Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
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Last updated on May 5, 2021
Cala d’Orzu is a wild and pristine bay located along Corsica’s south western coast, between the cities of Ajaccio and Propriano. Its white sand beach lined with scrub leads to an inviting bay with quiet, transparent waters that make perfect conditions for snorkeling. Colorful wrasse, sea bream, salema and blennies can all be observed underwater. Lucky ones will even spot a common stingray crawling on the seabed.
Cala d’Orzu is a wild creek in southwestern Corsica, midway between Ajaccio and Propriano. It is a popular weekend destination for locals. It can be reached either by boat or by car.
Boats are the most enjoyable means of transportation to the spot. Several companies based in Ajaccio offer day trips to the beach and boat rental (with or without crew). A few paillotes set in Cala d’Orzu beach also offer boat transfer from Ajaccio to the beach and return.
However, most visitors drive to Cala d’Orzu. From Ajaccio (1-hour drive), first head to Porticcio, before taking first D55, then D155 towards Serra-di-Ferro. About 500m after the hamlet called Acqua-Doria, a sign on your right indicates the road winding down to Cala d’Orzu.
From this point, directions are given to different paillotes settled along the beach. Each paillote has its own private access through the scrub. Be careful as roads down to the huts are very steep, with multiple bumps and sharp turns. Parking next to the beach is free.
The water entrance points depend on the area you want to explore. Head to the paillotte Chez Eric if you want to explore the northern area (zone 1 on the map).
Enter the water next to the rocks located at the southern extremity of the main beach, about 100m from the paillote Chez Francis, if you prefer to explore the southern area (zone 2 on the map).
The snorkeling area encompasses all the shallow parts of Cala d’Orzu. Altogether, they set up an area covering about 550 m on both sides of the bay.
The rocky seabed located in the northern area (zone 1, in front of paillote Chez Eric) is perfect for beginners. At the opposite side of the beach, the southern area (zone 2) boasts more varied environments (rocks, drop-offs, Posidonia meadows…) and more intense sea life. This is the best snorkeling area in Cala d’Orzu.
Indeed, water is crystal-clear and seabeds are gorgeous in the southern area. From Posidonia meadows so shallow they almost touch the water surface to underwater cliffs abruptly dropping onto the sand (↕10-12ft/3-4 m), snorkelers discover new waterscapes with each fin stroke.
Peacock wrasses weaving their way through Posidonia, ornate wrasse, Mediterranean rainbow wrasse fiercely defending their territory and schools of salema feeding on the rocks can all be observed during a single exploration. Common two-banded seabream, saddled seabream, black-faced blennies and small cuttlefish are also commonplace in the bay.
If the two areas shown on the map are the most suitable for snorkeling practice in Cala d’Orzu, you can also take a look at the sandy seabed located in front of paillote Chez Francis. Small stingrays (↕12-18ft/4-6 m), a pretty rare sight in Corsica, are sometimes present there.
Mind the numerous boats mooring in Cala d’Orzu, especially during summer and weekends. Always remain visible from outside the water.
Despite its isolation, Cala d’Orzu hosts a few restaurants. Two paillotes (local name for beach restaurants), Chez Eric and Chez Francis, and a pizzeria are set by the beach. The only other option is to bring your own food and have a picnic on the beach.
These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
