Best 10 beaches to go snorkeling in Corsica

Corsica is an incredibly popular and beloved destination for tourists throughout the Mediterranean and all of Europe. The island, a department of France lying just off the country’s far southern coast, is justifiably known around the world for its incredible scenic mountains, verdant forests, beautiful coastline, and warm balmy climate. This place satisfies visitors of all types and interests, whether you prefer leisurely tours around fascinating French museums, horseback rides through remote villages, easy walking tours in great historic cities or lazing on beautiful beaches. Unsurprisingly, snorkeling in Corsica is one of the pastimes that tourists and locals alike enjoy on this paradise island in the Mediterranean that not only provides fun, but also allows exploring interesting marine life.

Written by Anett Szaszi

Anett is a certified scuba diver, freediver, and an expert in snorkeling with more than 10 years of experience. She fell in love with the ocean while snorkeling in the Red Sea on a vacation to Egypt back in 2008. Since then, she has been traveling to discover the world’s best snorkeling spots and sharing her experience and tips to inspire others. Find her photos on @anett.szaszi Instagram too!

Corsica snorkeling conditions

Corsica is blessed with a lovely Mediterranean climate. This means that the temperatures in the summertime are hot near the coast, most ideal for those who want to come an enjoy the most ideal conditions to go snorkeling in Corsica. The temperatures on average range from 70 degrees/21C to 80 degrees/27C in the months of from June through September.

During these best months to visit, the water temperatures will be between 75 degrees/24C and 80 degrees/27C. The remainder of the year, temperatures run the gamut of from 55 degrees/13C to 70/21C degrees with water temperatures in the 70 degrees area (between 21-22C) during June and October. For the months of November through May, the water temperatures are cooler, making snorkeling less pleasant during that half of the year.

Tip: Mainland France also has superb beaches with rich marine life! Read our France snorkeling guide to learn what beaches are the best to snorkel along the Mediterranean coast!

10 Best Places to go snorkeling in Corsica

A dream for every lover of the beach, the island offers visitors an incredible wealth of bays and coves to go snorkeling in Corsica. You are able to take in strange rock formations and underwater canyons, a wide range of sea animals and plants, and to see ancient shipwrecks. The lack of pollution in the waters means that you are able to witness incredibly rare species of fish and other creatures here that are long since vanished from the rest of Europe. But what are the best places to visit? This list features the top 10 spots you should consider adding to your Corsica snorkeling itinerary!

Santa Giulia Beach (Plage de Santa Giulia)

Santa Giulia Beach is justifiably famed for its turquoise-hued waters that are surrounded by rocks offering an ideal location to go snorkeling in Corsica. The beach lies along the bay of the same name. The snorkeling area here includes the rocky islets that are around 150 meters off the beach itself. The seabed is sandy, but interesting polished rocks also are visible under the water, along with Posidonia meadows that provide a home for sea life.

Up near the beach the water proves to be shallow. You will need to walk out around 15 meters before you can put your fins to work. Swimming out to the rocky islets will allow you to take in the best snorkeling trails. Astropecten sea stars live here along with groups of juvenile mullets.

Tip: Our hotel recommendation at Santa Giulia is: Hôtel Moby Dick

Palombaggia Beach

Palombaggia Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Corsica. The place is characterized by powder white sand, red-colored rocks, turquoise shaded waters, and stunning views of the mountainous backdrop that offers truly amazing snorkeling in Corsica experience in the transparent warm sea.

Thanks to the pristine condition of the water, the sub-marine life is well-preserved. You will likely see mullet, silverfish, octopus, sole, and Mediterranean salema porgy here. Plage de Palombaggia is also a segment of the biggest Nature Reserve in all of France called the Bouches de Bonifacio Nature Reserve.

Tip: Check out the Les Bergeries Hotel if you are looking for a nice place to stay in the area!

Rondinara Beach

Rondinara Beach lies precisely half of the distance between Porto Vecchio and Bonifacio. This makes it easy to get to from either town. The beach is in a beautiful crescent-shaped bay, making it one of the most stunning snorkeling beaches in Corsica. To either side of the beach you will find two rocky promontories that are covered by Mediterranean scrub. The only downside to this beach is that it is extremely popular in the summer months.

Tip: The Residence Les Terrasses is the best place to stay close to Rondinara!

Beach of St. Anthony

For those seeking out lesser-known Corsica snorkeling spots, there is a little beach called the Beach of St. Anthony (Plage de Saint Antoine) found just beneath the lighthouse of Pertusato at Cape Pertusato. It lies in a secluded cove and delivers a beautiful stretch of sand along a setting that is unique. The cliffs in the center of the town of Bonifacio complement the postcard picture setting.

Tip: Need more inspiration where to travel in Europe? Check out other European snorkeling destinations!

Roccapina Beach

Roccapina Beach is found in the southwest of the Corsican coast. It has been frequently described as the perfect beach and probably is the best spot for snorkeling in South Corsica thanks to the surrounding rock cliffs that make it an ideal spot for water activities. The closest town of any importance to this beach is Sartène.

Campomoro Beach

Campomoro Beach lies along the center of the Belvedere-Campomoro region. It is a huge, more than 750 meters long sandy beach. Besides the beach itself, there are numerous fine restaurants and shops here. From July through August there is a lifeguard on duty. This proves to be the only snorkeling beach (or beach at all) in the region which you can reach via a car, yet parking is a challenge in the summer months because of the crowds that come.

Tip: if you are looking for a budget-friendly place to stay here, check out Hotel Campomoro!

Canella Beach

Plage de Canella is found on the south coast near Solenzara just a few miles to the north of Favone Beach. This is the only beach in the region that boasts fine sand. Found in a sheltered cove, the beach stretches more than 400 meters in its paradise location.

There are actually two immaculate beaches complete with restaurants here. There is even a camping place on the edge of one of these beaches. Public spaces along these beaches are vast, but they are extremely busy in the summer months. Dogs are not permitted here.

Tip: Residence Canella offers self-catering villas just 800 m far from the beach!

Calvi Beach

Snorkeling in Calvi Corsica is a treat for the senses. Calvi Beach includes an exceptional snorkeling site called Punta Revellata found at the Calvi Bay’s western side. The steep coastline plunges suddenly into the Mediterranean Sea here.

Passing through the waters, the most lovely and memorable spot lies to the northeast of the location. There are many straight rocks that have been deposited anywhere from 10 to 12 meters deep here. The isolation makes this place hauntingly lovely, and thanks to the shelter provided from waves and wind, the water is exceptionally clear. This is probably the best snorkeling in North Corsica with varied and abundant sea plants and animals that you can easily see here in the near-perfect visibility of the water.

Tip: the Calvi Hotel is one of the best choices to stay here!

Lozari Beach (Plage de Losari)

Plage de Losari boasts a large stretch of sand that covers a few areas. There are two different parking lots to provide ample parking for locals and visitors alike. To the right side lies a family hotel and club where you can rent jet skis, paddle boats, and other motorized and non-motorized water sports gear.

There are also three restaurants close to the beach to take the edge off of your noble hunger after an active snorkeling expedition in the pristine waters here. The food is excellent but prepared fresh and slowly in typical French culinary fashion. You can also enjoy the walk to the Medieval Genovese Tower that provides stunning views over the bay. The walk to reach it is only five minutes.

Tip: Considering staying here? Then make sure to check the Hotel Liberata & Spa!

Beach of the Tonnara

The Beach of the Tonnara lies about 8 kilometers away from Bonifacio. Waters here are crystal clear for snorkeling. Found just to the south of the Gulf of Ventilegne, the immaculately preserved beach area is remarkably free of construction and development. Although the sand is coarse here, the beach is un-crowded as a result, something that is unusual in Corsica during the summer months. There is plenty of free parking too.

Tip: Residences La Tonnara is a fabulous property to stay nearby!

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