Ever dreamt of a wing foil session on crystal-clear, sandy beaches? That’s exactly what wing foiling in Corsica feels like!
We recently returned from a holiday there. Looking at the weather forecast, we only expected good wind for one day. Unexpectedly, we were lucky enough to have good wind almost every day instead! This led us to discover some valuable tips about wind patterns and the best spots in Corsica, which we’re excited to share with you.
Corsica Wind: Forecasts and Reality
We found windy.app to be the most reliable predictor, even though the intensity can vary greatly due to the channeling effect accelerating the wind.
We also learned that if a strong wind is forecast, the afternoon before is often better. This holds especially true and is more pronounced at the Tonnara spot, which we affectionately renamed Anticipatory Tonnara.
Unfortunately, no spots currently have webcams to display actual wind conditions.
Best Wing Foiling Spots in the South
The South of Corsica generally experiences more wind due to the channeling effect between Corsica and Sardinia. The most frequent wind is a western to southwestern one.
Given the greater variety of spots, we recommend the south for a wind-focused holiday. The north’s wave spot, Algajola, lacked wind during our visit, even when the south was strong.
Wing Foil Spot: Balistra
This is definitely my favorite spot because of the incredible water colors and the vast sandy beach. With its sandy bottom and shallow water, it’s also perfect if you’re visiting with kids. The wind is usually never too strong directly on the beach, which is another plus for families. The gravel road leading to the beach isn’t too bumpy, and with a little caution, you can reach this spot with any vehicle. Parking is free and directly at the spot, with ample space to set up and carry your equipment.
The water is incredibly flat, even in very strong wind conditions, making it ideal for freestyle.
The wind is usually offshore, so if you’re not yet at an intermediate level, be cautious not to drift too far out. There’s a well-organized wing foil school (Bonifacio Windsurf) here, equipped with a dinghy, which is always reassuring in case of an emergency. I unfortunately lost my wing during a strong wind session, and they were kind enough to retrieve it for me using their dinghy.
Regarding Balistra as a spot, it’s quite unique because it can be suitable for both beginners and advanced riders. However, intermediates who are not yet strong enough might be able to plane but could struggle to return to shore if the wind is offshore.
The riding area is really wide, with plenty of space for maneuvering, learning new tricks, and having fun, except for a few parked boats. It’s also never too crowded, and swimmers tend to stay in the shallow areas, so you can truly ride without worries.
I have to admit, I left a piece of my heart at this spot; it’s just so dreamy, and it’s also where I landed my first good jibe. I truly hope to visit again soon!
Wing Foil Spot: Tonnara
This spot is for advanced riders, and it’s definitely my husband’s favorite. Winds can get extremely strong here, and it’s wavier compared to the other flat spots on the island. While not a true wave spot, it offers good chops that you can have a blast surfing.
This spot works well with both western and eastern winds, though western to southwestern winds are more frequent. When the wind is present, it usually gets stronger in the afternoon and lasts very late into the evening, providing amazing sunset sessions.
Sailing abeam makes it an ideal spot with both wind directions, but it has different recommended starting points. With a eastern wind, it’s better to start from the Restaurant Chez Marco, whereas with a western wind, you can easily start directly from Tonnara beach. Both starting points offer free parking directly at the spot with plenty of space for setup.
The sandy beach at Tonnara is also a good playground for kids, and the beach colors are an added bonus.
Wing Foil Spot: Piantarella
This beach is quite crowded, and you might have to park far from the beach, leading to a long walk with your equipment. The crowds are due to the beauty of this beach and, even more so, the nearby Petit Sperone beach, which is only reachable on foot from here. Petite Sperone is one of the most picturesque beaches I’ve ever visited, with its very fine white sand and light blue, clear water—ideal for kids and those seeking relaxation and shelter from the wind.
Regarding the Piantarella spot itself, it features a school (Bonifacio Windsurf, the same one as at the Balistra spot). Given its flat and shallow water, it’s an ideal spot for beginners. However, some caution might be needed given the offshore direction of the wind.
For intermediate and expert levels, we wouldn’t recommend it, as the wing foiling space is quite small and there’s a frequent risk of hitting the sandy bottom with your foil. In any case, it’s definitely worth a visit for its beauty!
Wing Foil Spot: Sant’Amanza
This is certainly the most famous spot on the island for windsurfers. It gets crowded very easily, and parking spaces are limited, so it’s best to visit in the morning. Parking is directly at the beach, and the beach itself isn’t very wide, but being an entire gulf, there are many beaches, and the great thing is you can start from any of them.
The wind direction here allows for sailing abeam in the gulf. When we visited this spot, the wind was very light. So, we didn’t try wing foiling ourselves, but we saw many beginners enjoying it there.
Where We Stayed and What We Recommend for a Wing Foil Holiday in Corsica
We reached the island by ferry from Livorno to Bastia, which is incredibly convenient as it allows you to bring all your equipment and gear.
Our First Stop: Solenzara
Given the long travel before, we decided to stop for a few days in Solenzara before heading south. We also found good wind for wing foiling every day, which we absolutely didn’t expect!
We stayed in Solenzara at the Côte des Nacres camping. Every day, around 5 PM, a good southern wind provided us with great fun. In the morning, there were also good small waves at the southern part of the beach, ideal if you have your SUP or surf equipment with you. These waves aren’t suitable for wing foiling due to the very shallow water. In the rest of the beach, the water gets deep quickly, so there’s no risk of hitting the bottom.
The campsite is really cool, nestled in the shade of eucalyptus trees. Pitches aren’t delimited, so we practically had a giant space. The beach is directly in front of the campsite, which is just amazing for wing foiling. There’s also a hot water river directly at the campsite, perfect for rinsing our wing foiling equipment of salt water.
Additionally, we visited the Bavella region and Solenzara River from there. These trips gave us a glimpse of Corsica’s beautiful mountains and inland areas—absolutely recommended!
Our Southern Base: Camping des Isles, Bonifacio
In the south, we chose Camping des Isles near Bonifacio. It’s one of the few campsites in the area located near a beach, easily reachable on foot. The site offers ample shade, undefined pitches, clean bathrooms (including a family bath with kids’ toilets), a pool, a supermarket, and direct access to Piantarella beach. Despite these many services, prices remain very affordable—absolutely recommended!
Why Corsica for Wing Foiling?
Despite high season, this wing foil holiday was cheaper than Sardinia or other locations. That’s thanks to free parking and very cheap camping fees.
Corsica offers varied spots, unexpected wind consistency, and truly stunning beaches with warm water. Plus, the ease of ferry access makes it our top choice for high-season holidays.
Need more inspiration for your next wing foil holiday? Visit our dedicated section!
