If you are a beach lover, then Corsica is the place for you to vacation. Located north of Sardinia, off the Western coast of Italy, this French territory is perfect for both divers and hikers. Travel to Corsica to enjoy sparkling waters full of sea life and an island with mountains, bays, beaches, valleys, tiny seaside villages, dense forests and hilltop chalets. This Mediterranean hideaway is the perfect escape from reality.
Corsica has a Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot. Winters are moderate, dry, and clear. Because of differences in altitude, Corsica’s climate varies from mountain to valley and coastlines. The North is hotter than the South; the East is wetter than the West. July and August are peak tourist times in Corsica. April, May, June, September, and October tend to be less crowded.
There are fine and coarse white and golden sand beaches, plus pebbly beaches made up of millions of sea-molded stones of every color; and because of the nature of the landscape many of Corsica’s beaches are hidden coves accessible only on foot or by boat – there’s certainly something magical about exploring the coastal paths and stumbling across a deserted cove washed by the warm deep blue of the Mediterranean. These are truly great beach travel destinations!
The beaches in Corsica are also incredibly clean and whether you’re in one of the secluded bays or on one of the busier town beaches you will always find a very good standard of cleanliness – both in terms of the beach itself and in the quality of the water. And because of the island’s position in the Med it gets some great winds and provides ideal conditions for a wide variety of water sports. There’s good surf here, perfect spots for windsurfing, not to mention wake boarding, kitesurfing and fly surfing. Here are the best beaches of Corsica:
Palombaggia Beach
Palombaggia Beach is widely regarded as one the best beaches in Europe. Backed by mountains and red rock, the long beach of white sand stretches for nearly 2km (1.2mi) at the foot of dunes shaded by umbrella-shaped pines. The dazzling powdery white sand contrasts with the glistening turquoise sea and the granite headlands that enclose the beach. The crystal-clear water deepens gradually, revealing some reef formations. Palombaggia Beach faces southeast to the Cerbicale archipelago, a cluster of tiny pristine and uninhabited islands.
Given its popularity, Palombaggia Beach inevitably gets very crowded during summer, overwhelmingly so at times. The northern end of Palombaggia is the narrowest and busiest part of the beach, as it is easier to park around there. Further south the beach widens and tends to be less busy, so it may be worth walking a bit further along the vast expanse of sand to get away from the masses.
Ostriconi Beach
On the northwestern shore of Corsica lies one of the island’s wildest and most beautiful beaches. Ostriconi Beach is a haven of calm and beauty. Here fine white sand slips in clean turquoise waters in a particularly wild beach stetting. The beach is surrounded by sandy dunes and maquis (scrub), with the Ostriconi River, rocky hills and mountains in the backdrop. Some cows even visit the beach sometimes. Nestled between the mountains and the sea, Ostriconi Beach has always been popular with locals due to its isolation. A hidden local secret in the past, the beach got more popular with summer visitors and while it never gets overly crowded, the beach does get busy during summertime. Go there off-peak (May-June and September) and you may well have the beach for yourself.
Ostriconi Beach is situated where the Anse de Peraiola meets the Vallée de l’Ostriconi, at the edge of the Agriates’ Desert. A particularly wild and remote part of Corsica, the Agriates’ Desert is a nature enthusiasts’ favorite. The area boasts a diverse fauna, dramatic landscapes and stunning pristine beaches such as Saleccia Beach and Lotu Beach.
Roccapina Bay
Roccapina is a beautiful, pristine inlet beach, with exceptionally turquoise clear waters and powder-soft white sand. It is a popular beach despite its potholed access road, and is overlooked by the majestic “Lion de Roccapina” granite rock formation so named as it resembles a lion when viewed from the road above. Roccapina is set in a protected nature reserve, backed by attractive dunes and green shrubbery. There are rocky headlands either side of the beach, on which the dramatic lion-shaped rock and a Genoese watchtower preside. The granite rocks turn an atmospheric red color at sunset. The beach is particularly wide and flat, making it ideal for games and as the water is shallow it is a very popular for small children. There are however no facilities at Roccapina beach, nor much shade, so it is important to be equipped with your own food supplies and sunshade.
Bodri Beach
Bodri Beach is a stunning little bay where the crystal clear water is set against a mix of fine white sand and pebbles. Located in Balagne, the northwestern region of Corsica, the beach is set in a pristine environment, so expect wilderness. The beach features a incredibly well preserved natural backdrop: rocky cliffs and bush, eucalypti and pine-trees woodland, no building at sight and a high mountain chain stretching in the background. Much to our pleasure, those charms are a bit ‘out of the way’, preventing the beach from drawing the mass of visitors. More isolated than some other beaches in the area, Bodri Beach enjoys a relative serenity (not so in july and august). Go there off-peak and you will have the beach pretty much for yourself. The beach is accessible from a car park only via a small footpath that meanders through the bush for a few hundred meters.
Santa Giulia Beach
Santa Giulia Beach is one of the most popular beaches in southern Corsica and may well be the most famous beach of the whole island. The gulf of Santa Giulia boasts a stunning natural setting with all the facilities visitors may hope for. A vast array of accommodations, restaurants and activities are on offer at this beautiful Mediterranean beach. Santa Giulia Beach is the kind of paradise you would rather expect in the Caribbean or the Pacific. The beach is a long and narrow expanse of extremely fine soft white sand. The sparkling turquoise sea is exceptionally calm and shallow, with some areas of reef scattered over the bay. The beach is lined by a pinewood and backed by mountains and maquis (scrub), adding to the exquisite setting of the gulf. The overall natural beauty of the beach is just breathtaking, even when jam-packed with tourists.
Lotu Beach
Lotu Beach, or plage du Lotu in French, is a postcard perfect beach situated on the shore of the Désert des Agriates, in the northwestern part of Corsica. Lotu Beach is a 400m-long stretch of fine white sand slipping into the calm, pristine turquoise water of the Mediterranean. The water is so clear here that it actually feels like taking a dip in a big swimming pool. A few boats come to anchor in the bay while visitors brought over by the ferries make their way to the beach, eager to spend a day in this hidden paradise. Combining seclusion and pristine beauty, Lotu Beach is ideal to rest and relax, either with friends, family, or in couple. Funny fact, wild cows from the surroundings coexist with visitors and seem to enjoy the beach as much as they do.
Saleccia Beach
Saleccia Beach is one of the nicest beaches in Corsica and probably in all of France. Splendid and remote, the beach stretches over 1km (0.6mi) with fine white sand and clear turquoise water. Lined by dunes and pines, the beach boasts an amazingly pristine natural environment. Wherever you look around you, you’ll be delighted by the scenery. The beach is ideal for couples, but also families or groups of friends. Saleccia Beach is located in the northwest of Corsica, off the Agriates Desert. It is about 12km (7.5mi) west from Saint-Florent, a lovely touristic seaside town. Saleccia Beach is where has been shot the scene of landing of the movie “The longest day” about WWII, supposed to take place in… Normandy.
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Great post! I’ve never been to Corsica but am very tempted now, it looks like a cross between the Greek Islands and the Caribbean. Generally I like more secluded beaches away from the crowds so is there one you would you recommend that’s quieter than the others? Also is there an optimal time to visit, I’m guessing it gets busy during the summer months but a slightly quieter period whilst the weather is still hot would be perfect?! Will definitely return to your website to look up more great places to go!
Corsica is great! April, May, June, September, and October tend to be less crowded, so these months will be quieter. July and August will be busier. The best time to visit is going to be May thru August. The weather will be very nice and warm, with June thru September temps of upper 70s to lower 80s.
Hi,
Wow, your topic has taken me back a few years, Corsica, the whole of Italy is great, I loved it all and I remember not wanting to leave the place when it was time to leave.
You are absolutely right about the difference in temperature depending the location you’re in, I certainly noticed that and the beaches are absolutely magical with perfect clear waters reflecting the beautiful blue skies.
Great advise there about Palombaggia Beach, I’m sure that anyone who’s never been there before and likes peace and quiet will appreciate your advise, the same can be said for Ostriconi Beach.
We did visit Roccapina Bay but we did not use the beach due to it having less facilities, we wanted to be able to have close access to food, drink and shade for that matter, but it is indeed a stunning place.
we also did not visit Bodri Beach, I was not aware of it, so thank you for the info on that, I will keep it in mind for the next time we visit Italy, the image of it looks great, must visit it.
I definitely must also agree with you about the Santa Giulia Beach, it is indeed the most popular and we did enjoy being there very much so, our hotel was also not too far from it which was great.
We did have a sneak peak at the Lotu Beach as site seeing from a boat, it looked peaceful and we did not see any wild cows, what a shame, hey! we’ll have to take a better look if we ever happen to go by again in future.
Unfortunately we don’t know enough about Saleccia Beach because we did not go to France on a holiday, have only been to France once and we were closer to Disney land rather than anywhere else.
Over-all you have a great page full of useful information for travellers, great work, I love it and thank you for giving me a great tri down memory lane.
Idalina
Thanks Idalina, for visiting my best beaches of Corsica post and taking the time to leave me such great and helpful comments!
Thank you for this amazing post. It has been a dream of mine to sail the Caribbean and learning about the beaches is definitely fueling that dream. I look forward to when international travel is again safely restored and I can make that dream a reality. Slightly off-season does sound perfect. Do many people buy sailboats over there to explore the area? Or are there sailboats for rent? What about available accommodations close to the beaches? Restaurants or markets to buy food?
Oh there are those that have sailboats and sail the entire area, and yes you can rent them as well. You can even rent them with a captain. Many many options available for you. I am doing a Corsica travel guide that will include accommodations, restaurants, tours, etc. So, I will email you when it is completed. Thanks for stopping by!
Hello @Leahrae
Ever since I landed on your page when I was looking for the Best beaches to visit in Europe, I’ve been returning here for in-depth and thorough reviews that you cover. There is nothing that takes my stress away and rejuvenates my Aura like the sea breeze and surf rolling. Oh my..Corsica sounds like an amazing destination for me and my family. I will definitely plan a trip there/
Thanks for sharing this,
Sergej
You are very welcome Sergej! I am glad you enjoyed your visits to Beach Travel Destinations. Thanks for stopping by!
Gosh! So many wonderful beaches all on one island.
Corsica looks absolutely beautiful and a real beach lovers paradise.
There isn’t one of those beaches that I wouldn’t love to be sitting on right now. Getting warmed by the sun, while listening to the waves. We actually have sleet and hail showers today, so your post is teasing me!
Holidays are wonderful for getting away and leaving everything behind for a week or two. Where better could you do it, than on Corsica.
Thanks for sharing it with us.
I totally agree! I love the beach and live for the beach and Corsica is a gem for sure. Thanks for visiting the best beaches of Corsica.
Thank you for bringing back such great memories, I have been working onboard Cruise ships for quite a few years and Corsica is one of my favorite destinations in France, I have been to Bodri bay several times with my friends and the water there is crystal clear and looks amazing, not to mention the atmosphere and the food, truly a wonderful place to visit.
I couldn’t agree more Jean. And you have a great job, to be able to visit such beautiful places on a regular basis!
Hi Leahrae. Thank you for great post, it reminds me my travel to Corsica few years ago in better times. I miss this freedom of travel when we were able to choose destination based on our preferences and not on covid restrictions. Corsica is beautiful place with friendly people and magnificent food. Its quite, great for divers and for family with kids as there are many attractions for them. Looking forward to visit this stunning island again.
Corsica is beautiful and it does have it all. I will agree 🙂 Sounds like you have very fond memories of your vacation there. Time to head back!
Hi Leahrae, thanks for the great info about Corsica, I’ve heard the name and have always thought it was a tiny, teeny island off France, but it’s actually not, is it!? I didn’t realise there were so many beaches. By reading your article I’d definitely love to visit Palombaggia Beach and Santa Giulia Beach. How long should you stay for as a vacation?
Thanks again for the beautiful article.
Ray
Personally, when I go to an exotic beach far away, I like to stay 2 weeks. I don’t like to travel for two days and then just have 4 or 5 days to relax. But that’s just me. Depends on how many days you want to relax 🙂 I just don’t like the travel down time…
What a beautiful island. I had no idea the geography of Corsica was so mountainous until i read your post.
The beaches look so inviting and clean. I’ve been to some not-so-clean beaches in the past and that is definitely no fun.
It would be great to find a hidden cove that you can only get to by boat. Spend the day on a pristine beach with no one around. That would be a blast.
I agree Britt, a lone beach all to myself with crystal clear water is heaven. I do like a variety as well though 🙂
Wow! Wow! Wow! You’re a perfect Sales Rep. for Corsica. I never heard of the place. Perhaps, I’ll consider my next Summer holidays here. But then, I’ll have to learn some French:). I love the way you not just took your time to talk about the beaches, but made comparisons. At least one can make a choice. The Santa Giulia beach looks more attractive and you’ve also provided links for hotel bookings and car rentals. I’ll recommend your site to anyone who wants a detailed overview of an area of interest. Well done on a good job
Cheers!
Nnanna
Thank you so much Nnanna! I am glad you enjoyed and appreciate the recommendations! Anytime you need any information regarding beach travel destinations, just let me know!
Wow! Wow! Wow! You’re a perfect Sales Rep. for Corsica. I never heard of the place. Perhaps, I’ll consider my next Summer holidays here. But then, I’ll have to learn some French:). I love the way you not just took your time to talk about the beaches, but made comparisons. At least one can make a choice. The Santa Giulia beach looks more attractive and you’ve also provided links for hotel bookings and car rentals. I’ll recommend your site to anyone who wants a detailed overview of an area of interest. Well done on a good job
Cheers!
Nnanna.
God, I love your website. Every time I see your opening image all I want is to do is book a one-way ticket and fly to the tropical beaches of Thailand. However, today the beaches of Italy are calling me, in particular, Bodri Beach. Funny enough, it’s white sand and crystal blue water remind me of the beaches of Asia. And left me wondering if any of these beaches have been used in the filming of Game of Thrones?
Well that I don’t know. Would be interesting to know the answer though. I am glad you loved visiting my site 🙂 Tropical beaches are like heaven I think, so I love writing about beach travel destinations!
Count me in!! This destination looks fabulous! I love beach holidays. Funny, though, I’ve never thought of having a beach holiday in Europe. You’ve definitely given me something to think about. Love your website as it’s easy to navigate and love the photos of the beaches. Do you have a favorite beach destination?
If I have to pick a destination in the U.S., it would be St. Pete Beach, Florida. If I had to pick anywhere else, that would be way to hard to do! I love the beaches in Florida. I live in Texas, and we have beaches, but they are not of the same caliber as Florida, not by a long shot! Thanks for reading!
There is a TON of information on this page! I really like how you have stuck to one niche that interest you and built your whole design around it. I have a lot of questions on how you made it look so great! I also found all your plug ins very useful and the links you provided as well. I could learn a lot from you.
Thank you so much and I am happy to help in any way I can 🙂 And yes, Beach travel destinations is a huge interest to me !