Capo Sant'Andrea (rocks)

West of Sant'Andrea beach, the Marciana coastline turns into a long shelf of granite polished smooth by sea and wind: these are the Cote Piane, which run all the way to Capo Sant'Andrea. The rock is studded with large pale crystals of orthoclase, a type of feldspar, and forms flat slabs ideal for sunbathing. There is no sand: you enter the clear water straight from the rocks, and it gets deep almost at once.

Getting there

Drive to the hamlet of Sant'Andrea along a narrow, winding road that branches off the provincial road circling the western side of the island. Parking is about 100 metres from the beach. The rocks cannot be reached by car: a path with wooden boardwalks and steps cut into the granite starts on the left-hand side of the beach and, past the small jetty, leads out onto the rocks.

Which wind to go with

The rocks face north and west, exposed to winds from the west round to the north-east, such as the mistral and the tramontana (north wind), while they are sheltered from southerly winds. The best days are those with sirocco or a southerly breeze.

Facilities and tips

There are no facilities on the rocks themselves: bars, restaurants and a beach club are on nearby Sant'Andrea beach. The rocky seabed is full of fish, making it ideal for snorkelling straight from the shore. Bring reef shoes, a thick towel and water, as there is no shade. In spring succulents cover the rocks in fuchsia flowers.