A boat trip to suit everyone

The most beautiful walks in Lisula

The best boat trips

To the rhythm of the waves and the stops along the way, boat trips offer a different way to explore the region’s treasures. Sculpted cliffs and beaches with turquoise waters, accessible only by boat, create a constantly changing backdrop. With swimming, sightseeing and moments spent gazing out at the horizon, every trip invites you to see the coastline in a new light.

1. The Scandola Nature Reserve

As the boat draws nearer, the cliffs take on deep red hues and seem to rise straight out of the sea, with its myriad shades of blue. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Scandola Nature Reserve is one of Corsica’s most spectacular sites. Here, the wind, lava and the sea have shaped an almost surreal landscape.

From the boat, you can see caves, natural arches, sheer cliffs and, occasionally, an osprey in flight. Every bend in the route reveals a new vista. Silence falls naturally as the first contours of the landscape appear on the horizon.

Possible departure points: L’Isula – L’Ile-Rousse, Sant’Ambroggio, Calvi or Porto.

Scandola

2. Girolata

After travelling along the wild coastline of Scandola, the Gulf of Girolata reveals itself to anyone who takes the time to turn their back on the sea. First, the Genoese tower of Girolata comes into view as you round the bend in the rock, offering a glimpse of its 16th-century fort. The gulf opens up, and a few houses appear along the water’s edge. Surrounded by mountains and sheltered from the outside world by its isolation, Girolata lives at its own pace.

You disembark at a small jetty, stroll around the harbour, linger on a restaurant terrace, and wander through the village. Here, the hustle and bustle comes to a halt. Arriving by sea is an integral part of the experience and gives the village a unique atmosphere.

Possible departure points: L’Isula, Sant’Ambroggio, Calvi or Porto

3. Admire the Piana calanques

To the south of the Scandola Nature Reserve, between Porto and the Gulf of Piana, the coastline takes on a completely different appearance.

From the boat, the rock formations seem to rise straight out of the sea. Everyone enjoys spotting shapes in the rock: a face, an animal, a fortress or a fantastical figure. When the famous Heart of Piana—naturally carved from granite—comes into view, all eyes turn to one of the island’s symbols.

On this scale, nature almost becomes an artist. The colours change as the day progresses, shifting from ochre to deep red, then to gold as the sun sets.

Best place to start: Porto.

4. Walk along the Agriate

Asyou leave L’Isula Bay, the coastline reveals itself from a different angle. The beaches recede into the distance, the Genoese tower of L’Osari comes into view, followed bythe vast Ostriconi beach, where the fragrant maquis reclaims its territory.

As the boat continues on its way, the last traces of urban development fade from view. The boat then enters the Cap Corse andAgriate Marine Park. Further on, the unspoilt coves of Acciolu and Ghignu – Ghigno come into view, leading on to the famous Saleccia. Depending on the trip, the boat drops anchor in crystal-clear waters for a swim or heads straight for the sandy shores, allowing you to reach the beach with your feet still in the water. During the stopover, everyone can enjoy this unspoilt setting and discover one of the finest ways to appreciate the Agriate: not as a desert, but as a vast expanse where nature has reclaimed its rightful place.

Recommended departure point: L’Isula.

5. Aperitif at sea

As the light softens, the sea offers some of the most beautiful views along the Balanine coast. In the Gulf ofL’Isula, your gaze is naturally drawn to the Pietra Islands, whose red porphyry rocks glow in the last rays of the sun. The lighthouse gradually emerges against the multi-coloured horizon.
In the Gulf of Calvi, the spectacle unfolds between the majestic silhouette of the citadel and the rugged peaks ofthe Revellata. Theevening light highlights the ramparts, illuminates the cliffs and slowly accompanies the sun as it sinks behind the Mediterranean.

Whichever setting you choose, the experience remains the same. With a drink in hand, lulled by the gentle rocking of the boat or catamaran, everyone savours this moment suspended in time, when conversation slows and the landscapes take on a special quality. A simple moment that, in itself, encapsulates the Mediterranean way of life.

Recommended departure points: L’Isula, Sant’Ambroggio or Calvi.