Diving in Corsica

Best Time to Dive in Corsica

The warmest water temperatures in Corsica occur in January, averaging 13.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 13.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

• January: 13.9°C (air: 9.4°C)
• February: 13.9°C (air: 10.7°C)
• March: 13.9°C (air: 11.2°C)
• April: 13.9°C (air: 13.4°C)
• May: 13.9°C (air: 17.4°C)
• June: 13.9°C (air: 22.3°C)
• July: 13.9°C (air: 25.5°C)
• August: 13.9°C (air: 25.3°C)
• September: 13.9°C (air: 21.6°C)
• October: 13.9°C (air: 17.9°C)
• November: 13.9°C (air: 13.8°C)
• December: 13.9°C (air: 10.8°C)

Marine Life in Corsica

Home to 225 recorded species including 146 reef fish, 35 sharks & rays, 9 seagrass & algae, 8 whales & dolphins, 8 other, 5 hard corals.

Dive Site Difficulty in Corsica

Corsica has 67 beginner, 27 intermediate, 2 expert dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for Corsica

Based on average water temperature of 13.9°C.

• Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 14°C water
• Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
• Mask - essential for every dive
• Fins
• BCD - buoyancy compensator
• Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
• Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
• Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
• Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
• Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Marine Protected Areas in Corsica

• Scandola - Corsican Nature Reserve (IUCN Category IV)
• Golfe de Porto : calanche de Piana, golfe de Girolata, réserve de Scandola - World Heritage Site (natural or mixed) (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
• Pinia - Land acquired by Conservatoire du Littoral (national seaside and lakeside conservancy) (IUCN Category IV)
• Mucchiatana - Land acquired by Conservatoire du Littoral (national seaside and lakeside conservancy) (IUCN Category IV)
• Presqu’île et îles Bruzzi et îlot aux moines - Biotope Protection Order (IUCN Category IV)
• Archipel De La Tonnara - Biotope Protection Order (IUCN Category IV)
• Saint-Florent (Formation Récifale) - Biotope Protection Order (IUCN Category IV)
• Bouches De Bonifacio - Corsican Nature Reserve (IUCN Category IV)
• Ilot De Cornuta - Biotope Protection Order (IUCN Category IV)
• Ilots De Stagnolu Et Ziglione - Biotope Protection Order (IUCN Category IV)
• Ilot De Roscana - Biotope Protection Order (IUCN Category IV)
• Ilot capense - Land acquired by Conservatoire du Littoral (national seaside and lakeside conservancy) (IUCN Category IV)
• Pelagos Sanctuary For The Conservation Of Marine Mammals - Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (Barcelona Convention) (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
• Iles Lavezzi, Bouches de Bonifacio - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Iles Cerbicale - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Golfe de Porto et presqu'île de Scandola - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Iles Sanguinaires, golfe d'Ajaccio - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Colonie de Goélands d'Audouin d'Aspretto/Ajaccio - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Plateau du Cap Corse - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Capu Rossu , Scandola, revellata, Calvi - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Réserve Naturelle des Bouches de Bonifacio - Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance (Barcelona Convention) (IUCN Category Not Assigned)
• Ilôts du toro - Land acquired by Conservatoire du Littoral (national seaside and lakeside conservancy) (IUCN Category IV)
• Cap Corse Et Agriate - Marine Nature Park (IUCN Category V)
• Embouchure du stabiacciu - Land acquired by Conservatoire du Littoral (national seaside and lakeside conservancy) (IUCN Category IV)
• Iles de la pietra - Land acquired by Conservatoire du Littoral (national seaside and lakeside conservancy) (IUCN Category IV)
• Rivages de casinca - Land acquired by Conservatoire du Littoral (national seaside and lakeside conservancy) (IUCN Category IV)
• Castagna - Land acquired by Conservatoire du Littoral (national seaside and lakeside conservancy) (IUCN Category IV)
• Iles Du Cap Corse - Corsican Nature Reserve (IUCN Category IV)
• Grands dauphins de l'Agriate - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Récifs du mont sous-marin d'Ajaccio et des affleurements rocheux de Valinco - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Récifs du mont sous-marin de l'Agriate - Site of Community Importance (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Oiseaux marins de l'Agriate - Special Protection Area (Birds Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Zones de quiétude du Balbuzard pêcheur (Haute-Corse) - Biotope Protection Order (IUCN Category IV)
• Zones de quiétude du Balbuzard pêcheur - Biotope Protection Order (IUCN Category IV)
• Péridotites jurassiques du Monte Maggiore - Geotope Protection Order (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Plateau du Cap Corse - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Grand herbier de la côte orientale - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Bouches de Bonifacio, Iles des Moines - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Pointe de Senetosa et prolongements - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Golfe d'Ajaccio - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Cap rossu, Scandola, Pointe de la Reveletta, Canyon de Calvi - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Agriates - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Porto/Scandola/Revellata/Calvi/Calanches de Piana (zone terrestre et marine) - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Plateau de Pertusato/ Bonifacio et îles Lavezzi - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Embouchure du Stabiaccu, Domaine Public Maritime et îlot Ziglione - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Iles Cerbicale et frange littoral - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Iles et pointe Bruzzi, étangs de Chevanu et d'Arbitru - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Baie de Stagnolu, golfu di Sognu, Golfe de Porto-Vecchio - Special Areas of Conservation (Habitats Directive) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Vallée du Fango - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)

Getting to Corsica - Nearest Airports

• Bastia-Poretta International airport (BIA), Bastia - 22 km away, approx 39 min travel time
• Figari Sud-Corse Airport (FSC), Figari - 104 km away, approx 128 min travel time
• Pisa International Airport (PSA), Pisa (PI) - 161 km away, approx 191 min travel time