Located in the south-east of Corsica, close to the Strait of Bonifacio, a beautiful bay awaits you here, promising a Caribbean feeling in the middle of the Mediterranean. In summer, it gets very crowded here both on the beach and on the water - perfect for practising evasive manoeuvres, but everything else becomes difficult. In autumn, on the other hand, the crowds have disappeared and the beautiful standing area, turquoise-green water and fine sandy beach remain, as do the pleasant temperatures.
Travelling to Corsica:
Travelling by motorhome is ideal, ferry connections with Corsica Linea and Corsica Ferries are available from the French ports of Marseille, Toulon and Nice to Porto Vecchio, Ajaccio or the ferry ports of Bastia and L'Île Rousse in the north of Corsica (journey time: 12-13 hours). Alternatively, Moby Lines offers cheaper and faster ferry crossings from the Italian ports of Livorno and Genoa to Bastia (journey time: 5-7 hours). The prices for a crossing vary between 80 and 300 euros each way, depending on the season, route and vehicle size.
Compared to this, flights are sometimes even cheaper - Lufthansa, Eurowings, Austrian Airlines and others regularly fly to Bastia Airport (from 150 euros/route). As always, it is important to check the airlines' baggage conditions and to register surf baggage in advance!
Corsica - Wind & Weather
As is so often the case, the early and late season is ideal: in the months of April to June, as well as September and October, the air temperature fluctuates between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius and the water temperature is still very pleasant at 20 degrees Celsius. This is also when there is a gliding wind (more than 12 knots) on around 60 per cent of days.
In the summer months of July and August during the holiday season, Pianterella is packed both on land and on the water. At 30 degrees Celius, it gets hot, but rarely unbearable. Those who are not put off by cooler temperatures can have wonderful sessions here, especially in winter. Air temperatures rarely fall below the magical 10-degree mark and the water also remains pleasant at 13 degrees Celsius.
The most common wind direction is the Mistral (NW-W) blowing across the Mediterranean from the Rhone Valley and the warm Libeccio (SW), which is strengthened by the jet effect between Corsica and Sardinia. In summer, the reliable thermals from the south-west in particular ensure regular gliding fun with larger sails.
With wind from westerly directions: Westerly winds arrive here as downwinds - locally stronger, but also somewhat gusty and offshore. Crossing and water starts should therefore be in order if you go out on the water in this wind direction. On the Bonifacio Windsurf Centre you can take off and head for the sandbank, where you can stand in shallow water and fine-tune your manoeuvres. With long fins, the water under the fin sometimes gets tight here. On days with a very strong mistral, there are even a few waves around the cape, but mostly it remains flat water with a little chop.
With wind from easterly directions: An easterly wind arrives much more consistently, blows onshore and is ultimately the better wind direction for this dream spot.
Piantarella - Surf schools & hire
The Bonifacio Windsurf Centre is located at the northern end of the bay. Here you can book surf courses, hire equipment or store your private equipment. Special windsurfing courses for children from the age of 5 are also offered. You can also hire SUP and kayaks, take part in guided tours or go on a longer tour yourself (only day tours possible, no overnight stays). Maps for tours are provided.
Overnight stay & camping
Corsica offers countless accommodation options - from campsites under pine trees to 5-star luxury suites, everything is available. In addition to the usual internet platforms, you can also take a look at www.bonifacio.fr help you find a place to stay. You can definitely react more flexibly to wind and weather as a camper. In Piantarella, for example, there is the campsite Camping des Îles .
The price level is sporty in some places. As everywhere, you should not leave any valuables visible in the vehicle in the larger cities. Lots of mosquitoes on the east coast - pack mosquito repellent!
Alternative programme
One bay further south is the "small beach of Sperone": also turquoise water, fine white sandy beach, bordered on both sides by two headlands of circular rocks - great for snorkelling, ideal for families with small children. On the headland between the two beaches are the Roman excavations of Piantarella, where the original foundation walls are exposed.
You can find a complete spot guide to Corsica / South with many more spots HERE .
