Day at Scandola and Calanques de Piana in a small group

About this tour

Explore Corsica's dramatic coastal reserve aboard a nimble semi-rigid boat with a family-run operator. This 5 hours 45 minute voyage takes you through the Scandola Reserve and past the rust-coloured pinnacles of Calanques de Piana, weaving between sea caves and rocky outcrops. You'll navigate waters few larger vessels can reach, then break at Girolata village where you can beach-side picnic or dine ashore. Groups stay intimate at 12 passengers maximum, with entry fees supporting the reserve's conservation.

Highlights

• Pilot tight sea caves inaccessible to bigger boats
• Navigate the UNESCO-protected Scandola Reserve's red-rock formations
• Two-hour Girolata beach break for swimming or lunch
• Small group of 12 maximum for unhurried exploration
• Local family operation with knowledgeable skippers
• Park free before departure

What to expect

The boat sits low in the water, letting you study cliff faces and rock textures up close as you motor past coves dotted with mooring buoys. Engine noise is moderate; the vessel's speed and manoeuvrability mean you'll slip between features quickly. Seas can be lumpy in the strait between Corsica and Scandola; expect some rocking. At Girolata, anchor offshore and tender in, or beach the boat—either way, you're loose for two hours. Most travellers grab lunch at a terrace or wade into the shallows. The return journey retraces your route, with guides pointing out wildlife and geological quirks.

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