Northern and Western Corsica (Calvi, Porto and Scandola)

Northern and Western Corsica combines Calvi's accessible reefs and B17 wreck with the more rugged boat diving of Galeria and the Gulf of Porto. Expect red-rock walls, canyons, pinnacles, Posidonia meadows, coralligenous growth, dusky groupers, barracuda and macro life. The signature landscape is Scandola, but the conservation distinction matters: recreational scuba diving is prohibited inside the nature reserve. Local operators instead dive legal sites at or beyond its boundary, including Punta Muchillina, then visit the reserve by authorized sightseeing boat under current navigation rules.

June and September provide the best balance of warm water, workable boat schedules and lower crowd pressure. July and August are warmest but busiest. A split stay between Calvi and either Galeria or Porto gives the broadest experience, while a rental car and at least one weather-buffer day protect the plan from western swell, wind and winding-road delays.