Réserve naturelle de Scandola

Scandola is a nature reserve both land and marine, created in 1975 in the commune of Osani, in Corse-du-Sud. With its 1,669 hectares (919 on land and 750 at sea), it was one of the very first French reserves to protect a site and its marine domain together.

This natural site, unique in the world and highly protected, offers exceptional biodiversity and great scenic interest. The Scandola peninsula corresponds to the remains of an ancient volcano that collapsed into the sea: its porphyry and rhyolite cliffs, sculpted by erosion into needles, volcanic organ pipes and arches, turn from dark red to ochre depending on the light.

Scandola is part of the Gulf of Porto area, the only natural territory in mainland France inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, alongside the neighbouring Piana calanques and Gulf of Girolata.

The cliffs shelter about thirty endemic plant species and serve as a refuge for remarkable fauna: osprey, shag, peregrine falcon and bearded vulture nest on the heights, while the bottlenose dolphin frequents the surrounding waters — the last Mediterranean monk seals observed in Corsica had in fact taken refuge there before the reserve was created. The islet of Gargalo, the most imposing, is topped by a Genoese tower.

The reserve is managed by the Corsica Regional Nature Park.

Almost inaccessible by land, Scandola can be discovered only by sea: several companies offer day excursions from Porto, Sagone or Cargèse.

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