Saleccia

In the northern part of Corsica not far from Cape Corse, there is a spectacular place called Saleccia beach. The area is that of the Agriates desert, a region of Mediterranean scrubland that stretches from San Fiorenzo (Saint-Florent) to Isola Rossa (L’Île-Rousse).

This is the only area of Corsica that has no roads running along the coast, and the charming bays and gulfs that adorn it can only be reached by sea. The alternative to descending to the sea are kilometers of impervious overhanging roads, but very few people venture among these dangerous rocks.

The Saleccia anchorage is one of the wildest and most beautiful places in Corsica, however, you can only anchor there in very good weather and calm seas. It is not particularly protected and sheltered from the winds and can become dangerous at any moment.

Many consider Saleccia beach to be the most beautiful in all of Corsica, and despite the great difficulty in reaching it, on some days of particularly good weather and flat seas it is crowded. So many people are also due to the many ferries that disembark tourists from the port of Saint-Florent.

Ferries leave the port averaging one every 15 to 30 minutes and go to Saleccia or nearby Lodu beach. There is also an off-road service that leaves from the village and goes close to the beaches.

Only the bravest will reach it on foot, as the trail is about 15 km long downhill (and uphill) in the blazing sun. Going to these areas by car is strongly discouraged, because of the rough, unpaved roads you risk cracking your leaf springs, unless you have a sturdy 4×4.

There is nothing around the beach other than a seasonal kiosk bar, and before you reach a town you have to walk a few hundred meters to find a campsite. The beach is very large, an expanse of about 300 meters of very white sand with a shallow seabed that slopes gently going offshore.

The Saleccia has also been used to shoot film and documentaries, including 1962’s The Longest Day, which chronicles the Allied landings in Normandy. The Saleccia anchorage is certainly a wonderful place, however, one can only safely anchor there if the weather conditions are certified favorable.

A short distance away is the port of L’Île-Rousse, where one can anchorage at anchorages and go ashore with a tender. The port of Macinaggio is located SE of Cape Corso, sheltered and sheltered even in heavy seas and strong westerly winds.