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Saleccia Beach & Agriates Desert (Corsica) – Photos + Travel Tips

Last updated on September 7, 2018 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

The Agriates Desert Corsica lesser known than other parts of the island. Yet it is home to pristine Saleccia Beach and some of the most white sand beautiful beaches I have seen. Plus you can hike in the maquis with splendid mountains views. Below is my guide to help you plan your visit.

Saleccia Beach Corsica Agriates Desert
Quick Navigation
About Saleccia Beach and the Agriates Desert Corsica
How to get to Saleccia Beach and explore the Agriates Desert
Desert des Agriates Map
D81 - Road around the Desert des Agriates
Boat trip to Loto Beach
Lotu Beach
Hiking to Saleccia Beach
Saleccia Beach
Ostriconi Beach

Navigate back to the complete ​Corsica Travel Guide

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About Saleccia Beach and the Agriates Desert Corsica

Not really a desert

The Agriates desert is not really a desert. It is a wild peninsula where rocky ridges meet valleys covered with dense Mediterranean maquis.
It even has temporary streams sometimes going through the vegetation.
It has been inhabited from Neolithic times.

Throughout history it was cultivated and used for transhumance.

Since 1979, the 15,000 hectares  have bene protected and tourism has developed with boat tours, hiking and 4WD tours.

Agriates Desert Corsica

Paradise beaches

Today the Agriates area is mostly famous for its paradise beaches, especially Saleccia. 
​Some of the most beautiful beaches in Corsica are gathered here.
The whole coastline is surrounded by crystal clean water.
Pine trees, white sand, turquoise colors and the views of the Cap Corse mountains... what more could you want?

Saleccia Beach Corsica

Video

Below is a short video to give you a snapshot of the area and its beaches:

More photos after the tips to plan your visit.


How to get to Saleccia Beach and explore the Agriates Desert

Agriates Desert Location

  • The Desert des Agriates is located in the North of Corsica
  • Just South of Cap Corse and Saint-Florent
  • Boats depart from Saint-Florent
  • Calvi to Saint-Florent = 1h30
  • Bastia to Saint-Florent = 40min
  • Ajaccio to Saint-Florent = 3h (via inland road)
  • Corte to Saint-Florent = 1h30
  • The road going around the reserve is D81
  • There are only 4WD tracks in the protected reserve
Corsica Desert des Agriates map

The desert and its beaches are included in my eBooks: 

Corsica ebook cover small

7 Maps, 130 locations, 220+ photos
to facilitate planning
+ GPS coord.+ Tips to make the most of your time

Learn More

North Corsica ebook cover small

5 Maps, 85+ locations, 150+ photos
to facilitate planning
+ GPS coord.+ Tips to make the most of your time

Learn More

Boat to Lotu Beach

Your first option to visit the desert is to take a boat from Saint-Florent. From April to October there are shuttle boats from the town to the Pier at Lotu Beach.

The crossing is done under 20 minutes

Le Popeye is one of the main companies to run those shuttle boats.

This boat is a large one and it stays in the gulf so the ride is easy.

From Lotu beach it is a 1h15 walk to Saleccia.
In the Summer months there are 4WD ride between both beaches.

Boat to Loto beach Corsica

Boat to Saleccia Beach

When the weather permits, there are also taxi boat directly to Saleccia.

It goes outside the gulf, so you don't know how the conditions will be to approach the beach. Therefore rides may be cancelled.

Plus it is a small boat and there are no piers. So you have to get off the boat with your feet in the water.

It should take around 20min.

Boat to Saleccia beach Corsica

4WD Tours

As I said, there are no roads in the desert but there are 4WD tracks. Several companies are running tours departing from Saint-Florent or the village of Casta.
If you have your own 4WD, you are allowed to enter the desert. It is a 12km - 45min drive to the coast from Casta. The track is very bumpy.

Hiking

As I said earlier you can hike between Lotu beach and Saleccia Beach. You can either take the inland track or the coastal track (longer).

And if you are into longer hiking trails, you can complete the whole coastal walk (Sentier du littoral) from la Roya Beach to Ostriconi beach. It requires 14h for 35km. Old sheperd houses have been restored to be overnight accommodation.

For a shorter hike: From La Roya beach in Saint-Florent to Saleccia beach, it is a 6h hike.

Where to stay

Acocommodation Patrimonio

The best place to stay to explore the region is of course Saint-Florent. There is a large choice of accommodations in the town and by the beach.
Check out the best rated accommodations in Saint-Florent


However I have a preference for staying in Patrimonio just 10minutes away. It is a wine region with splendid scenery.
I stayed at Auberge Lustincone. I enjoyed it. The house has charming rooms, great food and fantastic views from the terrace and pool!

Check out photos and availability


Desert des Agriates Map

At several points of entry to the desert, you can find the map of Desert des Agriates. It has all the walking times.
I recommend planning a little bit more because I have noticed that walking times in Corsica are for very fast walkers.

The desert is limited to the South by road D81 from which you can enjoy great views of the reserve. Check out my pictures n the next section.

You can see the village of Casta and the 4WD track that goes to Saleccia and Lotu.

Desert des Agriates Map

D81 - Road around the Desert des Agriates Corsica

As you arrive from the South (Calvi, L'ile-Rousse or even Corte), you will be driving along D81.
It is a road in good conditions, easy to drive. You will find a few places to park along the way (the GPS coordinates of my favorites are in my eBooks).
From there you can see the rocky edges of the desert and the valleys it has created.

Road around the Desert des Agriates Corsica 1

And in the background you have the gulf of Saint-Florent and the mountains of Cap Corse.
The highest peaks in the area are Cima d'Ifana(479m in altitude) and Monte Genova (421m).
However the most recognisable is Monte Jenuva with its pointy head:

Road around the Desert des Agriates Corsica 2

As you can see, it does not look at all like a desert. It is covered with Mediterraneean maquis: low and dense vegetation.

Road around the Desert des Agriates Corsica 3

Boat trip to Loto Beach

The boat trip to Lotu beach is short but very enjoyable.
You can see a lot during the trip:

  • Saint Florent and how it is protected by mountains
  • How the mountains of Cap Corse plunge straight into the sea
  • On the way you will noticeLa Mortella. It is a Genoese tower with a long history. It was built between 1553 and 1555. It was critcial for the protection of the region. If you are from England or Ireland, you may have seen similar towers. That because Admiral Nelson decided to built similar ones in 1794.
Boat trip to Loto Beach 1
Boat trip to Loto Beach 2
Boat trip to Loto Beach 3
Boat trip to Loto Beach 4

Lotu Beach

Lotu beach is one of the most protected beaches in the desert. As it is still inside the gulf, the waters are calmer.
It is quite a large stretch of sand.
What i love the most about it, is that you can enjoy fantastic views of the mountains of Cap Corse while relaxing on the sand.

Notes and Tips:

  •  as you can see in the picture, sometimes dead leave of Posedonia algae land on the sand. It can happen at every beach. And they are very important for the protection of the coast. So sometimes, a beach can look more or less like paradise.
  • you might see cows wandering the area. Do no approach. Let them be. it is their home.
  • There is a small eating café near Lotu beach. However it opens only in June
Lotu Beach Corsica 1

As you walk in the inland track to Saleccia beach (shorter than the coastal track), you can admire Lotu beach and the lagoon from above. And you get better views of the Cap Corse mountains.

Lotu Beach Corsica 2

And further into the walk is one of my favorite views in Corsica: the Loto Lagoon, the beach, the gulf and the mountains. It is absolutely splendid.

Lotu Beach Corsica 3

Agriates Desert Hiking to Saleccia Beach

Hiking in the Desert

The tracks are well maintained and properly indicated. It is easy to get around.
Just be careful of the animals. Don't invade their space.
As you can see below, you will find small poles indicating directions. The 'Saleccia par l'intérieur' means Saleccia via inland track (because there is also a coast track)

Agriates Desert Hiking to Saleccia Beach 1
Agriates Desert Hiking to Saleccia Beach 2

Inland Hike from Lotu to Saleccia beach

The path goes up and down, but it is an easy walk. There is no technical difficulty at all.
However there is not much shade, so be sure to bring lots of water and protective clothes.

Agriates Desert Hiking to Saleccia Beach 3

On the way there are some great views of the desert with its rocky summits.
You can even see the tall mountains in the background (sometimes still covered in snow, over 2000m in altitude)

Agriates Desert Hiking to Saleccia Beach 4

It is quite popular in Summer, but outside the main season you can really enjoy the walk almost all to yourself.

Agriates Desert Hiking to Saleccia Beach 5

Towards the end of the walk, you will have the surprise to enter a wooded area. It is a pine forest! 
Considering how hot it can be, it is quite enjoyable.
Note that if you arrive by 4WD, you still have to walk 5 minutes to reach the beach, you can't get closer by car.

Agriates Desert Hiking to Saleccia Beach 6

And then the sea appears... And I got one of my favorite pictures of my whole trip 🙂

Agriates Desert Hiking to Saleccia Beach 7

Saleccia Beach Corsica

And here we are. This is Saleccia beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Corsica.

The white sand beach stretches for over 1km. It is a mix of mesmerizing colors and shapes:

  • White sand dunes
  • Rocky heads of the desert
  • Turquoise water
  • Mountains of Cap Corse
Saleccia Beach Corsica 1
  • Saleccia also has eateries but they are opened only in Summer. There is one at each end of the beach (but not right on the sand)
  • This beach is more open to the sea, therefore you can get bigger waves - be careful
  • Since there are no roads, the beach does not get too overcrowded in Summer, which is rare in Corsica. But still avoid weekends as this is were locals will go.
  • There is a campsite open in Summer just 300m from the beach
Saleccia Beach Corsica Sand Dune 2
  • A bit of history:

in 1943, the submarine Casabianca delivered weapons to the resistance on this beach.

  • And a fun fact:

In 1961 some fo the scenes of the Normandy landings were shot for 'The longest day'!!!! It is because there is no concrete building here.

Saleccia Beach Corsica Sand 3

I could have stayed the whole day watching the turquoise waves crashing on the sand...
However I had to go back to Lotu beach on foot (4WD taxis are not operating outside the summer months)
And the walk back was as beautiful!

Saleccia Beach Corsica swimming 4

Ostriconi Beach

At the East end of the Desert des Agriates, you can find my favorite beach in Corsica: Ostriconi.
This one is accessible by car (GPS coordinates in my eBooks).
You can see the typical rock formations starting at the other end of this long white sand beach.

Ostriconi Beach Corsica
Ostriconi Beach Corsica 2

Planning a road trip in Corsica ? Check out my eBooks with practical map to facilitate your planning:

Corsica ebook cover small

7 Maps, 130 locations, 220+ photos
to facilitate planning
+ GPS coord.+ Tips to make the most of your time

Learn More

North Corsica ebook cover small

5 Maps, 85+ locations, 150+ photos
to facilitate planning
+ GPS coord.+ Tips to make the most of your time

Learn More


Want to see more of CORSICA?

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ILE ROUSSE CORSICA

NEXT: 

THINGS TO DO IN SAINT-FLORENT CORSICA

Tourism Corsica Travel Guide

Stunning, isn't it?

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