3-Hour Gulf Boat Tour

Overview

This three-hour cruise with Nave va leaves from Ajaccio and crosses the north shore of the Gulf of Ajaccio before heading out to the Îles Sanguinaires, a protected Natura 2000 site. On the way out you pass the Tino Rossi house, the Greek chapel, the Marin cemetery, the Citadel and the Parata tower, with onboard commentary in French covering the bay and the city's history.

The centrepiece is a one-hour stop at Mezu Mare, the largest island in the archipelago and reachable only by sea. You can use the time for a swim or for a fast walk up to the Alphonse Daudet lighthouse and semaphore; doing both in an hour is tight, and reviewers say so. Ruins of the old Lazaretto, once used to quarantine coral fishermen returning from Africa, are also visible.

The tour runs for three hours in total. Reviewers repeatedly praise the friendly crew and the detailed explanations, and several describe the scenery and the island stop as the highlights. The tour language is French, which is worth knowing before you book.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet At AjaccioThe meeting point may vary depending on the option selected; check the booking page for details before you go. No pickup is included.
2. Cruise The North ShoreSail along the north shore of Ajaccio, passing the Tino Rossi house, the Greek chapel, the Marin cemetery and the Citadel, with live commentary in French.
3. Pass The Parata TowerView the Parata tower from the water as the boat approaches the Sanguinaires archipelago, a Natura 2000 site.
4. Stop At Mezu MareA one-hour stopover on the largest island in the archipelago, accessible only by boat. Swim, or walk briskly to the Alphonse Daudet lighthouse and semaphore; there is not enough time to do both comfortably.
5. Return To AjaccioCruise back across the gulf with commentary on the bay and the history of the city. There are two drop-off location options.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape how much you enjoy this outing, from footwear to language.

• Water Shoes. The listing recommends water shoes for the swim stop, and reviewers agree. One traveller managed without them and had no problems, but they are recommended all the same.
• Tour Language. The tour is given in French, per the listing. Travellers who do not speak French should factor that in when booking.
• Tight Island Hour. The stop at Mezu Mare lasts one hour. Several reviewers said that is too short to both walk to the lighthouse and swim, so pick one and walk quickly if you choose the lighthouse.
• Sun Protection. The listing advises a hat and biodegradable sunscreen, plus beachwear for the swim. These are the packing items the operator calls for.
• Crew And Comfort. Reviewers consistently describe the crew as friendly and the explanations as detailed. One reviewer also noted the boat is a hybrid vessel.
• What To Carry. Comfortable shoes are suggested for the island walk. Pack what the listing recommends so you are set for both the boat and the stop ashore.

Common issues. Commentary is French only, which limits non-French speakers. The meeting point can vary depending on the option booked, so it needs confirming in advance, and pickup is not included.

Common Questions