Scandola Nature Reserve Boat Tour: Corsica UNESCO Site

A UNESCO marine reserve and three coastal landmarks in one boat trip

A boat tour of Corsica's Gulf of Porto visits the Scandola Nature Reserve (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and marine protected area) along with the calanches of Piana and the fishing village of Girolata, which sits on the coast and is accessible only by sea. The tour runs roughly three hours with a live guide in English, Italian or French, and private transportation is included. Minimum age is 4 years old.

Step-by-step itinerary

Discover Gulf of Porto and Girolata

• Explore Gulf of Porto
• Visit calanches of Piana
• Stop 30 minutes at Girolata village
• Discover Scandola Nature Reserve

The experience

The boat departs to explore the Gulf of Porto, where the calanches of Piana rise as dramatic rock formations above the water. The route then reaches Girolata, a small fishing village built into the coastline and reachable only by boat. A 30-minute stop lets you walk the settlement and see how the fishermen live on this isolated stretch. From there the tour enters the Scandola Nature Reserve, a 1,669-hectare protected area that spans both marine and terrestrial zones and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since its classification in 1975.

The Scandola reserve protects a remarkable biodiversity across its waters and rocky terrain, and the boat passes through the reserve's boundaries so you see the landscape that makes it significant. The guide (available in English, Italian or French) explains what you're moving through and what the protection means for the species and geology you're looking at. Private transportation is arranged, so the logistics of getting to the boat and back to your accommodation are handled without a separate booking.

The tour runs about three hours total. It's suitable for all fitness levels, though the boat ride itself means you need to be comfortable on the water. The operator notes it's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or during pregnancy. Children as young as 4 can join. There's no restroom on board, so plan accordingly before departure.

What’s included

• Private transportation to and from the boat.
• a live guide in English, Italian or French.
• access to the Gulf of Porto, the calanches of Piana, Girolata and the Scandola Nature Reserve.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday to SundayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (4 to 80 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish, French and Italian

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

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.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 effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Promenades en mer au départ de Porto Ota - Porto Marine Evasion

Is this one for you?You see three distinct coastal landmarks and a UNESCO marine reserve in one morning without arranging separate transport or a guide: the boat's route and the included guide handle both, leaving you to focus on what you're looking at instead of logistics.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Italian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What is the Scandola Nature Reserve and why is it protected?

Scandola is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 1,669 hectares of both marine and terrestrial landscape, classified in 1975 as a nature reserve and part of France's Marine Protected Areas. It protects a remarkable biodiversity across its waters and rocky formations.

Can I actually visit Girolata, or do we just see it from the boat?

The tour stops in Girolata for 30 minutes, so you can walk off the boat and explore the fishing village itself. It's a small settlement built into the coast and accessible only by sea, so this stop is your chance to see how it's laid out and meet the people who live there.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs roughly three hours from start to finish, including the 30-minute stop in Girolata and the time spent in the Scandola reserve.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

There is no restroom on board, so use facilities before you depart.