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
Résidence Ste Anne, St Florent
Tel 06 88 21 49 16
altore.com
Organise regular canyoning excursions in the Viula and San Giuvannu canyons, weather permitting.
In Terra Corsa
Gare de Ponte Leccia
Tel 04 95 47 69 48
Interracorsa.com
Offers canoeing excursions into the River Asco, together with “rando-canyoning” (sliding down rapids & waterfalls), rock climbing and tree-top & rope bridge walking.
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
Interracorsa.com
Take daily canoeing excursions into the valley of Asco.
Agriates Kayak
Approx 1km south of St Florent
Tel 06 15 77 81 13 / 04 95 37 22 20
CorseKayak.com
Kayak trips around St Florent, Cap Corse and the Désert des Agriates.
Diving and snorkelling
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.
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.
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
cesm.net
Also organise night dives.
Actisub
Route de la Roya, St Florent
Tel 04 95 46 06 53 or 06 12 10 29 71
Actisub.com
Dollfin
Port de Sisco
Tel 04 95 58 26 56
dollfin-capcorse.fr
Thalassoma
Macinaggio
Tel 06 07 22 31 63
Capi Corsu Diving
Macinaggio
Tel 09 67 16 01 98 / 06 85 75 17 06
Capcorseimmersion.free.fr
Club Bleu Marine Compagnie
Centin - Morisiglia
Tel 04 95 35 60 46
bleu-marine-compagnie.fr
Water Sports 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 waterskiing 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. The island’s Mediterranean climate and varied bays and beaches also offer superb opportunities for swimming, rock swimming and snorkelling.
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
cesm.net
Monohull sailing boat hire without skipper, boat trips, sailing and diving school all available.
Corse Horizon Location
Résidence Santa Catalina 20217 St Florent
Tel 06 15 77 85 53 / 04 95 35 37 61
corse-horizon.com
Motor boats, cabin cruisers, open dinghies, semi-rigids, inflatables, sea scooters all available to hire.
Dominique Plaisance
Bord de l'Aliso, 20217 St Florent
Tel 04 95 37 07 08 or 06 16 90 58 02
DominiquePlaisance.com
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 désert 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.
Club Nautique de Maccinagio
Tel 04 95 35 46 82 / 04 95 35 41 36
Hire out sailing boats only.
Cap Evasion, Macinaggio
Tel 04 95 35 47 90 or 06 81 70 38 48
cap-evasion.biz
Hire out motor boats only.
Waterfly
L'Hôtel Pineto, Borgo, south of Bastia
Tel 06 14 36 33 48
Bastiajet.com
Bleu Sports Loisirs
Base Nautique, Moriani Plage
Tel 06 45 80 48 93 or 06 08 22 70 14
BleuSportsLoisirs.fr
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).
Le Popeye
Centre Ville, St Florent
Tel 04 95 37 19 07 or 06 62 16 23 76
Lepopeye.com
Provides a regular 'sea-taxi' between St Florent and the beaches of Loto and Saleccia. It also offers boat excursions around the Désert des Agriates and Cap Corse.
Shaka Sailing
Port de St Florent
Tel 06 70 65 41 36 / 06 82 42 54 01
ShakaSailing.fr
Sail boat cruises along the coast of the Désert des Agriates and western Cap Corse. Cruises to Elba and Capraia available by prior arrangement.
U San Paulu
Port de Plaisance, Macinaggio
Tel 06 14 78 14 16 / 04 95 35 07 09
sanpaulu.com
Cruises around Cap Corse and a weekly service to the island of Capraia
Cap Fishing Excursion
Résidence les Oliviers, Oletta
Tel 04 95 65 05 33
Capfishing.fr
Excursions and fishing trips in the Désert des Agriates, on board a small and comfortable boat (max 10 people).
