Rondinara

Rondinara is the bay that wins arguments about the most beautiful beach in Corsica. Set on the coast between Porto Vecchio and Bonifacio, it curls into an almost perfect circle, shaped like a shell, with white sand wrapping all the way around shallow turquoise water and two low headlands closing it in. That rounded, sheltered shape is what makes it special. The water stays calm and shallow across the bay, the colour glows on a sunny day, and from above the outline is unmistakable.

It is a genuinely lovely place to swim and to spend a slow day. The shallow sheltered water suits children and easy swimmers, the sand is soft underfoot, and because the bay is tucked away it feels more natural and less built up than the famous beaches nearer Porto Vecchio. There is a campsite behind the beach and a beach restaurant or two in season, but the overall feel is simpler and quieter, which is a large part of the charm.

The honest catch is access and facilities. Rondinara takes more effort to reach: you turn off the main road onto a winding lane down to the bay, and there is little public transport, so you will want a car. Facilities are limited compared with the serviced bays, so bring water, food and shade rather than relying on finding them there. That extra distance is double edged in the best way, because it is exactly what keeps Rondinara calmer than the headline beaches, even though it still draws a crowd and fills its parking in peak August.

Who should skip it: anyone who wants full facilities, deep water or an easy roll up beach, as this is a quieter bay you have to work for. Who should go: families, swimmers and anyone chasing the most beautiful bay outline on the island. Pair Rondinara with the famous pines and red rocks of Palombaggia, the lagoon calm of Santa Giulia, or the wilder sweep of sand at Roccapina further west.

Rondinara sits on the coast between Porto Vecchio and Bonifacio, reached by turning off the main road onto a winding access lane that runs down to the bay. There is little public transport, so a car is the practical way to get there, and the paid parking near the beach fills early on hot summer days. The drive is part of the appeal, since the effort is what keeps the bay quieter than the famous beaches up the coast.

Because facilities are limited, come prepared. Bring water, food and shade, since you cannot count on finding them on the sand, and pack what your group needs for a full day. The shallow sheltered water is at its calmest early in the day, which is also the best time for space before the lane and parking get busy. June and September give warm water and the easiest access, while the height of August is the busiest stretch by far.