August and may also only be operational between 10h00 and 12h00 and from 16h00 until 20h00.
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.
Altore
Residence Ste Anne, St Florent
Tel 04 95 37 19 30
Organise regular canyoning excursions, weather permitting.
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.
Altore
Residence Ste Anne, St Florent
Tel 04 95 37 19 30
Organise regular canoeing excursions, weather permitting.
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.
CESM
Plage de la Roya, St Florent
Tel 04 95 37 00 61
Also organise night dives
Actisub
Rte de la Roya, St Florent
Tel 04 95 39 06 62
Dolffinn
port de Sisco
Tel 06 07 08 95 92 / 06 07 08 96 00
Thalassoma
Macinaggio
Tel 06 07 22 31 63
Capi Corsu Diving
Maccinagio
Tel 04 95 35 48 57
Club Bleu Marine Compagnie
Morisiglia
Tel 04 95 35 60 46
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.
CESM
Plage de la Roya, St Florent
Tel 04 95 37 00 61 or 01 43 79 75 80
Monohull sailing boat hire without skipper, boat trips, sailing and diving school all available.
Corse Horizon Location
Residence Sta Catalina 20217 St Florent
Tel 04 95 37 21 83 or 04 95 35 37 61
Motor boats, cabin cruisers, open dinghies, semi-rigids, inflatables, sea scooters all available to hire.
Dominique Plaisance
Lottisement St Flor, Bord de l'Aliso, 20217 St Florent
Tel 0495370708 or 00 33 4 95 37 02 66
Motor boats for hire with or without licence, boat trips with or without skipper, kayaks
Sun Folies
Plage de la Roya, St Florent
Tel 06 13 07 39 83 or 06 17 01 37 35
Rent out Jet skis, pedaloes, and motorboats. You will have to pay extra for any fuel used and also leave a substantial deposit. They also arrange accompanied trips around the Cap Corse and the desert des Agriates.
Base Nautique
Plage de la Roya, St Florent
Tel 06 12 10 23 27
Hold courses to learn to sail dinghies and catamarans, to canoe and to windsurf. Also rent out canoes (kayaks), catamarans, laser dinghies, windsurfers and pedaloes by the hour, half-day and whole day.
LOCAMAR
Centuri Port
Tel 04 95 35 65 65
Hire out all kinds of boats.
Club Nautique de Maccinagio
Tel 04 95 35 46 82 / 04 95 35 41 36
Hire out sailing boats only.
Cap Evasio, Macinaggio
Tel: 04 95 35 47 90
Hire out motor boats only.
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
TC St Florent
TC Erbalunga
TC Centuri
TC Ogliastro
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.
Aliso Sport
Residence Ste Anne, St Florent
Rent out mountain bikes by the half or full day. You will need to leave a deposit.
St Flo Quad
station Shell, St Florent
Tel 06 18 66 10 94 / 06 10 27 83 21
Two circuits leaving from behind the “Shell” service station and through the Désert des Agriates.
4x4 St Flo
Rte de la Plage, St Florent
Tel 04 95 37 06 42
Arrange day trips in an open top 4x4 Vitara through the Désert des Agriates (2 circuits)
Cap Corse Location
Marine de Maccinagio
Tel 04 95 35 45 85
Hire out mountain bikes and scooters.
Loc’Ago
port de Maccinagio
Tel: 06 19 47 77 13/06 11 01 09 30
Hold Quad initaition sessions of 1-2½ hours and also arrange accompanied Quad trips around the Cap Corse across the Maquis.
Luri VTT
Luri
Tel 04 95 35 05 81
Hires out mountain 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.
Relais Equestre des Agriates
Casta nr St Florent
Tel 04 95 37 17 83 06 12 06 34 38
Equinature
Sisco
Tel 06 81 52 62 85
Speak English and organise treks lasting from one hour up to a whole day.
U Cavlu di Brando
Erbalunga
Tel 04 95 33 94 02
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).
Walking
The Sentier des Douaniers, named after the customs men who walked this path, runs from Macinaggio to Centuri. Many follow just a small part of the route for a day's walking - the famous Genoese towers along the way are an impressive sight against the coastal backdrop. The Désert des Agriates is a landscape of wild maquis and rocky cliffs and it is criss-crossed with pathways. Buy an IGN map of the area and choose from the myriad of pathways that lead to otherwise inaccessible beaches.
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
