Boat from Saint-Florent
Small passenger boats leave Saint-Florent port from late April through the summer and land at a pontoon on the beach.
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Plage du Lotu (Lotu Beach, Corsica)
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One of 178 Things to Do in France
In short
On the protected coast of the Désert des Agriates in northern Corsica, Plage du Lotu is white sand with no buildings behind it. It is free and open at all times, reached by summer boat from Saint-Florent or on foot, so check the port's seasonal boat timetable. Plan a full day for the crossing and swim.
Plage du Lotu (also spelled Loto) is a white-sand beach on the coast of the Désert des Agriates in Haute-Corse, Corsica, reached mainly by a 20 to 30 minute boat ride from Saint-Florent. There are no buildings behind it, only dunes and wetland. It suits boat day-trippers, walkers heading to Saleccia and families happy with a day of basic facilities.
Between two headlands, beside the Loto pond
The beach lies on the north-east coast of the Agriates between Punta di Ravijola and Punta Cavallata, shared by the communes of Santo-Pietro-di-Tenda and Saint-Florent. Behind the sand two shallow ponds, Loto and Panecalellu, form part of a wetland that extends towards Saleccia. Protected juniper grows on the dune.
Conservatoire land with no houses behind it
The land belongs to the Conservatoire du littoral, which owns about 5,500 hectares of the Agriates, a wild area of 15,000 to 16,000 hectares between Saint-Florent and the Ostriconi valley. That is why no houses stand behind the beach. Keep off the dune, leave the plants alone and take every scrap of rubbish back to Saint-Florent.
An hour's walk west to Saleccia
Saleccia beach is about 2.5 km west along a path, around an hour's walk past the ponds, and many boat passengers see both beaches in one day. A 12 km track from Casta reaches Saleccia by mountain bike or 4x4.
A restaurant by the pontoon but no shade
The beach is free; you pay only for the boat. A small restaurant stands near the pontoon, but there are no shops and almost no shade, so bring water, sun protection and shade. No lifeguard information is published. The beach is not accessible for wheelchairs. Take an early boat in July and August, the busiest months, and plan a full day.
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Key information
🏖️Beach: White sand and clear water, no buildings
🌿Owner: Conservatoire du littoral (Agriates, over 5,500 ha)
⛴️Access: Boat from Saint-Florent (about 20–30 min) or on foot
🎟️Entry: Free; boat fares extra
💰Currency: Euro (€ EUR)
🕕Time Zone: CET (UTC+1) · CEST (UTC+2) in summer
Explore the area
Saleccia beach 2 km
Saint-Florent 8 km
Saint-Florent port (boats) 8 km
Plage de la Roya 9 km
✦
Plan your visit to Plage du Lotu (Lotu Beach, Corsica)
Dates, opening hours and how to get there are below. Booking ahead secures your preferred day.
Highlights Include:
The beach
- Fine white sand
- Clear, shallow water
- Protected juniper on the dune
Around
- Loto and Panecalellu ponds
- Customs path along the Agriates
- Track to Saleccia beach
What They Offer
Getting there
Seasonal passenger boats from Saint-Florent port Customs path on foot 4x4 or bike track via Saleccia
Facilities
Small seasonal restaurant near the pontoon No toilets on the beach
Visit duration
Full day
Timed entry required No
Walk to Saleccia
A sandy track of about 2 km links Lotu to the larger Saleccia beach.
Customs path
Fit hikers can follow the long, exposed sentier des douaniers along the Agriates coast.
Accessibility
Not accessible for wheelchairs: access is by boat to a floating pontoon or by long tracks.
Age limits
None
What to pack
Plenty of water, food, sun cream, shade
What to wear
Hat and sandals; walking shoes for the trails
Not allowed
Fires, camping, littering, picking plants on protected land
Amenities
Seasonal restaurant near the pontoon; no other services
Tips for visiting Plage du Lotu
- Book or buy your boat ticket early in the day in July and August.
- Check the time of the last return boat before you settle on the sand.
- Carry at least two litres of water per person if you walk the coastal path.
- Bring a parasol, as shade is scarce.
- Do not walk on the dunes or near the protected juniper.
Driving
No road to the beach. A 12 km track from Casta leads to Saleccia (4x4 or mountain bike), then about 2 km more to Lotu. Walkers can follow the sentier des douaniers from Saint-Florent, about four and a half hours in full sun; outside the boat season the beach is reached only on foot or by track.
Public transportation
From late April to early autumn passenger boats from Saint-Florent port, about 8 km away, land at a floating pontoon on the beach (licensed each year by the Conservatoire, recently 1 May – 30 September); about 20–30 minutes. Fares are set by the operators each season.
Address
Lotu is on the north coast of the Désert des Agriates in Haute-Corse, west of Saint-Florent across the gulf.
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; boats run only from late spring to early autumn. Trails can close on days of high fire risk.
Free access; check boat timetables at Saint-Florent port, which change with the season.
Special events
No special events on record for Plage du Lotu (Lotu Beach, Corsica).
Best times to visit
Take an early boat to enjoy the beach before it fills.
Best days to visit
Weekdays are quieter.
Best months to visit
June and September, when boats run and crowds are smaller.
Admission tickets
Entry is free.
Plage du Lotu: free entry
A protected white-sand beach in the Agriates, reached by boat or on foot.
- Free access to the beach
- Boat crossing paid separately to the operator
Admission
Free entry: no ticket or booking is needed.
Visitor policy
Cancellation and prepayment
No booking is needed; access is free.
Children and admission
Families come by boat; there is no lifeguard information published and no shade.
Groups
Book boats ahead in summer for groups.
Pets
Follow the Conservatoire du littoral rules and the boat operator's policy for dogs.
Photography
Personal photography is welcome. Drone flights must follow national drone rules and local restrictions.
Bags
Bring everything you need and take all rubbish back.
Smoking
Fires are forbidden; do not leave cigarette ends.
Accepted payment
Entry is free; boat operators sell tickets at Saint-Florent port.
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Travelers are asking
About 20–30 minutes from Saint-Florent port, depending on the operator.
No. The beach is undeveloped; a small seasonal bar-restaurant sits near the pontoon.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to reach and enjoy Lotu beach.
Getting there
Most people take the seasonal boat from Saint-Florent, 20 to 30 minutes. Otherwise it is a long hike on the coastal path or a rough track via Saleccia.
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) is the airport for Plage du Lotu (Lotu Beach, Corsica), about 196 km away in a straight line.
General
A small restaurant near the boat pontoon, but no shops. Bring water, sun protection and shade.
Yes. Saleccia is about 2.5 km west, around an hour on foot past the ponds.
Yes. It is Conservatoire du littoral land, so keep off the dune and take all rubbish away.
No lifeguard information is published, so swim with care.
About 15,000 to 16,000 hectares, of which the Conservatoire du littoral owns about 5,500.
Plage du Lotu (Lotu Beach, Corsica) is in France. The street address and directions are under How to get there on this page.
Explore the area on this page lists 4 places around Plage du Lotu (Lotu Beach, Corsica), among them Saint-Florent and Saint-Florent port (boats).
Prices & payment
No. You pay only for the boat crossing, whose fares change each season.
Timing & weather
From late April to early autumn. The pontoon was recently licensed from 1 May to 30 September.
About four and a half hours on the customs path, with little shade.
Take an early boat in July and August, or visit in June or September.
Plage du Lotu (Lotu Beach, Corsica) is open Monday–Sunday: Open 24 hours.
Families & accessibility
No. Access is by boat to a floating pontoon or by long tracks.