Separating the north of Sardinia from the south of Corsica, the coastline and islands of the narrow Strait of Bonifacio are true pearls of the Mediterranean. Romantic sandy beaches in secluded rocky coves can be found in abundance on the islands of La Maddalena, Caprera, Budeli, Santa Maria, Razzoli, and Lavezzi. You definitely won't suffer from boredom here. Corsica will captivate you and never let go!
Yachting in Corsica
Corsica is a French island and is the fourth largest in the Mediterranean with a coastline stretching 1,047 km. The official language is French, but Corsican is also spoken here. Although the original dialect was banned for a long time, it is now commonly taught and there is a strong movement in Corsica for greater autonomy. The island's history has been turbulent one and it was where the great Napoleon Bonaparte was born. Corsica boasts unspoilt landscapes as well as several glacial lakes, and parts of the island are listed by UNESCO.
Madonetta Lighthouse in the south of Corsica in the Strait of BonifacioWhen to sail to Corsica?
The best time to sail around to Corsica is May and early June, when everything is in full bloom, filling the air with an intoxicating fragrance. You can also enjoy more peaceful sailing from mid-September and October, but it's likely to be windier then. From mid-July to mid-August, when there are holidays in Italy, unfortunately you can forget about deserted bays. Italian holidays culminate on August 15, when the great feast of Ferragosto (Assumption) begins.
Even in high season, the bays are empty in the morning and eveningWhere to sail to Corsica from?
For a sailing trip taking in the full beauty of Corsica, we recommend sailing from Italy, specifically from the port of Sardinia. Not only this , most sailors have a better experience with renting boats in Sardinia from Italian charter companies than they do in Corsica from French companies.
Choose marinas on the northeast coast. If you're coming to Olbia, the Portisco marina is an ideal starting point — you'll get to enjoy sailing along the stunning Sardinian coast. It is also possible to set off from the marinas of Palau, Santa Teresa di Gallura and others.
YACHTING.COM TIP: Northern Sardinia will enchant you with its beautiful beaches, mysterious islands, ancient fortresses and navigational adventures. Experience it for yourself! Along the northern coast, you will discover countless islands surrounded by rocks and reefs, which will especially be enjoyed by adventurers and those who love navigational challenges. However, a lot of caution is needed here as the shallows are often unmarked. The region offers beautiful towns, fishing villages, first-class cuisine, attractive anchorages and safe harbours. Check out our article on the 10 best places to visit in Northern Sardinia!
What is the Strait of Bonifacio and where is it?
The Strait of Bonifacio (Bouches de Bonifacio in French, Bocche di Bonifacio in Italian, Bucchi di Bunifaziu in Sardinian), is located in the Mediterranean Sea between Corsica and Sardinia. It takes its name from the Corsican town of Bonifacio. The strait is about 12 kilometres wide and reaches a maximum depth of 89 metres and is notorious among sailors for its changeable and often windy weather, strong sea currents, frequent shoals and other obstacles. Therefore, sailing here is recommended for only the most experienced sailors — they end up flocking here for the challenge.
YACHTING.COM TIP: The climate of Corsica and its surroundings is greatly influenced by the wind and its sudden changes. Beware especially of the Mistral, a strong cold wind that enters the Mediterranean from the northwest via France. It is a wind full of contradictions — a friend to experienced sailors but a foe to those just starting out, a destroyer of crops yet creator of fabulous sunny days in Provence. So, how can it impact your sailing vacation? — The Mistral: a turbocharger for experienced sailors.
Map of Corsica and the Strait of Bonifacio.Sailing around the islands of the Strait of Bonifacio
The charming islands dotted with coves, bizarre rock formations and white beaches in the Strait of Bonifacio are largely part of the La Maddalena National Park — there is a charge for anchoring here.
Usually it costs 2 to 3 Euros per metre of boat length per day (current charges for La Maddalena islands). Boats from the nature reserve rangers go around the bays and collect the mooring fees, often arriving between 11 am and 2 pm when the bays are at their busiest. Some charter companies include the entrance fee in the price of the charter.
Coast of Corsica near La Maddalena ParkAre you interested in other sailing destinations?
Except for the bush-like maquis, these islands of red granite are virtually without vegetation. Most of them are surrounded by visible or hidden underwater rocks and reefs, so careful navigation is in order. The sea here goes from turquoise to sky blue and is completely transparent.
As a result, when it’s calm or in low winds, snorkelling is absolutely breathtaking when exploring the various rocks and small islets. Pack a thin wetsuit to enjoy the underwater world for even longer. Then, you’ll discover the most interesting spots with numerous fish, octopuses, caves and more.
The island of Razzoli
On Razzoli Island, there is a beautiful place to stop in a cove which has Caribbean-like turquoise water, called Cala Lunga. Watch out for the westerly winds and the hidden rocks that dot the estuary, especially on the south side of the bay. Here you can drop anchor in 3 to 4 metres on the sandy-rock bottom or tie up to a buoy. Plus, you can also moor in the bay of Cala Giorgio Marino. There are some bizarre rock formations jutting out of the sea that will delight the kids, but again, be careful of them as you sail in.
With a catamaran, you can navigate the strait between the island of Santa Maria and Budelli with the utmost caution, in no wind and good visibility (but be really careful, not for nothing is this strait called Secco di Morto, the bay of death). In the north of the island there is a 19th-century lighthouse which will make navigation at night easier. It offers a magnificent view of Corsica and Sardinia.
The islands of Santa Maria, Razzoli and Budelli in CorsicaThe island of Budelli
There is good anchoring on the east coast of Budelli. It's worth visiting the beautiful pink beach of Spiaggia Rosa, which owes its colour to tiny fragments of corals and shells, and the beaches of the Seca di Morto Strait.
The island of Santa Maria
Santa Maria has good anchorages in the bay of Cala St. Maria with its stunning beach, and in the bay of Cala Muro. Be sure to take a nice stroll around the island to the lighthouse.
The island of Spargi
Spargi offers three nice anchorages — Cala d'Alga, Cala Corsara and Cala Ferrigno. Cala d'Alga has a really gorgeous beach.
Cala Corsara bay on the island of SpargiThe island of Caprera
A real gem is the two beaches on Caprera in Cala Coticcio Bay on the east coast. This magnificent bay is called Tahiti and is definitely worth a visit. In the south of the island there is a safe anchorage in Porto Palma Bay. History buffs will appreciate the fact that Giuseppe Garibaldi was in exile on the island where he later died.
The beaches on the island of Caprera in the bay of Cala CoticcioIf you want to visit a restaurant on the islands, you can do so on La Maddalena Island in the marina of Porto Massimo or in the bay of Cala Spalmarole. There you can take an interesting walk to the cliff high above the sea where there are the remains of a military fortification. There are also restaurants in the main port of La Maddalena and in Marina del Ponte.
Looking for more adventure? Then sail on to the northwest side of the Corsican coast — even the French islands of Lavezzi and Cavallo have charm.
The islands of Lavezzi and Cavallo
If you love blue lagoons and white sand, this spot is perfect. Enjoy the most romantic swim and a beautiful island walk among the white rocks. On Lavezzi, there are beautiful anchorages in the lagoon of Cala Lazarina in the south of the island and in the bay of Cala di u Grecu.
Beware, however, of the many reefs as you approach. Therefore, sail only during the day and in good visibility. The winds that blow here are intensified and accelerated by the nearby islands.
YACHTING.COM TIP: The Mediterranean is one of the most popular destinations for sailors to take their boat out and battle the elements, or to compete with other sailors in one of the many regattas. Whether you are a leisure or competitive sailor, you should have a basic understanding of everything that affects your sailing. This means being able to read the clouds to predict the weather, knowing what type of winds are in the region at different times, and understanding the ocean currents and how they affect sailing. These currents can be a hindrance as well as a welcome boost.
The island of Lavezzi offers swimming in blue lagoonsUseful sailing tips:
The island of Corsica: the spellbinding port of Bonifacio
The long narrow fjord of Bonifacio harbour is well hidden among the high rocks and can be recognised by the entrance lighthouse and the busy traffic. The little town on the cliffs is beautiful and best enjoyed if you combine a visit with lunch or dinner up in the citadel. Bonifacio is very well protected and definitely the prettiest harbour in Corsica. Corsica's flag is based on the head-shaped rock that juts out of the sea on the south side below the walls.
Little town on the rock of Bonifacio in CorsicaAs you sail from the Madonnetta lighthouse to Anse de Fazziuol, there are caves in the rocks (you may recognise the footage from the film The Count of Monte Cristo). If you sail the boat close to the rocks, the crew can take the dinghy to the caves and back. However, the captain should stay on the boat.
If you don't want to spend the night in the busy harbour, you can berth in the romantic bay of Anse de Fazzuoli in calm weather. But beware of the waves from passing boats. It's a good idea to use longer lines to moor to the shore.
Caves on the coast of CorsicaWest coast of Corsica: only for experienced crews
From the south, you can also head along the western coast of Corsica, which is one of the wildest. However, sailing conditions are more challenging here and we recommend sailing here only for experienced crews. The entire west coast offers few sanctuaries in westerly winds, so you'll need to keep an eye on the forecast and take shelter if necessary.
Between Bonifacio and Propriano, you'll discover a huge number of incredibly romantic anchorages. The jagged rocks, blue Caribbean-like waters and beautiful sandy beaches combined with the desert nature of the coastline create a stunning scenery. However, even here you have to be watchful as there are a large number of underwater reefs that make it difficult to approach the shore.
There is a not very big marina in Proprian, where you will probably be searching for a place in vain. Originally a sleepy fishing village, it has become a major resort in the last half century. Campomoro Bay offers a relatively well-protected anchorage. The surrounding coastline is criss-crossed with trails that invite more challenging walks. The area is also home to Corsican wild boar.
Genoese tower to protect the coast from pirates in CampomoroWhat other places can you find en route? For example, Port de Tiziano, a beautiful place with the possibility of a trip to the nearby Dolmens. Or Golfe de Roccapina, a sandy bay with stunning scenery. Or the rocky bay of Cala Grande with its sandy beach and ruggedness, or the small marina of Pianottoli in Baie de Figari. Most of these places can only be enjoyed, however, if there's no westerly wind, which hits really hard here.
The island of Sardinia
On the Sardinian coast, you can visit the famous millionaire's port of Porto Cervo. However, you can pay € 300 for a berth in Porto Cervo marina in high season and € 120 for a buoy, plus electricity and water charges.
We therefore recommend sailing further afield. If you need to shop or find a cheaper marina, visit Palau, Santa Teresa di Gallura, Porto Pollo (a very nice, well-protected anchorage) or Porto Pozzo.
About 2 NM east of Palau is Capo d'Orso with its bear-shaped rock. The view from the bear is really worth the somewhat strenuous climb.
East of Palau is Capo d'Orso, a bear-shaped rock.Specialities of Corsican cuisine
- Chestnuts play an indispensable role in Corsican cuisine. You can find them in almost everything, for example as a side dish in the form of mash (similar to corn polenta).
- Chestnuts are also eaten by the local wild boar (sanglier), whose meat, in various preparations, is also a popular dish. Boar meat is also used to make many delicious sausages and ham.
- Cheese lovers will appreciate the sheep's cheese 'brocciu' or its summer cow's milk equivalent.
- By the sea, of course, you will find fish and seafood.
- You can also enjoy the famous fig or chestnut jams or honey.
- And be sure to try the local wine that's earthy, spicy and full of flavour.
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