Introduction

After an amazing time road-tripping the Cap Corse, we found ourselves in Saint-Florent, the perfect base to explore the Agriates Desert, especially the secluded beaches of Saleccia and Lotu.

As we were visiting Corsica off-season in September, it was relaxing, and we didn’t need to book anything in advance. But if you travel during July or August, be sure to plan.

Saleccia and Lotu beaches are amongst the most beautiful beaches we have ever seen, and if you are traveling to France and Corsica, visiting them is a must.

In this article, we’ll share everything you need to know to visit the beaches of Saleccia and Lotu, including various options for getting there, where to eat, and so on. Whether you are planning a trip or simply dreaming of your next adventure, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here!

Saint-Florent & The Agriates Desert: At a Glance & Travel Tips

The Highlights

• The Vibe: Known as “Little Saint-Tropez,” Saint-Florent is the gateway to the rugged Agriates Desert.
• The Stars: Saleccia (wild and vast) and Lotu (calm and turquoise): two of the most beautiful beaches in France.
• Top Strategy: The “Dolce Vita on Foot”: Speedboat to Saleccia, scenic 1h15 coastal hike to Lotu, and a ferry back to town.

Essential Tips

• Timing: September is the “sweet spot”—warm water, fewer crowds, and a relaxing pace.
• Connectivity: Grab an eSIM (5GB or 10GB) to keep your GPS active while hiking.
• Getting There: Fly into Bastia and rent a car; it’s a scenic 35-minute drive to Saint-Florent.
• Booking: If visiting in July/August, book your boat transfers and hotels well in advance!

Good to know

The Agriates Desert is a unique and rugged region located in northern Corsica, offering a striking contrast to the island’s more populated areas. Known for its dramatic landscapes and Mediterranean scrubland. The region remains largely unexplored, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience Corsica’s wilderness up close.

Among the highlights of the Agriates Desert are the stunning Saleccia Beach and Lotu Beach, both renowned for their crystal-clear waters and pristine sands. Saleccia Beach, in particular, is a serene escape, famous for its white sand and untouched beauty. Its remote location, accessible only by foot or boat, ensures a peaceful and secluded atmosphere, perfect for those looking to unwind in a natural paradise.

Similarly, Lotu Beach, located near Saleccia, offers another quiet refuge, surrounded by lush landscapes and the calm Mediterranean Sea. This beach is an ideal spot for swimming, sunbathing, or simply relaxing in solitude, making it one of Corsica’s best-kept secrets.

Both beaches, nestled in the heart of the Agriates Desert, provide a perfect escape into nature, offering unparalleled tranquility away from the crowds.

Getting to Saint-Florent

Saint-Florent is the best starting point to visit the Agriates Desert, Saleccia Beach, and Lotu Beach.

Driving is one of the most convenient ways to reach Saint-Florent. It is located about 25 km northwest of Bastia, Corsica’s second-largest city. You can drive from Bastia to Saint-Florent in around 30-40 minutes.

The road is well-maintained, offering scenic views of the coast along the way. Or you can do a road trip around the Cap Corse the day before, which will be unforgettable.

In both cases, you will need to rent a car, which you can pick up directly at the main airports.

Where to Stay in Saint-Florent

Saint-Florent, often referred to as Corsica’s “Little Saint-Tropez is the closest town and we would recommend staying there:

• (€):  Mulinu Biancu: A simple and budget-friendly stay, perfect if you’re looking for a base without breaking the bank.
• (€€): Résidence San Roccu: A comfortable mid-range option with more space and amenities, great for longer stays.
• (€€€): Hôtel Flor: A higher-end choice offering more comfort and services, ideal if you want to treat yourself.

How to get to Saleccia and Lotu in the Agriates Desert

There are multiple ways to visit Saleccia and Lotu in the Agriates Desert. You can visit each beach separately, or together:

1. The Lotu: Return ferry from Saint-Florent to Lotu beach
2. Saleccia – Dinghy: Return speedboat from Saint-Florent to Saleccia Beach
3. Ship & Jeep: Return ferry from Saint-Florent to Lotu Beach with a 4×4 trip to a restaurant
4. Dolce vita on a Dinghy: Ferry from Saint-Florent to Lotu Beach, speedboat to Saleccia and return to Saint-Florent by speedboat.
5. Dolce vita on foot: Ferry from Saint-Florent to Lotu Beach, hike to Saleccia, speedboat back to Saint-Florent
6. Dolce Vita via Jeep: Ferry from Saint-Florent to Lotu Beach, 4×4 to Saleccia, speedboat back to Saint-Florent
7. Complete tour of the Agriate: Ferry from Saint-Florent to Lotu Beach, hike to Saleccia, 4×4 back to Saint-Florent
8. Hike from Saint-Florent (Around 22km, one-way)

We would recommend the “Dolce Vita on foot”, that’s the option we chose, and we loved it. Only, we did it backward. We started with a speedboat from Saint-Florent to Saleccia, then hiked to Lotu, and finally took the ferry back to Saint-Florent.

In any case, we would recommend using the company “Le Popeye” based in Saint Florent. That’s the one we used, and everything was great. You can get your ticket online directly or at their booth located to “La maison des Pizzas” restaurant in Saint-Florent.

When to Visit

The best time to head to these hidden gems really depends on the kind of trip you’re dreaming of. If you visit in the spring, from March to May, you’ll find the Agriates Desert in full bloom. The landscape is covered in wildflowers, and the weather is mild, typically between 15°C and 22°C, making it an ideal time to hike the coastal trails without the summer heat.

Of course, if you’re a true sun-seeker, summer is when the turquoise water is at its most inviting. From June to August, temperatures sit comfortably around 30°C, which is perfect for swimming, though you should expect a much more vibrant and crowded atmosphere.

For us, autumn is the ultimate sweet spot. During September and October, the Mediterranean stays warm enough for long swims, but the heavy summer crowds have thinned out, leaving a much more peaceful and relaxed vibe. If you’re craving total solitude, you could even visit in the winter. It’s too chilly for a dip and many local shops close up, but you’ll have those dramatic white sands almost entirely to yourself for a truly authentic, quiet Corsican experience.

Where to eat

You have 3 options to eat while visiting those secluded beaches:

• Saleccia: Restaurant A Piniccia di Saleccia
• Lotu: Restaurant Cabane du Lodu
• Our recommendation: bring a picnic

Those restaurants operate seasonally, typically in the Summer. Specifically. Late September, the A Piniccia di Saleccia was already closed.

So, if you plan to eat there, be sure to make a reservation to confirm they are open.

Visiting Saleccia & Lotu: Step-by-Step

Speedboat

As mentioned earlier, we recommend the “Dolce Vita on foot” starting in Saleccia because Saleccia is bigger, wilder, and our favorite beach in Corsica. So, to start the day, take a 20 to 30-minute speedboat to Saleccia.

Subject to change: Daily departures starting at 9 AM, returns every hour starting at 10:30 AM, up until 7:30 PM. Departures every 30 minutes in August, from 8:15 AM up until 8:15 PM.

We recommend taking the 9 am speedboat

Saleccia Beach

Once on the beach, take your time to walk along it, and be sure not to stay too close to the speedboat drop-off area. Once you have found a cozy spot, set up the sun umbrella (be sure to have one with you; most accommodations in Saint-Florent offer or rent them).

Then, you can start enjoying this paradise. Relax, go to the sea, swim a bit, and enjoy the peace and tranquillity.

Agriates

If you’re feeling adventurous, take a walk behind the beach to uncover even more of the stunning Agriates Desert. As you wander through this untamed landscape, you’ll be surrounded by its unique flora and fauna, with the jagged terrain and distant hills offering breathtaking views.

Lunch

Around noon, enjoy your picnic on the beach or go to the restaurant behind the beach. Be sure to have plenty of water with you, and remember that those are secluded beaches with almost no infrastructure.

Hike to Lotu Beach

Two trails connect Saleccia and Lotu:

• Coastal Trail: Also known as the Customs Officer Trail (Sentier des douaniers). Takes about 1h15 to hike, easy and flat.
• Inland Trail: Takes only 45 minutes but is more demanding

Here is a map of all your options

We opted for the coastal trail and started hiking it around 1 PM. It was amazing, the views of the Corsican coast are stunning, and the trail is flat and breathtaking all the way.

Lotu beach

At the end of the trail, you will reach the pier and arrive at Lotu Beach. While it’s slightly smaller than Saleccia, measuring about 1km in length compared to Saleccia’s 1.5km, Lotu is equally beautiful.

However, it tends to be a bit more crowded, especially during peak hours. This is why we recommend ending your day here, as you can enjoy the serene atmosphere in the earlier part of the day at Saleccia and then head to Lotu for a more lively vibe to round out your visit

Ferry back

Once you’ve had enough of the beautiful Lotu Beach and feel ready to head back to Saint-Florent, take the 20-minute ferry ride back. Be sure to check the schedule for the latest return ferry, especially if you’re visiting during the off-season, as the timetables may vary. T

This scenic boat ride offers another chance to admire the stunning coastline before returning to the comfort of Saint-Florent.

Saint-Florent

In the evening, take the time to explore the charming town of Saint-Florent. Stroll through its streets, enjoy the quaint boutiques, or stop at a local café to relax and soak in the atmosphere. The harbor is particularly lovely at sunset, with the colors of the sky reflecting off the water and boats gently bobbing in the marina.

Our Saint-Florent Trip Budget

If you’re wondering what a trip to this Corsican paradise costs, here is the breakdown from our two-night stay. We spent a total of 302.66€, balancing a few splurges with some budget-friendly habits.

Our biggest expense was our accommodation in Saint-Florent, which cost 180€ for two nights. We saved significantly on food by hitting the grocery store (44.74€) and local bakeries for fresh bread and fruit (7.55€). Packing these into a beach picnic is much cheaper than eating at the secluded beach restaurants! We did treat ourselves to a 14€ pizza in town for a cozy dinner.

The one expense we wouldn’t trade is the 56€ for the Le Popeye “Dolce Vita” boat trip. It was the highlight of our trip and the best way to experience the stunning Agriates coast. Spending around 150€ per person for a two-day adventure felt like a great deal for such an unforgettable experience.

Plan Your Trip to Corsica

If you are planning a full road trip around the island, you are in the right place. We have written detailed guides for every stop we made to help you plan the perfect itinerary:

• The Ultimate Itinerary: The Best 13-Day Corsica Road Trip
• Budgeting: Cost to Travel to Corsica: Our 2024 Budget Breakdown
• Essential Tips: 17 Things to Know Before Your Corsica Trip
• Where to Stay: 16 Best Hotels in Corsica for 2025
• The Best Beaches: 12 Most Beautiful Beaches in Corsica

Our Other Regional Guides:

• 11 Best Things to Do in Cap Corse: Our Perfect 1-Day Road Trip
• 6 Stunning Places to Discover in Balagne
• 15 Best Things to Do in the Gulf of Porto
• 20 Best Things to Do in Ajaccio
• 20 Best Things to Do in Bonifacio
• Lavezzi Islands: Corsica’s Best Secluded Escape
• 12 Best Things to Do in Porto-Vecchio
• 8 Best Things to Do in Corte
• 18 Most Beautiful Places in Corsica