Scandola & Girolata boat tour from Sagone: UNESCO sites & swim

Red cliffs and turquoise water: four UNESCO sites in one morning

A half-day boat tour departing from Sagone (40 minutes from Ajaccio) that visits Scandola Nature Reserve, Girolata, the Gulf of Porto and Calanques de Piana: three UNESCO World Heritage Sites accessible only by sea. The tour includes a 30-minute stop in the village of Girolata, reachable only by boat or hiking trail, and a swim in a wild cove. An experienced captain, engineer and sailor narrate the geology, fauna and flora of each site. Children from age 1 are welcome. The boat is wheelchair accessible with onboard facilities.

Step-by-step itinerary

Scandola Reserve and Girolata visit

• Observe Genoese tower of Omigna
• Explore Scandola Nature Reserve by boat
• Stop 30 minutes in Girolata village
• Discover Gulf of Porto from boat
• Admire Calanques de Piana cliffs
• Swim in turquoise waters

The experience

The Senino leaves Sagone with free parking and no traffic from Ajaccio, heading first toward the Genoese tower of Omigna (a 16th-century monument perched on the rocky point at Cargèse) before turning toward Scandola Nature Reserve about 20 minutes out. Scandola is France's first reserve to encompass both land and sea, and the boat is the only way to reach it. The crew guides you through igneous rock formations sculpted into cliffs, caves and faults that rise from the water, narrating the history and the local wildlife as you pass.

After Scandola comes a 30-minute stopover in Girolata, a village wedged between two nature reserves and cut off from roads entirely: accessible only by boat or on foot. You can walk to the renovated Genoese fort, climb to the old wheat yard (aghja), or sit at one of the waterfront establishments before reboarding. The route then passes Monte Senino (618 meters) and opens onto the Gulf of Porto, another UNESCO site, before reaching the Calanques de Piana: red and ocher cliffs rising above turquoise water, sculpted by centuries of erosion into peaks, caves and a natural arch.

The final 30 minutes are yours to swim in the crystal-clear cove: a moment to cool off and explore the underwater world before the return to port. The boat carries a bar, shaded and sheltered areas on deck, a restroom and shower facilities onboard. The crew of three ensures comfort and safety throughout.

What’s included

• Boat tour with experienced captain, engineer and sailor.
• entry to Scandola Nature Reserve, Girolata and Calanques de Piana.
• 30-minute stopover in Girolata village.
• 30-minute swim in a wild cove.
• onboard bar.
• shower and restroom facilities.
• shaded and sheltered deck areas.
• free parking at Sagone.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Jul 2027

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 73

Live guideEnglish and French

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.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 30 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Isula Croisières

Is this one for you?Book from Sagone if you're based near Ajaccio without a car: the boat departure eliminates the drive to reach these UNESCO sites, and free parking is included.

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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); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

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 Nature Reserve and why can you only reach it by boat?

Scandola is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Corsica's west coast and the first nature reserve in France to protect both land and sea together. The reserve's dramatic igneous rock formations, caves and cliffs are accessible only by water. No roads lead to it, so the boat is the only way to see the geology and wildlife the crew describes.

How long is the stop in Girolata and what can you do there?

Girolata gets a 30-minute stopover. The village sits between two nature reserves and is reachable only by boat or hiking trail, so it has kept its authentic character. You can walk up to the renovated Genoese fort, visit the old wheat yard (aghja), or have a drink at one of the waterfront cafés before reboarding.

Where do you swim on this tour and how long is the swim stop?

The swim happens in a wild cove near the Calanques de Piana at the end of the route, lasting about 30 minutes. The water is turquoise and crystal clear, and you can explore the underwater world before heading back to port.

Does the boat have facilities onboard, and is it accessible for wheelchairs?

The Senino has a bar, restroom and shower facilities, shaded and sheltered areas on deck, and space to move around. The boat and all areas are wheelchair accessible, and infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller.

Is parking included, and how far is Sagone from Ajaccio?

Free parking is included at the departure point in Sagone, which sits about 40 minutes from the Ajaccio region without traffic. This avoids the need to arrange transport or navigate busy roads.