From Porticcio: Speedboat Tour to Cupabia Beach with Stops

Cupabia Beach is the prize, but the best part of this outing is the ride there: a fast, open-air run along Corsica’s southern coast, broken up by four swim stops in clear, warm water. You move from rocky coves to broad sand, then slow down for local charcuterie, cheese, and rosé prepared by the captain.

I like the small group of up to 12 and the way the trip mixes speed with long pauses to swim. I also like the simple Corsican aperitif, which gives the excursion a local touch instead of making it only a boat transfer. The main drawback is that the tour is conducted in French, and the open RIB boat is not suitable for pregnant passengers, wheelchair users, or children under six.

Key points to know

• Four swimming breaks: Stop at Isula Piana, the Cacao cove, Cupabia or Cala d’Orzu, and Plage d’Argent.
• A fast, open boat: The semi-rigid speedboat delivers plenty of wind, spray, and motion between the coves.
• Captain-prepared tasting: Cold meats, cheese, and rosé are served during the outing, often as an aperitif near the end.
• Chez Francis option: You can stop at the famous hut at Cala d’Orzu, but drinks there cost extra.
• French-speaking crew: Guides including Baptiste and Bebel have been praised for attentive, friendly service.
• Long half-day trip: The schedule runs from about 4 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours 30 minutes, depending on the option booked.

Why the Porticcio to Cupabia route works

This is not a sightseeing cruise where you sit in one place and point a camera at the shore. It is a combination of coastal ride, swimming excursion, and relaxed aperitif. You leave from Porticcio and follow the southern shore of Ajaccio toward a string of coves and beaches that are easier to reach by boat than by road.

The RIB, or rigid inflatable boat, gives the outing its character. You sit close to the water, and the captain can move into smaller coastal inlets before opening the throttle again. That means more sensation than you get on a large day boat, but also more exposure to sun, wind, and bouncing over waves.

I think the route makes sense for you if the journey matters as much as the destination. Cupabia Beach is lovely, but the repeated stops at smaller places are what keep the day from feeling like a simple ride to one beach.

Leaving Porticcio for Sette Nave and Isula Piana

The trip begins near Sette Nave, with the exact meeting point depending on the option you book. Once on board, you head toward Isula Piana and the cove of Cacao, taking in the southern coast from the water.

This early section sets the rhythm for the day. You ride, slow down, swim, and ride again. The boat lets you see the shape of the shore from a low angle, with rocky edges, narrow inlets, and open stretches of sea passing quickly beside you.

Isula Piana is one of the first places where the boat’s design matters. A small RIB can approach a quiet cove and pause without the heavy feel of a large vessel. You can get into the water for a swim and take in the views without needing to spend the whole morning at one crowded beach.

The timing of each stop is not provided, so you should not expect a fixed, minute-by-minute schedule. Weather, sea conditions, and the pace of the group can affect how long you remain in each place.

Cacao Cove and the first swim breaks

The cove of Cacao gives you the kind of stop this excursion is built around: clear water, a sheltered setting, and time to swim rather than simply photograph the coast. Bring your swimsuit from the start, since the day is organized around getting into the water several times.

There are four swim breaks in total, including stops around Isula Piana, Cupabia, Cala d’Orzu, and Plage d’Argent. The exact order can vary with conditions, but you should plan for repeated time in the sea rather than one long beach visit.

I would pack a towel that dries fairly quickly and apply sunscreen before boarding. On an open boat, the breeze can make the sun feel less intense than it is. You will also want to keep your belongings secure, since a speedboat ride is a poor place for loose items.

The warm turquoise water is a major reason to book this tour. If swimming is only a minor interest for you, the price may feel less attractive. If you enjoy stopping often for a swim, the format gives you much more than a standard coastal cruise.

The captain’s Corsican aperitif

At some point during the outing, the crew serves an appetizer of cold meats and cheese with rosé. This is more than a snack, especially after several swims. It gives the middle or later part of the trip a slower, social pause.

The food is locally sourced according to the tour details, and the tasting is prepared by the captain. That makes it feel tied to Corsican habits of sharing simple cured meats, cheese, and wine rather than like a packaged meal served from a large catering setup.

You should think of this as an aperitif, not lunch. Lunch is not included, and the food provided is not described as a full meal. If you need a substantial midday meal, plan around that fact before you board.

The rosé also suits the setting, particularly when the boat pauses in a calm cove or the light softens toward evening. You should drink sensibly, of course, since the day includes boat movement, sun, and swimming.

Cupabia Beach, the main coastal stop

Cala di Cupabia and Cupabia Beach are the central destination. The beach is known for fine sand and clear turquoise water, making it the broad, classic beach stop after the smaller coves.

The change in setting matters. Earlier stops focus on rocky inlets and quick access to the water. Cupabia gives you more room to relax on sand and enjoy the beach itself. If you want one place that feels like a proper escape from Porticcio, this is it.

Do not assume the whole day is spent at Cupabia. The excursion is designed as a moving coastal route, and the beach is one major part of a larger trip. You will spend time riding between stops, which is why the total duration can stretch from 270 to 390 minutes.

The longer duration is useful if you want a full outing rather than a short transfer. It can be less appealing if you prefer to settle into one beach chair and remain there. This is a boat adventure first, with beach time built into it.

Cala d’Orzu and Chez Francis

The route continues toward Cala d’Orzu, another place to swim and enjoy the coast from the water. You can also stop at Chez Francis, the well-known hut in the area.

Drinks at Chez Francis are not included, so bring a payment method if you want to order something there. This is one of the few parts of the day where the advertised food and drink arrangement changes. The boat includes the cold meats, cheese, and rosé, but anything purchased at the hut is extra.

That distinction matters when you compare the $88 price. The cost covers the boat, guide, coastal route, swim stops, and the aperitif. It does not cover lunch, hotel transport, or drinks bought at Chez Francis.

I like having the hut as an optional change of pace. You can stay focused on swimming and the boat, or add a land-based stop if you want a drink in a famous coastal setting. Just do not treat it as an included restaurant meal.

The final run to Plage d’Argent

The last stop is Plage d’Argent, or Silver Beach, where you get a final chance to swim. After the quieter pauses, the boat may pick up speed again, zigzagging across the water on the way to this final stop.

This is where the excursion leans fully into its speedboat identity. You get the sensation of movement and open water rather than a slow, steady cruise. The ride can be fun for adults and children old enough to join, but it may feel lively for anyone who is sensitive to motion.

The beach gives the day a clear finish. After the final swim, you return by boat, with the coast and changing light providing the backdrop. The trip description places the food and rosé around the later part of the outing, so the exact timing may make the aperitif feel like a relaxed close to the day.

The sunset element depends on the departure option and season. The experience includes local charcuterie and wine while watching the sun go down, but you should check the available start time if sunset is important to you.

What the small boat changes

A group limit of 12 is one of the strongest practical features. A smaller boat means less waiting when the captain chooses a swim stop, and it is easier to ask a question or mention a concern than on a large vessel.

The boat has also received a 93 percent perfect score for transport, which fits the main appeal: it is a fun way to cover the southern coast. You are not simply being moved from Porticcio to Cupabia. The ride itself is part of the experience.

The tradeoff is comfort. A RIB has no promise of the cushioned, sheltered ride you might find on a larger sightseeing boat. You should expect sun, wind, spray, and movement. If you have back problems, reduced mobility, a heart condition, or another condition that could make the ride unsafe, you must tell the company when booking.

The captain can refuse boarding if a relevant health condition was not declared. Pregnant passengers cannot join, and children under six are not permitted. Wheelchair users cannot take this excursion.

Guides, language, and the feel of the day

The tour is conducted in French. That does not prevent you from enjoying the scenery, swimming, or food, but you should be comfortable with a French-led outing if you need detailed commentary throughout the trip.

Baptiste and Bebel are two of the captains named in customer feedback. Baptiste was praised for choosing beautiful places to swim and for the quality of the charcuterie and cheese. Bebel was singled out for being attentive and caring during the trip.

Those details help set a reasonable expectation for the crew. The best part of this kind of outing is often the captain’s judgment: choosing a pleasant place to stop, keeping the group safe, and adjusting the pace. You should not expect a formal history lecture. You should expect a local boat operator focused on the sea, the route, and the group.

The mood is informal and social. One recent group had only six people on a boat built for 12, which made the ride feel especially spacious. The boat may not always be half full, but the 12-person limit keeps the outing from becoming a large crowd.

Is $88 a fair price?

At $88 per person, I see fair value if you plan to swim and want a full half-day on the water. You are paying for a small-group boat, a local guide, access to several coastal stops, and the included appetizer with rosé.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to visit Cupabia Beach and spend hours on the sand. In that case, a direct beach option could suit you better, though no alternative transport or price is provided here. This outing charges for the sequence of places and the speedboat experience.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point in or around Porticcio. The meeting point can vary by booking option, so check your confirmation carefully rather than assuming every departure leaves from the same dock.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if your Corsica plans are still shifting, but they do not change the physical demands of the boat.

Who should book this excursion?

I would choose this for you if you enjoy swimming in several different places, like a little speed, and want a social half-day rather than a quiet beach day. It also suits families with children six and older, provided everyone is comfortable with an open RIB and boat motion.

It is a good match for couples and small groups who want scenery, sea time, and a simple local tasting in one outing. The French-only guiding is less of a concern when your main goal is the water, though it may matter if you want detailed explanations in another language.

I would think twice if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair, have a serious back or heart condition, or dislike bouncing boat rides. I would also skip it if you want a proper lunch, a long stay at one beach, or a fully sheltered cruise.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Wear something practical for getting in and out of the boat, and keep valuables to a minimum.

You should also plan for a day outdoors. The open boat offers little separation from sun and wind, and the water breaks mean you will be wet more than once. The supplied information does not specify storage arrangements, so use a secure waterproof bag if you bring a phone or camera.

Have a little extra money if you want to buy a drink at Chez Francis. Lunch is not included, while the cold meats, cheese, and rosé are included as the main refreshment.

Should you book the Cupabia speedboat tour?

Book it if you want four swims, a fast coastal ride, and a small-group atmosphere in one outing. The strongest reasons are the varied route, the attractive stops, and the captain-prepared charcuterie and rosé. The attentive approach associated with captains such as Baptiste and Bebel is another welcome sign.

Skip it if you need a calm, accessible boat, a full meal, or a long, lazy stay on a single beach. For the right kind of day, $88 is a sensible price for several hours along southern Ajaccio’s coast. Just arrive ready for sun, motion, French guiding, and plenty of water time.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat tour last?

The tour lasts between 270 and 390 minutes, or about 4 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours 30 minutes. Check the available option for the exact departure time and duration.

Where does the tour leave from?

The experience begins in the Porticcio area, with the meeting point varying according to the option booked. Check your booking information for the exact location.

How many people can join the boat?

The small group is limited to 12 participants. The boat may not be full on every departure.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. The tour does include an appetizer of cold meats and cheese with rosé wine.

Are drinks at Chez Francis included?

No. You may visit the Chez Francis hut at Cala d’Orzu, but drinks purchased there cost extra.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. These are especially useful because the tour includes four swimming breaks.

Is the tour offered in English?

The live guide language listed for this activity is French. No English-language guide is specified.

Can pregnant passengers or wheelchair users join?

No. Pregnant passengers and wheelchair users are not permitted. Children under six are also not allowed, and you must declare relevant health conditions when booking.