Petit Sperone beach in Bonifacio: turquoise water and a discreet approach

If you are looking for a white-sand beach in the south of Corsica, away from the crowds at Palombaggia, Petit Sperone is worth the detour. East of Bonifacio, next to the Sperone golf course, this small cove faces the island of Piana, with the Lavezzi archipelago beyond, and its water turns turquoise over the pale sand. Here is what you need to know to get there, spend the day and combine your visit with a trip to the Lavezzi islands.

Why Petit Sperone beach is worth the detour

Three things set it apart from the many beaches between Bonifacio and Porto-Vecchio.

Very clear water over a sandy seabed. Petit Sperone is a sheltered cove between granite headlands. The white sand on the bottom gives the water its colour, somewhere between turquoise and emerald. When the sea is calm, it is a pleasant place for families to swim, as long as you keep an eye on children: there is no lifeguard.

Getting there on foot takes a little effort. You cannot park next to the sand: you have to walk from the neighbouring beach of Piantarella. That is enough to put some visitors off, although the beach is still very busy in July and August.

A view of the island of Piana and the Lavezzi. From the sand, you look out at the island of Piana, close by, and behind it the Lavezzi archipelago, in the Bouches de Bonifacio nature reserve.

Where exactly is Petit Sperone beach

The beach lies at the south-eastern tip of Corsica, in the commune of Bonifacio, just south of Piantarella beach, which has a small harbour and a sailing school. GPS coordinates (OpenStreetMap): 41.3708° N, 9.2210° E.

Petit Sperone is one of the two Sperone beaches. Its neighbour, Grand Sperone, is larger and faces due south; it is about 15 minutes’ further walk along the edge of the golf course. Petit Sperone, which faces east, is smaller and more secluded.

Walking past Sperone golf course: rules and good habits

The Sperone golf course is private property; the beaches, however, are part of the public maritime domain. To make sure your walk goes smoothly:

• Stay on the path. Do not cut across the greens.
• Give way to golfers. If a group is playing near the path, wait until the shot has been played before you pass.
• Respect the Bouches de Bonifacio nature reserve, which includes the beach: no fires, no camping, and smoking is not allowed on the beach.
• No drones without authorisation. In the reserve, flying below 150 m requires a special permit (decree of 23 September 1999, article 29).

Booking a trip to the Lavezzi islands from Piantarella

This is what makes the area convenient: the bay of Piantarella, about ten minutes’ walk from the beach, is the starting point for sailing and sea-kayak trips to the islands. So you can spend the morning on the beach and the afternoon at sea.

Standard boat trips leave from Bonifacio harbour, 15 minutes away by car, for half a day or a full day. The rated excursions are listed further down this page.

Sea kayaking to the islands is demanding: you need a calm sea, a guide and a good level of fitness. The crossing to the islands is exposed to wind and currents.

What the beach is like

Sand, water and seabed

The sand is white and fine. The seabed is sandy near the shore and gives way to granite rocks at the sides of the cove. For snorkellers, these transition zones are the most lively: rock fish, and sometimes an octopus in a crevice. Further out, the Posidonia seagrass meadows show as dark patches. Do not pull them up or drop anchor on them: they are protected.

Shade, wind and exposure

Very little natural shade. There are no umbrella pines as at Palombaggia. A few shrubs grow at the back of the beach, but most of it is in full sun. Bring a parasol or a beach tent.

Exposure to the wind. The cove faces east, which shelters it from the libecciu, the south-westerly wind that often blows across the south of the island. In an easterly wind, though, it can become uncomfortable and the water turns cloudy. Check the forecast the day before.

In summer, sea daffodils flower at the top of the beach, straight out of the sand. The beach is inside the nature reserve: look, but do not pick them.

Photo : Chacha Bordeaux, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Crowds by season

• In June and September, the best balance between crowds and water temperature.
• In July and August, the beach is very busy: arrive early in the morning to find a parking space.
• In May and October, few people and cooler water, around 19 °C in May and 22 °C in October (recent averages, see when to go to Corsica).

Things to do on site and nearby

Petit Sperone makes a good base for a full day out, not just for swimming.

Snorkelling

A good spot for beginners: the rocks at either end of the cove shelter fish in shallow water. You do not need a boat or a guide to swim out from the shore. Stay close to the coast: between the beach and the island of Piana, the wind and current can be strong.

Trips to the Lavezzi islands

See the section above. From Piantarella, sailing boats and kayaks are the nearest options. For a motorboat, leave from the main harbour in Bonifacio (15 minutes by car from the car park), for half a day or a full day. A catamaran trip with a snorkelling stop lasts about four hours and fits well with a morning on the beach. Once there, you may only land on Lavezzu island: see our page on the Lavezzi islands.

The island of Piana, just opposite the beach, is a tempting swim or paddle. Landing there is strongly discouraged, and prohibited from 15 December to 15 April to protect nesting birds (Agence du tourisme de la Corse, the Corsican tourist board).

Visiting Bonifacio and its cliffs

Just 15 minutes away by car, the old town of Bonifacio, perched on its limestone cliffs, deserves half a day of its own. Our guide to visiting Bonifacio covers the Bouches de Bonifacio, the King of Aragon’s Staircase and the citadel.

Walking to Sperone point

The coastal path links Piantarella with Petit Sperone and then Grand Sperone, along the edge of the golf course. Sperone point itself is taken up by the golf course: stay on the path. Bring water and closed shoes, as there is no shade.

Petit Sperone or Grand Sperone: which to choose

The two beaches look alike but do not suit quite the same visitors.

If you are travelling as a couple or with friends, Grand Sperone has more space. With young children, Petit Sperone is closer and more sheltered.

Practical tips

What to bring

• A parasol or beach tent, as there is little shade.
• Closed shoes for the walk in, on a stony path.
• Plenty of water, since there is no water point on site.
• A mask and snorkel, to make the most of the rocks.
• Sun cream, used sparingly, since the beach is in a nature reserve.
• A rubbish bag, to take away everything you bring, cigarette ends included.

Best time of year and best times of day

In the morning before 10am or after 5pm: the light is better for photos and there are fewer people. Avoid the early afternoon in high summer, both for the sun and for the crowds.

May, June, September and early October: the best period. The water is still cool in April, around 16 °C (recent averages), but the sky and light are often beautiful.

Respecting the site

The beach lies within the Bouches de Bonifacio nature reserve. A few rules to follow:

• Do not take sand, shells or rocks.
• Do not anchor boats on the Posidonia meadows (visible from the shore as dark patches).
• No fires, no wild camping, no smoking on the beach.
• Take all your rubbish away with you.

Combining Petit Sperone and a Lavezzi trip: a perfect day

A typical day, with the beach in the morning and the sea in the afternoon:

Morning (9am to 12.30pm): arrive at Piantarella, walk to the beach, swim and snorkel from the shore.

Lunch (12.30pm to 2pm): picnic on the beach or a quick meal around Piantarella.

Afternoon (2pm to 6pm): a three- to four-hour boat trip to the Lavezzi, by sailing boat from the bay of Piantarella or by boat from Bonifacio harbour.

Book your trip in advance in July and August: afternoon departures are the most popular.

Further reading

• Visiting Bonifacio: complete guide
• The Lavezzi islands: what you need to know
• All the beaches in Corsica
• Southern Corsica: the general guide