Boat rental Porto-Vecchio: practical information and rates
Situated in the heart of the gulf of the same name, Porto-Vecchio is an ideal starting point for exploring the wonders of Southern Corsica by boat. Between turquoise waters, wild coves and unspoilt archipelagos, boat hire in Porto-Vecchio allows you to discover exceptional landscapes that are inaccessible by road. Whether you’re looking for a day trip to the Lavezzi islands or an in-depth exploration of the Bouches de Bonifacio, the choice of boats and professional charter companies is vast in this port city.
You can also read about it in the South Corsica guide :
- Discover the 10 must-see places to visit in Southern Corsica
- Visit the Lavezzi Islands by boat from Corsica
- What to see and do in South Corsica around Ajaccio
- Corsica’s 10 most beautiful waterfalls for swimming
- 15 not-to-be-missed excursions around Ajaccio
- The 10 most beautiful walks around Ajaccio
- Top 10 culinary specialities in Ajaccio
- What are the best things to do in Ajaccio?
- The best hotels to stay in Ajaccio
1. What type of boat should I rent in Porto-Vecchio?
The choice of boat for your yacht charter in Porto-Vecchio depends mainly on your wishes, your sailing experience and your budget. The harbour town offers a wide range of boats to suit all types of sailor, from beginners to experienced sailors.
Boats without a licence
For those who don’t have a boating licence, boats with less than 6 hp are accessible without any particular qualifications. These small boats, generally rigid hulls 4 to 5 metres long, allow you to sail along the coast and discover the coves near Porto-Vecchio. They are perfect for a first experience at sea and can accommodate between 4 and 5 people. This type of boat costs from €135 per day during the summer season.
RIBs and motorboats
RIBs are the most popular choice for boat hire in Porto-Vecchio. These boats combine comfort, safety and performance. Available in lengths from 5 to 9 metres, with engines ranging from 40 to 450 HP, they offer the chance to explore the whole of Corsica’s southern coastline, including the Lavezzi islands and the cliffs of Bonifacio. Prices range from €150 to €600 per day, depending on the size and power of the boat.
Sailing boats
For sailing enthusiasts, a number of charter companies offer co-boats, i.e. with a professional captain or skipper. This option allows you to take full advantage of the unique sensations of sailing while discovering the region’s must-see spots. Prices start at around €400 per day, depending on the size of the yacht.
Luxury yachts and speedboats
For a top-of-the-range experience, open yachts and launches from 10 to 20 metres are available for hire with skipper. These boats offer maximum comfort and can accommodate up to 12 people. You can expect to pay from €3,500 a day for this exclusive service.
2. How much does boat hire cost in Porto-Vecchio?
Boat hire prices in Porto-Vecchio vary considerably according to a number of criteria: the type of boat, the season, the length of hire and the equipment included. The summer period, from June to September, naturally has the highest prices due to the high demand from tourists.
Rates according to type of boat
For a boat without a licence, you should expect to pay between €135 and €250 per day. RIBs and standard motorboats can be hired for between €200 and €600 a day, with wide variations depending on engine power and equipment. Weekly rentals are generally on a sliding scale, ranging from €1,500 to €4,500 for a standard motorboat.
Sailboats, available for co-boating, start at €400 a day and can go up to €1,100 depending on size and services. For a week’s catamaran cruising, expect to pay between €3,800 in low season and €6,600 in high season for 12 people.
Additional costs
In addition to the cost of chartering a boat in Porto-Vecchio, there are a number of other costs to consider. The deposit, which is returned at the end of the hire period if no damage is found, varies from €1,000 to €5,000 depending on the boat. Fuel is generally not included in the rental price and represents a significant cost, especially for powerful boats.
If you opt to hire a skipper, add around €200 per day to your budget. Finally, some charter companies offer additional equipment such as towed buoys, snorkelling gear or sea kayaks for an extra €20 to €50.
3. How do I hire a boat in Porto-Vecchio?
There are two main ways to hire a boat in Porto-Vecchio: from local professional charter companies or via private hire platforms. Each option offers specific advantages in terms of flexibility, price and services.
Renting from professionals
A number of long-established professional charter companies offer their services around the port of Porto-Vecchio. Among the well-known companies is Marine Location, which has been operating since 1998 and specialises in the hire of RIBs and speedboats from 5 to 19 metres. L’Hélice, based in the commercial port, has a varied fleet ranging from 4.30 to 9 metres. Multi Services Plaisance, a family-run business founded in 1981, operates from Santa Giulia and offers a personalised service.
Other players such as Azur Évasion, Locorsa (30 years’ experience) and Corsil Marine complete the local offer with perfectly maintained boats and professional support. These professional charter companies offer the advantage of personalised advice, in-depth knowledge of the best spots and assistance in the event of technical problems.
Booking via online platforms
Platforms such as Click&Boat, Nautal and SamBoat centralise advertisements from professional and private charter companies, making it easy to compare offers and potentially benefit from better rates. These services allow you to check availability in real time, filter according to your criteria (type of boat, presence of a skipper, budget) and book directly online from home. Booking in advance, ideally several months before your holiday, guarantees a better choice of boats and cheaper rates.
4. Do I need a licence to sail in Porto-Vecchio?
The question of a boating licence frequently comes up when organising boat hire in Porto-Vecchio. French regulations clearly distinguish between boats according to their engine power, thus determining the qualifications required to pilot them.
No licence is required for boats of 6 HP or less. These small craft allow you to sail freely along the coast and discover nearby coves. However, the areas available for exploration are limited and it is advisable to stay close to the coast.
To take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the region and access the most spectacular sites, such as the Lavezzi islands and the cliffs of Bonifacio, a coastal licence is highly recommended. This authorises you to drive powerful boats up to 6 nautical miles from the coast. Most of the RIBs and motorboats available for hire require this qualification.
If you don’t have a boating licence but would like to sail on a powerful boat, you have two options: hire a professional skipper to pilot the boat, or opt for co-sailing on a sailboat, accompanied by an experienced skipper who will supervise your steering.
5. Our tips for sailing in Porto-Vecchio
Sailing in the waters off Porto-Vecchio and the surrounding area requires some prior knowledge if you are to enjoy your outing at sea in complete safety. The gulf and the surrounding area have a number of special features that you need to be familiar with.
The entrance to the marina
The Porto-Vecchio marina has 150 berths and can accommodate boats up to 50 metres long. The entrance to the port requires special attention: you will come across the rocks of Chiappino and Chiocca, as well as the Pointe de Benedetto, all marked by lights and buoys. These obstacles make arrival tricky at night or in strong winds. It is essential to contact the harbour master’s office on VHF channel 9 or by telephone at least 30 minutes before your arrival.
Mooring rates
If you’re planning a stopover at the marina, summer mooring rates vary according to the total surface area of your boat: €1.20 per m² for boats under 26 m, up to €2.60 per m² for boats over 300 m². These rates apply for 24 hours, with a 50% reduction for daytime stopovers (9am-3pm) subject to availability.
Weather conditions
Sailing conditions around Porto-Vecchio are generally favourable, with moderate winds blowing from the north-west in the morning and veering eastwards in the afternoon. The best time to set off is between 9am and 12pm: the sea is often calm, ideal for getting your bearings. Always check the weather forecast before setting off, and don’t hesitate to ask local professionals for advice, as they know the region’s sailing conditions inside out.
6. When is the best time to sail in Porto-Vecchio?
Choosing the right period for your yacht charter in Porto-Vecchio has a major influence on the quality of your experience at sea. The Mediterranean climate of southern Corsica offers ideal conditions over a wide period of the year.
The ideal season is from April to October, when the weather conditions are particularly favourable. During this period, the air and water temperatures are ideal for swimming and water sports. May, June and September represent an optimal compromise: the temperatures are pleasant, the sea is warm and the tourist sites are less crowded than at the height of summer.
The high season, from July to August, offers the best weather conditions, with temperatures regularly exceeding 30°C and water at 25°C. It’s also the busiest time of the year on the Corsican coast. However, rental prices are at their highest and the most popular spots, such as the Lavezzi islands, can be very busy. Reservations must be made several months in advance.
Autumn, particularly September and October, is a great time to charter a boat in Porto-Vecchio. The water remains at a pleasant temperature of around 22-23°C, the winds are present but not excessive, and the number of tourists drops significantly. Prices are becoming more affordable again, while still offering excellent sailing conditions.
7. Ideas for boat trips from Porto-Vecchio
Porto-Vecchio is a strategic starting point for exploring the most beautiful maritime sites in Southern Corsica. Here are two not-to-be-missed itineraries to help you discover the jewels of this exceptional region.
The Bouches de Bonifacio Nature Reserve
This itinerary is without doubt the most spectacular excursion from Porto-Vecchio. As you leave the Gulf, you enter the 8,000-hectare Bouches de Bonifacio Nature Reserve, a marine sanctuary of breathtaking beauty. Your navigation will take you from the Pointe de la Chiappa to Roccapina, skirting a succession of extraordinary landscapes.
The route takes you to the famous beaches of Palombaggia (Lieu-dit Palombaggia, 20137 Porto-Vecchio) and Santa Giulia (20137 Porto-Vecchio), renowned for their crystal-clear waters and immaculate white sand. You then sail to the unspoilt archipelagos of Les Lavezzi, Les Moines and Les Cerbicale, real havens of peace where the marine flora and fauna are exceptionally rich. The highlight of the trip is the majestic Bonifacio cliffs, whose white limestone formations plunge vertiginously into the deep blue sea. Allow a full day to enjoy this itinerary to the full, and don’t forget to plan several stops for swimming and anchoring.
The Lavezzi Islands
For those who have less time or want to concentrate on a single site, head for the Lavezzi Islands. This granite archipelago in the far south of Corsica is a veritable paradise on land, accessible only by boat.
The route from Porto-Vecchio takes you along the coast towards Bonifacio. On the way, you can admire the grotto of Sdragonato, the Gulf of Sperone and the cape of Pertusato before reaching the Lavezzi islands after around 3 hours’ sailing. Once there, the choice of anchorages is vast: the turquoise cove of Cala Azzura, the white sandy beach of La Chiesa, or one of the many secret coves accessible only by sea. The main island can be reached in around an hour on foot, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Mediterranean. The return to Porto-Vecchio is scheduled for late afternoon, allowing you to admire the Corsican coastline bathed in the golden light of the setting sun.
In conclusion, boat hire in Porto-Vecchio opens the door to an exceptional maritime territory where wild landscapes, crystal-clear waters and preserved natural heritage come together. Whether you opt for a small boat without a licence for a gentle exploration of the surrounding coves, or a powerful RIB to take you to the Lavezzi islands and the cliffs of Bonifacio, each sea trip reveals the splendour of Southern Corsica from a unique angle. Professional local charter companies and online booking platforms make it easy to organise your maritime escapade, while the favourable sailing conditions from April to October guarantee unforgettable moments on the water. Don’t wait any longer to enjoy this unique experience and discover the hidden treasures of the Corsican Mediterranean.
FAQ
Is it possible to hire a boat in Porto-Vecchio without any sailing experience?
Yes, you can hire a boat without a licence (less than 6 hp) and without any previous experience. Hire companies always provide a full briefing before you set off. For more powerful boats, you can opt to hire a skipper who will pilot the boat for you.
What documents do I need to hire a boat in Porto-Vecchio?
To hire a boat in Porto-Vecchio, you’ll need to show valid identification, your boating licence (for boats over 6 hp), and a means of payment for the deposit. Some charter companies may also ask for a certificate of civil liability insurance.
Is it possible to charter a boat to Sardinia from Porto-Vecchio?
Technically yes, Sardinia is around 12 nautical miles south of the Lavezzi Islands. However, this crossing requires an offshore licence and is not generally authorised in standard charter contracts. Ask your charter company about the geographical restrictions of your charter contract.
What to do in the event of a breakdown or technical problem at sea?
All charter boats are equipped with a VHF radio for contacting the emergency services (channel 16) or your charter company. You will be given an emergency number when you pick up your boat. Professional charter companies generally have a technical assistance service and can intervene quickly in the event of a problem.
Is it possible to fish while chartering a boat?
Recreational fishing is permitted at sea under certain conditions. You must comply with minimum catch sizes, quotas and protection zones. Fishing in the Bouches de Bonifacio Nature Reserve is strictly regulated. Ask your rental company about authorised zones and the regulations in force.
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