Corsica Itineraries: Day Charters and Multi-Day Routes

Corsica’s 300-nautical-mile coastline rewards exploration at every pace. The 3-day and 4-day itineraries below cover different stretches of the island and can be combined into a 7-day circumnavigation without repeating a single anchorage. A 5-day itinerary is included for those wanting to add the dramatic west coast. Every route is customisable by your captain and Boatcrowd charter specialist.

Day Charter Routes from Bonifacio

Bonifacio to the Lavezzi Islands: The Crystal Waters

Depart Bonifacio’s harbour mid-morning and cruise south through the Strait of Bonifacio to the Lavezzi Islands (7 NM, roughly 30 minutes). Anchor among the wind-sculpted granite islets in water so clear it barely registers as being there. Spend the morning snorkelling over granite boulders and Posidonia meadows – the marine reserve status means fish are noticeably larger and more abundant than elsewhere. Lunch on the aft deck with the wild, uninhabited landscape as your view. Afternoon paddleboarding and exploring the islets by tender. Return to Bonifacio by late afternoon for a sunset walk along the ramparts. Duration: 6–8 hours.

Bonifacio to Santa Manza and Rondinara: The Beach Circuit

Cruise east from Bonifacio to the Bay of Santa Manza (4 NM, 15 minutes) – a wide, sandy bay with turquoise shallows ideal for swimming and watersports. Continue north along the coast to Rondinara (6 NM from Santa Manza), a near-perfect horseshoe bay framed by low, pine-covered hills and fine sand that many locals consider the best beach in Corsica. Anchor in 3–5 metres over sand and spend the afternoon swimming, snorkelling and lunching on the aft deck. Return to Bonifacio by early evening. Duration: 7–8 hours.

Day Charter Routes from Calvi

Calvi to the Revellata Peninsula: The Reef Snorkel

Cruise west from Calvi’s harbour to the Revellata Peninsula (3 NM, 15 minutes). Anchor off the rocky coastline for outstanding snorkelling along the headland – the waters here are home to grouper, sea bream and colourful wrasse, and the visibility on calm days exceeds 20 metres. Continue around the peninsula to the Anse de Nichiareto, a sheltered cove accessible only by sea, for a swim and a chef-prepared lunch on the aft deck. Return to Calvi in time for an evening stroll through the Genoese citadel. Duration: 5–7 hours.

3-Day Corsica Yacht Charter Itinerary: Bonifacio and the South

Day 1: Bonifacio to the Lavezzi Islands

Board your yacht at Bonifacio by mid-morning. After a welcome briefing, cruise south to the Lavezzi Islands (7 NM, 30 minutes). Anchor among the granite formations and spend the day snorkelling, paddleboarding and exploring the uninhabited islets. The water clarity here is exceptional – visible to the seabed at 10+ metres. Your chef prepares a Corsican lunch on the aft deck: local charcuterie (lonzu, coppa, figatellu), brocciu cheese, and fresh fish from the morning market. Return to Bonifacio in the late afternoon and walk the ramparts of the citadel as the sunset paints the limestone cliffs in shades of gold and pink. Dinner ashore in the old town – try the restaurants on Quai Comparetti overlooking the harbour.

Day 2: Bonifacio to Porto Vecchio via Rondinara

Cruise east from Bonifacio along the southern coast to Rondinara (10 NM, 35 minutes) – anchor in this near-perfect horseshoe bay for a morning swim in turquoise water over fine sand. Continue north to Porto Vecchio (12 NM from Rondinara, about 40 minutes), passing the stunning beaches of Palombaggia and Santa Giulia along the way. Anchor off Palombaggia for a late-morning swim beneath umbrella pines – this is one of the most photographed beaches in the Mediterranean. Berth in Porto Vecchio’s harbour for the afternoon and explore the Genoese old town (built 1539), with its fortress walls, restaurants and bars. Dinner ashore at one of the port’s seafood restaurants.

Day 3: Porto Vecchio Beaches and Return to Bonifacio

Spend the morning at Santa Giulia beach (5 NM south of Porto Vecchio) – a wide, sheltered bay with shallow, crystal-clear water that is particularly family-friendly. Snorkel the rocky edges where sea bream and wrasse are plentiful. After a farewell lunch on the aft deck, cruise south back to Bonifacio (20 NM, about an hour), perhaps stopping at Cala di Paraguan for one last wild swim in a deserted cove. Arrive in Bonifacio by mid-afternoon. Guests wanting a longer voyage can combine this 3-day southern route with the 4-day west coast itinerary for a 7-day Corsican adventure covering the island’s most spectacular coastline.

4-Day Corsica Yacht Charter Itinerary: Calvi and the North-West

Day 1: Calvi to Girolata via Scandola

Board your yacht at Calvi’s marina by mid-morning. Cruise south along the rugged north-west coast (33 NM to Girolata, roughly 2–2.5 hours). The coastline transforms from Calvi’s sandy bay to dramatic red volcanic cliffs as you approach the Scandola Nature Reserve. Your captain positions the yacht at the edge of the integral protection zone while you explore by tender: red rock sea caves, colonies of ospreys nesting on the cliffs, and water so clear you can see fish from metres above. Continue south to Girolata, a tiny hamlet accessible only by sea, and anchor in the sheltered bay. Dine at one of the handful of waterside restaurants – grilled fish, Corsican cheese, and the sound of absolute nothing.

Day 2: Calanques de Piana and the Gulf of Porto

Cruise south from Girolata into the Gulf of Porto (8 NM, about 30 minutes). The Calanques de Piana – UNESCO-listed red granite formations – rise from the water in pillars, arches and spires that shift colour throughout the day. Your captain positions the yacht for the optimal view while you explore by tender. Anchor in the Gulf for a morning swim, then cruise into the small port of Porto for a tender ashore – walk through the village, visit the Genoese watchtower, and take in the views from the cliffside. Your chef prepares lunch on the aft deck with the Calanques as your backdrop. In the afternoon, continue south to Cargese (10 NM), a charming village founded by Greek refugees in the 17th century, with twin churches (one Roman Catholic, one Greek Orthodox) facing each other across the square. Anchor overnight.

Day 3: Gulf of Sagone to Ajaccio

Cruise south along the coast through the Gulf of Sagone (roughly 20 NM from Cargese to Ajaccio). Pause at one of the secluded beaches along the gulf – sandy, pine-fringed and usually empty – for a morning swim. Continue to Ajaccio (population 70,000), Corsica’s capital and the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. Berth at the marina and explore the town: the Maison Bonaparte (Napoleon’s childhood home), the cathedral where he was baptised, and the Musée Fesch – one of the most important collections of Italian painting in France, assembled by Napoleon’s uncle Cardinal Fesch. Browse the central market for Corsican charcuterie, cheeses and wines. Dinner ashore at one of the restaurants around the Place Foch.

Day 4: Îles Sanguinaires and Return to Calvi

Cruise west from Ajaccio past the Îles Sanguinaires – a chain of dark red porphyry islets at the mouth of the Gulf of Ajaccio. Anchor off the main island for a morning swim and snorkel among the rocky formations. The islands get their name (Blood Islands) from the deep red colour the rocks take on at sunset. Set course north back to Calvi (roughly 65 NM from Ajaccio, 4–4.5 hours). Arrive by mid-afternoon with time for a farewell stroll through the Genoese citadel and a last glass of Patrimonio wine on the harbour terrace. Guests looking for a full 7-day Corsican voyage can combine this 4-day north-west route with the 3-day southern route for a comprehensive charter covering Scandola, the Calanques, Bonifacio, the Lavezzi Islands and the south-east beaches.

5-Day Corsica Yacht Charter Itinerary: The Full West Coast

Day 1: Calvi to Girolata via Scandola

Board at Calvi and cruise south along the dramatic north-west coast to the Scandola Nature Reserve. Explore the UNESCO-listed red volcanic cliffs and sea caves by tender while your captain holds position offshore. Continue to Girolata (33 NM total from Calvi) and anchor in the sheltered bay of this car-free hamlet. Dine at a waterside restaurant or on the aft deck under a canopy of stars.

Day 2: Calanques de Piana and the Gulf of Porto

Cruise south to the Calanques de Piana and the Gulf of Porto. Explore the UNESCO-listed red granite formations by tender, swim in the crystal-clear water of the gulf, and visit the village of Porto with its Genoese watchtower. Your chef times lunch on the aft deck for the moment the afternoon light brings the Calanques to their most vivid colours. Anchor in the Gulf of Porto or continue to Cargese.

Day 3: Ajaccio and the Îles Sanguinaires

Cruise south to Ajaccio (25–30 NM from the Gulf of Porto). Explore Napoleon’s birthplace, the Musée Fesch, and the central market. In the late afternoon, cruise west to the Îles Sanguinaires for a sunset swim among the red porphyry rocks. Return to Ajaccio for an overnight berth and dinner ashore.

Day 4: Propriano and the Gulf of Valinco

Cruise south from Ajaccio to the Gulf of Valinco (25 NM, roughly 90 minutes). Anchor off Propriano for a morning swim in the wide, sheltered bay. Take the tender to one of the sandy beaches along the gulf. In the afternoon, continue south to Campomoro (8 NM from Propriano) – a quiet village dominated by the largest Genoese watchtower in Corsica and surrounded by wild, protected coastline. Anchor overnight and dine on the aft deck.

Day 5: Bonifacio

Cruise south-east from the Gulf of Valinco to Bonifacio (30 NM, roughly 2 hours). Enter the dramatic fjord-like harbour between the limestone cliffs and berth at the marina or moor in the harbour. Explore the Genoese citadel, walk the Escalier du Roi d’Aragon, and browse the old town’s restaurants and shops. If time allows, cruise out to the Lavezzi Islands (7 NM south) for a final afternoon of snorkelling in crystal-clear water before returning to Bonifacio for a farewell dinner at a clifftop restaurant overlooking the strait. Guests arriving from a Riviera charter can begin the 5-day in Calvi, then continue south to combine with the 3-day southern route for an 8-day circumnavigation of Corsica’s finest coastline.