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 August 4, 2021
Palombaggia beach is said to be one of the most beautiful (if not the most beautiful) beach in Corsica. With its red rocks, stone pines, white sand, turquoise water and its view over Cerbicales Islands, it is indeed postcard perfect. In addition, underwater exploration awaits here. Head to the rocky area rimming the northern end of the beach: here, in a water depth of just a few meters, Neptune grass meadows, sandy areas and rocky outcrops shelter a thriving marine life.
Palombaggia beach is located in southern Corsica, about 5 kilometers south of Porto Vecchio city center. The access roads are small and often crowded in summer, making it sometimes complicated to come during high season.
Parking options are limited around the beach: there is one free parking lot (located lot north of the beach) and several toll parking areas, with limited capacity: arrive early, or opt for the shuttle service (during high season only).
Once on the beach, walk northwards (on your left when facing the sea) until you come to the first rocky point.
Enter the water from the northern tip of the sandy beach, between the two rocky points closing the bay.
Snorkeling in Palombaggia is a delight: a gorgeous backdrop, clear, warm water and a preserved marine life all make for an enjoyable exploration.
As anywhere else in the Mediterranean Sea, marine species are often attached to a specific environment. Sandy areas are loved by schools of silverfish and small groups of thicklip grey mullets. Try to spot a sole or a small octopus almost perfectly fading in the backdrop.
The meadows are the place to spot salema porgy, going by in sometimes big schools. Hiding in Posidonia are the most interesting fish to spot, such as peacock wrasse and broadnosed pipefish – this one is another camouflage expert.
Finally, the most colorful fish all dwell in the rocky areas, where water is oxygenated by waves: look for ornate wrasse, rainbow wrasse and painted combers there.
The site is part of Bouches de Bonifacio Marine Reserve (the largest of mainland France) where fishing has been regulated since 1999: as a consequence, the density of fish and variety of species is particularly important here.
Palombaggia is over-frequented during summer: expect traffic jams, lots of people in the water, jet skis, and boats roaming around. If you come during high season, be mindful of your environment during your snorkeling.
Palombaggia hosts many restaurants, private beaches and beach snacks along its kilometer of sand. You will have no trouble finding food and drinks here.
This reference identification guide includes all the 860 marine fish species that may be encountered while snorkeling in coastal Western Europe and the Mediterranean.
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.
