Regional Park trails
Choose a waymarked route into the juniper woodland, and swap sandals for walking shoes before you set off.
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Plage de Cupabia
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One of 178 Things to Do in France
In short
Cupabia is an undeveloped sandy beach on the north shore of the Gulf of Valinco in south-west Corsica, about 20 km from Propriano in Serra-di-Ferro, with dunes, a small wetland and protected juniper woods behind. It is popular with windsurfers and anyone after quiet, clear water. Access is free at all times, and half a day is a good length.
Plage de Cupabia is a fine-sand beach on the northern shore of the Gulf of Valinco in south-west Corsica, in the commune of Serra-di-Ferro on the border with Coti-Chiavari, about 20 km from Propriano. It suits windsurfers, walkers and visitors who want a quiet, undeveloped beach, with clear water and protected dunes behind.
Butturacci wetland and the Natura 2000 junipers
The Butturacci stream reaches the sea here, forming a small wetland behind the dunes; the dunes and wetland cover about 35 hectares. The beach and the juniper woods behind it form the Natura 2000 site Juniperaie de Porto Pollo et plage de Cupabia, whose management plan the state approved in 2015, and the surrounding Phoenician juniper woodland is also listed as a natural area of ecological interest. Stay on the marked paths, and do not light fires or camp.
Fine sand, clear water and windsurfers
Visit Corsica describes Cupabia as a beach of fine sand and clear water that is popular with windsurfers. The bay is open, so check the wind forecast if you want calm water for children. Evening light over the gulf is the best time of day here.
Waymarked trail to the restored Capanella tower
Hikes start straight from the beach on trails waymarked by the Corsica Regional Nature Park. The Genoese tower of Capanella, restored in 2010, stands on the headland to the south, about 1 km away, with views over Cupabia Bay and the Gulf of Valinco. A popular loop of about 11 km from the car park in the village of Serra-di-Ferro takes in the tower, the beach and the hamlet of Porto Pollo; Visorando rates it moderate, with about 390 m of climbing and an average time of 4 h 20. Walkers report narrow, overgrown sections and patchy signposting, so carry a map, sturdy shoes and plenty of water.
Porto Pollo for shelter on windy days
Porto Pollo, also in Serra-di-Ferro, lies about 4 km south and 18 km by road from Propriano. Its small port has campsites, hotels, shops, seafront bars and diving centres, and its sheltered beaches are an alternative on windy days. The prehistoric site of Filitosa is nearby.
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Visit Corsica, Plage de CupabiaVisorando, Cupabia beach and Capanella tower
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Key information
🏖️Beach: Fine sand on the north shore of the Gulf of Valinco
🌿Protection: Dunes and wetland (about 35 ha); Natura 2000 juniper woodland
🗼Tower: Capannella Genoese tower
🎟️Entry: Free
💰Currency: Euro (€ EUR)
🕕Time Zone: CET (UTC+1) · CEST (UTC+2) in summer
Explore the area
Porto Pollo 4 km
Capannella tower 1 km
Propriano 20 km
Plage de Mare e Sole 8 km
✦
Plan your visit to Plage de Cupabia
Dates, opening hours and how to get there are below. Booking ahead secures your preferred day.
Highlights Include:
Beach
- Clear water
- Windsurfing on breezy days
- Evening light over the gulf
Nature
- Phoenician juniper woodland
- Butturacci stream wetland
- Marked trails of the Corsica Regional Park
What They Offer
Facilities
Limited facilities; bring water and shade
Visit duration
Half a day
Timed entry required No
Windsurfing
The open bay draws windsurfers when the wind picks up.
Porto Pollo
The small port to the south has sheltered beaches, diving centres and shops.
Accessibility
Sandy access over dunes; no specific accessibility facilities published.
Age limits
None
What to pack
Water, shade, sun cream; water and shade: facilities are limited
What to wear
Sandals; walking shoes for trails
Not allowed
Leaving the paths across the dunes, fires, camping
Amenities
Limited
Tips for visiting Plage de Cupabia
- Bring water and shade, as services are limited.
- Walk on marked paths across the dunes.
- Check the wind if you want calm water.
- Hike up toward the Capannella Genoese tower for views over the bay.
- Stock up on supplies in Porto Pollo or Propriano.
Driving
From Propriano follow the coast road north via Porto Pollo toward Serra-di-Ferro and Cupabia.
Public transportation
There is no regular public transport to the beach.
Address
Cupabia is on the northern shore of the Gulf of Valinco in Serra-di-Ferro, south-west Corsica.
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 at all times.
Special events
No special events on record for Plage de Cupabia.
Best times to visit
Evening for the light over the gulf.
Best days to visit
Calm days for swimming; windy days for windsurfing.
Best months to visit
Late spring and early autumn.
Admission tickets
Entry is free.
Plage de Cupabia: free entry
A natural beach on the Gulf of Valinco.
- Free access to the beach
Admission
Free entry: no ticket or booking is needed.
Visitor policy
Cancellation and prepayment
No booking is needed; access is free.
Children and admission
Check the wind before swimming with children.
Groups
No booking needed.
Pets
Follow posted rules on the protected dunes.
Photography
Personal photography is welcome. Drone flights must follow national drone rules and local restrictions.
Bags
Take all rubbish away.
Smoking
Do not smoke in the maquis in fire season.
Accepted payment
No payment needed.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What to know about Cupabia.
General
On the northern shore of the Gulf of Valinco in south-west Corsica, in Serra-di-Ferro, about 4 km from Porto Pollo and roughly 20 km from Propriano.
Yes. Visit Corsica notes the beach is popular with windsurfers. On calm days the clear water suits swimming.
Yes. Trails waymarked by the Corsica Regional Nature Park start from the sand, including the climb to the Capanella tower.
Yes. The dunes, wetland and juniper woods are part of a Natura 2000 site, so keep to the marked paths and do not light fires or camp.
Porto Pollo with its port and sheltered beaches, the Capanella tower, and the prehistoric site of Filitosa.
Yes, entry to Plage de Cupabia is free.
bookingMentor lists 5 places to stay in France. Rooms start from $230.00 (USD) a night.
Stay & facilities
Services on the beach are limited. Porto Pollo, a short drive south, has shops, restaurants, hotels, campsites and diving centres.
Timing & weather
About 11 km from Serra-di-Ferro village, rated moderate, with an average time of 4 h 20 according to Visorando.
In 2010. It overlooks Cupabia Bay and the Gulf of Valinco.
Plage de Cupabia is open Monday–Sunday: Open 24 hours.
The best time to visit France is Apr to Jun, Sep to Oct. Mild weather, fewer crowds than summer.
Getting there
There is no regular public transport to the beach. A car is needed.
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) is the airport for Plage de Cupabia, about 249 km away in a straight line.
Families & accessibility
On calm days. The bay is open to the wind, so check the forecast before swimming with children.