From Porticcio: Speedboat Tour to Cupabia Beach with Stops

The best part of this Porticcio speedboat tour is the mix of fast, open-water riding and long pauses in quiet coves. You are not simply ferried to Cupabia Beach. You race along Corsica’s southern shore, stop four times for swimming, and finish with a local aperitif as the light softens.

I like the small group of up to 12 and the captain-prepared spread of charcuterie, cheese, and rosé. I also like the route, which includes Plage d’Argent and Cala d’Orzu rather than focusing on one beach. The main drawback is simple: this is a lively RIB ride, not a gentle sightseeing cruise, and it is offered in French only.

Key points to know before booking

• Four swim breaks: Plan on repeated stops at places such as Isula Piana, the Cacao cove, Cupabia, Cala d’Orzu, and Plage d’Argent.
• A fast, open-air ride: The semi-rigid boat gives you speed and sea spray, but it can be bouncy for anyone with back trouble or limited mobility.
• Local aperitif included: Cold meats, cheese, and rosé are prepared on board by the captain.
• Chez Francis is optional: You can stop at the famous hut at Cala d’Orzu, but any drink there costs extra.
• French-speaking crew: Past outings have been led by skippers including Baptiste and Bebel, but the assigned captain can vary.
• Best for active beach time: Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen, and expect to spend much of the day in or beside the water.

A fast route along Ajaccio’s southern shore

This outing covers the coast south of Ajaccio from Porticcio in a semi-rigid inflatable boat. The advertised duration ranges from 270 to 390 minutes, or roughly four and a half to six and a half hours, so check the exact departure option before you commit to other plans.

The boat carries no more than 12 people. That matters. A RIB can feel crowded when every seat is taken, but a half-full departure can be especially pleasant. One past trip had only six people aboard a boat built for 12, leaving plenty of room and making the ride feel more relaxed.

You get the thrill of speed without signing up for a private charter. The captain cuts across the water and zigzags between stops, giving the ride a playful, energetic feel. At the same time, this is not the right outing for someone who wants a quiet, shaded cruise with a long commentary in several languages.

The live guide speaks French. If your French is limited, you should still be able to follow the basic rhythm of the day, since the important parts are easy to understand: ride, stop, swim, eat, and ride again. But do not book this expecting a detailed English-language coastal tour.

Sette Nave, Isula Piana, and the Cacao cove

The route begins near Sette Nave and heads toward Isula Piana and the cove of Cacao. These early stops set the pattern for the whole day: a scenic run by boat, a chance to look around from the water, and time to get in for a swim.

The appeal here is access. From a road, you see only the beaches and coves that are easy to reach. From a small boat, you can approach rocky inlets and open stretches of coast from the sea, with fewer interruptions between you and the water.

The tour description calls out crystal-clear water and a wide coastal panorama. The exact feel of each stop can change with wind, sea conditions, and the captain’s judgment, so treat the route as a plan rather than a rigid promise. The captain may adjust the timing or order of stops to keep the outing safe and enjoyable.

Bring a towel you can keep secure. On a speedboat, loose items can shift, and there is little reason to bring more than your swimming gear, sunscreen, and anything essential.

Four swim stops, with Plage d’Argent as a highlight

Swimming is not a brief extra here. It is one of the main reasons to book the excursion. You get four opportunities to leave the boat and enjoy the warm, turquoise water, with stops linked to Isula Piana, Cacao, Cupabia, Cala d’Orzu, and Plage d’Argent.

Cupabia is the headline destination. Its fine sand and clear water give the outing a classic Corsican beach finish, though the route includes plenty of scenery before you reach it. If you prefer short bursts of activity, this setup works well. You can swim, climb back aboard, dry off in the sun, and then enjoy another fast run along the coast.

Plage d’Argent is saved for the last swim. Its pale sand and clear water make a fitting final stop, and the timing gives you one more chance to get in the sea before returning. I would save some energy for this part rather than treating the first swim as the main event.

The practical catch is that you need to be comfortable getting in and out of the boat. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users, and children under six are not permitted. Pregnant women cannot ride the RIB, and anyone with back problems, a heart condition, reduced mobility, a severe disability, or another health concern that could conflict with the outing must declare it when booking.

Cupabia Beach and the Cala d’Orzu stop

Cala di Cupabia and Cala d’Orzu add two different kinds of appeal. Cupabia is the sandy beach stop, where you can spend time in warm, clear water and enjoy the setting from shore. Cala d’Orzu offers the chance to pause near the well-known Chez Francis hut.

A drink at Chez Francis is not included in the tour price, so bring that extra cost into your plans. The included food and rosé are served as part of the boat experience, but anything purchased at the hut is separate.

This flexibility is useful. You can choose a drink at the hut if you want a land-based pause, or stay with the group’s planned swim and onboard refreshments. Do not expect a full lunch here. Lunch is not included, and the provided food is an aperitif of cold meats and cheese, not a complete meal.

If you have a large appetite, eat beforehand or plan to buy something separately. The snack is best understood as a generous local tasting rather than lunch.

Corsican charcuterie, cheese, and rosé on board

The food service is one of the details that gives this trip more character than a basic boat transfer. The captain prepares a tasting of locally sourced charcuterie, cheese, and rosé, served during a relaxed pause on the water.

That combination fits the setting. After swimming and riding at speed, sitting back with a small plate and a glass of wine gives the middle or later part of the outing a calmer pace. You get a taste of Corsica without leaving the boat for a formal meal.

Past trips have specifically praised the quality of the charcuterie and cheese. The food is also part of the value calculation. At $88 per person, you are paying for several hours of transport, a local guide, multiple swim stops, and refreshments, rather than just a short ride to one beach.

Still, you should keep the price in perspective. The drink at Chez Francis costs extra, lunch is not included, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not provided. If you need a private boat, a full meal, or door-to-door transport, the advertised price will not cover everything you may want.

Rosé is included, so this outing may not suit anyone avoiding alcohol unless the operator provides another option. No substitute drink is specified, so ask when booking if that matters to you.

What the small boat ride actually feels like

A semi-rigid inflatable boat gives you a close-to-the-water view and a strong sense of motion. You will feel the speed more than you would on a large sightseeing vessel, especially when the captain accelerates between coves.

That is the fun, but it is also the tradeoff. The ride can be bouncy, and the open layout gives you limited shelter from sun and spray. Sunscreen is essential, and a towel is useful after every swim.

The boat format also keeps the group connected. With a maximum of 12 people, the captain can create a friendly atmosphere and make small adjustments along the way. Past departures have included skippers named Baptiste and Bebel. Baptiste was noted for pointing out attractive places to swim, while Bebel was praised for being attentive and careful with the group. Your captain may be someone else, but the experience clearly depends a great deal on the person at the helm.

If you want a peaceful trip with no engine noise, this is the wrong boat. If you like a little speed and want to reach several coastal spots in one day, the RIB format makes sense.

Timing, meeting point, and what to bring

The meeting point can change according to the option you choose. Confirm the exact location and departure time rather than assuming every departure leaves from the same place in Porticcio.

The length also varies from 270 to 390 minutes. That is a wide range, so leave plenty of room in your schedule. The tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, and the meeting point may require you to arrange your own way there and back.

Pack lightly:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen

You should also consider a secure way to carry essentials, though no special equipment is listed as provided. Keep expectations realistic about storage and changing space on a small boat.

The operator allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, with a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are arranging several Corsica activities before your final schedule is fixed.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to combine several beaches and coves in one outing instead of spending the whole day at one resort. It suits confident swimmers, couples, friends, and families with children aged six and over who enjoy a brisk boat ride.

It is also a good choice if you value local food in a casual setting. The charcuterie, cheese, and rosé make the day feel more connected to Corsican life than a ride that offers only bottled drinks and a beach stop.

Families should think about the boat style before booking. One past assessment found the experience enjoyable for both children and adults, but age alone does not tell you how a child will handle speed, spray, sun, or repeated boarding. Children under six are not allowed.

I would not choose it for pregnancy, wheelchair use, serious back trouble, reduced mobility, severe disability, or a known heart condition. Declare any health concern at booking. If you fail to do so, the captain can refuse boarding without a refund, which is a costly surprise to avoid.

Is $88 a fair price?

At $88 per person, the value is strongest if you use the full experience. You get a small-group boat ride, a local guide, the southern Ajaccio coast, four swim breaks, access to Cupabia and other coves, and an included spread of charcuterie, cheese, and rosé.

That is more useful than comparing the price with a simple beach transfer. The boat covers several places in one half-day or longer outing, and the small capacity keeps it from feeling like a large excursion vessel.

The price is less attractive if you only want to reach Cupabia and sit on the sand. You are paying for speed, repeated stops, and the social onboard meal. Add the cost of any Chez Francis drink and your own transport to the meeting point.

For me, the strongest value comes from the combination of multiple swims and included food. You get a full coastal experience rather than one destination with a short ride attached.

Should you book the Cupabia speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a lively Corsican day on the water, enjoy swimming from a boat, and like the idea of sharing local cold meats, cheese, and rosé with a small group. The route gives you more variety than a single beach visit, and the mix of speed, coves, and sandy shores keeps the day moving.

Skip it if you need English guiding, hotel transport, a full lunch, wheelchair access, or a calm cruise. You should also think twice if a bumpy RIB ride could aggravate a health condition.

For the right person, this is a well-balanced way to see the southern shore of Ajaccio: fast when you want excitement, slow when it is time to swim, and relaxed again when the aperitif comes out.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat tour depart from?

The experience departs from Porticcio, but the exact meeting point may vary depending on the option booked. Check your booking details before setting out.

How long does the excursion last?

The tour lasts between 270 and 390 minutes. Check availability for the exact departure time and duration offered for your chosen option.

What destinations are included?

The route includes the southern shore of Ajaccio, Sette Nave, Isula Piana, the Cacao cove, Cala di Cupabia, Cala d’Orzu, and Plage d’Argent. The route includes four swimming breaks.

Is swimming included?

Yes. Swimming breaks are part of the tour, with stops at scenic coastal locations and beaches such as Plage d’Argent.

Is food included?

Yes. The captain prepares an aperitif with locally sourced cold meats, cheese, and rosé wine. Lunch is not included.

Can I buy a drink at Chez Francis?

Yes. The tour includes free time at the Chez Francis hut in Cala d’Orzu, but drinks there cost extra.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Is the tour available in English?

The live guide language is French. No English-language guiding is specified.

Who cannot take part?

Pregnant women and wheelchair users cannot take part. Children under six are not permitted on the RIB. Anyone with a disability, reduced mobility, back problems, a heart condition, a severe disability, or another incompatible health condition must declare it when booking.