Beaches West Intro

The west coast of Ibiza is famous as the perfect place to enjoy the island’s spectacular sunsets. These really are so spectacular that ‘a sunset view’ enhances property values inordinately along this coast. The beaches along its length vary from long expanses of sand to tiny coves – and all are beautiful.

Cala Bassa

Is there anything better than taking a boat out to a beautiful beach on a hot summer's day? We doubt it! This is a holiday dream you can experience for real in San Antonio. During the summer season, there is a regular boat service from the harbour to Cala Bassa, one of the prettiest bays on the west coast. "Oh no, there's bound to be hordes of British clubbers out there," we hear some of you older holidaymakers sigh. "Great, finally somewhere we can have some fun," the younger generation cheers. We believe it's a good thing that tastes vary, because so do Ibiza's bays and beaches. After a crossing that lasts just half an hour accompanied by a bracing sea breeze, you land in a bay surrounded by pine trees. The sandy beach is interspersed with craggy cliffs, a sea of colourful beach umbrellas glows in the sun and pedalos bob around in the shallows. It's true that Cala Bassa is never going to win a "peace and quiet" award, but this won't put the visitors off. After all, not everyone wants to spend their time counting fluffy clouds in the sky or achieve a state of blissful nirvana when they are at the beach. Meeting new people is also a great way to have fun and if you prefer to stay away from the crowds, you can explore the area for yourself and pick out a quieter spot near the cliffs. Cala Bassa is a big place and if you've remembered to pack your snorkel, you're in for a great time. There are restaurants and bars to suit all tastes and budgets: there's even a self-service bistro. If you're not into the "McDonalds scene", you can opt for one of the other restaurants. Nobody's forcing you to do without your meal of crisp salad or fresh fish served under the shady pine trees and the service is great, too. You don't have to take the boat or a bus from San Antonio to reach Cala Bassa. If you prefer to travel by car, take the road from San Antonio to San Jose, turn right towards Cala Bassa/Cala Comte and then follow the signposts. A free car park is provided.

Cala Carbo

Hidden away in between the beaches of Cala d’Hort and Cala Vadella this beach is not normally overly busy. Its name refers to a time when the area was thick with forest and therefore a useful source of charcoal for fuelling the local lime kilns. The beach itself fans out from the head of a narrow cove, which provides the shelter that makes this such a lovely spot to swim. It is about 70 metres long and 50 wide with a restaurant at either end and slopes gently into the sea, which has a fairly rocky (slippery) bottom. Getting in and out of the sea can be easier from the front of the boathouses, rather than over the slippery pebbles just offshore beneath the waves. As another alternative there’s a diving/sunbathing platform just out of sight over the rocks further to the right. It is possible to see Es Vedra from here, but you'll have to swim a fair way out. You'll also notice that the sea takes on a new character outside the cove...

Cala Codolar

This unusual little beach seems to have an atmosphere all of its own. The approach road is a dusty camino that winds its way a kilometer and a half down through untouched woodland till you suddenly emerge at the beach. The beach itself is sheltered, sandy and about 50 metres long. There is a small beach kiosk serving drinks and snacks like burgers and hot dogs and the ambience of the whole place belies the fact that at the top of the hill behind you is a huge modern holiday housing estate. The one consolation is that a set of steps ascend to the top of the cliff upon which the estate was built. From there you have a spectacular and unusual view all the way down the west coast of the island to Es Vedra. This can be particularly special at sunset...

Cala Comte

Cala Conta beach combines a heavenly sunset with relaxed people and chill-out music. The tracks are tailored to a young, international clientele and that's exactly what you'll find here - seeing, being seen or just hanging out with friends enjoying a refreshing drink. When the sun touches the horizon behind the little island of Ses Bledes and the sky shows its more colourful side, the terrace of Sunset Ashram provides spectacular front row seats. The service personnel are young and friendly, the menu offers snacks and a wide variety of Mediterranean cuisine. In the high season it gets quite busy at Sunset Ashram as Cala Conta is a popular beach with locals and holidaymakers alike. Unfortunately that means the beach can get pretty full. The constant flow of sea currents in the area paints the waters here in every blue and turquoise tone imaginable. The reggae bar on Cala Conta, near to the excellent S'illa des Bosc restaurant, offers delicious drinks. It's a lovely alternative and about 100 metres away from the Sunset Ashram. Those wishing to escape the lively part of the beach should slip on some comfortable shoes and walk along the rocky coast. Cala Conta on the west coast can be reached from Sant Josep or Sant Antoni. Just follow the signs.

Cala Corral

This sheltered little bay sits just to the north of the long Cala Tarida beach and is a natural cove that local fishermen have valued for centuries. It is reached by taking the right turning downhill from the roundabout that is Cala Tarida. At the foot of the hill you will find a small harbour for a couple of dozen boats, which you will need to negotiate in order to reach the cove. The bay into which the harbour empties is semi-circular and dominated more by small boats than beach lovers. It is a real contrast to the busy main beach of Cala Tarida.

Cala d' Hort

One of the most popular beaches of the south coast by virtue of the towering presence of the imposing island of Es Vedra and her little sister, Es Vedranella. The sandy beach runs in a wide sweep of a couple hundred metres between the towering cliffs that surround the bay and, despite the massive size of the magical island offshore, the beach still gets good waves from the open sea when the wind comes from the south. This could be because the island is actually several kilometres offshore. Only the foolhardy should attempt to swim to the islands, the rest of you should join us at one of the two restaurants on the sand, or make the journey to the excellent 'Es Boldado' restaurant perched on the cliffs at the western end of the beach.

Cala de Bou

This long beach is sheltered from the open sea by a promontory called Punta Xinxó, from which it derives its nickname and into which a row of old boat houses have been built. The surrounding area is dominated by huge hotels, but for this reason the local amenities are plentiful.

Cala Gració

Most people know that the main beaches in San Antonio are bursting at the seams in summer. However, few are aware that just a short distance away from the tourist temple, there are quiet, sandy bays that offer the perfect opportunity to enjoy a day out at the beach. One of these is Cala Gració. Although it is no more than two kilometres away from San Antonio town centre, the atmosphere here is relaxed and refined. The sandy bay nestles among the craggy cliffs to the west of the island. The beach is soft, well maintained and ideally suited to families. There is just one beach restaurant, "Sa Bresca", which is owned by Vicente Ramón Costa where visitors can enjoy tasty snacks or fresh fish. It is a local fixture that has been here for the past 45 years. "In the past, townsfolk used to travel out to visit Cala Gració in their spare time," the owner confides. Many of them still come here today. So it's no surprise that a peaceful atmosphere is a priority for people on Cala Gració. How to get there: the bay is located just a couple of kilometres from the town centre. Take the bypass towards Santa Agnes and watch out for the signpost on your left.

Cala Gracioneta

This is a pretty little beach at the head of a narrow cove surrounded by woodland to the extent that you can almost completely forget that you're within walking distance of nearby San Antonio. The beach is only 30 metres long but 60 wide, which means it can accommodate more people than you'd imagine at first glance. Its fine golden sand does get very busy because swimming in this bay is a bit like swimming in a natural pool. On the other hand it's perfectly safe for young children by virtue of there being so many people so close at hand all the time. There is a restaurant in the trees above the beach providing all of the amenities that you might desire - and very often live music in the evenings too.

Cala Llentia

This little beach is one of the least known on the west coast and is not signposted, even from the nearby beach of Cala Codolar. This however, along with the lack of facilities of any sort, makes this little corner of the west coast particularly special. This whole coast is, of course, famous for its sunsets as it faces to the west and almost every other beach along this stretch of coast boasts a sunset bar or restaurant, if not several. The beach is small with a fisherman's boathouse on one side. It sits at the head of a narrow cove with cliffs on either side and can be reached down a steep but fairly accessible path. To reach the beach you need to follow the coastline south by clambering over the promontory from Cala Codolar. Don't forget to pack a picnic!

Cala Moli

A bit off the beaten track in the south western corner of the island, this beach is like a miniature version of its neighbour, Cala Vadella, but without the ‘pueblo’. This lovely beach is just large and remote enough to ensure that it never really feels busy. In fact it isn’t busy, since there’s no public transport to it, nor large population centre nearby. For this reason its 80 metre length of fine white sand exudes peace and tranquility, which is reflected back by the surrounding wooded hillsides. When you tire of relaxing there is a small hostel with a restaurant and swimming pool at the back of the beach.

Cala Pinet

This curved bay of about 80 metres is sheltered from the open sea by the Punta Pinet promontory, from which it derives its name. Otherwise it is much like the other beaches of the Cala de Bou coastline. Its only particular claim to fame is a small waterpark at its western end, which is popular with the kids despite the close proximity of the sea.

Cala Salada

Just north of San Antonio, and merely a difficult 2 hour walk along the coast, this beautiful cove is like a busy Benirras. People already parking before you get halfway down the long descent. It consists of two beaches separated by rocks, into which have been built traditional fishermen's boathouses that could only exist in the tideless Mediterranean. The largest beach is accessible by road and at it's southern end sits a beach bar and restaurant that, mid-summer, offers a sunset into the sea. The smaller, more tranquilo northern beach is called Cala Saladita and offers late afternoon shade and a more alternative, remote feel. A hundred yachts are moored up in the bay and Spanish families fill every table at the restaurant with animated conversation, gesticulation and mastication. The large kitchen can just accommodate the six chefs filling paella dishes the size of suburban circular baths. Smells good, but you'd need to book early to get in on the Sunday action. If your Spanish is good enough and you're cheeky enough, you might befriend some serious local Spanish 'movers and shakers' at their most jovial? Not accessible by public transport, but worth a visit by car if you're one of those people born lucky when it comes to finding a parking spot. Or bring the private yacht and pose whilst enjoying your Sunday out.

Cala Saladita

It’s a simple equation and easy to follow, even for those who struggled through maths at school: the further away a beach is from the car park, the fewer people go there. This is the case with Cala Saladita, a narrow, sandy bay that can be seen from the neighbouring bay of Cala Salada. If you don’t just want to see the beach, but actually set foot upon it, you will have to be prepared to clamber over rocks and up hills to get there. Before you decide to take on this rather gruelling challenge this summer, you should check that you are suitably equipped: do you have everything that you need for a beach that has no “tourist infrastructure” to speak of? We’re referring to the towel, drinks and a snack that you'll need to take with you. We also recommend taking a sun umbrella (shady spots are few and far between) and a snorkel. This will allow you to explore the amazing underwater world around this craggy part of the coast. Even experienced divers say that you will find marine creatures swimming around just under the surface here that you would usually have to dive much deeper to find. So take a dip and look for the colourful fish, anemones, starfish, sea urchins and coral And don’t be surprised if you even see an octopus or two swimming by. Have fun! Cala Saladita: the bay next to Cala Salada. Drive from Sant Antoni towards Santa Agnès and take a left at the signpost. The road to the coast is narrow, so drive carefully! Parking spaces can be hard to find in the summer season.

Cala Tanit

Most people following the coastal footpath from Caló des Moro to Cala Gració walk past this tiny beach without ever becoming aware of its existence. It is set at the foot of a ten metre cliff along the top of which the footpath passes. A tiny set of steps leads down to a group of boathouses, beyond which is the five metre long beach. Since the beach is only two metres wide and easily covered with a handful of towels, most people scatter themselves around the boathouse runways or nearby flat rocks. It’s not perfect for sunbathing, but the crystalline waters lend themselves perfectly to swimming and snorkeling.

Cala Tarida

This beautiful beach is almost 300 metres long and 40 wide. In fact it’s huge and it needs to be because there are many summer visitors to the urbanization of Cala Tarida throughout the season. There are two small islands joined to the sandy beach, which break it up into three sections and the slope into the sea is very gentle. Numerous varieties of water sports are represented too, so there’s plenty for the kids to do. At the back of the beach the many hotels, apartment blocks and restaurants ensure that there are ample entertainment options to complement the daytime sporty ones.

Cala Vadella

You can hear the cars creaking and groaning as they drive over the sandy track through Cala Vadella. Speed freaks might complain about the lack of tarmac, but romantics are delighted to discover that the main road through a tourist attraction has retained so much old world charm. One thing's for sure when taking the dirt track along the beach: drivers will have to slow down to a crawl! Adults and children will be pleased to hear that they will not have to fear for their lives every time they make their way to the bars, restaurants and shops close to the beach. Cala Vadella must have been breathtakingly beautiful before people started building in the bay. The coast has a raw, natural charm and the surrounding bluffs are topped with pine trees. Sadly, the original beauty has been marred somewhat by a couple of truly hideous buildings, for which the construction companies, architects and planning officials should be sent to live on the moon. We have Mother Nature to thank for the fact that the bay has managed to retain its natural beauty and romantic atmosphere: craggy precipices, a white sandy beach and a sea shimmering with ever-changing shades of blue. Cala Vadella is perfect for families with children. Cala Vadella: located on the island's south-west coast. Can be reached by taking the coastal road from Cala Tarida, or via Sant Josep. Follow the signposts.

Caló de s'Olí

Calo de s'Oli is a sandy beach some 50 metres long lies between the coastal path and the sea. It’s not a particularly attractive beach in itself being a bit on the stony side rather than the sandy alternative, which is why the focus tends to stray over to Kumharas. This outdoor beach restaurant is easily distinguishable by the stone tower in its garden. The ethnic atmosphere and alternative music make this venue a real contrast to anything else you’re likely to find in this part of the island. Definitely worth a visit, if you fancy a break from the usual San Antonio bay chaos to chill out with a very respectable sunset vibe...

Caló des Moro

The new San Antonio promenade has now reached this beach and is set to continue on from here all the way to Cala Gracio. This makes the walk from central San Antonio along the Sunset Strip even easier and quicker. The downside of this is that there probably won’t be much room left on the sand by the time you arrive. However, if you don’t want to make lots of new friends by sharing their towel, you can content yourself with the many conventional tourist offerings (souvenir shops, pubs and hamburger stands) available just a short walk away.

Caló des Serral

One of several beaches along the San Antonio Bay southern coastline and therefore well served by the local amenities and the numerous hotels nearby. Convenient if you’re staying at one of the nearby hotels, a bit crowded if you have other options…

Es Pouet

Es Pouet beach marks the boundary between the municipalities of San Antonio and San José, making it the most southerly of the beaches in the former. It is a short walk along the wooden beach promenade from the town’s main beach and, in fact, the centre of San Antonio. For this reason, and by virtue of being surrounded by hotels, it is always busy with tourists who don’t want to have to travel too far before laying out their towels.

Playa de S'Estanyol

This pleasant beach is made up of two inlets adjacent to the Hotel Tagomago. The smaller one is about 70 metres long, the other, in front of the hotel, about 130 metres long. The beach is sandy and well sheltered and the sea shelves gently into the sea, making this a very safe place for swimming. There are also regular ferries to San Antonio port throughout the summer

Port des Torrent

Cala d'es Torrent is a large sandy beach at the head of an inlet sheltered by the adjacent Punta Pedrera promontory. It derives its name from the 'torrente' (storm river) that flows down from the surrounding hills whenever we experience heavy rain. This also explains the lush vegetation that follows the torrente down to the beach providing welcome shade in the hot summer months. It is a busy beach because it is one of the prettiest along this stretch of coast, and because there are many holiday hotels in the surrounding area.

Punta Galera

Do you enjoy natural stretches of coast without sandy beaches, without comfortable loungers and loud bars? Do you yearn for the romantic and prefer peace and quiet to hurly burly? Then Punta Galera on Ibiza's west coast could be the perfect place for you. During the high season you certainly won't be alone on Punta Galera, but your companions will be here for the same reasons, and you certainly won't be fighting the crowds. Off in the distance you can see Conejera Island and the deep, crystal clear waters promise welcome coolness. Over the course of centuries Mother Nature has created a number of flat rocks of various heights where you can make yourself comfortable. In the nineties this rough rocky beach was a favourite meeting place for the party crowd. If you had been at one of the legendary full moon parties in the west of the island it was a certainty you'd be celebrating the coming of the new day with them here. In those days you could often be sure to have this place all to yourself, but Punta Galera is, like many of those long-lost places on the island, now well known. There have even been film scenes shot here. While with increasing popularity there are more visitors these days, the configuration of the rocks is such that you can still find a secluded spot. The descent down to the plateau is not terribly difficult, but be sure to wear some comfortable shoes with good soles and take everything you'll need for a day on the beach e.g. water, snacks and sunscreen or an umbrella or hat. To get there from Sant Antoni head towards Santa Agnes and then follow the signs to the left. When the paved road turns into a bumpy camino you are best advised to park your car and walk the rest of the way.

San Antonio

Being right in the centre of the town of San Antonio, this is one of the busiest beaches on the island - despite its enormous size. For the same reason bars and restaurants jostle for business side by side along the edge of the beach. All are relying on a captive audience who don’t want to travel too far for either the beach or liquid refreshment... For this reason, we take special pleasure in presenting pictures of this splendid expanse of sand on a day when everybody else stayed at home...