Corsica Beaches: The Ultimate Guide to the Island of Beauty's Most Stunning Shores

Palombaggia Beach: The Jewel of Porto-Vecchio

Palombaggia consistently ranks among the most beautiful beaches not only in Corsica but across Europe. This 2-kilometre stretch of paradise, located 10 kilometres south of Porto-Vecchio, captivates visitors with its unique palette of colours: snow-white sand that shimmers almost silver in the sun, striking orange-red granite rocks sculpted by millennia of wind and waves, and waters in every imaginable shade of turquoise and azure.

Towering umbrella pines provide natural shade along the shore, whilst the Cerbicale Islands dot the horizon 200 metres offshore, creating a protected nature reserve that enhances the bay's pristine beauty. The beach's gentle slope into warm, shallow waters makes it ideal for families, though snorkelling enthusiasts flock to the rocky areas at the northern end where Neptune grass meadows shelter thriving marine life.

Practical information:

• Location: 10 km south of Porto-Vecchio
• Parking: Free parking (fills early) and paid options (€4-€10 per day)
• Facilities: Multiple beach restaurants, sunbed/parasol rentals, water sports centre
• Best time: June or September to avoid peak crowds
• Water temperature: 22-24°C in summer

Santa Giulia Beach: The Seychelles of Europe

Often described as the Seychelles of Europe, Santa Giulia presents a near-perfect horseshoe bay where a shallow turquoise lagoon laps against 2 kilometres of pristine white sand. Located just 7 kilometres south of Porto-Vecchio, this beach's sheltered position ensures calm waters year-round, making it particularly beloved by families with young children.

The beach's iconic wooden jetty extends into the transparent water, creating one of Corsica's most photographed scenes. Santa Giulia strikes an ideal balance between natural beauty and amenities, with excellent water sports facilities including one of the region's finest sailing and windsurfing schools, alongside quality beachfront restaurants serving fresh seafood and Corsican specialities.

Practical information:

• Location: 7 km south of Porto-Vecchio
• Parking: Multiple paid car parks (€10 per day in high season)
• Facilities: Restaurants, bars, water sports centre, sunbed rentals
• Best for: Families, water sports enthusiasts, couples
• Shuttle service: Available from Porto-Vecchio (July-August)

Rondinara Beach: A Perfect Shell-Shaped Paradise

Nestled halfway between Porto-Vecchio and Bonifacio, Rondinara Beach presents one of nature's most perfect creations: a near-circular bay shaped like a seashell, with a narrow inlet that ensures perpetually calm, mirror-like waters. This unique geography, combined with pristine white sand and water in mesmerising shades of turquoise, has earned Rondinara a place amongst Corsica's most photographed beaches.

The beach's wild, construction-free surroundings enhance its sense of unspoilt paradise. Unlike its more famous neighbours, Rondinara maintains a peaceful atmosphere even during peak season, though arriving early is advisable. The surrounding maquis and granite rocks create excellent opportunities for coastal walks along the Sentier Littoral de Prisarella.

Practical information:

• Location: Between Porto-Vecchio (21 km) and Bonifacio (20 km)
• Parking: Paid parking (€5 per day)
• Facilities: Seaside restaurant, sunbed/umbrella rentals, boat rentals
• Best for: Families, snorkelling, photography
• Crowd level: Moderate (less than Palombaggia/Santa Giulia)

Saleccia Beach: The Ultimate Escape

Plage de Saleccia represents Corsica at its most pristine and untouched. This kilometre-long stretch of powdery white sand, backed by fragrant pine and juniper groves in the protected Désert des Agriates, offers a true wilderness experience. The beach's remote location—accessible only by boat, 4x4, or a challenging 4.5-hour hike—ensures it retains an exclusive, Robinson Crusoe atmosphere.

The crystalline turquoise waters remain shallow far from shore, creating ideal conditions for swimming and paddling. With no facilities beyond a simple restaurant a 10-minute walk away, visitors must bring their own provisions, sunshade, and sense of adventure. The effort required to reach Saleccia is handsomely rewarded by some of the Mediterranean's most spectacular natural scenery.

Access options:

• By boat: Taxi-boats from Saint-Florent (30-45 minutes, €25-30 return)
• By 4x4: Rough track from Casta (1 hour drive + 15-minute walk)
• By hiking: Sentier des Douaniers from Saint-Florent (4.5-5 hours)
• Facilities: Minimal—one restaurant nearby, no sunbeds
• Best time: Morning arrivals for best positioning

Plage du Lotu: Saleccia's Smaller Sister

Adjacent to Saleccia and accessible via a scenic 75-minute coastal walk, Plage du Lotu offers similarly pristine beauty on a more intimate scale. This 400-metre beach features the same fine white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water but attracts fewer visitors. The surrounding pine forest and rocky outcrops create sheltered spots perfect for escaping the wind.

Like Saleccia, Lotu maintains its natural character with minimal development. A modest snack bar/restaurant sits about five minutes' walk from the beach, but visitors should otherwise come prepared with their own provisions.

Plage de l'Ostriconi: Sunset Spectacular

This 800-metre beach at the entrance to the Désert des Agriates offers something truly special: its west-facing orientation creates spectacular sunset views that turn the northern rocks a brilliant red. The Ostriconi river meets the sea here, creating a unique freshwater-saltwater environment surrounded by vibrant green vegetation that contrasts dramatically with the white sand and deep blue water.

On calm days, warm, shallow water creates a natural paddling pool perfect for children (though strong swells can make swimming dangerous when the Mistral blows). The beach requires a pleasant 5-minute walk from the free car park over a wooden bridge—not ideal for pushchairs but manageable for most visitors.

Practical information:

• Location: 15 km from L'Île-Rousse
• Access: 5-minute walk from free car park
• Facilities: None—bring everything you need
• Special feature: Spectacular sunsets
• Nudist area: Tolerated at northern end

Cupabia Beach: Caribbean Colours on the West Coast

Cupabia Beach, nestled between Ajaccio and Propriano, presents colours one might expect from the Caribbean rather than France. This expansive beach features soft golden-white sand, turquoise-to-emerald waters, and a wild, untouched setting framed by the hilly, unspoilt Chiavari landscape. The coarse-grained sand creates excellent snorkelling conditions.

The west coast location means Cupabia can be windier than eastern beaches, creating more dramatic wave action that appeals to those seeking a livelier beach experience. A nearby café serves refreshments throughout the day, making it comfortable for full-day visits whilst maintaining a natural, uncrowded atmosphere.

Practical information:

• Location: Between Ajaccio (1h15) and Propriano (35 mins)
• Access: Via D155 road, well signposted
• Facilities: Café, free parking
• Best for: Snorkelling, swimming, escaping crowds
• Nearby: Combine with visit to Filitosa archaeological site

Plage d'Arone: Sunset Pizza Paradise

Plage d'Arone offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and comfortable amenities. This wide, clean beach on the west coast features pristine white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water, surrounded by tall cliffs and wild Mediterranean vegetation. The west-facing orientation creates magical sunset views, which visitors can enjoy whilst savouring pizza from the beachside restaurant.

The calm, shallow waters make Arone family-friendly, whilst nearby hiking trails offer spectacular coastal views for the more adventurous. The adjacent Camping d'Arone provides convenient accommodation for those wishing to spend multiple days exploring this corner of Corsica.

Tamaricciu Beach: Palombaggia's Quieter Neighbour

Located on the same peninsula as Palombaggia but often overlooked, Tamaricciu Beach offers similar beauty with fewer crowds. This crescent of white sand, backed by umbrella pines and Mediterranean maquis, gazes out over crystal-clear waters towards the Cerbicale Islands. The beach's slightly more secluded position attracts those seeking a more peaceful experience whilst still enjoying easy access from Porto-Vecchio.

Plage de Roccapina: The Lion's Beach

Plage de Roccapina stands out for its unique natural sculpture: a magnificent granite lion seemingly guarding the Genoese tower above the beach. This striking rock formation, created by millennia of wind erosion from pink granite, creates an unforgettable backdrop to a beautiful sandy beach with clear turquoise water and dramatic red cliffs.

Access requires a scenic walk along a narrow pathway from the car park, but this minor effort is rewarded with a less crowded beach experience. The magical colours at sunset, when the pink granite glows warmly against the deepening blue sea, create photographer's paradise.

Sperone Beaches: Grand and Petit

At Corsica's south-eastern tip, near Bonifacio, the twin beaches of Grand Sperone and Petit Sperone offer extra-fine white sand and spectacular views towards Sardinia and the Lavezzi Islands. These pretty coves, surrounded by the fragrant Corsican maquis, require a pleasant walk from Piantarella Beach's car park.

The beaches' orientation makes them ideal for spending a full day: morning at Petit Sperone, then afternoon at Grand Sperone to catch the sunset. Expect company during peak season, as their beauty and proximity to Bonifacio make them popular day-trip destinations.

Porto Pollo and Surrounding Beaches

The Gulf of Valinco on Corsica's west coast offers a concentration of beautiful beaches with easy access to charming villages. Porto Pollo itself features a lovely sandy beach within walking distance of restaurants, cafés, bars, and water sports facilities. The surrounding area hosts numerous other beaches including Taravu and the spectacular Cupabia.

Campomoro: Genoese Tower Bay

Just south of Porto Pollo, Campomoro presents an elegant arc of golden sand surveyed by a historic Genoese tower. The small village's electric blue waters, cluster of restaurants and cafés, and excellent walking trails through the verdant hills create a perfect blend of beach relaxation and outdoor adventure. The coastline running west and south features numerous idyllic little bays accessible only by boat—a day spent sailing from cove to cove is time well invested.

Corsica's beaches cater exceptionally well to families with children:

Top picks for young children:

• Santa Giulia: Shallow lagoon, calm water, gentle slope
• Palombaggia: Gentle entry, supervised swimming in summer
• Rondinara: Sheltered bay, very calm water
• Calvi Beach: Long stretch, soft sand, facilities, adventure park
• Tamaricciu: Quieter than Palombaggia, similar conditions

Safety considerations:

• Most popular beaches offer supervised swimming during July-August
• Shallow, calm bays like Santa Giulia and Rondinara ideal for non-swimmers
• West coast beaches can have stronger waves—check conditions
• Bring water shoes as sea urchins exist near some rocky areas
• Always supervise children around infinity edges and cliff areas

Corsica's crystal-clear Mediterranean waters create exceptional underwater experiences:

Premier snorkelling spots:

• Palombaggia: Rocky northern end with Neptune grass meadows
• Santa Giulia: Clear, calm water with good visibility
• Rondinara: Sheltered bay perfect for beginners
• Cupabia: Coarse sand and excellent water clarity
• Lavezzi Islands: Exceptional underwater biodiversity (boat trip from Bonifacio)
• Calanques de Piana: Dramatic underwater landscapes (accessible by boat)

Diving highlights: The Réserve Naturelle des Bouches de Bonifacio offers protected marine ecosystems with rich biodiversity. The Cerbicale Islands near Palombaggia provide excellent dive sites with various depths suitable for different experience levels.

What to Expect

Southern Corsica (Corse-du-Sud):

• Well-developed beaches with restaurants, bars, sunbed rentals
• Paid parking (typically €5-€10 per day)
• Water sports facilities
• Beach clubs and paillotes (beach restaurants)
• Good accessibility

Northern Corsica (Haute-Corse):

• Wild beaches with minimal or no amenities
• Often free parking (where accessible)
• Natural shade limited—bring parasols
• More challenging access but greater solitude
• Pristine, untouched environments

Essential Beach Kit

• Parasol/beach tent: Natural shade limited on many beaches
• Water shoes: Protection from sea urchins near rocks
• Snorkelling gear: Clear waters reward underwater exploration
• Cash: Many beach restaurants and car parks don't accept cards
• Picnic supplies: Remote beaches lack facilities
• Sun protection: Corsican sun is intense, especially July-August

Peak Season (July-August)

• Warmest water (22-24°C)
• All facilities open
• Crowds at popular beaches
• Highest prices
• Parking challenging
• Advance booking essential

Shoulder Season (June & September)

• Pleasant water temperatures (20-22°C in September)
• Fewer crowds
• Better prices
• Most facilities still operating
• Ideal weather for beach and exploration
• Recommended for best overall experience

Low Season (May & October)

• Quieter beaches
• Water cooler but swimmable (18-20°C)
• Limited facilities
• Best prices
• Ideal for serious photography
• Some restaurants closed

Getting to and Around Corsica

Airports

• Figari Sud-Corse (FSC): Closest to southern beaches (Palombaggia, Rondinara)
• Ajaccio (AJA): Best for west coast
• Bastia (BIA): Gateway to northeast and Desert des Agriates
• Calvi (CLY): Serves northwest region

By Ferry

Ferries from mainland France (Marseille, Nice, Toulon) and Italy (Genoa, Livorno, Savona) operate year-round with increased summer frequency. Journey times range from 4 hours to overnight crossings.

Car Rental: Essential

Important: A car is virtually essential for exploring Corsica's beaches. Public transport is extremely limited, especially outside peak season and to beach locations. Roads can be steep and narrow, so choose:

• Powerful enough engine for mountain roads
• Compact size for narrow passages
• Comprehensive insurance for winding routes
• 4x4 if planning to access remote beaches like Saleccia by land