Pinarello beach is one of the gentlest on the Porto-Vecchio coast: fine, pale sand, shallow water stretching far out and a large pine wood offering shade during the hottest hours. Nestled at the head of a gulf that reaches deep inland, it faces a square Genoese tower, a rarity in Corsica. Here is everything you need to know to enjoy it, from access to the rules in force.
Pinarello beach in a nutshell
Pinarello (Pinarellu in Corsican) is a seaside village in the municipality of Zonza, about 4 km from the village of Sainte-Lucie-de-Porto-Vecchio. Its bay has several faces: the pine-wood beach, the village seafront and, just beyond, Ruscana beach, with white sand and shallow water.
The maritime pine wood covers some ten hectares according to the Conservatoire du littoral, which describes it as one of the finest coastal maritime pine woods. It protects the dune behind the beach. Thanks to its shallow depth, the beach is particularly suited to families with young children, and you can picnic in the shade of the pines.
How to get to Pinarello beach and where to park
From Porto-Vecchio, take the T10 towards Bastia. At Sainte-Lucie-de-Porto-Vecchio, follow signs for Pinarello (about 5 minutes’ drive), then turn right at the chapel, facing the sea, to reach the pine wood. Allow about 18 km and 25 to 30 minutes from central Porto-Vecchio, longer in July and August.
As for parking, the Zonza tourist office lists:
- about 200 free spaces along the pine wood, with a pedestrian path marked out by wooden barriers;
- a paying car park near Ruscana beach, from 1 May to 31 October, and parking meters along the RD168;
- spaces reserved for people with reduced mobility in the village car park and near the northern entrance to the pine wood;
- no motorhome parking between 20:00 and 9:00.
In the summer season, a shuttle also links Conca, Sainte-Lucie, Pinarello and Porto-Vecchio. Its days and times vary from year to year: ask at the Zonza – Sainte-Lucie tourist office. In summer, arriving early is still the best way to park easily.
Heritage and nature around Pinarello beach
The Genoese tower and the island of Pinarellu
Opposite the beach, the Pinarello tower stands on the island of Pinarellu, also known as Isula di i Corsi. Unlike most Genoese towers, which are round, it is square. The Conservatoire du littoral, which owns the island, describes it as follows:
- a late 16th-century construction, 13 m high on a base 9,5 m wide;
- two storeys topped by a parapet, with a sentry box;
- a tower damaged in 1650 by Barbary pirates, then rebuilt and restored by the Conservatoire.
The island rises to 52 m and is home to groves of holm oaks, low maquis, geckos and several species of bat. Access is very limited, and camping, bivouacking, fires and dumping waste are prohibited. Further out, about 900 m away, Ruscana islet is a Natura 2000 site that is closed to the public. The simplest option is to admire the tower from the beach, especially at the end of the day.
The ponds and the pine wood, a protected site
Behind the beach, the Padulatu and Padulu Tortu ponds are, according to the Conservatoire du littoral, the site’s real treasure: a group of wetlands of great ecological interest. Species recorded here include the black-winged stilt, the European pond turtle, Hermann’s tortoise, the Balearic green toad, the aphanius (a small protected fish) and an endemic Corsican butterfly, the Corsican swallowtail. The chapel of Sainte-Barbe, near the northern pond, lies within this protected area and is not open to the public.
On Conservatoire land, camping, bivouacking, fires and motor vehicles are prohibited. On the municipality’s beaches, campfires and barbecues are strictly forbidden.
Activities and life in the seaside village
The seaside village comes alive in the warmer months. The Zonza tourist office lists:
- water sports: paddleboarding, kayaking, pedalos, sailing, diving, wing foiling or e-foiling;
- horse rides in the surrounding area;
- the chapel of Saint-Joseph, built in the 18th century, which hosts polyphony concerts;
- on Ruscana beach, a small stone ex-voto erected in 1950 and a bronze dolphin sculpture installed in 2021.
In summer, a night market brings together craftspeople and local produce. In 2026, it was held on Monday evenings, from 19:00 to midnight, from late June to mid-September, according to the Porto-Vecchio tourist office. The 2027 dates should be checked before your stay. To discover the other beaches in the area, see our overview of the most beautiful beaches of Porto-Vecchio, and for the town itself, our guide to things to do in Porto-Vecchio.
Rules to know before you go
A few municipal rules apply to Pinarello beach. Dogs are banned from the municipality’s beaches from 1 May to 30 September; off-season, they are allowed on a lead. Ruscana beach takes part in the “Una Piaghja per Tutti” scheme: a wheelchair access mat and a Tiralo beach wheelchair are available in season.
As no official source gives the hours of a lifeguard post in Pinarello, ask locally, swim in the marked areas and keep an eye on children, even in shallow water.
Staying at Le Petit Pinarello, 200 m from the beach
Le Petit Pinarello is in the hamlet of Pinarello, about 200 m from the beach, which you reach on foot. After your swim, the 200 m² villa awaits with its heated saltwater pool of about 50 m², its jacuzzi and its Mediterranean garden: pétanque court, table tennis, table football, summer kitchen facing the pool and OFYR brazier. Its five bedrooms, including two master suites, sleep up to 10 guests; for a group stay, also read our guide to renting a villa for 10 in South Corsica.
Discover the villa and the bedrooms, take a look at our rates (from 650 € per night), then book your dates in Pinarello.
À lire aussi : Que faire à Sainte-Lucie-de-Porto-Vecchio et dans ses environs
Frequently asked questions
Is parking at Pinarello beach free?
Yes, partly: about 200 free spaces line the pine wood, according to the Zonza tourist office. A paying car park operates near Ruscana beach from 1 May to 31 October.
Can you go onto the island of Pinarello’s Genoese tower?
The island of Pinarellu belongs to the Conservatoire du littoral, which states that access is very limited. Camping, bivouacking and fires are prohibited there: the best option is to admire the tower from the beach.
Are dogs allowed on Pinarello beach?
Not in season: dogs are banned from the beaches of the municipality of Zonza from 1 May to 30 September. Off-season, they are allowed on a lead.
