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Corsica Yacht Charter, France

Conveniently located centrally in the Western Mediterranean luxury yacht charter grounds lies the wild and untamed Island of Corsica, and what better way to discover its myriad beaches than on a Corsica yacht charter? This beautiful and rustic destination has places barely touched by man's influence while elsewhere seaside forts and clifftop castles hoard magnificent galleries, boutiques, museums and restaurants within.

Rugged mountains and deep river gorges await adventurers looking to move away from the coast and uncover everything this popular destination has to offer, yet with more than 300 dramatic beaches and breath-taking Scuba dive sites along the coast, tearing yourself away could prove to be a challenge.

"We had a Corsican wine that had great authority and a low price. It was a very Corsican wine and you could dilute it by half with water and still receive its message. A Moveable Feast" Author: Ernest Hemingway

Corsica is south of the French and Italian Rivieras and north of Sardinia, another popular destination often coupled with Corsica on week-long or longer luxury yacht charter itineraries, particularly during the summer when Porto Cervo puts on an exciting season of regattas involving classic and modern sailing yachts of all sizes.

There are beautiful anchorages set within a stunning backdrop of grey and rocky coastlines, lightly covered with shoots of green. Corsica boasts ports and facilities of international standards and the sun shines for an average of 300 days per year, concentrated from April to September, making the Mediterranean summer the perfect time for a yacht charter in Corsica.

On a tour, make the time to explore in depth the romantic ports of Bonifacio and Calvi, beautiful white sand beaches such as Palombaggia, wonderful bays like the Gulf of Valinco and nature reserves such as the Lavezzi Islands.

In addition to these hotspots, Corsica has a treasure trove of enchanting villages and forested coves for a more intimate holiday or event charter with family and friends.

Like most of the Mediterranean, the Corsican yacht chartering season generally runs from April to the end of October. You can begin your luxury charter vacation from either France or Italy, or Corsica. While on your Corsican yacht charter, you could either circumnavigate the whole islands over the week or instead to visit the neighbouring Italian islands of Sardinia located directly South of Corsica.

Five quick reasons to visit Corsica:

300+ pristine beaches, Beautiful clifftop towns, Massive selection of Scuba dive sites, Culturally rich attractions, Flavoursome French and Italian cuisine

More about this part of the Mediterranean

Situated in the centre of the Western Mediterranean yacht charter grounds, Corsica can be reached easily from the South of France or the Italian Riviera, while locations such as the Amalfi Coast, Balearic Islands and Malta can be reached within a day.

Sardinia to the south is one of the region's premiere yacht charter destinations for high-end spending, superyacht regattas and untouched surroundings both on land and in the water. Nature reserves abound on both islands and the La Maddalena archipelago is an iconic destination for water sports and island treks amongst its rare flora and fauna.

Corsica Yacht Charter Experiences

Travelling by superyacht is the best way to uncover Corsica at its finest; an island riddled with caves and coves accessible only by sea, providing high quality beaches away from the summer crowds. Lighthouses are dotted along the coastline and add to the region's charm from near or far, and at night the stars sparkle in the sky free from the light pollution of large cities.

Corsica is an island of striking natural beauty where towns are built on the very edge of gnarled cliffs covered in greenery. Photographers and artists alike will be enthralled by the vibrant colours of the natural landscape, among which there are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and vineyards along the trails to lonely lighthouses and chapels.

The weathered coastline is breath-taking up close, and a sailing yacht or motor yacht is the perfect way to approach the towering cliffs, stacks and arches for a view few other holidaymakers can ever hope to experience.

As a popular holiday destination with the rich and famous, Corsica is up-to-date with the latest trends and big name brands can be found in the shopping districts. Spa massage services are plentiful if you do not have a masseuse on board, and the art galleries and museums are top-rate.

The treks up into the mountains show the other side of Corsica, where vineyards take advantage of the volcanic slopes. Hikers that make the effort are treated to waterfall-fed gorges at the Gorges of the Solenzara River, and still lakes encompassed by pine trees along the Restonica Trail.

The Calanche of Piana, Gulf of Girolata and Scandola Reserve are all part of a natural UNESCO World Heritage Site and photographers and painters could spend a good few hours at the vantage points capturing the colours of sunset or the beautiful sapphire water during the afternoon.

In town you will never want for anything: Luxury shopping is easy to find along the boulevards and your group will have a vast choice of bars, restaurants and nightclubs.

As a destination only 12 km from Sardinia, you can fall asleep in your luxury cabin at one location and wake up in the morning to entirely new scenery with new landmarks to explore.

Bonifacio

The immense charm of the cobblestone streets makes Bonifacio a wonderful place to explore: On a wander within the city walls visitors should enter the Bastion de l'Etendard, the Church of Sainte Marie Majeure, the Church and Convent of St. Francis and the picturesque cemeteries that offer a quiet place to reflect in the centre of town.

The settlement is also the ideal location to set off and explore the Bonifacio channel and Lavezzi Islands, which are now classified as a natural reserve. The scenic location features stunning rock formations, reefs and beaches - perfect for a day of swimming, snorkelling and leisurely picnicking.

Porto-Vecchio

On the southern tip of Corsica, the superb harbour at Porto-Vecchio becomes the rest stop for hundreds of luxury yachts and superyachts that choose to visit Corsica each summer. In addition to the fabulous luxury shopping and dining opportunities in town, use the daylight hours for taking in the fabulous scenery and the many stunning beaches: From Porto-Vecchio, discover the beautiful white beach of Palombaggia, shaded by a parasol of pine trees where water takes on deep shades of blues and greens.

Set on a hillock overlooking a beautiful deep blue bay, Porto Vecchio, is said to be one of the most distinguished harbours in Europe.

The Gulf of Valinco is a beautiful bay on the west coast scattered with charming towns such as Capicciolo, which is set on a golden beach.

Propriano

Propriano is the main town in the region and its lively port, various tempting restaurants and spectacular backdrop attract luxury yacht charter groups from across the world. The beach club lifestyle is particularly strong here, and in addition to the bars, clubs and restaurants along the shores there are countless hidden coves for your group to use for a private function.

As you head south west, Scuba divers should take the opportunity to experience some of the island's great dive sites for complete beginners through to advanced. The Pointe de l'omu wreck dive site and Les ilots dive site are two places in particular to test your skills and take back home some incredible underwater photography.

Ajaccio

Ajaccio is nestled in one of the most beautiful gulfs in the Mediterranean and under the eye of the Iles Sanguinaires, the elegant Ajaccio sits with a nonchalant charm.

With its coastline bordered by red granite cliffs that plunge into a sea of intense blue, the Gulf of Porto is well deserving of its classification as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the vivid colours will draw the appreciative eye of photographers and artists alike. Visit the Gulf of Porto for water sports or take a trip into the charming old village of Porto itself, where the Fesch Museum has an extensive selection of Italian artworks collected by Napoleon’s uncle.

Calvi

Calvi has been called the Corsican port most like the French Riviera: Golden sunshine tints the palm trees in the town centre and casts covers the quaint storefronts. On the south side is a long crescent of sandy beach which offers shallow swimming, water sports and beautiful views back towards the town and La Citadelle de Calvi. There is a wealth of Scuba dive sites in the area and the group can swim with lionfish, devil rays and schools of colourful fish that glitter in the summer sunlight.

Things to Consider:

Yachting Seasons & Climate:

From June until September the temperature averages above 20°C/68°F and the sea temperature stays warm into November for luxury yacht charters outside the peak summer season. June, July and August are the driest months with November being the wettest.

As an island, Corsica can experience strong gusts, however depending on the direction you may be sheltered in the coves and by towering cliffs along the beaches.

Clothing to Pack For Your Charter:

For the summer months, light layers in natural, breathable fabrics are recommended, with the addition of a thin jacket for colder evenings and a waterproof layer for any quick showers.

The coldest winter temperatures average around 8°C/46°F and longer layers are advised that can be removed for adapting from outdoors to an indoor environment.

When visiting religious sites shoulders and thighs should be covered. Take a glamorous outfit for evenings in restaurants and for special events such as concerts and galas.

Main Ports and Marinas

Porto Vecchio, Bastia Marina, Calvi Marina, Ajaccio Port, Propriano Port, Bonifacio Port

Famous Restaurants & Clubs:

Casadelmar restaurant (Porto Vecchio), Le Midnight nightclub (Porto Vecchio), Le Patio bar(Porto Vecchio), Le Raffaelo nightclub (Bastia), Chez Tao bar (Calvi), La Camargue nightclub (Calvi), U Santa Marina restaurant (U Santa), Le Lido restaurant (Propriano), La Table de la Ferme restaurant (Murtoli)

A Must See Attraction:

Bonifacio Citadel, Cimetiere Marin de Bonifacio, La grotte St Antoine sous les falaises (Bonifacio), Eglise de Saint Jean Baptiste (Porto Vecchio), Musée Fesch (Ajaccio), Cathédrale d'Ajaccio, Notre Dame de Misericorde (Ajaccio), La Citadelle de Calvi, Oratorium Saint-Antoine Abbé (Calvi), Cathedral St. Jean Baptiste (Calvi)

Best beaches to visit in your yacht:

Cala Scandola (Scandola Natural Reserve), Plage de Girolata (Girolata) Plage de Campomoro (Propriano), Plage de Balistra (Bonifacio), Plage de Tamaricciu (Porto Vecchio), Plage de Palombaggia (Porto Vecchio), Plage de Cala Rossa (Porto Vecchio), Plage de San Ciprianu (Porto Vecchio),

Local Yacht Events:

Corsica Classic Regatta, Régates Impériales (Corsica), Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta (Sardinia), Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup (Sardinia), Rolex Swan Cup (Sardinia)

Best time to go:

July and August are the best months to visit, when the weather is at its finest, indoor and outdoor events are common and local attractions are all open for the height of the tourist season. As many of the beaches are only accessible by sea, there is always the chance to come across a deserted stretch of sand just for yourselves as you cruise from one port to the next.

Further Charter Information

Yacht Rentals Available: Go here for the current list of yacht rentals in Corsica.

Full Corsica Yacht Charter Guide: Go here for the essential Corsica yacht charter guide.

Corsica Itineraries: Here is a selection of broker itineraries for Corsica.

News: Read the latest superyacht news about Corsica.