Arriving in Bonifacio without having prepared access to the 3 Pointes beach risks losing half a day on a poorly anticipated trail. The limestone terrain, the lack of shuttle service, and the paid parking overlooking Capo Pertusato change the game compared to the beaches near the port. For a first visit, this detour to the south deserves to be evaluated with concrete criteria.
Parking and trail departure to the Three Pointes: what has changed recently
The starting point of the trail goes through parking P5, located above Capo Pertusato. This parking is paid, and its pricing has been revised to limit car overcrowding at the southern end of Bonifacio. You can no longer park just anywhere on the roadside as was still possible a few seasons ago.
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From P5, the trail descends through the maquis on sometimes unstable limestone terrain. There is no motorized alternative. Recent hiking guides (Decathlon Outdoor, AllTrails) recommend not getting too close to the edge of the cliffs, which gives an idea of the trail’s profile.
For those discovering the 3 Pointes beach in Bonifacio without coastal hiking experience, it is better to wear closed shoes and set off early. This is not a family stroll to a cove accessible in flip-flops.
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Attendance at the 3 Pointes beach by time and season
The beach remains significantly less crowded than Saint-Antoine or the coves around the Lavezzi Islands. Feedback from hikers in 2024-2025 converges on one point: almost deserted early in the morning, it fills up by late morning during the high season.
The reason is simple. The recent promotion of the site on Instagram has attracted a new audience, often coming for the photo rather than for prolonged swimming. This flow remains concentrated between 10 AM and 2 PM in July and August.
Time slots to favor for a first visit
- Before 9 AM in summer: enjoy the calm and the low light on the rocks, without encountering more than a few people on the trail
- In June or September: attendance drops significantly, the trail is more pleasant in moderate temperatures, and parking at P5 is easier
- In the late afternoon: the beach gradually empties, but the return is with the sun at your back, making the walk more comfortable
Feedback varies on this point from year to year, but the general pattern remains the same: arriving early transforms the experience.
3 Pointes beach or Saint-Antoine beach: what effort for what result
Saint-Antoine is the other major option on the Capo Pertusato trail. The difference lies first in the walking distance and the type of terrain. Saint-Antoine is quicker to access from the same parking, with a less technical trail.
The turquoise water is comparable at both sites. What distinguishes the 3 Pointes is the isolation. There are no beach bars or equipment rentals. No umbrellas for rent, no trash cans. Everything you consume, you take down and bring back up.
Concrete criteria for choosing between the two beaches
If you are visiting Bonifacio for the first time with young children or people with reduced mobility, Saint-Antoine will be more suitable. The trail to the 3 Pointes requires a minimum level of fitness and preparation.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a cove where the density of bathers remains low even in peak season, the 3 Pointes offer what Saint-Antoine no longer guarantees since its popularization. The compromise lies between ease of access and tranquility on site.
Rules to know about the southern coastline of Bonifacio
The 3 Pointes site is part of a protected area. Several common behaviors elsewhere are prohibited or heavily regulated here.
- The use of drones is prohibited throughout the area, including for recreational use
- Some beaches in Bonifacio are marked as non-smoking, as part of a local policy to reduce waste on the coastline
- The removal of sand, shells, or rock fragments is prohibited, as it is throughout the protected Corsican coastline
- No sanitary infrastructure is available on the beach or on the access trail
These constraints are not trivial. They condition the preparation of the bag: sufficient water, trash bag, sun protection. The trail has no shade, making the hike strenuous during hot hours.
Incorporating the 3 Pointes into a discovery program of Bonifacio
When you have two or three days in Bonifacio, the temptation is to check off all the beaches. It is better to dedicate a full morning to the 3 Pointes rather than rushing there between a visit to the citadel and an excursion to the Lavezzi.
The ideal pace for a first visit: leave P5 around 7:30 AM, arrive at the beach before 9 AM, swim, and return before noon. The afternoon remains free for the upper town, the port, or a walk to the cliffs.
This schedule avoids the classic trap of the visitor who arrives at 11 AM under a vertical sun, finds the beach occupied, and returns exhausted without really enjoying the site. The 3 Pointes beach rewards those who are willing to adjust their wake-up time, not those who treat it as a quick stop between two attractions.