Scandola Reserve boat tour from Corsica: Small group cruise

Sail into volcanic cliffs and hidden coves, then anchor for a swim in Girolata.

A small-group boat tour of Corsica's protected Scandola Reserve, Girolata and Calanques de Piana aboard a fast semi-rigid with a skipper guide who shares the geology and history of the coast. The 4-hour cruise includes a 30-minute stop in the car-free village of Girolata, a swimming break, and close-up views of sea caves, red granite formations and volcanic rock that larger tour boats cannot access. Children from age 4 are welcome. The boat has bench and jockey seating, and free parking is available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cruise along Corsican coast highlights

• Board semi-rigid boat
• Discover Tower of Umigna and Arone Beach
• Sail around Capo Rosso and its caves
• Cross Gulf of Porto to Scandola Reserve
• Tour faults and coves of Scandola Reserve
• Stop 30 minutes in Girolata village
• Admire Capo Senino and Calanques de Piana
• Return to departure point

The experience

The boat leaves from Porto and heads straight into the Gulf, crossing toward the Scandola Reserve: a UNESCO-protected volcanic landscape where the skipper navigates the smallest coves and narrows to show you limestone algae sidewalks and steep cliffs that rise directly from the water. The semi-rigid's shallow draft and speed mean you get into places a standard tour boat cannot go, and the skipper's commentary ties the geology and local stories to what you're seeing as it passes. Before the reserve, you'll pass Capo Rosso and its sea caves, cross the Arch, and drift over turquoise water clear enough to see the rocky bottom.

Girolata is the stop where the pace slows. The village sits on a beach with no road access, so the only way in is by water. You have 30 minutes to swim, walk the tiny settlement, or sit on a terrace at the pontoon with a drink. The water is calm enough here that most people get in, and the beach is small enough that it feels like a private discovery even though you're sharing it with other boats.

The return crosses the Gulf of Porto and runs the length of the Calanques de Piana: a series of red granite formations that drop into the sea, their shapes carved by wind and water into towers and slots. The skipper points out the famous coves and shares local anecdotes about the region. The whole day is 4 hours on the water, and the semi-rigid's open design means you feel the spray and sun directly. The bench and jockey seating lets you shift position as the boat moves. Free parking is available at the departure point.

What’s included

• Skipper guide in English or French.
• semi-rigid boat with bench and jockey seating.
• 30-minute stop in Girolata village.
• swimming break.
• tax on maritime passengers for Scandola Reserve protection.
• free parking at departure point.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 14 Apr 2027

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (10 to 85 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?Small groups suit this tour best. The semi-rigid carries fewer people than a standard tour boat, so the skipper can linger in coves and caves without the crowding of larger vessels. Book this one if you want close-up access to sea caves and volcanic rock formations, and a pace that lets the guide share stories without rushing between stops.

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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 is the Scandola Reserve and why can't you visit it on foot?

The Scandola Reserve is a protected volcanic landscape on Corsica's coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site where the cliffs and rock formations rise straight from the water with no beach or landing point. Access is only by boat, and the skipper navigates the coves and narrow passages to show you the limestone formations and steep walls up close.

Is there time to swim during the tour?

Yes, there is a swimming break included in the tour. The main stop is 30 minutes in Girolata, where the water is calm and most travelers swim from the beach. The skipper may also offer a brief swimming opportunity at another point depending on conditions and the group's preference.

How does the semi-rigid boat differ from a larger tour boat?

The semi-rigid is fast and shallow-draft, which lets it navigate into sea caves, narrow coves and shallow waters that larger boats cannot access. It's also more maneuverable, so the skipper can position it closer to rock formations and geological features for better viewing and photography.

Is parking available at the departure point?

Yes, free parking is available at Porto, where the boat departs.