Sunset at the Sanguinaires Islands: from La Parata or at sea

You watch the sunset over the Sanguinaires Islands from Parata Point, 11 km from Ajaccio, or from a boat anchored off the islands. The sun sets around 9 pm in late June and around 5 pm in December. At La Parata, climb to the foot of the Genoese tower on the marked path and allow time to park and walk up. At sea, evening cruises leave from Ajaccio and Porticcio (from €50, 2 h 30 to 3 hours), often with an aperitif.

Sunset times

Paris time, calculated for the 15th of each month for Mezzu Mare island with the NOAA algorithm. On the longest day, the sun sets around 9.03 pm.

From La Parata

The Parata peninsula faces the archipelago due west: for much of the year the sun goes down behind the islands. Park at the Grand Site car park, then follow the marked path to the top of the peninsula and the Genoese tower, 55 m above the sea. Allow time for the climb, and bring a torch for the way down after dark.

Parking is charged from 8 am to 7.45 pm: in summer, arriving after 7.45 pm costs nothing. The visitor centre’s toilets close with it (7 pm in July-August, 6.30 pm in May, June, September and October). Everything is detailed on the Parata Point page.

At sea

Evening cruises leave from Tino Rossi harbour in Ajaccio and from Porticcio, last 2 h 30 to 3 hours and cost €50 to €60 on GetYourGuide (checked on 9 November 2026). The best seller, the « Magic sunset cruise », is rated 4.8 out of 5 from 1,646 reviews. Nave Va also offers an evening with Corsican wine tasting and live music, at anchor in the gulf (from €70). See the boat trip comparison.

Why “Sanguinaires”

One explanation for the name has to do with sunset: the crimson light that seems to “bloody” the porphyry rocks just before the sun disappears. There are other theories, see the islands’ history.