Destination Guide

Sports & Activities in La Balagne

There are numerous activities available in the area during the summer season.

The most popular of all has to be the beaches. With golden sands and gentle shelving, the beach at Calvi is perfect for children. Stretching for 6 kilometres there is plenty of room for everyone. There is a huge array of watersports on offer at the beach including windsurfing and kayaking. The Plage Roncu is a small rocky cove that is excellent for snorkelling and hugely popular.

Diving in the area around Calvi is very diverse and includes a number of world-renowned sites, all within a relatively small area. One of which is the site of the downed B-17 "Superfortress" bomber from the Second World War. The sites around Le Naso at Ile Rousse are widely regarded as some of the most beautiful dives in Corsica, having superb rock formations and being home to both conger and moray eels, and octopus. The marina is the place to find dive schools, sailing trips and boat hire.

For those who are unqualified, an initiation dive (baptême) can be done with most clubs.

Those who are PADI qualified can go on organised dives and rent equipment.

Much of Calvi's coastline is inaccessible by road so a boat trip is a much better way of exploring. The impressive nature reserve of Scandola, a UNESCO heritage site, is well worth a visit.

Alternatively take a ride on the Tramways de Balagne, a rickety little train that runs between Calvi and Ile Rousse during the summer. The train stops at up to 18 stations en-route where you can visit secluded bays and beaches dotted along the coast. This charming railway is hugely popular with tourists and railway enthusiasts who travel from afar to ride the Tramways de Balagne.

Besides the various watersports there are many other activities on offer including:

• Canyoning; Canoeing excursions and 'rando-canyoning' (sliding down rapids & waterfalls).
• Climbing; The most exhilarating rock climbing opportunities in Europe is within an hour.
• Hiking; Excellent walks enjoying the beautiful flora, fauna and bird life.
• Paragliding; Some of the islands best paragliding on the slopes of Monte Cinto.
• Cycle & Mountain bike hire
• Quad bikes
• Golf
• Tennis

If you prefer things to be a little less energetic why not explore the surrounding areas and ports or head for the forests and vineyards? And if that doesn't appeal then you can just simply lie back on the beach and soak up the sun!

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