Blue Ocean Club
6 days · 6 stops

Cap Corse and Capraia's Wild Heart

The air, thick with the scent of maquis and salt, whips around the Genoese towers of Cap Corse. Your yacht carves a path along this wild, mountainous finger of Corsica, revealing cliff-top villages and tiny fishing ports unchanged by time. From the lobster pots of Centuri, you make the open-water passage to Capraia, an Italian island of volcanic drama. Here, within a fiercely protected marine park, you discover blood-red coves and a solitude that feels a world away from the mainland, a true immersion into the untamed heart of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

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  1. DAY 01

    Nonza, Cap Corse

    From Saint-Florent, you cruise north to where the slate-roofed houses of Nonza cling precariously to a sheer cliff, 150 metres above a striking black pebble beach. The village is a labyrinth of stone passages, all leading to the 16th-century Paoline tower. Below, the yacht rests at anchor, a private platform from which to admire this dramatic confluence of mountain and sea.

    • Climb the steps from the Marine de Nonza to the village square.
    • Visit the ochre-hued church of Sainte-Julie.
    • Ascend the Tour de Nonza for panoramic views of the Gulf of Saint-Florent.
    • Walk the unique black pebble beach, created from an old asbestos quarry's runoff.
    Anchorage
    Anchorage off Marine de Nonza
    Dining
    La Sassa, a restaurant spectacularly built into the cliff face for sunset cocktails and dinner.
  2. DAY 02

    Port de Centuri

    The west coast of Cap Corse becomes increasingly rugged as you approach Centuri, Corsica’s premier lobster port. This miniature harbour is a perfect pastel-hued crescent, where fishermen mend nets beside stacks of lobster pots. The scent of the sea and grilled seafood hangs in the air, and the pace of life slows to the rhythm of the returning fishing boats.

    • Watch the local 'pêcheurs' unload their prized spiny lobsters.
    • Hike a portion of the Sentier des Douaniers coastal path from the harbour.
    • Explore the quiet, elevated hamlets of Cannelle and Ortinola.
    • Enjoy a tasting of crisp white wines from the nearby AOC Patrimonio vineyards.
    Anchorage
    Anchorage just outside the small Port de Centuri
    Dining
    Le Vieux Moulin for its celebrated lobster pasta, served on a terrace overlooking the port.
  3. DAY 03

    Macinaggio & Île de la Giraglia

    Today involves the milestone of rounding the windswept northern tip of Corsica. Your yacht navigates past the stoic lighthouse on the Île de la Giraglia, a key maritime landmark, before turning south into the calmer waters of the east coast. You arrive in Macinaggio, the largest marina on Cap Corse, a bustling hub and the gateway to a protected nature reserve.

    • Circumnavigate the Île de la Giraglia by tender for a close-up of its Genoese tower and lighthouse.
    • Anchor for a swim at the beautiful, wild Plage de Tamarone.
    • Hike the coastal path through the 'Site Natura 2000' towards the beaches of Santa Maria.
    • Explore the lively quayside of Macinaggio's marina.
    Anchorage
    Port de Plaisance de Macinaggio
    Dining
    U Libecciu, offering refined Corsican cuisine with views across the marina's yachts.
  4. DAY 04

    Cala Rossa, Capraia

    Leaving Corsica in your wake, you make the 17-nautical-mile crossing to the Tuscan Archipelago National Park and the island of Capraia. Your first sight is the astonishing Cala Rossa, a collapsed volcanic cone where one side of the bay glows a deep, rusty red against the turquoise water. You anchor in a primeval landscape, the only sounds being the cries of gulls and water lapping against the hull.

    • The open-water passage from France to Italy, watching for dolphins and whales.
    • Anchoring within the ancient volcanic caldera of Cala Rossa.
    • Snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of the marine reserve, teeming with fish.
    • Using the yacht's paddleboards to explore the base of the dramatic, iron-rich cliffs.
    Anchorage
    Anchorage in Cala Rossa
    Dining
    A secluded lunch prepared by your chef on the aft deck, framed by the volcanic cliffs.
  5. DAY 05

    Capraia Porto

    After a morning spent exploring the wild southern coves, you cruise north to Capraia's only settlement. The harbour is a small, charming affair nestled below a village that climbs the hillside to the impressive Forte di San Giorgio. The atmosphere is distinctly Italian, a gentle bustle of residents and visiting sailors enjoying the island's profound tranquility.

    • A morning swim and snorkel at the secluded Cala dello Zurletto.
    • Hike from the port up to the 16th-century Forte di San Giorgio for commanding views.
    • Explore the quiet, car-free streets of the upper village, Capraia Isola.
    • Discover the atmospheric ruins of the former agricultural penal colony.
    Anchorage
    Porto di Capraia Isola
    Dining
    Ristorante La Garitta for an authentic Capraian seafood dinner in a traditional setting.
  6. DAY 06

    Porto di Capraia Isola

    Awake to the gentle activity of Capraia's harbour for your final morning. The air is fresh with the scent of wild rosemary and the sea as you enjoy a final, magnificent breakfast on board. There is time for one last swim in the clear harbour waters before you disembark, taking with you the memory of this wild and elemental corner of the Mediterranean.

    • Enjoying a final espresso at a waterfront café with the locals.
    • A last invigorating swim from the yacht's bathing platform.
    • Shopping for local Capraia honey or artisan jams in the port.
    • A leisurely breakfast on deck, featuring the best produce gathered during your voyage.
    Anchorage
    Porto di Capraia Isola
    Dining
    A farewell breakfast on board, prepared by your private chef.
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