Beach Guide: Want Caribbean Beaches? Then visit the unique bays of Corsica
Wild cliffs, powdered sugar beaches, hidden bays and the turquoise sea: the French Mediterranean island of Corsica is exceptional in many ways, but unique when it comes to its beaches. We present the most beautiful bathing bays on the island.
- Ostriconi is one of the most impressive bays in northern Corsica, on the edge of the Agriates desert.
- Palombaggio with its snow-white and fine sand is considered to be the most beautiful beach in Corsica.
- The bay of Roccapina enchants visitors with a dream beach and a 144 meter high granite rock.
1000 kilometers of coastline, a third of which are beaches and bathing bays: Corsica can boast not only with its diversity, but also with an impressive landscape.
The fourth largest island in the Mediterranean has 2500 meter high mountains in the interior, a rugged coast with lonely bays in the west, but also many long sandy beaches. Despite the different sand colors, which range from golden yellow to snow white, as well as the different sizes and accessibility, the beaches have one thing in common: no two are alike.
Because of the bright colors of the sea, sand, rocks and pine forests, vacationers feel as if they are not in Europe, but in the Caribbean. In summer, however, the climate on Corsica is much more pleasant than in the Caribbean – with temperatures around 30 degrees, hardly any rain and low humidity. We show a selection of the most beautiful beaches – from the north clockwise around the beautiful island.
Ostriconi: where the desert meets the sea
Sand dunes like in the desert, the sea shining in blue and green tones and a river meanders between them: Ostriconi is the name of one of the most impressive bays in northern Corsica. It is located on the edge of the Désert des Agriates, a lonely and inaccessible desert area between Saint Florent and Lozari.
A bumpy dirt road leads to the one kilometer long beach with its bright sand dunes. The best way to get to Ostriconi is by off-road vehicle, mountain bike, boat or hike there. But the effort is worth it, because here the Creator shows how beautiful it is when the extremes of nature meet.
Attention: Depending on the wind conditions, dangerous currents can occur here.
Canella: snorkeling paradise on the east coast
Hidden, difficult to access and a fish paradise: the bay of Canella is seven kilometers south of Solenzara on the east coast. Their great advantage is that they cannot be seen from the street and they are accessed via a private path that is not allowed to be used. That keeps many from looking for the beach.
But the short walk is worth it. It leads along an old railway line – directly into a little paradise: powder-soft sand in front of the glittering sea and a rock on the north side of the bay, which offers perfect conditions for snorkelers and divers. There are only a few places on the east coast to find as many fish as here.
Saint Cyprien: sheltered dream bay with lagoon
It is wide, long and sheltered from the wind: the beach of Saint Cyprien is one of the highlights on the south-east coast of Corsica. The large sandy bay slopes gently into the crystal clear sea, which makes it ideal for families with children.
A good infrastructure with a few bars and restaurants sweeten the beach life, and those who want more than sunbathing and relaxation have various options: Either they rent a kayak, a surfboard or a catamaran. Or he can walk for five minutes on a path in the hilly landscape, where the ruins of an old round tower that was built by the Genoese in the 16th century are located.
From the watchtower, which towers over the bay, you have a wonderful panoramic view. For bird fans there is a lagoon directly behind the beach, in which many water birds cavort.
Palombaggia: play of colors with red rocks
In the Porto Vecchio region in the south, there is one beautiful beach after the other. Palombaggio is considered to be the most beautiful: a snow-white and exceptionally fine sandy beach, which is framed by red granite rocks, green pine forests and fragrant macchia.
The calm and crystal clear sea in the bay shimmers turquoise blue. The shallow bank areas are ideal for smaller children, which is why many families stay here in the summer months. Some beach stalls and restaurants take care of the physical well-being of the bathers, who can also rent kayaks and catamarans here.
Roccapina: Lion's Bay in the southwest
From the southernmost point of Corsica, it's another 30 kilometers along the west coast, then comes Roccapina, the secluded beach with a melodramatic story. A huge granite rock, the 144-meter-high Löwenfels, towers over the crescent-shaped sandy bay.
With a little imagination, you can actually see a lion in the rock formation. According to legend, a nobleman named "Lion of the Barbarians" is said to have turned into the rock out of desperation when the girl he was madly in love with died.
Nowadays, most Corsica holidaymakers fall in love with the setting in Roccapina: the white sand that is as soft as flour underfoot, the turquoise, calm sea where a few boats and yachts anchor and the wild and romantic landscape of Lions Bay.
Cupabia: Natural sandy beach on the rugged west coast
If the pines and pines were palm trees, then looking at the view from the hills to the beach you could almost think that you are in the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. But the white sandy beach with the round rocks in the shallow, turquoise-green water is called Cupabia and is located on the west coast of Corsica in the Gulf of Valinco.
The rugged coastline gives the bay its beauty and naturally divides it into several sections. In Cupabia, even in high season, it looks like there are only a few people on the natural beach. Advantage for self-drivers: There is a parking lot right on the beach.
Calvi: Five kilometers of Caribbean flair
Gently sloping powdered sugar sand in a crescent-shaped bay that is guarded by a medieval citadel: in the northwest of the island is the port town of Calvi with its picture-perfect beach of the same name. Instead of a Mediterranean ambience, there is a Caribbean flair – thanks to the changing turquoise blue of the sea, the white sand and the green of the pine trees.
Because of this dream setting, Calvi is very popular with families with children as well as young people who enjoy renting a lounger with a parasol. And then take a jaunt on a catamaran and end the day in one of the beach bars and restaurants. Due to its location in the west, you can experience fantastic sunsets here.
Algajola: highlight for surfers and snorkelers on the northwest coast
For some it is the finest gravel, for others it is coarse sand. In any case, the beach at the coastal town of Algajola is two kilometers long and a visual treat due to the rock walls that frame it. Windsurfers and surfers love the bay, where high waves pile up in onshore wind and offer the best conditions for surfing experts.
On calm days, snorkelers can spot many colorful fish in the crystal clear water on the rocky headlands of the bay. The beach, which drops steeply into the sea after a few meters, is also perfect for swimmers. Additional action is offered on the beach volleyball courts and the steep cliffs, from which you can wonderfully jump into the emerald green water.
Corte: Beach paradise for small children in the middle of the island
Bathing, splashing and swimming safely – right in the middle of the old capital in the center of the island: Baliri, the beach paradise for families with children, is not on the coast, but in Corte.
The river Tavignano meanders through nature here and creates a number of bathing areas with fine sand, which are surrounded by shady trees. Since the river is neither very deep nor wide and only flows slowly, the local children learn to swim here. Baliri Beach is ideal for parents with small children, as the offspring can safely jump into the water – even from small bridges.