Corsica is now a true playground for the kayak enthousiats. The variety of landscapes that is offered by the corsican coasts is huge and allows a lot of sea kayaking trips all along the island. However, before starting any sea kayaking adventure, it is better to be well prepared. Indeed, the current regulations here in Corsica protect the coasts as well as the kayakers. There are some restrictions, and even some bans, to be aware of !
Regulations and bivouac in Corsica
Bivouac is allowed in Corsica, contrary to the camping, this practice being forbidden. The difference lies in the duration and in the gear. When we go bivouacking, people sleeps under the stars, or at least they set a basic camp up. They aim at staying at the same place one night only before getting back on the road (or on the sea in our scenario). When people go camping, a more elaborated campement is setted up in order to sleep a few nights at the same place. In this way, it is forbidden to use a tent here in Corsica. Sleeping under the stars is allowed. You can use a tarp if needed ! It will protect you from morning humidity and from potential showers !
What about nature reserves ?
Somes beaches, especially the one that take part in the nature reserves (Scandola, Cap Corse, or the Bruzzi Islands and the entrance of Bonifacio you can see in the picture enclosed), are protected at different levels, ranging from the ban of bivouacking to the ban of disembarking. Campfire are also banned on the entire coast due to the dryness and the high risks of wildfires. The maquis is a thick, dense and a dry vegetation. When a wildfire lights up it can be spread in a blink of an eye. Some areas, such as the Agriates Desert, do not have a direct access and make firefighter’s work even more complicated. Such a disaster has tragic repercussions on the corsican biodiversity, which is very fragile. When it comes to cooking, a camping stove along wih a screen is advised.
Please note that night sailing is stricly forbidden. Be sure to prepare your itinerary in advance ! Furthermore, as unexpected events might occur, it is better to know emergency beaches to stop if needed. In the opposite, it is also possible to know beaches beyond your itinerary to set up alternative places to stop if you feel the desire to keep on sailing !
Strict rules when it comes to the corsican biodiversity
Corsica is known for its exceptional biodiversity. Prefectoral decrees protect some species. This impacts the sea kayaking practice along our coasts and people have to adjust their itinerary. For example these decrees protect ospreys. These prefectural decrees are to be taken into account during the entire nesting period on very specific areas. It is not possible to sail at least at 250 meters from a nest. The anchorage is also forbidden from May the 1st to July the 31st, and even to the end of August if needed.
These decrees protect at least 10 nests located between Calvi and Cargèse, in the Scandola Nature Reserve and the Calanques de Piana. Other decrees are effective the entire year and protect nests located in the Cap Corse area. The app Nav&co will help you to know the current regulations, as well as the protected areas. When you set up your trip, please check the protected areas in order to not disturb the birds !
As explained in this article, there are laws that manage the sailing all arount the Corsican Island. Practicing sea kayaking in Corsica involves territorial and material constraints. The current regulations about the material constraints is about to be spoken about in another article !
