Scandola & Girolata Boat Tour Corsica: Swim & Wine Tasting

Scandola's turquoise waters and granite cliffs, reached only by boat

You board at Ajaccio or Porticcio and spend the day on water, swimming at Scandola's turquoise reserve, tasting wine on deck, exploring the roadless village of Girolata, and drifting through the pink granite Calanques de Piana before a final swim at Capo Rosso. Snorkeling gear, water, and soda are included. Bring or buy lunch in Girolata.

Step-by-step itinerary

Boat trip to Scandola and Girolata

• Start boat trip from Ajaccio or Porticcio
• Discover Scandola Nature Reserve by sea
• Swim in Scandola's turquoise waters
• Enjoy wine tasting on board
• Lunch break at Gulf of Girolata beach
• Explore Girolata village and Genoese fort
• Visit Calanques de Piana caves
• Swim in natural pools of Capo Rosso
• Return to Ajaccio

The experience

Most boat tours along Corsica stick to the obvious. This one goes where the road cannot: into the Scandola Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that sits on the water and nowhere else. You start from either Ajaccio or Porticcio port, and within an hour you're floating past rock formations that shift color as the light moves. The boat slows at Scandola itself, and you get a swim stop in water so clear it feels unreal. After that, wine tasting happens on deck while the boat rocks gently beneath you.

Girolata comes next, a village with no road access. You arrive by boat or hiking trail, which means it stays quiet even in summer. The beach there is where you'll eat lunch (you bring your own or buy from a small spot on shore), and the old Genoese fort sits on the ridge above, a 15th-century tower built when Genoa controlled these waters. It's the kind of place where cows wander the sand in shoulder seasons, which sounds odd until you see it. The Gulf of Girolata sits so close to Scandola that you're never far from the reserve's strange, layered geology.

The Calanques de Piana are what make people gasp. These aren't the usual cliffs. They're massive granite formations, some ocher, some pink, carved by water into cavities and shapes that look almost intentional. The boat moves slowly through them, and you can swim in natural pools tucked between the rocks. The final stop is Capo Rosso, another pink granite cape with its own 16th-century tower and more swimming in sheltered water. By the time you head back to port, you've covered four distinct landscapes without leaving the boat.

The whole day runs on the boat's schedule, not yours, which is exactly what makes it work: no arranging transport between stops, no timing yourself, no wondering if you've missed something. Snorkeling gear is included, water and soda are on board, and the boat handles the navigation. Lunch isn't included, so plan to eat in Girolata or bring something. The boat departs early enough that you're back by evening.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and soft drinks are provided on board.
• The tour includes swim stops at Scandola, the Calanques de Piana, and Capo Rosso, plus a wine tasting on deck.
• Lunch in Girolata is not included.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Apr 2027

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (1 to 9 years)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideFrench

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 yesterday

Good to know

Physically demandingPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by neptune croisière ajaccio

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to see Corsica's protected coast without arranging their own boat or timing multiple stops. The boat handles the navigation and pacing, though you need to be comfortable getting on and off a vessel and swimming in open water.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 9 years).

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.

Can you swim at every stop?

Yes. Scandola, Girolata, the Calanques de Piana, and Capo Rosso all have designated swim stops. Snorkeling gear is provided.

Is lunch included?

No. You eat in Girolata, where there are small food options, or bring your own. Budget time there for a proper break.

Where does the boat depart from?

Either Ajaccio port or Porticcio port, depending on which departure you book. Both are on the coast near the reserve.

How long is the full tour?

The itinerary covers four main stops with swim breaks and travel time between them. Plan for a full day on the water.

Do I need diving certification to snorkel?

No. Snorkeling gear is provided and the stops are in shallow, calm water. Basic swimming ability is expected.

What is the Scandola Nature Reserve?

A UNESCO World Heritage Site accessible only by sea, known for unique marine and terrestrial fauna, flora, and dramatic rock formations.

Can I visit Girolata on foot instead of by boat?

Yes, there is a hiking trail to Girolata, but this tour arrives by boat. The village has no road access.

What should I bring?

Sunscreen, a towel, a change of clothes, and money for lunch in Girolata. Water and soda are on board.