I will start by saying we stayed in the South of Corsica, so whilst there are undoubtedly beautiful beaches in the North of Corsica too (in fact I know there are!), that post will have to wait for our next visit. And there will be a next visit, one day…
It is possible to find empty beaches here I have heard (yes even in July and August at the height of the Summer season), especially if you head over to somewhere like Bonifacio and hire a boat to take out to one of the little empty turquoise watered coves, but for the rest of us with infants (or indeed significant others) whose wish to head to the beach is a little more immediate, you might find this helpful…
Rondinara Beach
Oh Rondinara, Rondinara, Rondinara, you are quite beautiful, but I am worried you are a bit of a victim of your own success… The somewhat hair-raising roads to get to you promise much in that “imagine how wonderful it’s going to be when you get there” kind of way, what with wonderful views down across shimmering waters, and your white curve (where the rond of rondinara comes from obviously!) of pristine sand, but get there later than you could have done and you will be looking at the view from your car while you wait for the line for the car park to die down… Once you’ve handed over your fiver for a day’s parking though, and finally make it out onto that golden stretch of sand, it’s easy to understand why it’s often touted as the most beautiful beach in France – although this seems to be having quite a pilgrimage effect with visitors! Next time, I am packing a beach breakfast and heading there at the crack of dawn…
Santa Giulia
Perhaps the only Southern Corsican beach we saw with active lifeguards – something which might appeal to those parents with older children, who want to sunbathe with a bit of peace of mind whilst their offspring enjoy the waters. This beach seems to go on forever… However, only half of it is really usable unless you have no sense of smell. Whilst one half of the beach (the much busier part, what a surprise!) has beautiful pristine sand and crystal clear water, the other rather unfortunate half (which is easy to spot thanks to the huge odd mounds that you will spot from afar) is covered in what can only be described as rotting seaweed hills. Having no idea what the huge odd mounds were from afar, we ventured closer to find the water here clogged with the stuff. Stick to the busier end, and you will have a lovely time!
Palombaggio Beach
Our “local beach” as our Villa came with a complimentary parking spot for this beach (€10 per day otherwise!) so naturally, this was the first one we explored. From the car park you walk through a nice looking boardwalk restaurant and on to an umbrella covered stretch of sand. Now, you would be forgiven for pitching up here for the day and taking advantage of the rental sunbeds with waiter service, but if like us your kids want a bit more sand to play on (without covering your bright orange French neighbour in sand as they continue to fry themselves), then turn right and keep walking. Climb up through the rocks at the end, head through the little pine tree covered sandy track, and it will eventually spit you out in a sheltered rocky cove. Yes, this can also get quite busy, but given the natural shallow swimming lagoon these rocks form, your children will think they are in some kind of utopia with great snorkelling to be had in the crystal waters, tiny hermit crabs that scuttle about the place to inspect, plus plenty of parent worrying rock climbing availability too. The smallest member of our family spent a few happy sessions just sat in the shallowest part of water here, scooping up sand with his bucket and chucking it over his Dad. We liked this beach a lot.
Plage de La Cala Rosa
This little beach in Lecci is worth a visit if you are looking for a sandy, quieter beach without so many boats. Stop for brunch beforehand somewhere along the stretch – we liked Ranch O Plage for its friendly service and great fritto misto – what’s not to like about a decent lunch with stunning views, before heading down the steps and out on to the sand (plus as we had lunch here, we were also able to leave our car for a few hours which solved any parking issues…). This beach doesn’t seem to suffer from the mass of seaweed as other beaches in the area either – turn right and walk to the end and you will find a shady spot perfect for small people and those of us reluctant to wrestle with the idiotic sun tent yet again (fibre glass splinters are invisible and hurt a lot!)…
Roccapina Beach
I am saving the best to last here. This as our absolutely favourite beach of entire stay. I had yet to experience a beach with what can only be described as icing sugar sand, but Roccapina has it, crystal clear water, shade when you need it, and it’s just so beautiful. The track to get to it will have you wondering what kind of bill you will get from the hire car company when you hand it back, but persevere, I promise you it’s worth it. We saved our last Corsican beach visit for this place, heading out straight after breakfast one morning. With just a quick tidy up of the Villa completed before we set out, all of us looking forward to the great snorkelling ahead. Worrying car journey completed, beach tent wrestling done, and with all children changed and slathered in sun cream and ready to go, we couldn’t find the snorkelling gear anywhere. As the slow realisation dawned that the two bags Mr R had handed to me this morning on our way out weren’t both destined for the rubbish bin (we did manage to get them back, the bin lorry didn’t come until the next morning!), we still managed to enjoy an afternoon of swimming, and lizard spotting (once everyone had forgiven me!)… There are a few visiting boats from Sardinia moored out here, but not too close to the beach. Look out for the Lion Rock here… Unusually for these types of things (in my experience) it’s not hard to understand why it’s called that…
As an aside, you will be given a hefty fine if your hire car is handed back containing an overly large amount of sand. As those of us with small children know that it is impossible to visit any kind of beach without at least 3kg of the stuff being spread about your car’s interior, take heart. There are brilliant hoover stations set up at the side of the road (keep an eye out for them behind a couple of the larger petrol stations)… We spent all of four euros and ten minutes getting rid of as many grains as sand as humanely possible before handing our car back and it passed the all important test!
Annabel says
Great review of so many amazing looking places. I love the sound of Palombaggio. I’ve only been to the north of Corsica, I’d love to visit the south.
Emma says
I will have to get in touch when we visit the North! Thanks Annabel! :)
Marina says
The view from Roccapina is so idyllic. I’m glad you got to enjoy some beach time.
Emma says
Thanks Marina! Me too, even though I am not much of a beach person, I really did enjoy Roccapina! (:
Marina says
You know, I don’t think I am a “hot beach” person. I actually enjoy cold beaches, but that’s probably because I’m from the Pacific Northwest. I just love walking along them and having a picnic. It is fun to walk further into the water in the summer, though.
Emma says
I love beaches in the winter too. We used to go most weekends in Denmark, even in the midst of winter. So beautiful when the sea froze! :)
Trish @ Mum's Gone To says
Wow, you certainly visited a lot of beaches! Great advice for everyone about where to go and that useful tip about the sand hoover!
Looks like you had a wonderful time exploring them all – very pretty xx
Emma says
Thank you Trish. It was a lot of beaches for us not really beachy people! :D xx
Krista Bjorn says
So many beautiful options! Makes me long for a day at the beach. :-)
Emma says
Thanks Krista. I am not typically a beach person, so they must be nice here! :D
Zena's Suitcase says
I didn’t know that about the hire cars and sand. That’s something to bear in mind. There are some lovely beaches though aren’t there
Emma says
Definitely! Can’t say I blame them though, they must have gotten a little sick of it! :D
MrsS says
Oh my goodness those beaches look beautiful!! I particularly loved Roccapina beach, those turquoise waters! Corsica is somewhere we would love to go…
Emma says
Roccapina was definitely my favourite. Just stunning! Thanks Mrs S! :)
Nell (Pigeon Pair and Me) says
Thanks for this – I’ll take care to avoid the rotting seaweed! I’ve always fancied Corsica for its beaches, so it’s good to read about the pros and cons of each one.
Emma says
It’s so beautiful. Just a shame they couldn’t shovel the few piles of seaweed off the top of that particular beach! :D
Lorelle says
Looks like someone was having fun at the beach that day Emma!! :)
Emma says
He loved it! :D Thanks Lorelle!