Cala Longa

Cala Longa lies east of Bonifacio, along a stretch of coastline that is less vertical than the city’s famous white limestone cliffs. Here the landscape becomes softer: low hills covered in Mediterranean scrub descend gradually toward a deep and narrow inlet that penetrates inland like a small natural fjord. The bay is elongated and enclosed, with shores alternating between small sandy sections and smooth rocky areas.

The seabed slopes steadily and helps maintain relatively calm water even when the Strait of Bonifacio is more exposed to wind. Colors range from emerald green in the shallower areas to a deeper blue as the inlet opens outward. The elongated shape of the bay naturally dampens wave motion, often keeping the surface more stable than in open southern-facing coves.

Behind the inlet, dense Mediterranean vegetation forms a discreet yet well-defined natural backdrop. Mastic shrubs, junipers and low bushes frame the shoreline, while the absence of large visible structures enhances the feeling of seclusion and protection. The overall setting feels more intimate and functional compared to the wide, luminous beaches closer to Porto-Vecchio.

Reaching Cala Longa by dinghy means including a safe and sheltered stop in your Corsican itinerary. Approaching slowly from the outside, you sense the gradual enclosure of the natural basin as the hills seem to close around the boat. Choosing the anchoring point requires respect for permitted zones and weather conditions, yet it offers an ideal protected stop in calm waters. Including Cala Longa in a dinghy tour between Sardinia and Corsica allows you to alternate spectacular coastal scenery with more sheltered stretches, always keeping the sea at the center of the experience.