The best of yacht charter in Corsica.

From wild and windy Cap Corse in the north to the port of Bonifacio on the southernmost tip a stone’s throw from Sardinia, there is a lot to discover during a Corsican yacht charter. Despite being a popular holiday destination for the past few decades, the French island is environmentally well protected and remains largely unspoiled, with hidden coves and pristine deserted beaches providing some of the most stunning anchorages in the Mediterranean. The west coast is generally the most popular for cruising, and provides a stunning backdrop with deep bays and plunging cliffs. Right at the southern tip, famed Bonifacio is one of the most picturesque seaside towns in the world, with Napoleonic ramparts high up on the cliff overlooking the Straits of Bonifacio on one side and possessing a very sheltered port which is almost unique in its aspect, being located up a kind of fissure in the coastline.

Corsica’s beaches are so varied you could find yourself on a wind-swept stretch of white sand in the morning and then a sheltered, deserted rocky cove for lunch, in very different terrain. Many of the best can only be reached by boat, making them wonderfully private and exclusive. A trio of stunning beaches lie in the south of the island: Palombaggia, Santa Giulia and Rondinara. All three comprise perfect crescent-shaped stretches of sand. Palombaggia is a firm favourite with the superyacht crowd. Stretching three kilometres around the bay, the whole area is a protected nature reserve. Nearby Rodinara is one of the most secluded beaches, tracing a near perfect C-shape that culminates in two headlands that almost touch at the entrance to the bay. Last, but not least, the aquamarine lagoon waters that lap the sandy Santa Giulia beach are calm and shallow – ideal for families  with young children who like to paddle.

When cruising around Cap Corse, head ashore to Tra di Noi for truly authentic Corsican cuisine and stunning views over the Mediterranean below. Sharing plates utilise local produce, including cheese made in  the on-site dairy, and vegetables grown in the garden. Down in the south of the island close to Sardinia, Bonifacio has a stronger Italian flavour, and the fabulous restaurants here combine French cuisine with Italian influence. The current hot spot, favoured by the superyacht set for its fresh seafood, is Stella D’Oro. Head inland to the mountains for some of the best local cheeses, including Corsican brocciu, made with goat’s milk and herbs. A Pignata, an old stone farmhouse in the countryside in the Alta Rocca region is an exceptional showcase of this type of local food, with special dishes including lamb, and a home-grown cheese with wild herbs.