By Anaïs BEDE 
By Anaïs BEDE
November 4, 2021
Reading time: 6 minutes
IN BRIEF
IN BRIEF
Don't miss: the Agriates desert and the Scandola nature reserve
Special features: the diversity of the landscapes, with gray rock, red prophyre and green reliefs, all in the translucent waters of the Mediterranean
The most beautiful anchorages: the anchorage at Girolata and the one at the port of Centuri
Contents
- Practical information for your yacht charter in Saint-Florent
- What to do in Saint-Florent?
- Where to sail from Saint-Florent?
- The best anchorages when departing from Saint-Florent
- Which sailing itineraries should you follow?
- What are the weather conditions?
"Sailing in the north of Corsica, you will encounter a variety of landscapes: Cap Corse with its gray, steep rock; the area stretching from Saint-Florent to Ile Rousse, which has a very rugged terrain; and finally the Gulf of Porto, composed of porphyry, the emblematic stone of the "island of beauty". These are the words of Philippe Raimondo, who works for our local partner Nauticorse, a motorboat charter company based in Saint-Florent.
Saint-Florent is located in one of the most beautiful corners of Corsica: Cap Corse. Cliffs overlooking the sea, picturesque villages nestled in the mountains, dream beaches, wild islands: this is what awaits you if you decide to set sail for the north of Corsica with your yacht charter.
View
1. Practical information for your yacht charter in Saint-Florent
Average rates according to the season and the size of the boat
Below you will find an order of magnitude of the average prices for a sailboat charter in Corsica. These prices may vary depending on the season, the size of the boat, the model of the boat, the age of the boat, etc.
| Type of boat | High Season July and August | Mid Season May, June and September | Low Season April and October |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monohull (2 cabins) | 2,500 USD | 1,800 USD | 1,200 USD |
| Monohull (3 cabins) | 3,000 USD | 2,100 USD | 1,600 USD |
| Monohull (4 cabins) | 4,000 USD | 3,000 USD | 2,200 USD |
| Catamaran (between 30 and 40 feet) | 4,500 USD | 3,500 USD | 3,000 USD |
| Catamaran (between 40 and 50 feet) | 6,000 USD | 5,000 USD | USD4,000 |
The port of Saint-Florent
The port of Saint-Florent is not a departure base from which you will take charge of your boat. It is a port that welcomes passing boats whose sailing itineraries pass through the Gulf of Saint-Florent.
The major attraction of this port is its geographical location in the heart of the village of Saint-Florent and at the foot of the ramparts of the Citadel. Protected from the winds, it offers a safe anchorage for pleasure boaters who come to moor there.
View
Our local partners in the region
Very few rental companies offer catamaran or sailboat charter from Saint-Florent. However, here is a list of our main partners who offer yacht charter from bases near Saint-Florent, namely Macinaggio and Calvi:
- Nauticorse Location is the only charter company that Filovent works with in Saint-Florent. It only offers RIBs for charter.
- Corsica Voile has been based in Macinaggio for over 30 years. This rental company mainly offers monohulls (Sun Odyssey, Jeanneau, etc.) for hire from Macinaggio.
- Calvi Marine has been in existence for over 25 years and is based in Calvi. This rental company only offers catamaran charters (Lucia, Helia, Tanna).
2. What is there to do in Saint-Florent?
Nestled in the hollow of one of the most beautiful gulfs in the Mediterranean, Saint-Florent, an ancient Roman city, has become a seaside resort popular with tourists without having lost its identity. It therefore appeals to sailors, fishermen, vacationers and pleasure boaters in search of absolute nature and breathtaking landscapes. Ideally located close-hauled to Bastia airport or the port de Commerce, we recommend you spend some time in Saint-Florent while you are sailing in the north of Corsica.
Start your visit to Saint-Florent in the old town, where you can discover the 12th-century cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the citadel. Built by the Genoese in the 15th century, the citadel now hosts exhibitions and evening events during the summer season, bringing its ancient walls to life. Finish your visit with a stroll around the old port. Located at the end of the bay, it is a reminder that Saint-Florent is above all a fishing village. At the end of the evening, it comes alive to the rhythm of the bars and restaurants that line the quay.
On the beach side, Saint-Florent and the Agriates desert have the most beautiful beaches in Corsica, which are accessible either on foot by taking the coastal path or by the sea. Among these beaches, you will find those ofOlzu orOspedale, about 1 kilometer from Saint-Florent. A little further on, Saleccia beach is idyllic: turquoise water, fine sandy beach with a forest of junipers and Aleppo pines in the background.
For walkers, part of the Sentier des Douaniers, a must-do hike along the coast from the point of Cap Corse to the northern tip of this beautiful island, passes through Saint-Florent. The departure point is Roya beach and you can reach Ostriconi beach by crossing the Agriate desert.
View
3. Where can you sail from Saint-Florent?
The island of Giraglia
just under two nautical miles from the port of Barcaggio, located at the northern tip of Corsica, stands an enormous rock swept by the winds. Difficult to access due to the rough sea, if you do manage to reach this small islet you can admire the lighthouse, listed as a historic monument since 2011, from the deck of your boat.
 
Between the sea and the maquis, Île Rousse is a former fishing village south of Saint-Florent. Nicknamed the Paoline city in homage to Pascal Paoli, who ordered its construction in the 18th century, Île Rousse will make your heart beat faster thanks to its idyllic setting, mainly composed of the emblematic stone of Corsica, red porphyry.rousse will make your heart beat faster thanks to its idyllic setting, composed mainly of the emblematic stone of Corsica, red porphyry.
From the marina on Île Rousse, you can see the island of Pietra in the distance. Once there, we recommend that you go to the lighthouse, where you will have a breathtaking view of the bay of Calvi as far as the Agriate point.
View
Calvi
South of Île Rousse, Calvi is an essential port of call when sailing in the north of Corsica. The second most visited town in Corsica, Calvi is divided into two parts: an upper part that is home to the Citadel and the medieval town, and a lower part where the marina is located.
Take advantage of your stopover in Calvi to visit the 15th-century Genoa-style citadel . Imperiously dominating the Mediterranean Sea, this citadel shows just how rich Corsica's historical heritage is. Once at the top, you can take in the whole of Calvi at a glance thanks to the panoramic view it offers over the ramparts, the town, the port and the maquis.
Cal
Agriates Desert
To the northwest of Saint-Florent, the coasts of the Agriates Desert are among the wonders of the Isle of Beauty. This untamed and wild desert is home to the island's most beautiful beaches, incredible landscapes and unspoiled scrubland.
from the side of your boat, you can reach the beaches of Saleccia or Lotu while admiring the rugged coastline of the Agriates Desert along the way. These two beaches have a number of features in common: turquoise water, fine sand and typical Mediterranean scrubland in the background.
beach
Scandola Nature Reserve and the Gulf of Porto
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, the Scandola nature reserve is one of the largest nature reserves in France. As the ecosystem is protected, snorkeling is only permitted at the boundaries of the reserve. It's still worth the detour, however, because the seabed is very rich: there are groupers, moray eels and schools of crayfish.
Please note that anchorage in this reserve is only permitted during the day and only sailboats under 45 meters can navigate there following the 2017 arrests.
reserve
4. The best anchorages from Saint-Florent
Anchorage at the port of Centuri
Located at the far end of Cap Corse, this small village is well worth a visit, particularly for its harbor and narrow streets. Practically uninhabited, with the remains of a 16th-century Genoa tower at the entrance to the port and wild nature, a whole range of Corsican experiences await you!
Anchorage at Girolata
I was advised to use this anchorage by Philippe. Girolata is a small village only accessible by sea. The landscape is typically Corsican: a Genoa tower dating from the 16th century and a landscape combining maquis and red porphyry, the emblematic stone of the island of beauty.
View
Anchorage at Fiume Santu beach
This anchorage is located to the north-west of Saint-Florent. The setting is unique because the beach is located in the middle of a part of the sea and a freshwater basin.
5. Which sailing itineraries should you follow?
One-week sailing itinerary - Total distance covered: 133 nautical miles
This sailing itinerary was recommended to me by Phillipe Raimondo, who works for Corsica Voile. It will allow you to discover a large part of Cap Corse by sailboat.
- Day 1: Macinaggio → port and village of Centuri (20 nautical miles)
- Day 2: Centuri → Saint-Florent (20 nautical miles)
- Day 3: Saint-Florent → Ile Rousse (24 nautical miles)
- Day 4: Île Rousse → Calvi (12 nautical miles)
- Day 5: Calvi → Saleccia beach in the Agriates Desert (26 nautical miles)
- Day 6: Saleccia beach → Macinaggio (31 nautical miles)
landscape
6. What are the weather conditions?
Saint-Florent has its own microclimate . The sea breezes and the Gulf of Saint-Florent cool the atmosphere. As Corsican summers are very hot, this light breeze is most pleasant. When the westerly winds pick up, some coves are sheltered and become ideal, such as the cove of Fiume Santu northwest of Saint Florent. The region's weather conditions are particularly favorable for yacht charter in Corsica.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Philippe Raimondo for his time and advice, which were a great help when writing my article. Many thanks also to the Saint-Florent tourist office for the photos that perfectly illustrate this article.
Good to know
| Number of boats available | 397 |
|---|---|
| Types of service | Skipper, Hostess, Chef (meals not included), Sailor, Engineer, Mechanic, Masseuse |
| Average price per week | $53,409 |
| Minimum weekly price | $1,069 |
| Maximum price per week | $995,138 |