The Scandola Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is accessible only by sea. Corsica Yacht Charter offers an exclusive selection of boat rentals for exploring this exceptional area: yachts, motorboats, and RIBs, delivered to the port or anchored right in front of your villa.
Family-owned since 1959 · Professional crews · Largest fleet in Corsica and Sardinia
The Scandola Nature Reserve is accessible neither by road nor by trail. It is this inaccessibility that has made it one of the best-preserved natural areas in the entire Mediterranean.
Its red porphyry cliffs, sea caves, and remarkably clear waters are revealed only to those who arrive by sea.
Corsica Yacht Charter offers access to this region from ports along the west coast, with a fleet and crew that live up to the high standards this destination deserves. Whether you’re looking for a day trip or wish to include Scandola in a broader cruising itinerary, we plan your voyage with the same dedication we’ve upheld since our company’s founding in 1959.
Navigating the Scandola Nature Reserve comes with its own set of rules. Regulations are strict, the waterways are challenging, and marine life must be respected.
Our boats are carefully selected and maintained to meet these specific requirements, while offering the comfort and high-quality finish that our company demands.
Yachts for anchoring peacefully off the porphyry cliffs, RIBs for venturing right up close to the caves and rocky passages— each of our boats available for rent in Corsica is chosen for its ability to navigate these waters, which are as beautiful as they are challenging.
The most secluded parts of Scandola are best explored by small boat. Its caves, arches, and narrow passages between the porphyry rocks require precise navigation—a feat our RIBs and open boats are perfectly suited for.
Agile and fast, they can reach places that larger boats cannot access.
It is often from these boats that Scandola reveals its wildest and most unexpected sides.
Depending on the model you choose and your sailing experience, you can take the helm or put yourself in the capable hands of one of our skippers, who knows these waters inside and out.
Anchoring in the waters of Scandola, far from land, with only the porphyry cliffs and the silence of the nature reserve on the horizon, is an experience that few destinations in the world can offer.
It is from the deck of our yachts, with a captain and crew at your service, that this experience truly comes into its own
On board, comfort is guaranteed. Stabilizers, air conditioning, elegant interiors, and recreational equipment to enjoy the protected waters of the reserve: masks and snorkels to explore Scandola’s exceptional seabed, paddleboards to get as close as possible to the cliffs, and fast tenders to reach coves that would otherwise be inaccessible.
A setting designed to ensure that every moment spent in these waters remains etched in your memory forever.
Corsica Yacht Charter is the charter division of Santarelli Marine. This local company has been based along the Corsican coast since 1959. With three generations of local roots, we are able to guide our discerning clients through highly regulated areas such as Scandola with the confidence and expertise that such a location demands.
Those who place their trust in us know that they will find here the same level of service and attention they expect anywhere else, plus a local expertise that only a company with deep roots in the community can offer.
Navigating the Scandola Nature Reserve requires a thorough understanding of its rules, currents, and authorized anchorage areas. This expertise is acquired over time, through the changing seasons and repeated voyages in these waters.
Reaching Scandola under the best possible conditions requires careful planning. We handle all the logistical details to ensure that your boat trip through the reserve goes smoothly.
Scandola is one of the few places in the world where nature has been left to its own devices. Designated a nature reserve in 1975 and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is home to a rich diversity of marine and terrestrial life that scientists continue to study.
From the sea, the first thing that strikes you is the silence. Then there’s the color of the rocks—the deep red of the porphyry contrasting with the deep blue of the water. Crested cormorants nest in the crevices of the cliffs, groupers swim through the sheltered waters, and dolphins sometimes accompany boats as they navigate the reserve’s waters.
Boat tours of Scandola are available from several departure points along the west coast: Porto, Calvi, or Piana, depending on where you’re staying. Our teams will work with you to plan the best itinerary, taking into account weather conditions and the regulations in effect within the reserve.