Scandola Reserve & Calanques de Piana Boat Tour Small Group

Red granite cliffs and turquoise water you reach only by boat

A full-day boat tour of Corsica's Scandola Reserve and Calanques de Piana with a guide in English or French, departing from Porto and returning after roughly six hours. The semi-rigid boat carries a maximum of 12 travelers, allowing close navigation of sea caves, rocky faults and the majestic coves that line the coast. A two-hour stop in Girolata, reachable only by sea, gives you time to swim, picnic on the beach or eat at a village restaurant (meals not included). The Scandola Reserve itself is protected by law and can only be seen from the water.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat tour of Scandola and Piana

• Embark on semi-rigid boat
• Discover Capo Rosso caves
• View Calanques de Piana from boat
• Navigate through Scandola Reserve
• Cross Gulf of Porto
• Stop for 2-hour lunch break in Girolata
• Swim or picnic at Girolata beach

The experience

The day starts with a departure from Porto aboard a semi-rigid boat designed to slip into shallow waters and navigate tight passages. Your guide will point out the caves of Capo Rosso (including the Pool, where sea calves shelter), and take you under the Arch of Capo Rosso to see rocky bottoms in transparent water. The boat's size and power let you get close to steep red granite cliffs without the crowds of larger tour vessels.

The Calanques de Piana come next: a stretch of majestic coves where the contrast between turquoise water, red rock and scrub vegetation is the draw. Your guide's commentary carries information and local anecdotes as you move through the Gulf of Porto toward the Scandola Reserve, a UNESCO-protected site that has no road access and can only be explored from the sea. The reserve's dazzling rock formations and wildlife are the centerpiece of the day.

At midday you arrive in Girolata, a small village with no road connection to the rest of Corsica. You have two hours here: enough time to swim from the main beach or a small cove, picnic on the sand, or walk to one of the village restaurants (you arrange and pay for meals separately). The break gives your body a rest from the boat and lets you move on land before the return journey to Porto.

What’s included

• Semi-rigid boat with guide commentary in English or French.
• entry to the Scandola Reserve and Calanques de Piana.
• navigation of sea caves and rocky passages at Capo Rosso.
• two-hour stop in Girolata with beach and swimming access.
• Barnier tax for reserve protection.
• free parking at the departure point.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 13 Apr 2027

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (10 to 97 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and French

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Croisières Grand Bleu

Is this one for you?The boat moves constantly and the sea can be choppy, so this tour suits travelers comfortable with motion and open water. The semi-rigid design reaches places larger boats cannot, which is what makes the sea caves and narrow rocky faults possible to navigate, but it also means you're exposed to the elements and the boat's speed.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 9 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly is the Scandola Reserve and why can you only see it from the water?

The Scandola Reserve is a protected natural site on Corsica's coast, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It has no road access, so the only way to experience its rock formations, wildlife and coastal landscape is by boat, which is why this tour exists and why the guide's knowledge of the site matters.

Can I swim during the tour, or is it just sightseeing from the boat?

You can swim during the two-hour stop in Girolata. The village has a large beach and small coves where you can enter the water. The boat time itself is spent navigating and viewing the cliffs and caves from aboard.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay for separately?

The tour includes the boat, guide commentary in English or French, and the Barnier tax (a local protection fee for the Scandola Reserve). Lunch and drinks are not included. You buy meals at Girolata's restaurants or bring a picnic to eat on the beach.

How small is the group, and will I be crammed on the boat?

The boat carries a maximum of 12 travelers, which is small enough to navigate narrow passages and sea caves that larger tour boats cannot access. The semi-rigid design gives you more maneuverability than a standard tour vessel.