• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Blog Corsica Lovers Logo EN

Corsica Lovers

To awaken your senses in Corsica - Claire et Manu’s Blog

  • DESTINATIONS
    • CAP CORSE
    • BALAGNE
  • CORSICA BEACHES
  • TOWNS + VILLAGES
    • BEST TOWNS IN CORSICA
    • BEST VILLAGES IN CORSICA
    • BONIFACIO
    • CALVI
    • ILE-ROUSSE
    • PORTO-VECCHIO
    • SAINT-FLORENT
  • ALL OUR TRAVEL TIPS
  • English
    • Français
    • Deutsch
    • Nederlands
    • Español
    • Italiano
Home » Piana and its region

Scandola Nature Reserve (Corsica): boat + tips

by Claire | December 15, 2022 | no intrusive ads, no sponsored content, just some affiliate links - if you use them, we get a small commission (détails)

The nature reserve of Scandola in Corsica is an ancient caldera, a paradise for geologists and a dream place for nature lovers.
This fascinating coastal area is only accessible by boat or on foot (long day hikes).
Here is our practical guide with map, photos and tips to plan your visit!

Natural reserve Scandola Corsica Boat
Content
Why visit the Scandola Reserve in Corsica?
How to visit the Scandola Nature reserve – Map
The reserve of Scandola by boat
Start of the boat tour
Cala di Ficaccia – The colors of Scandola
Passage around the island of Gargalu and Genoese tower
Volcanic Organs of Punta Palazzu
Gulf and village of Girolata, Corsica
Diving in the reserve of Scandola
Scandola on foot – hikes
Combination with the calanques de Piana by boat

Why visit the Scandola Reserve in Corsica?

A sumptuous coastline

The Scandola reserve is protected and listed on the Unesco heritage list for a good reason. It is one of the most fascinating coasts of the Mediterranean.
The exposed red rock of an ancient caldera plunges into the deep blue waters of the sea.
In addition, erosion has revealed unique geological features that you will have the opportunity to see from the boat!

We think it is one of the most beautiful places in Corsica!

visit the Scandola Reserve in Corsica 1
Reserve of Scandola

Geology of Scandola – summary

The Scandola peninsula is in fact a caldera (elliptical depression resulting from the collapse of the magma chamber following volcanic activity).
It was formed 250 million years ago by an old underwater volcano.

The magmatic rock (softer than the calanques de Piana) has been eroded by the wind and the sea for millions of years.
This is why it is an ideal place to admire the structural elements that have been revealed by this erosion. The most famous are the horizontal basalt organs! (Photos later in the article)

Scandola and basaltic organs

A protected reserve

The reserve covers about 20 km2 on land and water.
Thanks to the protection of the peninsula and the waters surrounding it, the reserve is now rich in fauna and flora.
On the red cliffs, the vegetation appeared until 500m of altitude.
And thanks to the purity of the water, marine life flourishes.

That’s why access is limited to boating and hiking.

visit the Scandola Reserve in Corsica 2

Video – virtual visit

Before sharing more tips and photos, here is a short video of the boat ride around the Scandola caldera with the fascinating rock formations and beautiful scenery.

How to visit the Scandola Nature reserve – Map

Where is the Scandola reserve? Card

  • On the central-western coast of Corsica
  • On the side of Piana, one of the most beautiful destinations of Corsica(see our list)
  • Northern part of the Gulf of Porto
  • Access by hiking from the area of Porto Ota
  • More departures by boat from Porto Ota
  • But they also leave from Calvi and Ajaccio
  • Ajaccio to Porto – 2h drive
  • Calvi to Porto – 2h drive
  • Bastia to Porto – 3h30 drive
  • Here is a map to help you find your way
  • and see all our tips for planning a dream trip to Corsica here
Corsica Scandola reserve map
Map – Scandola Reserve in Corsica

Need to rent a car in Corsica?

Our advice:

  • Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
  • Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
  • Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
  • There is a lot of demand, book it early.

See our tips

See the cars arrow

How to get there?

Option 1 – drive to Porto Ota then boat tour
This is our preferred option, as there is more to see around Porto Ota with the calanques de Piana and charming villages.

Option 2 – drive to Porto Ota or further then hike
If you are a fan of hiking, this is the best way to see some of the geological features. The most famous path is the Girolata hike, 2 hours from the Col de La Croix.

Option 3 – boat tour from other cities
Porto Ota is quite isolated on the west coast. The road to reach it is winding and long (but very beautiful).
If you don’t have the time, or the courage, there are also boat departures from other cities. The excursion will be longer, but the views of Corsica from the sea are always fascinating so it’s nice.
You can depart from:

  • Sagone
  • Cargese
  • Ajaccio
  • Calvi

See a lot of options for boat tours on Viator and on Getyourguide.

We chose the combined tour of Piana and Scandola from Porto Ota. It was beautiful!

When to visit and how long to stay

From Porto Ota the boat tours with the Scandola reserve last from 3h to 4h30 depending on whether you combine with the creeks.

The reserve of Scandola is magnificent in all weathers.
If the conditions are too bad, the outings are cancelled.
But if it rains just a little, don’t hesitate to go around. The sea can then be calmer and the colors stand out more.

This is one of the most popular experiences in Corsica. If you are visiting in the middle of summer, be sure to book in advance.
The end of the afternoon offers better lights because the coast is facing west.

The reserve of Scandola by boat

Choice of boat

Different types of boats allow the visit of the creeks and Scandola.
It’s up to you to choose what you prefer

Medium size boats

  • Advantages: there is a covered area and you can move around
  • But: the groups are more numerous and the maneuverability more limited
Reserve of Scandola in Boat 1
Boat to Piana and Scandola

Speedboat

  • Advantages: small groups, possibility to get very close, fun speedboat experience
  • But: no possibility to stand up, no protection from the rain, no possibility to stabilize for the pictures

See a lot of options for boat tours on Viator and on Getyourguide.

speedboat Piana

On board the boat

We opted for the medium size version.
It was pretty comfortable with seats out of the elements but still a good view.

Reserve of Scandola in Boat 2

Departure from Porto Ota

The largest number of departures are from Porto Ota, in the heart of the Gulf of Porto.
Moving away from the port, you can see the famous single square tower that protects the gulf and communicates with that of Capo Rosso.

Scandola boat - Departure from Porto Ota

For quality tips, support us!

Do you enjoy all the free content you find on our blog, without intrusive ads?
Our independence, the only guarantee of qualitytips, is partly based on your generosity!
We offer you to give us a coffee (or several) in the hope of sharing it with you one day in person!

Claire Manu Region Lovers
I’ll buy you acoffee arrow

Start of the boat tour

The beginning seems long enough. The landscapes are beautiful, but we look forward to arrive at the rocky formations.
All the beginning of the journey, we advance at city pace rather far from the coasts.

Passage in front of Monte Senino

Before reaching the Scandola reserve, there is a first promontory.
The mountain is called Monte Senino. It is located between the Gulf of Porto and the Gulf of Girolata.
Its origin is also volcanic, probably of the same structure as Scandola.

On the boat, the excitement is mounting. This pyramid shape already displays beautiful colors. It’s promising, isn’t it?

Boat Scandola - Monte Senino 2
Monte Senino

First bay of the Scandola reserve – photos

The first bay where we stopped around the Scandola peninsula was already beautiful.
The rock is really sculpted by the sea and the wind.
You can see that the texture is much softer than in the calanques de Piana, which explains why it is much more eroded.

reserve of Scandola photos 1

The boat can get very close to allow you to admire the numerous cavities and how the vegetation finds all possible spaces to grow.

reserve of Scandola photos 2

The rock is pinkish with variations in texture.

reserve of Scandola photos 3

Planning a dream trip to Corsica?

  • 7 maps that make planning easier
  • 130+ pre-selected locations
  • Practical advice
  • + 220 photos to help you choose
Read more arrow
Box Ebook Corsica FR

Cala di Ficaccia – The colors of Scandola

Then you sail around Cala di Facaccia.
This is where you can see the most color variations.

  • As you can see below, some rocks are yellow, orange and red, they are rhyolites.
  • While the dark green and black are basalts.
Nature Reserve of Scandola Corsica - colors 1

On this one, erosion has created arches and other fascinating shapes. We could stand here and imagine stories with wild animals and a magical land. Don’t you?

Nature Reserve of Scandola Corsica - colors 2

The landscape is absolutely fascinating.

See a lot of options for boat tours on Viator and on Getyourguide.

Nature Reserve of Scandola Corsica - colors 3

Passage around the island of Gargalu and Genoese tower

At the northern end of the Scandola peninsula, the boat sails between Punta Palazzu and the island of Gargalu (also written Gargalo).

It was formed by a flow of ignimbrite (a kind of volcanic rock) with a lahar on top (a lahar is a destructive mudflow at the top of a volcano). And it is covered with another ignimbrite flow!!! A long geological history…

Boat Scandola - Island of Gargalu 1

As you can see, even there, a Genoese tower had been built. I can’t imagine what life was like for the person who was in charge of this tower, isolated on this rock…

Boat Scandola - Island of Gargalu 2

How to get to Corsica

Option 1: by ferry
Departure from France and Italy – see all options in our article
or directly compare schedules, prices and availability
Advantage: you can take your car

Option 2: by plane
Airports in Bastia, to visit the North, Figari to visit the South, or Ajaccio convenient for all Corsica.
Compare prices and availability ofairline tickets
And then rent a car: see our favorite comparator

If you are traveling in the summer, remember to book early to get the best prices and choices!


Need more help choosing?
See our advice on how to go to Corsica


Volcanic Organs of Punta Palazzu

The most famous geological formations of Scandola are the basaltic organs around Punta Pallazzu.
They are special because they are horizontally oriented.

geology Scandola - volcanic organs 1

Basalt organs are lava flows that, while cooling, have frozen to give the illusion that the keys of an organ are falling into the sea.

In lava, prisms are structures related to thermal contraction that develop perpendicular to the cooling surfaces. A horizontal basaltic flow will therefore develop vertical prisms.

The explanation we read for the horizontality is that it is due to the collapse of the caldera.

Here is a more detailed image to help you understand what we mean:

geology Scandola - volcanic organs 2
Volcanic Organs of Scandola

You can see a lot with this fascinating color. This was our favorite part of the boat tour of the Scandola reserve.

geology Scandola - volcanic organs 3

Gulf and village of Girolata, Corsica

Approach

On the way back to Porto, you enter the golf of Girolata to make a quick stop at the village of Girolata.
This village is only accessible by boat or on foot. There are no roads.

The small village is surrounded by mountains and sea. The rock is orange-red. All this makes the place quite picturesque.

Village Gulf of Girolata boat

Visit of the village of Girolata

On our tour, there was a 30-minute stop to explore this remote village.
It’s not very long. So choices have to be made.

Village Gulf of Girolata Corsica

Option 1 – Village
You can choose to walk a little higher to visit the small village and enjoy the view on the surroundings.
You will discover beautiful stone houses with red and orange colors;
and also beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. It’s quite a green area.

30 minutes is very short, so don’t go too high.

Village Gulf of Girolata Corsica 2
view on the mountains

Option 2
Your other option is to stay on the beach. There are stalls with tasty local food to taste.
And sometimes you can even see cows walking on the beach.

See a lot of options for boat tours on Viator and on Getyourguide.

Village Gulf of Girolata beach
Beach of Girolata.

Diving in the reserve of Scandola

As I said earlier, the waters around the Scandola Peninsula are also protected and the marine life is abundant and diverse.
The purity of the water has allowed the development of a rich underwater flora, including Posidonia meadows. Acting as a lung, this plant is part of an ecosystem which shelters a very diversified underwater life: corals, gorgonians, groupers, dentis, morays, mullets? You might even see tuna or swordfish.

It is therefore an ideal place to dive. Of course, this is a regulated area and you must follow all the rules.

Plan your trip to Corsica!

→ Inspiration destinations

Best things to do in Corsica

Ajaccio or Bastia?

Planning a road trip in Corsica

Itinerary: 3 days – 4 or 5 days

→ Best-of

The most beautiful beaches of Corsica

The most beautiful villages of Corsica

The most beautiful cities of Corsica

The most beautiful destinations in Corsica

→ Practice

Where to sleep in Corsica

Which ferry to Corsica

How to get to Corsica

Renting a car in Corsica


See all our tips for a successful trip to Corsica arrow

Scandola on foot – hikes

Visiting Scandola by boat is really the easiest way to see the magnificent reserve. This is the best way to see many geological features, but you can also opt for a hike on the peninsula.

The most famous way is to reach Girolata on foot. It takes 2 hours from the Col de la Croix (22km from Porto). It is called the postal route because for many years this is how mail was delivered.

From Girolata, you can, for example, hike to the top of Capu Purcile (560m).

Combination with the calanques de Piana by boat

And of course, don’t miss the nearby calanques of Piana.
The colors are similar but the structure is completely different. This rock is really hard, that’s why the erosion didn’t impact much the cliffs. They dive directly into the water. That’s pretty impressive.
See more photos on our article on the calanques de Piana Corsica.

calanques de Piana by boat
calanques de Piana by boat 2

About the bloggers…

Les blogs de Claire et Manu

Une sœur passionnée de voyages, un frère épicurien, des valeurs familiales bien ancrées… des blogs que nous avons construits à notre image et au service des voyageurs du monde entier.

Primary Sidebar

Claire and Manu's blogs

A sister with a passion for travel, an epicurean brother, strong family values... blogs that we have built in our image and at the service of travellers from all over the world.
→ discover our story


SearchNeed information about Corsica? We may have the answer:

Vous appréciez ce contenu et vous souhaitez nous aider à demeurer totalement indépendants?

Offre nous un café

Footer

More about Claire, Manu, and the blog Contact us

Search

Loirelovers.fr NormandieLovers.fr ZigZagroadtrips.com
And the site that presents our entire approach: https://regionlovers.fr/en/r

Legal notice / Terms of use / Privacy policy Corsicalovers.fr is a participant in the Amazon EU, US, UK and Canada Partner Programs, affiliate programs designed to allow sites to earn money by linking to Amazon.

Copyright Corsica Lovers © 2023 · Log inLog in

Avant les plages et villages... parlons cookies !
We share everything with you: our favourite places, our tips, our good plans... and without invading you
with ads! To bring you the best possible site, cookies are an essential ingredient. Do you accept them?

Find out more
Fonctionnel Always active
Le stockage ou l’accès technique est strictement nécessaire dans la finalité d’intérêt légitime de permettre l’utilisation d’un service spécifique explicitement demandé par l’abonné ou l’utilisateur, ou dans le seul but d’effectuer la transmission d’une communication sur un réseau de communications électroniques.
Préférences
Le stockage ou l’accès technique est nécessaire dans la finalité d’intérêt légitime de stocker des préférences qui ne sont pas demandées par l’abonné ou l’utilisateur.
Statistiques
Le stockage ou l’accès technique qui est utilisé exclusivement à des fins statistiques. Le stockage ou l’accès technique qui est utilisé exclusivement dans des finalités statistiques anonymes. En l’absence d’une assignation à comparaître, d’une conformité volontaire de la part de votre fournisseur d’accès à internet ou d’enregistrements supplémentaires provenant d’une tierce partie, les informations stockées ou extraites à cette seule fin ne peuvent généralement pas être utilisées pour vous identifier.
Marketing
Le stockage ou l’accès technique est nécessaire pour créer des profils d’utilisateurs afin d’envoyer des publicités, ou pour suivre l’utilisateur sur un site web ou sur plusieurs sites web ayant des finalités marketing similaires.
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
Voir les préférences
{title} {title} {title}
Avant les plages et villages... parlons cookies !
Pour offrir les meilleures expériences, nous utilisons des technologies telles que les cookies pour stocker et/ou accéder aux informations des appareils. Le fait de consentir à ces technologies nous permettra de traiter des données telles que le comportement de navigation ou les ID uniques sur ce site. Le fait de ne pas consentir ou de retirer son consentement peut avoir un effet négatif sur certaines caractéristiques et fonctions.
Fonctionnel Always active
Le stockage ou l’accès technique est strictement nécessaire dans la finalité d’intérêt légitime de permettre l’utilisation d’un service spécifique explicitement demandé par l’abonné ou l’utilisateur, ou dans le seul but d’effectuer la transmission d’une communication sur un réseau de communications électroniques.
Préférences
Le stockage ou l’accès technique est nécessaire dans la finalité d’intérêt légitime de stocker des préférences qui ne sont pas demandées par l’abonné ou l’utilisateur.
Statistiques
Le stockage ou l’accès technique qui est utilisé exclusivement à des fins statistiques. Le stockage ou l’accès technique qui est utilisé exclusivement dans des finalités statistiques anonymes. En l’absence d’une assignation à comparaître, d’une conformité volontaire de la part de votre fournisseur d’accès à internet ou d’enregistrements supplémentaires provenant d’une tierce partie, les informations stockées ou extraites à cette seule fin ne peuvent généralement pas être utilisées pour vous identifier.
Marketing
Le stockage ou l’accès technique est nécessaire pour créer des profils d’utilisateurs afin d’envoyer des publicités, ou pour suivre l’utilisateur sur un site web ou sur plusieurs sites web ayant des finalités marketing similaires.
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
Voir les préférences
{title} {title} {title}
  • Français (French)
  • English
  • Deutsch (German)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Italiano (Italian)