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It's so easy to rent a boat or charter a yacht in Corsica with Yachtious. Book Now!
It's so easy to rent a boat or charter a yacht in Corsica with Yachtious. Book Now!
SAILING IN CORSICA
DISCOVER THE FRENCH PARADISE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
As the fourth largest island set in the Mediterranean Sea (ranking after Sicily, Sardinia, and Cyprus), the French island of Corsica sits just southwest of Italy and France, just north of Sardinia. When speaking of Corsica, it includes Elba as well as the Bonifacio Straits, which makes it a sublime place to take your yacht charter.
On the west coast, you’ll discover some blissfully fascinating scenery. Hundreds of coves give way to sparkling white beaches while many islets offer the chance to explore. It’s not very developed, making it a natural place to take in the world yet features plenty of anchorages and marinas, plus old town centers worth discovering.
You could easily spend a full month sailing at Corsica, though if you want to carry on with your journey, you can use your yacht charter to seek out the highlights and still be inspired and delighted.
For this reason, many that take on yacht charters choose to combine Corsica and Sardinia. The proximity makes it straightforward plus why see one without the other? The southern portion of Corsica is separated from Sardinia by the Bonifacio Straits. It splits the Mediterranean Sea on the west from the eastern Tyrrhenian Sea. Along the coast from Bastia to Cap Corse is easy to reach by way of the Tuscan Archipelago, something you’ll adore from aboard your yacht.
The main port of Corsica is Bastia which you’ll find at the base of the peninsula of Cap Corse. Bastia features a stunning central main square known as the Place Saint-Nicolas with its shady palms and trees, and a marble statue of Napoleon himself. A picturesque harbor along with Vieux Port, also known as the Old Port of Marseilles, plus a lovely quaint old town area that served the fishing village of Terra Vecchia makes for a beautiful stop, worth setting foot back on land to see.
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BEST TIME TO VISIT CORSICA
With the blessing of a Mediterranean climate, Corsica features warm summers and mild winters. May through September is the perfect time to visit, and there surely is no shortage of activities to keep you occupied when you dock your yacht.
Many people prefer May as a great time to sail to Corsica. The temperatures are starting to rise, and sunshine graces the land for up to ten hours. The water is still a bit cold, but if you like sailing and then setting foot on the island for land activities like hiking or cycling, you’ll be thrilled.
In the summer months of June, July, and August, yacht charters have the best time because sailing is most ideal. Meanwhile, from July to September, this is a popular time for people to storm the beaches. It’s very hot, so land activities like hiking aren’t ideal unless you like dripping with sweat. Exploring La Balagne or Corte in the center of Corsica might be more up your alley.
When November rolls around, the temperatures descend and the beaches empty. Winters are not considered the best time to sail to Corsica, but if you like having the place to yourself, the cities and villages will give you plenty to explore.
QUICK FACTS
BEST FOR CRUISING: MAY TO SEPTEMBER
TIME ZONE: GMT + 1
LANGUAGE: CORSICAN,FRENCH.
CURRENCY: EURO (EUR)
REASONS TO VISIT
MAISON BONAPARTE
PREHISTORIC SITES
BASTIA
SEASIDE TOWNS
THE BEACHES
INCREDIBLE SCENERY
UNSPOILED
GETTING TO CORSICA
Corsica has four available airports that you can fly into any time of year via any French mainland airport to catch up with your yacht charter. In the summer, you can connect through other European airports as well. Corsica’s airports are Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi, and Figari, which is north of Bonifacio.
Another option is to catch one of the ferries to Corsica. You can find them in Marseille, Toulon, and Nice. Coming from Italy to find your yacht charter in Corsica? You can take a ferry from Savona, Livorno, Genova, or Civitavecchia. The harbors of Corsica are found in Calvi, L'ile Rousse, Ajaccio, Porto Vecchio, Propriano, and Bastia. Depending on where you’re coming from, you could have as short as 5.5 hours up to 15.5 hours. In summer, the ferries are plentiful, but in the winter, there are much fewer. It’s best to book your ferry ride well in advance.
WHERE TO STAY IN CORSICA
Corsica offers a diverse way to escape onto the land when it comes to accommodations. You can find beautiful places on the waterfront, or you can choose to have a more traditionally Corsican experience. The options are endless here, where you can make your stay more luxurious or more simplistic.
Thankfully with your yacht charter, you can set sail around the island to quickly find the accommodations that suit yours for the holiday of a lifetime!
WINING AND DINING IN CORSICA
Corsican-Mediterranean cuisine is very rustic and hearty for the most part. You’ll find many dishes flavored with rosemary, thyme, basil, and myrtle. One of the most popular items is a Corsican blood sausage known as “Sangui.” The one made from liver known as “Figatellu” is also quite popular. Lots of sausages and meats plus cheeses and a cheesecake called “Fiadone” are staples of the cuisine.
Perhaps the most popular item is a mash of chestnut powder with water, figatelli, lamb or goat, and brocciu known as “Pulenta.” It goes excellent with Corsica’s beer, Pietra. French and Italian influences also abound in the cuisine of Corsica. Here are a few other dishes to look out for when you step off your yacht and onto dry land.
Azimu
This is a soup of fish, lobster, and seafood that’s quite like Italy’s spiced fish soup, caciucco.
Stufatu
If you love the homecooked, robust flavors of lasagna, you’ll love this dish. It’s made with beef, veal, and pork.
Agneau Corse
Looking for something hearty and soothing? This roasted lamb dish is usually served with rosemary potatoes and garlic.
Veau aux olive
Simple and heavenly, this gourmet dish is veal made with a delightful sauce that features tomatoes, onions, herbs, and olives.
Cured meats
Cured meats are very popular here with smoked raw ham (prisuttu), pork loin (lonzu), and a large pork sausage called pulpone as the most treasured choices.
Chesses
You can’t go wrong with any Corsican cheese, but if you have to choose, make sure you try Bleu de Corse which is a spicy option and Brocciu which is made from either goat or sheep milk.
Fish
Being on an island, you will find fresh fish and seafood at every turn. Make sure you try oysters, trout, red mullet, shrimp, and sea breams.
