Pebbles, pines and clay below the 1583 tower
A wild cove north of Sant Elm, at the foot of the sa Galera headland and facing sa Dragonera. You can only get there on foot, along a path of about 2 km through the pines, or by boat. It is small, all pebbles and rock, with very clear water, and its walls hold clay that some swimmers smear themselves with.
2km
On foot from Sant Elm
1583
Year the watchtower was built
40m
Of shoreline
Today at Cala en Basset
Sea conditions today
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- Wind
- Offshore waves
Cala en Basset opens to the . With an offshore wind it stays sheltered; if the wind blows in from the sea, the waves come in.
Parking
No parking; park in Sant Elm
Then about 45 min on foot (moderate).
See it from the sea
Trips that pass by Cala en Basset. In July and August it pays to book ahead.
What you’ll find
- Pebbles
- Pebbles and rock; deep, very clear water, about 40 × 25 m of beach.
- Facilities
- None: no beach bar, no toilets, no lifeguard. Bring everything you need.
- Little shade
- The pine woods run down the slopes, but on the pebbly shore almost everything is in the sun.
- Snorkelling: excellent
- Very clear water and a rocky bottom. Best when the sea is calm and away from the anchored boats.
- Kids, with care
- The final descent is steep with loose stones, there is no sand or facilities and the water gets deep quickly. Only with older children who are used to walking.
- Dogs: not allowed
- The Ajuntament (town council) says they are only allowed from 1 November to 30 April.
How to get there
- By car and on foot
- There is no car park at the cove. Leave the car in the streets of the upper part of Sant Elm, such as carrer de na Pòpia, where there are a few free spaces. In July and August it pays to arrive early. You set off on foot from the upper part of Sant Elm (carrer de na Pòpia or avinguda de la Trapa), along dirt tracks through the pine woods marked with cairns. It is about 2 km to the tower area, and from there a steep path with loose stones drops down to the cove. Wear hiking shoes and bring water. It is not accessible for people with reduced mobility.
- By bus
- The TIB bus (line 121, from Andratx) runs to Sant Elm. The S'Algar (Sant Elm) stop is at the start of carrer de la Cala en Basset, close to where the path begins.
- By boat
- It is a popular anchorage for boats from Sant Elm and Port d'Andratx. In summer there are usually boats in the cove.
Best time to go
- Season
- May, June and September, with a calm sea
- Time of day
- In the morning, before the heat on the path and before the boats arrive
- Crowds in summer
- Low
You have to walk, so few people go even in summer. What you notice most are the boats anchoring in the cove in high season.
Tips and what to bring
- Hiking shoes. The path has stony stretches and the final descent is steep.
- Water and food. There is nothing at the cove and much of the path is in the sun.
- Water shoes. The shore is pebbles and rock.
- Mask and snorkel. The water is very clear; swim well away from the anchored boats.
- Walk up to the tower. It is right on the path and looks out over sa Dragonera.
The cove faces northwest, towards the sa Dragonera channel. With a levante (east wind) or migjorn (south wind) it is usually calm; with a tramuntana (north wind) or mestral (northwest wind) the waves roll in.
Photos of Cala en Basset
Cala en Basset features in these guides
Nearby coves
- s'Algar1.4 km · guide coming soon
- Platja de Sant Elm2 km
- Cala Conills2.6 km · guide coming soon
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Cala en Basset?
Only on foot or by boat. From the upper part of Sant Elm a path of about 2 km runs through the pines to the tower; from there a steep path drops down to the cove. Allow a little under an hour.
Where do you park?
In the streets of the upper part of Sant Elm, such as carrer de na Pòpia. There is no car park by the cove and spaces are few.
Are there any facilities?
No. There is no bar, lifeguard, toilets or sunbeds. Bring water, food and shoes for walking and for the rocks.
Is it good for children?
It is not the best choice. The final descent is steep with loose stones, and the water gets deep quickly.
What is the tower above the cove?
It is the Cala en Basset tower, a watchtower from 1583 that guarded the coast against pirates. It stands on the sa Galera headland, about 80 metres above the sea.
Is it true there is mud?
There is clay in the walls of the cove and some swimmers smear themselves with it. If you do, don't dig material out of the walls.