Reaching the beach of the Three Points first means accepting an unmarked path, limestone rocks underfoot, and a complete lack of amenities. This cove south of Bonifacio is not indicated on any road signs. It can be found by following the cliffs from Cape Pertusato, after a short but demanding walk on uneven terrain. It is precisely this difficulty of access that keeps the site away from typical summer crowds.
War remnants and limestone cliffs: what the path reveals before the cove
From the access path, remnants of WWII firing positions line the route. Soldier shelters carved into the rock, remains of defensive walls – these discreet traces remind us that Cape Pertusato served as a strategic observation point.
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This military heritage is neither signposted nor maintained. It can be noticed if one pays attention to the rectangular cavities in the cliff, too regular to be natural. The interest is twofold: to understand the defensive geography of the Strait of Bonifacio and to gauge how much the terrain has remained untouched since.
To discover the beach of the Three Points in Bonifacio under the best conditions, it is beneficial to spot these remnants as waypoints: they confirm that you are following the right ridge line before descending to the cove.
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Access to the beach of the Three Points: rocky terrain and real constraints
You don’t descend to the Three Points like you would to Piantarella or Santa Manza. The path is short but unpaved, with sections on bare rock where hands are as useful as feet. No railing, no carved steps, and no shade on the last stretch.
This terrain makes the site unsuitable for young children and inaccessible for people with reduced mobility. One must also account for the return, uphill, often under the afternoon sun.
What to bring and what to forget
- Closed shoes with a non-slip sole, not flip-flops – the limestone rock wet from the spray becomes slippery in just a few meters
- Enough water for the round trip, as there are no refreshment points between the Pertusato lighthouse parking and the cove
- A waterproof bag to protect your phone and keys during the descent, where both hands are sometimes needed
- No XXL beach towel: the cove consists of rocks, not sand, and the space at the foot of the cliffs remains limited
Return times vary based on the exact duration of the walk, depending on whether you start from the lighthouse or a bit further along the path. The general orientation remains simple: follow the cliff on the sea side until you spot the descent.
Beach of the Three Points and wind: choosing the right day to go
Bonifacio is one of the windiest towns in Corsica. This factor changes everything for an exposed cove like the Three Points. Recent content about the beaches in the region now incorporates this logic: choose your beach based on the wind, not the postcard.
When the southwest wind blows strongly, the swell comes directly into the cove, making swimming uncomfortable, even risky. One should then favor the sheltered beaches on the east side, like Piantarella. Conversely, with an east wind or calm weather, the Three Points offer clear water protected by the cliffs.
Checking the marine weather on the morning of your visit is not just a prudent hiker’s reflex – it is the condition for the outing to make sense. A demanding descent to find choppy seas and a headwind is a half-day wasted.
Combining the Three Points with other sites around Bonifacio
The Bonifacio Tourist Office promotes an itinerary logic rather than an isolated destination. And on the ground, it makes sense. The Three Points are best visited as part of a loop that includes the Pertusato lighthouse and the surrounding cliffs.
From the lighthouse parking, one can combine the descent to the cove with a panoramic walk along the coastal path that runs along the cliffs to the citadel. Half a day is sufficient if you start early. In the afternoon, heading to a more accessible sandy beach for comfortable swimming nicely rounds off the outing.
Why this cove does not replace a classic beach
The Three Points are not a family swimming spot. It is a site for contemplation and micro-adventure on a morning scale. People come for the cliffs seen from below, the rock sculpted by marine erosion, and the total isolation. But you don’t spend the whole day there: no natural shade, no sandy bottom for easy entry into the water, no space to spread out.
Accepting this limit is also what protects the site. The lack of comfort discourages overcrowding and keeps the cove in its wild state. The coastline remains raw, the rock drops into the sea, and the citadel of Bonifacio can be glimpsed in the distance on the cliff.