Swim and paddle
Calm, shallow water makes the bay suited to families and paddling.
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Rondinara Beach
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One of 178 Things to Do in France
In short
Between Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio, Rondinara is an almost circular bay of fine sand and calm turquoise water inside the Bouches de Bonifacio nature reserve. Getting onto the beach is free at any hour, though the car park charges and beach services operate only in season. Families often stay from half a day to a full day.
Rondinara (Rundinara in Corsican) is a near-circular bay on the east coast of Corse-du-Sud, about 18 km north of Bonifacio and 25 km south of Porto-Vecchio. Two headlands almost close its entrance, so the water stays calm and shallow in most weather. It suits families with young children, swimmers and walkers.
Shallow turquoise water with little shade
The fine sand slopes gently into turquoise water, which makes the beach popular with families. Swimming and paddling are the main activities, and mattresses and kayaks can be hired in season. A restaurant serves the beach. There is little natural shade, so bring a parasol.
Rules of the Bouches de Bonifacio reserve
Yes. The beach lies within the Bouches de Bonifacio nature reserve, which protects a varied underwater flora and fauna. Rules are stricter than on an ordinary beach: fires, camping and smoking are banned, and visitors must take all rubbish away.
A 10 km loop through the maquis
Two marked trails run through the surrounding maquis, the dense Mediterranean scrub. A loop of about 10 km with some 210 metres of climbing leads to viewpoints over the bay. Walk it in the morning or late afternoon in summer.
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Key information
🏖️Bay: Near-circular bay with calm, shallow water
🌿Protection: Within the Bouches de Bonifacio nature reserve
📍Location: About 18 km north of Bonifacio
🎟️Entry: Free; paid car park in season
💰Currency: Euro (€ EUR)
🕕Time Zone: CET (UTC+1) · CEST (UTC+2) in summer
Explore the area
Bonifacio 18 km
Porto-Vecchio 25 km
Plage de Balistra 5 km
Plage du Petit Sperone 13 km
✦
Plan your visit to Rondinara Beach
Dates, opening hours and how to get there are below. Booking ahead secures your preferred day.
Highlights Include:
The bay
- Turquoise shallow water
- Fine sand sloping gently
- Shelter from two headlands
Around
- Two marked trails through the maquis
- Views over the bay
- Restaurant on the beach
What They Offer
Rules
Non-smoking beach Take your rubbish away
Visit duration
Half a day to a full day
Timed entry required No
Maquis trails
Two short marked trails give views over the bay.
Road trip stop
Combine with Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio on a drive along the south-east coast.
Accessibility
Access is by a narrow road and a sandy beach; no specific accessibility facilities are published.
Age limits
None; no lifeguard details are published, so watch children in the water.
What to pack
Water, sun cream, picnic; water for a stay of several hours
What to wear
Sandals; a hat in summer
Not allowed
Smoking on the beach, littering, fires, camping
Amenities
Paid car park in season, restaurant, mattress and kayak hire
Tips for visiting Rondinara Beach
- Arrive early in July and August, as the paid car park fills fast.
- Drive the last 7 km slowly; the road is narrow with bends.
- Bring shade and water, since cover on the sand is limited.
- Take your rubbish home, as required in the nature reserve.
- Try one of the marked maquis trails for a view over the bay.
Driving
From the Bonifacio–Porto-Vecchio road take the narrow, winding road of about 7 km down to the bay; allow about 45 minutes from Bonifacio. Drive slowly; parking is paid at the entrance kiosk in season.
Public transportation
There is no regular public transport to the bay; a car or scooter is the usual way in.
Address
Rondinara is on the south-east coast of Corsica, between Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio. Plage de Balistra is 5 km away and Petit Sperone beach 13 km, on the way to Bonifacio.
Opening Hours
- MondayOpen 24 hours
- TuesdayOpen 24 hours
- WednesdayOpen 24 hours
- ThursdayOpen 24 hours
- FridayOpen 24 hours
- SaturdayOpen 24 hours
- SundayOpen 24 hours
Last entry: None (open access)
Open all year.
Free access; car park charges and beach services apply in season only.
Special events
No special events on record for Rondinara Beach.
Best times to visit
Arrive in the morning in July and August before the car park fills.
Best days to visit
Weekdays are quieter.
Best months to visit
Late May, June and September for warm water and more space.
Admission tickets
Entry is free.
Rondinara Beach: free entry
A sheltered bay in the Bouches de Bonifacio nature reserve.
- Free access to the beach
- Car park paid separately in season
Admission
Free entry: no ticket or booking is needed.
Visitor policy
Cancellation and prepayment
No booking is needed; access is free.
Children and admission
Shallow, calm water suits children; no lifeguard details are published.
Groups
No booking needed.
Pets
Follow the nature reserve rules and posted signs for dogs.
Photography
Personal photography is welcome. Drone flights must follow national drone rules and local restrictions.
Bags
No restrictions; take all rubbish away.
Smoking
Non-smoking beach.
Accepted payment
Entry is free; the car park is paid at the kiosk in season.
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Travelers are asking
Yes, in season the car park near the beach is paid at the entrance kiosk; it is unsupervised and free outside the season.
The Bonifacio tourist office at 2 rue Fred Scamaroni, Bonifacio (+33 4 95 73 11 88).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What to know before heading down to Rondinara.
General
Yes. Parking near the bay is paid in season, and you pay for hire and food.
Yes. It is in the Bouches de Bonifacio nature reserve. Fires, camping and smoking are banned.
Yes. A loop of about 10 km with some 210 metres of climbing leads to viewpoints over the bay.
No. Camping is banned within the reserve.
Plage de Balistra, 5 km away, and the Petit Sperone, 13 km away.
Yes, entry to Rondinara Beach is free.
Rondinara Beach is in France. The street address and directions are under How to get there on this page.
Getting there
About 18 km by road, around 45 minutes because the final stretch is slow.
No regular public transport serves the bay. Come by car or scooter.
About 25 km.
Families & accessibility
Yes. The closed bay keeps the water calm and shallow. Lifeguard cover is not guaranteed, so keep watch.
Stay & facilities
A restaurant and seasonal hire of mattresses and kayaks. There is little shade.
Timing & weather
Late spring and early autumn, or mornings in July and August.
Rondinara Beach is open Monday–Sunday: Open 24 hours.
Most visitors spend Half a day to a full day at Rondinara Beach.