Calvi → Monaco by swim: Noam Yaron’s Mediterranean odyssey
The longest record-breaking crossing in the service of nature
At dawn on August 11, 2025, Swiss swimmer Noam Yaron sets off from Calvi in north-west Corsica. His goal: to swim 180 kilometers to Monaco without ever getting out of the water. For five days and four nights, arm after arm, he swam through the tumultuous waters of the Mediterranean. The challenge is not just a sporting one: it’s a declaration of love to the sea, a call to ecological awareness.
Project origins & underlying motivations
From performance to commitment
Noam Yaron is no ordinary swimmer. A former national champion, he has turned to ultra-long-distance challenges, seeking to combine physical prowess with an environmental cause. This project to link Calvi to Monaco was not born out of a simple desire for a record, but out of a sense of urgency: to raise awareness of the critical state of the Mediterranean, particularly by passing through the Pelagos Sanctuary. This is one of the most sensitive areas of the sea in terms of heat, pollution and the shipping lanes used by many boats.
Crossing the Pelagos sanctuary, a marine protected area between France, Italy and Monaco, Noam wanted to use his body as a voice for the sea, a symbol of awareness.
A universal message
In addition to the performance, each metre crossed carried a message: act for marine biodiversity, protect cetaceans, fight against invisible pollution. A participatory campaign was launched to finance conservation projects, by symbolically selling cubic meters of sea crossed.
Preparation & logistics: a collective challenge – A 30-strong team
Two catamarans followed Noam ‘s progress: one for logistical support, the other for scientific monitoring (environmental DNA, microplastics, plankton, etc.). Doctors, mental trainers, nutritionists, sailors, videographers, all mobilized to make this crossing a living laboratory.
A swim that was planned down to the last metre: Thanks to a towed water line, Noam maintained his trajectory. Every 30 minutes, he stopped briefly to drink; every hour, he ate solid food (bananas, potatoes, eggs). And what about his precious sleep? Short moments of floating on his back, sometimes at a standstill, and other times, as he will have had occasion to explain,following the line closely, in a kind of hypnosis that enabled him to spot when he was moving away from or towards the line that was guiding him.
Step-by-step commitments
Environmental commitments are not something to be taken lightly, and it’s sometimes complicated to get things moving radically, but through sometimes simple commitments, we’re managing to better and better include this very important societal aspect.
This is particularly true for the island of Corsica, which is suffering from rising sea levels and an influx of tourists who need to be made aware of this very different environment from that on the mainland. I leave it to you to consult the commitments already made by the independent Corsican camping group, Corsica Camping in which we talk about our natural commitments now and in the future.
The story of the crossing
The first 24 hours: setting the pace
The first few hours are decisive: finding the right tempo, regulating breathing, coping with the temperature, avoiding injury. Despite the swell, Noam stays focused, supported by his visual and auditory cues, as I mentioned earlier.
100 km milestone reached in 45 hours
Key moment of the crossing: crossing the 100 km mark in 45 h 07. A personal record broken, a mental wall surmounted. The pain starts, the hallucinations appear, but the will dominates.
The final hours: the body gives way, the spirit remains
Two kilometers from the finish, Noam collapsed, suffering from hallucinations, disorientation and extreme fatigue. His team pulls him from the water. But the message got through. It’s still a historic achievement and there’s no reason to call it a failure as far as we’re concerned. . The aftermath was a painful one for the swimmer, as he was exposed to burns from rubbing his wetsuit against his body and the salt from the sea, which had taken its toll on his skin, particularly his lips, which were struggling to heal, even after several days.
Environmental issues & message
A sanctuary to defend
The Pelagos sanctuary is a fragile symbol: a marine protected area still too exposed to danger. Collisions, overfishing, plastic waste… The message is clear: protection is no longer enough, we need to take concrete action.
During the crossing, samples were taken to analyze water quality, the presence of pollutants, and measure biological diversity. The crossing thus becomes a participatory science project, a basis for reflection for future generations.
Local resonance: here too, the sea is respected
At our Merendella campsite on the east coast of Corsica, we live this proximity to the sea on a daily basis. Our guests discover marine biodiversity, take part in sustainable water sports and learn to respect this exceptional environment. We, too, are affected by this evolution in the sea’s behavior, and we try, in our own way, to preserve it, to better understand it and, above all, to pass on this knowledge to our holidaymakers. One day, we’ll have the opportunity to tell you about the rising sea levels that have eaten away a huge part of the surrounding beaches at an alarming rate.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Conclusion: beyond the record, inspiration
Noam Yaron swam to raise awareness. His body failed, his message no . Swimming across the Mediterranean symbolically brings people closer to the sea, reminding them that they can’t survive without it.
At Merendella, we welcome this great effort, which is a new way of showing the general public that our waters are under threat. When all we have to do is live with it every day, love it, understand it and respect it, and we’ll always be able to make the right decisions for a sustainable future.
Do you know why Corsica is called the Isle of Beauty?
Corsica has been nicknamed the Isle of Beauty since the XIXᵉ century, due to the richness and diversity of its landscapes. Nowhere else in the Mediterranean can you find such a concentration of heavenly beaches, wild mountains, unspoilt forests, fragrant maquis and secret coves.
There are many ways to get there quickly and cheaply, whether by ferry or plane. In just a few hours, you can leave everyday life behind for a real change of scenery, with that special charm for which Corsica is renowned.
If this article has made you want to find out more, feel free to check out the website’s blog: Head to the Blog to plan your trip! You’ll find ideas, advice and inspiration for organising your next holiday in Corsica, close to unspoilt nature, and enjoying everything this island has to offer.
