Corsica's most stunning beaches. My 7-day road trip across the island.

In my previous post, I shared my one-week itinerary across Corsica: the mountain roads, cliffside towns, and wild landscapes. But I can’t wrap up my Corsica journey without mentioning the stunning beaches.

I was never a beachy girl. I used to think of it as the “lazy kind of travel.” But after Corsica, I’m officially converted.!

Here are my top 5 beaches, ranked by:

1️⃣ How scenic

2️⃣ How shallow and calm the water feels

3️⃣ How accessible

1. Palombaggia Beach (Porto-Vecchio)

Our first beach in Corsica and what a start! We drove from Porto-Vecchio, just a short 15–20 minutes, hoping for a quick refresh. After paying for parking, we followed a sandy path, the air smelling of salt and sunscreen, everyone around us packed with beach gear. And then there it was.

A long stretch of white sand met calm turquoise water under the afternoon sun. It wasn’t very crowded and people wered scattered along the shore. The waves were gentle, the water shallow and warm enough - perfect for swimming and floating without a care.

We slipped into the sea and didn’t get out for nearly an hour, swimming along the fish. For the first time, I thought: A beach vacation isn’t that bad after all!

Rating:

1️⃣ Scenic: 5/5 2️⃣ Shallow: 5/5 3️⃣ Accessibility: 4/5 (paid parking, short sandy walk)

2. Santa Giulia Beach (Porto-Vecchio) - The easy paradise

It’s hard to choose between this and Palombaggia, but I’ll put Santa Giulia as my second favorite only because it’s a little busier, buzzing with more crowds and restaurants.

By now, we were better prepared: beach umbrella, picnic bag, and a generous amount of sunscreen. It was a short walk from the parking lot, and then suddenly the view opened up: a calm, clear bay that looked like glass, with the moutain backdrops.

We spent the whole lazy afternoon there, doing nothing except swimming, snacking, and soaking in the sun. The water barely moved — more like a giant infinity pool than the sea. Parking is just 10-minute walk to the beach. There are restaurants and bars nearby if you want to grab a quick drink.

Rating:

1️⃣ Scenic: 5/5 2️⃣ Shallow& Calm: 5/5 3️⃣ Accessibility: 5/5

3. Plage de l’Île-Rousse (l’Île-Rousse)

Right next to the town center, Plage de l’Île-Rousse is perfect for a last swim before leaving Corsica. Parking wasn't easy; we circled for a while and luckily found a spot near the train station which is about a 10-minute walk away.

The beach sits in a sheltered bay, so the water is calm, shallow, and crystal clear — great for swimming or snorkeling. The soft sand and postcard-perfect view made it easy to spend our whole last afternoon here, just floating and soaking it all in.

Rating:

1️⃣ Scenic: 4/5 2️⃣ Shallow& Calm: 5/5 3️⃣ Accessibility: 3/5 (limited parking)

4. Petit Sperone Beach (Bonifacio)

We were almost there — but somehow stopped just before the main part of Petit Sperone, so we didn’t quite see its full beauty. Getting there wasn’t easy either: you have to climb over some rocks and walk right along the water. So wear proper shoes as the rocks can be sharp. Beach shoes make the walk much easier.

Parking is free, along both sides of the road. The drive from Bonifacio is scenic, winding up and down the hills with ocean views along the way.

The beach was calm but covered in seaweed when we went. Small, quiet, and peaceful perfect for swimming,. though not much sand for lounging. You can do some water sports here too.

1️⃣ Scenic: 3/5 2️⃣ Shallow & Calm: 3/53️⃣ Accessibility: 3/5

5. Plage de Bodri (Bodri)

Maybe we just came on the wrong day but the waves at Plage de Bodri were rough, crashing hard against the sand and bringing seaweed from the ocean. It was windy, and swimming wasn’t easy.

Bodri sits on the Balagne coast, facing the open sea with little shelter from the northwest wind. On calmer days, it’s said to be crystal clear and family-friendly according to Google reviews.

The beach is behind a nature reserve, about a 15–20 minute walk from the parking area. Despite the wind, I could see why people love it — wide, wild, and quiet. Just not the best swimming day for us.

Rating:

1️⃣ Scenic: 3/5 2️⃣ Shallow& Calm: 1/53️⃣ Accessibility: 2/5 (limited parking)

Final thoughts

Corsica’s beaches surprised me in every way. They are very clean and the water is very clear. Each beach I visited has its own charm. Somehow, even as someone who never saw herself as a “beach girl,” I found myself falling in love with every swim.

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A few tips to make your beach days in corsica easier:

• Most of Corsica’s calm, shallow beaches are in the south - perfect if you love floating in turquoise water.

• Bring a snorkel and a waterproof phone case to explore underwater.

• protect yourself from the sun with a beach umbrella, waterproof sunscreen, plenty of water, and some snacks since many beaches have little shade or shops nearby.

• Be prepared for naked beaches...I came from a culture where naked beach is not a thing, so don't get surprised when people go all in!