S2.14 - Corsica Chronicles

July 22-24: Welcome to Corsica (or Corse)

Did you know this stunning Mediterranean island goes by two names? Corsica is its English name, while the French call it Corse. No matter what you call it, this island is a sailor’s dream - known as the “Island of Beauty” with its crystal-clear waters, vibrant harbors, and incredible 1,000 km of coastline with over 200 beaches. We spent 20 unforgettable days exploring its charms, with plenty of sailing, diving, beach days, and, of course, a few surprises along the way.

With the main sail & genoa raised, we embarked on our 40 NM journey, our first stop being the Baie de Tamarone greeting us with calm waters. A beautiful place to spend a couple of days before we start working our way down the coast.

*You can see our path around he island at the end of this post*

Then off to the Baie de Macinaggio where the “boys and I” went into town with Ugh (our dinghy, not our attitude!) for supplies while Ryan babysat Lucky Enough. After restocking, we repositioned to Portocciolo and set anchor for another couple of nights.

July 25-26: Sunrise Sailing and Dive Training

A pre-dawn departure rewarded us with a serene sunrise sail to Ile de Pinarellu on the southeastern side of the island.

After a long 75 NM day, we were thrilled to anchor in clear blue water.

Ryan completed his third and fourth PADI dives,

… and I had my first go at clearing a mask underwater—an achievement that deserved a beach day celebration!

We enjoyed the soft sand and broke in our brand-new beach canopy, which performed admirably against the sea breeze.

July 27-28: Bonifacio’s Buzz and Blissful Beaches

We decided to move along to the south tip and get fuel at Bonifacio where we would also say goodbye to Ilia. The approach to this bustling harbor was equal parts breathtaking and nerve-wracking, with boats of every size weaving in and out the narrow entrance.

After topping up with fuel, we decided to skip trying to perform the special mooring with stern lines in the tight finger near the harbor, and headed to Cala di Stagnolu. It turned out to be the perfect choice, with its inviting beach and calm waters. We spent our days soaking up the sun and even relocated a couple of times to secure the “primo” anchoring spot in the bay.

July 29-30: Luxury Yachts and New Friends

Exploring the area introduced us to bays of every shape and size,

98 meter - Carinhtia VII

…as well as the jaw-dropping sight of the *Carinthia VII*—a super yacht reportedly charters for $1.2M a week.

While our adventures were decidedly more modest, we still enjoyed luxurious views and calm waters.

We med-moored at Pianottoli - Caldarello Marina, which was not convenient at all, so after getting some laundry done, we were glad to depart early. We found a great anchorage called Cala di Roccapina, where Ryan had to swim over to a neighboring boat to politely explain why anchoring so close to us (whilst us being many tons heavier than his vessel, making our swing rate much slower than his) could cause us to collide during the night aka - “anchoring etiquette”. To their credit, they totally understood and gladly moved, and we all slept peacefully.

July 31-Aug 1: A Romantic Evening Ashore and Farwell to Braven

Ryan and I paddleboarded to a secluded beach, where a 4 km walk led us to a hidden 5-Star gem: La Table de La Plage at the Domaine de Murtoli Resort. That evening, Braven ferried us to the restaurant aboard Ugh. Surrounded by tea lights and tucked into a private nook, we enjoyed pre-dinner cocktails before being escorted to our table for an unforgettable meal accompanied by live music.

It was the kind of evening that makes sailing life so special.

Our trusty crew member returned to fetch us later that evening and took us back to our floating home.

The next morning was Braven’s last day with us. We anchored in the Baie de la Vena near the marina. After helping him load his suitcase which was the size of a small country into Ugh, Ryan took him ashore to Tizzano so he could catch his ride back to Nice.

With just the two of us aboard again, we quickly reclaimed our empty-nester vibe at Cala di Conca.

Aug 2-4: Marina Perfection and Pampering

We left our anchorage early just to get us a little closer to the marina before being able to check in. We made a pitstop near Camporomo and anchored in Pointe de L’Lsulattu.

Portu Valincu Propriano Marina became an instant favorite when we scored an easy stern-in dock close to laundry and the town center. Three nights here gave us time to restock, explore, and even indulge in massages at the A’mare Corsica Resort.

We wrapped up each day with delicious dinners and the satisfaction of feeling refreshed.

Aug 5-6: Swells, Wind Surfers, and Horses

Our anchorage hopping hit a rocky (and windy) patch when we tried the anchorage at Plage di Portigliolo, but had .6m swells rocking our boat, so we moved across the bay to Plage du Taravo,

Plage du Taravo, between Propriano and Ajaccio

but Baie de Cupabia redeemed the day with horses galloping on the beach. Note to self: invest in a horse; it seems idyllic.

Aug 7-8: Highs, Lows, and the Guarderia

We made a quick over-night pit stop at Port Tino Rossi where we welcomed very colorful Cheri who would be with us for a short jaunt. We decided, perhaps having a deck hand who was also a massage therapist on board would be a novel idea. Yup… we actually bought a massage table for Lucky Enough.

The next morning, as we got underway, an unexpected rogue wave struck the port side of our yacht. It sent a jolt through the boat, rattling every drawer open and closed, scattering items, and, unfortunately, claiming four wine glasses in the chaos. Later that afternoon, once we were nicely anchored and ready to enjoy a quiet, pleasant evening, the Corsican Guarderia appeared and ousted us from our anchorage, leading to a bit of underwater drama. As we tried to comply, we quickly realized our anchor was stuck! Ryan had to dive 90 feet to free our anchor chain from a crevasse while battling a faulty BCD. Despite the challenges, we reflected on the stunning rock formations we passed earlier today, reminding us why we love this lifestyle.

Aug 9-10: Saying Goodbye to Corsica

We spent our final days anchored in sandy Golfe de Revellata, marveling at the crystal-clear waters, and soaking up every last moment of Corsica’s beauty. The day boats were plentiful, but we found our own pockets of calm to enjoy the scenery and reflect on an incredible Corsican journey.

S2.14 - Corsica Chronicles

S2.13 - Our Hearts Swell with Wedding Bells and Italian Islands