Beaches and water sports in the far south
The extreme south of Corsica has the most beautiful beaches on the island, and that’s an understatement! From the north of Porto-Vecchio to the mouths of Bonifacio, they are white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters lined with scrubland with endemic flowers and fragrant species, idyllic coves with turquoise waters, secret coves accessible only by sea or by small paths criss-crossing the scrub. They are treasures of beauty, naturally protected and preserved, stretching from the tip of the Chiappa to the south by the International Marine Park. You were dreaming of the Caribbean? You’re there!
Carataggiu beach or “Tahiti beach”
On leaving Porto-Vecchio, take the direction of Picovaggia, which you will reach in just 15 minutes. Just after the hamlet of Picovaggia, you will find the beginning of a path on the left side of the road. From there, in 20 minutes by foot, you will reach Carataggiu, also known as Tahiti beach. This small cove is only accessible by foot or by sea and is worth seeing at least once. It is a wild and preserved place that has a lot of charm.
Palombaggia beach
Continuing on the same road for about 500m, you will find on the left the junction that leads you to the famous Palombaggia beach, several times classified among the most beautiful beaches in Europe. 7 km long, it is a succession of coves starting with the pine forest of I Pini. Small coves of fine white sand followed by long beaches and rocky passages of pink porphyry sometimes shaded by atypical umbrella pines or scrubland, constitute this jewel of exceptional charm that is Palombaggia. Just offshore, the islets of the Cerbicales nature reserve are an exceptional spot for scuba diving.
Santa Giulia beach
Santa Giulia extends over two kilometres of fine white sand in a wild setting, bordered by a natural saltwater lake. It has the particularity of being very practical for families with children because the water is shallow a long way out to sea. The most sporty can indulge in many water sports: diving, jet skiing, sailing, windsurfing, towed buoys, pedal boats. And for those who enjoy a “relaxing” holiday, you can simply sit at a restaurant terrace or rent a deckchair…
Rondinara beach
Rondinara is halfway between Porto-Vecchio and Bonifacio. This magnificent round beach in the shape of a scallop is well named! Rondinara beach, which has been voted one of the top 3 most beautiful beaches in Europe, is located in a cove accessible by a dirt road through the maquis or by the sea. With its two ends almost joining, it is an ideal shelter for boats on days of strong winds. Renowned for its extremely fine sand and its water of incomparable clarity and colour, it is a must see place at least once. For hikers, the coastal path offers a beautiful walk.
Pinarello beach
Further north, at the level of Sainte Lucie de Porto-Vecchio, the 2 km long beach of Pinarello is famous for its white sand and its umbrella pine forest that provides shade. Pinarello is also a small and pleasant marine village with restaurants, pizzerias, ice-cream parlours and shops. It offers a view over the bay and its islet, with a Genoese tower on the right and the island of Ruscana on the left.
The Lavezzi Islands
The Lavezzi Islands are an archipelago of islets located a few kilometres off Bonifacio. It is a complicated passage in winter for boats sailing between Corsica and Sardinia because of the granite rocks that make up many reefs and strong sea currents. The islands that make up the archipelago are classified as nature reserves. From Bonifacio, you can easily go there to spend the day or half-day. From Porto-Vecchio, some sea-going companies offer a one-day round trip at sea with meals on board. It is an essential jewel of the extreme south of the island.
Saint Cyprien beach
North of Porto-Vecchio, at the end of the gulf are the beaches of Benedettu and Cala Rossa and then St Cyprien. Bordered by the Arasu lake, the bay of Saint Cyprien is a beautiful beach lined with scrubland and dominated by a Genoese tower. White sand bordered by turquoise blue water and red rocks, this beach is recommended for families with children because of its shallow depth and supervised swimming area.
Water activities in the far south
Southern Corsica is an ideal playground for all kinds of seaside activities. It has a wide range of sports for both beginners and the more experienced. The most beautiful way to discover the richness of our seabed is scuba diving: for a simple first dive or a snorkeling dive, many clubs offer group or à la carte trips to the heart of the Bonifacio Natural Reserve, to discover wrecks. Whether you have your equipment or not, diving clubs provide all the necessary equipment including the inflation of your tanks.
Those who love watersports will be spoilt for choice: windsurfing, kite-surfing, wake-boarding, or surfing. Nature lovers will opt for paddle, kayaking or surfing. Motor sport enthusiasts will be able to break the wave in jet skis or semi-rigid boats. And to enjoy the beauty of our coastlines, boat companies offer day or half-day trips. Our reception team will be able to provide you with all the information and service providers, including booking these relaxing moments for you.
