Beaches · 6 min read
The beaches around Saint-Florent, and how to get to Saleccia
The one five minutes away, the ones a quarter of an hour away, and the two with no road at all. With the three ways of reaching Lotu and Saleccia, and the one I recommend.
Matthias Lavaux · Updated
From the house, the first beach is five minutes by car. The finest ones have no road at all, and that is precisely what saves them.
Five minutes away: Olzu
Olzu is the closest. Sand, pines, a beach bar in summer, and shade at the end of the day. The sunset here is one of the finest around: this is the apéritif beach rather than the midday one. Free access, parking on site.
A quarter of an hour away: Farinole
Marine de Farinole is the easy family beach: shallow water, ideal for children, water sports in summer. Free access and parking on site.
- Plage d'Olzu · Free access, parking on site.5 min
- Plage de Farinole · Free access, parking on site.12 min
The two in the Agriates: Lotu and Saleccia
Lotu is over a kilometre of white sand, clear turquoise water, maquis all around. Saleccia is another kilometre of white sand, water of rare clarity, century-old pines and free-roaming cows. No road leads to either, and that is the point. To me, Saleccia is the most beautiful beach in Corsica.
Three ways to get there. The Le Popeye shuttle from Saint-Florent harbour, about thirty minutes, is the simplest. A hire boat, fifteen minutes from Saint-Florent, is the freest. Or the Agriates track, which needs a genuine four-wheel drive and wrecks hire cars: I would advise against it.
From Lotu to Saleccia, reckon on forty-five minutes of walking along the coastal path. There is nothing at all at Saleccia: water, a hat, a picnic, you carry everything. At Lotu, la Cabane du Lotu serves grills and cold drinks, five minutes’ walk from the sand, lunch from noon to 2pm, by reservation.
- La Cabane du Lotu · Coastal path, 20246 Santo-Pietro-di-Tendaby boat
- Plage du Lotu · Le Popeye shuttle from Saint-Florent (30 min) or boat (Dominique Plaisance, 15 min).by boat
- Plage de Saleccia · Le Popeye shuttle, or a 45 min walk from Lotu.by boat
Hiring a boat, or going out to sea
For a hire boat I have been going to Dominique Plaisance for years: recent boats, a proper briefing, good route advice, with or without a licence. Book ahead in July and August.
For a guided trip, the Catamaran Bella Vita runs a gentle day cruise with swim stops, and a festive sunset apéritif in the evening. Perla Nera, on a twelve-seat RIB, heads into the secret coves of the gulf with paddleboards and snorkelling gear provided. Both are booked online.
- Dominique Plaisance · By the Aliso river, opposite the gendarmerie, 20217 Saint-Florent12 min
- Catamaran Bella Vita · Saint-Florent harbour, 2021712 min
- Perla Nera · Résidence des Arcades, 20217 Saint-Florent12 min
The water in the gulf of Saint-Florent stays around 21 to 22 degrees in early October. That is why I keep the pool at the house heated until the end of October: when the sea starts to cool, you are still swimming here.
The questions I get asked about this
How do I get to Saleccia beach from Saint-Florent?
The Le Popeye sea shuttle from Saint-Florent harbour, about thirty minutes, is the simplest. By hire boat, reckon on fifteen minutes to Lotu and then forty-five minutes on foot. The overland Agriates track needs a genuine four-wheel drive and is not covered by hire car insurance.
Which beach is closest to Barbaggio?
Olzo beach, five minutes by car. Sand, pines, a beach bar in summer and shade at the end of the day.
Are there beaches that work with young children?
Marine de Farinole, twelve minutes away, has shallow water and parking right there. Olzu is easy too. Saleccia and Lotu require a boat trip and have neither shade nor shops, which makes them harder work with very small children.
Can you swim in Corsica in October?
In the gulf of Saint-Florent the water stays around 21 to 22 degrees in early October, which is still very pleasant. The pool at Baraccò Argia is heated and open from early April to the end of October, which stretches the season further still.
Do you need a car to enjoy the beaches?
Yes. There is no public transport in the Nebbio, and every beach is a few minutes’ drive away. Parking at the house is private and free.
