Corsica is full of superb natural sites to discover during a cruise. To cruise along Corsica is to discover this magnificent island off the beaten track, to be amazed by the sheer cliffs, the deep coves and the islets bathed in an emerald sea.
There are three main areas of navigation:
- From Bonifacio to Ajaccio
- From Ajaccio to Calvi
- From Calvi to the Giraglia
We are now approaching the third and last part of our journey on the W coast of Corsica and still encouraging you to discover little corners of paradise: from Calvi to the Giraglia.
1 - Calvi
We leave the superb bay of Calvi and its mountains to go to the Cap Corse.
2 - Ile Rousse or Lisula
After having bypassed its lighthouse, the Ile Rousse appears. Nestled in the heart of the Balagne, this region of Haute-Corse which goes from Nebbio (the Agriates) to Monte Cinto (2710 m) is considered as the granary of the island. You can stop over at the port or prefer to anchor in the cove of Branca at the foot of the tower, symbol of the city.
Between Ile Rousse and the Gulf of Saint-Florent, we approach the Agriates coast and its desert.
Agriate comes from the Latin Ager meaning "agriculture". In fact, until recently, this agrarian land was a rich granary for the local population. It is in fact a mountainous area that combines rivers, marshes and abundant flora and fauna. For a long time, this region served as a grazing area for the herds and was already one of the granaries of Genoa when Corsica was Genoese. But the ravages caused by fires and slash-and-burn cultivation have deserted this region.
After going around the Punta di l'Acciolu, we anchor for the night in the bay of the same name.
3 - The Acciolu
This bay at the foot of the Agriates desert is very suitable for beautiful hikes. Although invaded by the maquis, you can still observe an old threshing floor or an old abandoned farm, surrounded by elm and olive trees. So take your shoes out of the trunk and enjoy this exceptional landscape rich in fauna and flora and take a well-deserved break on the splendid beaches..
4 - Saleccia
Another charming and idle stopover, the beach of Saleccia, a flagship destination of the region and considered as one of the most beautiful beaches of Corsica, it is very frequented by boaters. To be avoided, perhaps, in summer..
The beach extends over more than a kilometer of white sand bordered by turquoise water of exceptional clarity. If only we could see fish and starfish.
For the little history, the beach of Saleccia was chosen as place of shooting of the sequences of the film " The longest day "representing the Allied landing in Normandy. At the time of the filming (1961) the beach was not served by any road and remained untouched by any human activity.
5 - Punta Mortella
On the road to Saint-Florent, a small picnic at the foot of the tower is most pleasant.
Moreover this tower has a particular history:
The Tower of Mortella served for 240 years, before being partially destroyed in 1794 during fighting against the British. Today, the tower still stands, cut vertically in two following the laying of explosives by the British troops, but the observation of its still intact north face would suggest that it is whole. This tower inspired the English admiral Nelson who was in command of the operation. He decided to take the design of the building as an example and erect dozens of identical towers along the English and Irish coasts. The name Martello Towers is reminiscent of the original model, with one detail: the two vowels (o and a) were mistakenly inverted. So what..
6 - Saint-Florent
In the hollow of a beautiful gulf bearing its name, Saint-Florent is a magnificent seaside resort. Often called the "Saint-Trop of Corsica", the ancient Genoese city welcomes every year many pleasure boats. You can find all its charm in its old town with its colorful houses, its quays suitable for walks and its pier.
But Saint-Florent is also known for its vineyards! Mixing plains, hills and valleys, the Gulf of Saint-Florent gives birth to the "excellence of Corsican wine": the Patrimonio. These are the most famous and oldest wines of the island of Beauty. The production is made both in red and rosé with the black grape Nielluciu and in white with Vermentinu.
7 - Centuri
At the tip of the Cap Corse, the village of Centuri and its harbor scribble and pencil a maritime scenery that one could willingly frame in a painting. A tiny mooring point for visiting sailboats or for the boats of fishermen from the village, Centuri exudes a peaceful haven and an overwhelming charm. It is what we call a small navy whose specialty is lobster..
It is possible to moor in the harbor, but there is little space. It is better to anchor in the shelter of the island of Capense.
8 - La Giraglia
After a good night, departure for the Cap Corse where the dense cover of scrubland lets appear some rare villages, hung on the mountain. Once past the Capo Grosso, it is impossible not to stop at the Tollare marina. Modest hamlet on the edge of the ocean with its small fishing port, its old houses and its Genoese tower, it is the moment to offer a last perspective on the Mediterranean Sea.
Having reached the end of the cape, a real "Finisterre" of the Mediterranean, we pass off the island of Giraglia, which gave its name to a famous sailing race, while seeing the ruins of the "San Pasquale" chapel..
From then on, we hesitate, a little or even very little! It will be towards the Tuscan Archipelago, the island of Elba and Monte Christo..
End of our exciting journey on the W coast of the island of Beauty!
In which season to go ?
The weather is always good! With nearly 300 days of sunshine per year, you can enjoy it almost all year round. Ideally, the period from May to October seems to be the most favourable and the temperatures are more than pleasant.
July and August are the hottest months in every respect. However, by boat, it is easier to enjoy these beautiful places.
What winds?
Corsica is a superb sailing area with good wind conditions. Its relief and its numerous capes contribute to create corridors of wind acceleration. We will quote in particular the regions of the Cap Corse, the Balagne, Ajaccio and the Bouches de Bonifacio.
The winds are also, due to the particular relief of the coast, extremely changeable. After passing a point, one can observe a wind suddenly changing direction, a phenomenon called wind reversal. These changes are interesting to observe and require you to optimize your choice of sails or piloting!
Along the W and N coasts of Corsica, the prevailing winds are :
- U Libeccio which is a violent west to southwest wind. It exposes the northern regions and the western side of the island. In summer, it is associated with dry and mild weather.
- U Maestrale (the Mistral) which is a north-west wind, sometimes violent and dry in summer. It affects especially the western part of Corsica.
- In Tramuntana (the Tramontane), wind from north to northeast.
