#301 European Rank
Plage de Nonza
Nonza, Cap Corse, Corsica, France•Mediterranean Sea• Best Season: June, July, August, September
Photo: Pierre Bona (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons source
Day-of-Visit Snapshot
3-Second Operational AnswersEDITORIAL SCORE
4.56/ 5.0
SEA TEMPERATURE
24.9°C
August 30-year average
DAILY BUDGET
€65/day
SAND & SHORELINE
Volcanic Black Sand
Gradual Drop
Live Open-Meteo European Feed
Morning Beach Pulse & Marine Telemetry
Sheltered Cove
Calm & Glassy
Calm & Sheltered (Offshore Wind)Cove aspect: Faces E (90°) · Wind: W (270°)
Cliffs and inland terrain shelter the bay from 12 km/h winds. Surface chop is suppressed; water remains clear and flat.
Significant Wave Height
...
Optimal Swimming
Swell Profile
...
Reading buoy...
Live Surface Wind
...
W (270°) · OFFSHORE
UV & Air Temperature
...
UV 5 · Moderate (SPF 30)
Cove Aspect & Shelter Compass
Seaward Orientation vs. Live Wind DirectionCove Faces E (90°)
Offshore Breeze • Cliffs block the wind; water is calm and flat
Shoreline Facing (θ_aspect)
E (90°)
Open Sea Exposure
Surface Wind Vector
W (270°)
12 km/h · Δθ = 180°
Spatial Geometry: Cliffs behind Plage de Nonza shelter the shoreline from winds coming out of W. The airflow passes over top, suppressing surf breakers.
Morning Coastal Brief for Plage de Nonza: Minimal chop, safe for wading, snorkeling and paddleboarding. Cliffs and inland terrain shelter the bay from 12 km/h winds. Surface chop is suppressed; water remains clear and flat. Models update sub-daily via Open-Meteo European marine models.
Interactive Oceanographic Climatology
Seasonal Sea Warmth & Bathing Climatology
30-Year NOAA OISST v2.1 Monthly Normals (1991–2020) · Nonza, Cap Corse, Corsica, France
Ideal Swimming
Early August
24.9°C
Air ~33°C
Comfortable, prolonged bathing for all ages
Water temperature is well above the 20.0°C bathing threshold. Prolonged leisure swimming, snorkeling, and family wading are comfortable with zero thermal shock.
Drag to scrub 12-month temperature curveEarly August · 24.9°C
| Month | Sea Surface Temp | Air Temp | Thermal Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.9°C | 19°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| February | 13.4°C | 20°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| March | 13.6°C | 22°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| April | 14.8°C | 25°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| May | 17.5°C | 28°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| June | 21.1°C | 31°C | Refreshing |
| July | 23.9°C | 33°C | Ideal Swimming |
| August | 24.9°C | 33°C | Ideal Swimming |
| September | 22.9°C | 31°C | Ideal Swimming |
| October | 20.5°C | 28°C | Refreshing |
| November | 17.9°C | 24°C | Crisp & Bracing |
| December | 15.3°C | 21°C | Crisp & Bracing |
NOAA OISST v2.1 30-year climatological normal (1991–2020).Explore all France Sea Temperatures
Swimmability Window · NOAA Climatology
Swimmable 14 Jun – 9 Oct (>21°C) · 117 days
Planning around peak water warmth (24.9°C)?
Lock in coastal villas and boutique stays near Plage de Nonza for the optimal June–July–August–September swimming window.
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Quick Summary
Preview
🏖️ Plage de Nonza (Nonza, Cap Corse, Corsica, France)
🌊 Water temperature: 24.9°C
⛱️ Beach access: 85% free public sand • Sunbeds: €20–€40
🧭 Wind & shelter: Faces E (sheltered from W winds)
📍 Guide: https://shores.cc/beach/plage-de-nonza-fr/Tip: Add this beach to your home screen to quickly check morning wind and water conditions before heading out.
EEA Bathing Water Directive 2006/7/EC
Bathing Water Purity & Statutory Standards
Status: Excellent
Microbial Water Purity
95th-Percentile Compliant
Escherichia coli & intestinal enterococci within statutory limits.
Bathing Directive Tier
Tier 1: Sufficient & Safe
Monitored across the official European bathing season.
Official European Environment Agency (EEA) water monitoring verifies recreational cleanliness, sewage absence, and safety standards across all 31 member and partner coastal nations.
Score Breakdown
Scenery & Setting4.7 / 5
Water Clarity & Cleanliness4.5 / 5
Sand & Shoreline Quality4.5 / 5
Atmosphere & Safety4.6 / 5
Accessibility & Entry Ease4.5 / 5
Affordability & Fair Pricing4.2 / 5
About Plage de Nonza
A striking ribbon of dark pebbles below a cliff-perched watchtower, tinted grey-black by old mine residue.
Key Beach Facts
Official Records•Access: Reached by descending a steep stone staircase of over 500 steps from Nonza village perched on the cliff
•Protected Status / Environment: Classified natural and cultural landscape of Cap Corse
•Notable Feature: Striking dark grey/black pebble and shale shoreline where visitors spell messages using contrasting white stones
Sand Transparency & Sunbed Index
Public sand quota, private lido density, and legal towel placement rights
Wide Open Public Sand
Free Public Sand (85%)Private Concessions (15%)
2-Sunbed + Umbrella Set Rate
€20low season→€40August peak
Daily set (2 loungers + umbrella). Front-row loungers may command premium surcharges.
Towel Bather Guidance
Abundant unencumbered shoreline. Free towel placement everywhere with minimal commercial footprint.
Legal Shoreline Rights: French coastal decree guarantees uninterrupted free public access along the entire littoral zone.
Arrival Logistics, Parking & Sun Exposure
Micro-logistics, parking payment taxonomy, and topographic shadow schedules.
Parking Payment & Rates
Free Parking
Free Verge / Unpaved Roadside
Follow local municipal parking signage to avoid fines during summer peak hours.
Sun Exposure & Cliff Shadows
Direct Sun Cutoff: ~15:30 in August
Limestone walls cast shade over the sand 2 to 4 hours before sunset. Arrive early morning for warm swimming light.
Footwear & Karst Protection
Recommended for Shingle / Pebbles
Pebbles and dark sand become scorching hot by midday and challenging under barefoot tread.
Amenities & Facilities
Bathrooms
NoShowers
NoFree Parking
YesFood / Tavernas
YesGood for Kids
YesDog Friendly
YesLifeguard on Duty
NoSunbed & Umbrella Rentals
YesNatural Cliff/Pine Shade
YesWheelchair Accessible
NoSnorkeling & Watersports
YesNudist / FKK Friendly
NoGetting There & Local Notes
Getting there:
Located near Nonza, Cap Corse, Corsica. Accessible via regional coastal roads (42.790°N, 9.343°E).
Discreet Utility: Rough Road & Trail Access
Reaching Plage de Nonza involves dirt tracks or steep trails. Booking a rental SUV or 4x4 provides higher clearance for unpaved coastal roads.
•Deepens quickly, pebble entry, can be breezy.
•Beneath the cliff-top village of Nonza on Cap Corse's wild west coast.
Nearest Airport & Transit Gateway
AJA / FSC · 35m driveFly to Figari or Ajaccio and explore the secluded coves by rental car.
Are you a Venue Owner or Promoter at Plage de Nonza?
Promote your beach club, summer residency, or submit photo & data updates to Shores.
Frequently Asked Questions about Plage de Nonza
What is the water temperature at Plage de Nonza?
The peak summer sea surface temperature at Plage de Nonza averages 24.9°C (77°F), based on 30-year NOAA satellite climatology.
What type of coast or sand is Plage de Nonza?
Plage de Nonza is classified as a volcanic black sand shoreline located in Nonza, Cap Corse, Corsica, France.
Is Plage de Nonza good for families with kids?
Yes, Plage de Nonza is suitable for families and children with manageable water entry.
Are there parking and facilities at Plage de Nonza?
Free parking is available. No public restrooms directly on-site.
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