A deep cove with the es Pontàs arch a stroll away
A white sandy beach at the end of a long, narrow inlet, between rock walls with pines and holiday homes. It has every facility and a free car park next door. A few minutes' walk along the coast is es Pontàs, the best-known rock arch in the sea anywhere in Mallorca.
800m
On foot to the es Pontàs viewpoint
1961
The year the cove's first hotel opened
Today at Cala Santanyí
Sea conditions today
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- Wind
- Offshore waves
Cala Santanyí opens to the . With an offshore wind it stays sheltered; if the wind blows in from the sea, the waves come in.
Parking
Free car park next to the beach
Then about 2 min on foot (easy).
See it from the sea
Trips that pass by Cala Santanyí. In July and August it pays to book ahead.
Cala Santanyí: paddleboarding to es Pontàs and snorkelling
A guided paddleboard trip that sets off from Cala Santanyí and reaches es Pontàs.
Check dates and pricesBook on GetYourGuide
Cala Santanyí: es Pontàs kayak exploration
A guided kayak trip from the entrance channel of Cala Santanyí to es Pontàs.
Check dates and pricesBook on GetYourGuide
From Cala Figuera: boat trip to Cala Màrmols and Caló des Moro
A boat from Cala Figuera that passes Cala Santanyí and es Pontàs.
Check dates and pricesBook on GetYourGuide
What you’ll find
- Sand
- White sand, with rock along the sides.
- Facilities
- Beach bar, lifeguard, toilets, sunloungers.
- Little shade
- Only from the rock walls and the pines on the sides at certain times of day. There's none in the middle of the sand.
- Snorkelling: excellent
- Clear water and rocky seabed on both sides of the cove. There's a small diving school on the beach.
- Good for kids
- Calm water, a gentle slope in, a lifeguard in season and facilities next door. In summer there's little room on the sand.
- Dogs: no specific rule
- Some guides say dogs aren't allowed, but we haven't found the municipal rule. Check with the Ajuntament de Santanyí.
How to get there
- By car and on foot
- There's a free public car park about 150 metres from the sand. The Ajuntament (town council) did it up in 2025 (surface, walls, lighting and entrances) to add capacity. In summer it fills up early; there's another parking plot a little further south, in the resort. You drive in on the Ma-6102, the Santanyí to Cala Figuera road, and take the turn-off for Cala Santanyí. From the public car park it's about 150 metres along the street to the sand.
- By bus
- There's a TIB stop called Cala Santanyí. Line 516 (Cala Figuera, Santanyí, Campos) runs through the area. Check tib.org for which lines and timetables are running this year.
Best time to go
- Season
- May, June, September and October
- Time of day
- Before 10:00
- Crowds in summer
- High
It's a semi-urban cove with hotels and apartments around it. In July and August the sand fills up from mid-morning, and so does the car park.
Tips and what to bring
- Arrive before 10:00. The car park is free and right next door, but in summer it fills up early.
- Mask and snorkel. The best bits are the rocks on both sides, not the sandy middle.
- Walk to es Pontàs. It’s about 800 metres to the viewpoint. Go early or late in the afternoon, when it’s cooler.
- Take care at the viewpoint. You look out from the top of the cliff: don’t go near the edge.
- Leave the posidonia be. If you see dried seagrass on the shore, leave it: it protects the sand from the waves.
The cove opens to the south-east, so in the morning the sun shines right into the water. With the tramuntana (the north wind) or the ponent (the west wind) it’s usually calm; with the llevant (the east wind) or the migjorn (the south wind), the waves come in.
Photos of Cala Santanyí
Cala Santanyí features in these guides
Nearby coves
- Caló de ses Agulles0.8 km · guide coming soon
- Cala Llombards1 km
- Cala Figuera2.4 km · guide coming soon
- Caló des Moro2.8 km
Frequently asked questions
Where do I park for Cala Santanyí?
In the free public car park about 150 metres from the beach. In July and August it fills up early, so it's best to arrive before 10:00.
How do I get to es Pontàs from the cove?
On foot. A short path leads from the beach to the es Pontàs viewpoint, about 800 metres away. You see the arch from above; there's no need to go down to the water.
Does it have facilities?
Yes. In season there's a lifeguard, showers, toilets, sunbed and parasol hire, and bars and restaurants next to the sand.
Is it good for children?
Yes. The water is usually calm, the slope in is gentle and there's a lifeguard in summer. The only problem is the lack of room on the sand in high summer.
Can I bring my dog?
We haven't found a clear municipal rule. Some guides say dogs aren't allowed; check with the Ajuntament de Santanyí before you go.
Can I get there by bus?
Yes. There's a TIB stop called Cala Santanyí. Check tib.org for which line and timetable are running on the date of your visit.