We visited the Gulf of Porto between 4 - 6 June 2025.  We had a hire car and drove up from Bonifacio.  We decided to drive along the Stradi di e Calanche Road through the mountains that borders the UNESCO inscribed gulf.  Once you pass through Piana, a short time later you will drive past a fairly small sign advising you that you have entered the UNESCO area.  Blink though and you will miss the sign.  The drive along this part of the coast provided amazing views of the Gulf and the land formations along the southwestern part of the gulf before arriving in Porto itself.  We stayed in Hotel Subrini which is right on the foreshore overlooking the bay and the old Genoese Tower that stands on the peninsular looking over the bay.  2.50 Euro to climb the tower for a view of the bay.  We explored the foreshore of Porto in the afternoon and booked a tour for the following day.  There are a number of tours and companies to choose from depending on your budget and preferences.  We chose a 3.15hour tour with Porto Adventure for 30 Euro that took in the whole bay that included going up the coast to visit Scandola to the north and then across to Capo Rosso to the south, returning to Porto.  It did not include a land-based visit to Girolata, as this was only available on a full 8-hour tour which did not suit our schedule.

Our tour group was only 9 persons (max 12) with the skipper providing some commentary in French and English at various sites along the journey.  The skipper manoeuvred the vessel through a range of rock formations that include many sea stacks and sea caves within the UNESCO area.  We stopped for a short period of about 15 - 30 min for drinks / chips (extra cost) and the chance for a snorkel in one of the bays along the Southern coastal area.  It was too cold for me to have swim though.  The visual experience of the landscape was amazing, where the rugged cliffs meet the water, however if you expect to see an array of marine wildlife you will be disappointed.  Staying in Porto itself to watch the sunset and sunrise across the bay was lovely.

It was good to get a perspective of this UNESCO site from both a drive through the mountainous region bordering the bay, as well as a boat tour in the Gulf itself.

To enhance our visit, I would have liked to have a snorkel and visit to Girolata, but will have to save these for another visit another time during a warmer part of the year.