What to do in Piana

Porto is a hamlet near Ota village, located between Ajaccio in the south and Calvi in the north. It is the perfect spot for water and land activities thanks to its location inside the Parc Naturel Régional de Corse and near the Gulf of Porto.

Ota village is surrounded by Mount Capu d’Ota, which measures 1 220 meters. You will find Porto at only 5 km from the village, right at the bottom of Porto Valley. The Gulf of Porto is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage and includes the calanques de Piana, the Gulf of Girolata and Scandola natural reserve. The reserve aims to protect not less than 33 plants, birds like the osprey, as well as marine mammals such as the common bottlenose dolphin and monk seals.

In Porto, you can visit the Génoise tower located on a rock at 45 m from the ground. It’s a fortified structure dating back to the 16th century. Other places like la Maison de la Bruyère and the Aquarium de la Poudrière are a must-see when you visit Porto.

The Gulf of Porto is THE spot to go if you are a scuba diving aficionado. Take a plunge and swim around the marine animals that live in the gulf. The instructors of the Centre de Plongée du Golfe de Porto will be pleased to lead you to the spot of your choice. Each one has its own particularity: Capo Rosso and its impressive groupers and common stingrays, or la Scandola and its numerous fish species.

On one side, beginners will be able to participate to their first scuba dives in the turquoise waters of the gulf. The instructors will teach you the basics of scuba diving and you will plunge at 6m under the water. So don’t be afraid and enjoy this magic moment! On the other side, intermediates can go on guided adventure dives and explore the wonderful seafloor.

If you visit Corsica with your kids, Zoïcu family canyoning is waiting for you! It is a perfect spot for beginners located near Guagno, at only 1-hour drive from Porto. The level of the canyoning is adapted to the children's pace. The descents will also be really fun for the parents who wish to discover the island and to enjoy swimming in the wild mountain streams of the island. It is however a proper canyoning with all the elements implied by this activity: jumps, slides, zip-lines and abseiling in breathtaking scenery!

You can also explore the surroundings with numerous hiking trails located between the sea and the mountains. The Chemin du Facteur is the main trail to join the Gulf of Girolata from Bocca Croce, located between Porto and Calvi. Other hiking trails lead to Girolata, the most popular are the Crête de Stellosa and the Crête du Lucciu.

If you still hesitate between water or land sports, go discover Porto Ota in Corsica!