Palombaggia Beach, Porto-Vecchio, Corsica

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Plage de Palombaggia, 20137 Porto-Vecchio, Corse-du-Sud, France Website
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In short

South of Porto-Vecchio in southern Corsica, Palombaggia's pale sand is framed by umbrella pines and reddish granite and faces the protected Cerbicale islands. It is a free public beach open at all times, with lifeguards and services only in high season. Half a day is enough for a swim, though summer visitors often stay all day.

Palombaggia is a beach on the south-east coast of Corsica in Corse-du-Sud, a 15 to 20 minute drive south of Porto-Vecchio. More than 2 km of pale sand curve between pink granite outcrops and umbrella pines, facing the Cerbicale islands. It suits families, swimmers and snorkellers, and anyone basing a Corsican holiday around Porto-Vecchio.

Umbrella pines, granite and shallow water

The sand runs in a long arc broken by small rocky coves, with old umbrella pines growing right to the back of the beach and outcrops of ochre and pink granite marking the waterline. The water stays shallow close to shore in many places, which suits swimming and children. Snorkelling is best around the rocks.

Seabirds of the Cerbicale nature reserve

A few kilometres offshore lie the Cerbicale islands, a nature reserve created by decree in 1981. The reserve covers Pietricaggiosa, Piana, Maestro Maria (also called Île Plate), Forana and Toro, plus the Rocher de la Vacca. Nesting seabirds include shags, Cory's shearwaters and Audouin's gulls, and the Tyrrhenian wall lizard lives on the islets. Landing is not permitted, but boat trips from the area pass close by and also tour the Gulf of Porto-Vecchio.

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Checked against trusted sources:
Visit Corsica

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  1. Visit Corsica: Réserve naturelle des îles Cerbicale
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Key information
🏖️Type: Pale-sand beach with umbrella pines and pink granite
📏Length: More than 2 km
🏝️View: The Cerbicale islands offshore
🛟Safety: Lifeguarded in high season
💰Currency: Euro (€ EUR)
🕕Time Zone: Central European Time (UTC+1; UTC+2 in summer)

Explore the area

View in a map
Porto-Vecchio 15 km
Santa Giulia beach 8 km
Cerbicale islands offshore
Bonifacio 30 km
Figari airport 25 km
See all about this area
✦ Plan your visit to Palombaggia Beach, Porto-Vecchio, Corsica Dates, opening hours and how to get there are below. Booking ahead secures your preferred day.
Highlights Include:
Beach
  • Shallow turquoise water
  • Rocky coves for snorkelling
Activities
  • Windsurfing, kayaking, pedal boats
  • Diving centre
Excursions
  • Boat trips to the Cerbicale islands
What They Offer
Parking Free car park among the pines (fills by midday in summer)
Shuttle Summer shuttle buses from Porto-Vecchio
Restaurants Beach restaurants under the pines
Visit duration Half a day, or a full day in summer
Timed entry required No

Accessibility

Soft sand with no boardwalks or accessible facilities.

Age limits

Lifeguards only in high season; outside summer take care in windy conditions.

What to pack

Plenty of water, food, shade (umbrella or tent), sunscreen, rubbish bags

What to wear

Swimwear with a cover-up, water shoes, sun hat

Not allowed

Parking on the road where prohibited, littering, damaging dunes

Amenities

Restaurants, rentals, lifeguards in season, parking. Windsurfing, kayaking, pedal boats, jet skis and diving in high season; beach restaurants under the pines

Tips for visiting Palombaggia Beach, Porto-Vecchio, Corsica

  • Arrive before mid morning in summer to get a space in the free car park.
  • Bring snorkelling gear for the rocky ends of the beach.
  • Take the summer shuttle from Porto-Vecchio to avoid parking problems.
  • Find shade under the pines behind the sand during the hottest hours.
  • Book a boat trip to the Cerbicale islands for a different view of the coast.

Admission tickets

Entry is free.

Palombaggia Beach: Free Access

Free public beach.

  • Free access to the public beach
Admission

Free entry: no ticket or booking is needed.

Opening hours

Open now · Open 24 hours · Last entry None – open beach

All opening hours

Visitor policy

Check availability
Cancellation and prepayment
No booking needed.
Children and admission
Children are welcome; supervise them closely in the water.
Groups
No booking needed for groups; large gatherings should follow local rules.
Pets
No specific rule is published; keep pets leashed and away from other beachgoers and nesting areas.
Photography
Photography is welcome; respect other beachgoers' privacy. Drones need civil aviation approval.
Bags
No restrictions.
Smoking
Take cigarette ends and all litter home; no open fires outside designated areas.
Accepted payment
Free; no payment needed.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Answers based on Porto-Vecchio tourism information.

General

On the south-east coast of Corsica near Porto-Vecchio in Corse-du-Sud. It runs for more than 2 km and faces the Cerbicale islands.