Corsica

Corsica is the least domesticated island in the western Mediterranean. The interior is mountainous — Monte Cinto reaches 2,706 metres — and the coast alternates between granite cliffs, deep gulfs, and stretches of maquis scrubland that scent the offshore breeze with rosemary and cistus. The island has resisted the resort development that characterises much of the French and Italian coasts, and sailing here retains a quality of genuine wildness. Ajaccio, on the west coast, is the primary charter base. The port and Tino Rossi Marina sit beneath the citadel in the old town — Napoleon's birthplace, marked by a modest house on a side street. From Ajaccio, the standard route runs north along the west coast to the Scandola nature reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site of red volcanic rock, sea caves, and osprey nests accessible only by boat. Anchoring is restricted within the reserve; the nearby harbour of Girolata, reachable only by sea or a two-hour hike, provides the closest overnight stop. South from Ajaccio, the coast opens into the Gulf of Valinco and continues to Bonifacio at the island's southern tip. Bonifacio is Corsica's most dramatic harbour — a long, narrow inlet beneath limestone cliffs topped by a medieval citadel. The harbour is well-protected but can be crowded in summer; arriving before early afternoon in July and August is advisable. The Strait of Bonifacio, separating Corsica from Sardinia, requires careful planning — the fetch, the current, and the wind acceleration through the gap can produce dangerous conditions. The east coast, sheltered from the prevailing maestrale, is calmer and less dramatic. Porto Vecchio, in the south-east, has a marina and access to some of Corsica's finest beaches. The Lavezzi Islands, in the strait between Corsica and Sardinia, are a granite archipelago with crystal water and protected anchorages — a natural midpoint between Bonifacio and the Sardinian Maddalena. Provisioning in Ajaccio and Bonifacio is good. Corsican charcuterie, cheese, and wine are worth seeking out. Fuel and water are available at the main marinas. The island's remote anchorages — Scandola, Girolata, the west-coast gulfs — have no facilities, so self-sufficiency for two to three days at a time is advisable.