Plage de Carataggio

Plage de Carataggio is a small sandy cove on the east side of the Piccovaggia peninsula, in the commune of Porto-Vecchio in Corse-du-Sud. Locals and maps also call it Tahiti Beach. It lies between Punta Chiappa to the north and Palombaggia to the south, and it suits swimmers and snorkellers who will walk a little to escape the crowds on the bigger beaches.

A quiet cove on the Piccovaggia peninsula

Rocky points frame the sand at both ends, and the water is clear and shallow near the shore. Beach guides place it within a protected natural area, and no buildings stand behind it. It is smaller and usually far calmer than Palombaggia, the best-known beach south of Porto-Vecchio, about 2.5 km away across the peninsula. Offshore you can see the islets of Forana and Farina, with the Punta Chiappa lighthouse a similar distance north.

A 15-minute path through the woods

No road runs down to the sand. Cars are left above the beach and a path leads through the woods, about 15 minutes on foot. That short walk keeps numbers down even in July and August. Wear proper shoes, since the path is uneven, and pack everything you need for the day: there are no shops, cafés or toilets at the cove, only a small parking area at the start of the path.

Snorkelling the rocky ends with no lifeguard

The shallows suit children, though no lifeguard watches the beach, so keep a close eye on them. Water shoes help near the rocks, and a mask and snorkel are worth bringing for the rocky ends, where the seabed is most varied. Bring shade and water, as the cove has none of its own.

Combining it with Palombaggia

Because the two beaches are so close, many visitors spend a quiet morning at Carataggio and drive on to Palombaggia for the afternoon, where restaurants and sunbed hire are available. Porto-Vecchio's old town, with its Genoese walls, is about 10 km away, and the salt pans on the edge of town are a short detour on the way back.