The beach where Jaume I landed
The main beach of Santa Ponça, at the head of a bay that opens to the west between the Punta des Castellot and the Caló d'en Pellicer. It's a fine-sand resort beach with a promenade, pines at one end and full facilities. Jaume I landed in this bay in 1229, and every September the town's festival re-enacts the landing on the sand.
500m
Of fine sand
1229
Jaume I lands in the bay
15km
From Palma
Today at Platja de Santa Ponça
Sea conditions today
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- Wind
- Offshore waves
Platja de Santa Ponça 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 parks nearby
Then about 2 min on foot (easy).
See it from the sea
Trips that pass by Platja de Santa Ponça. In July and August it pays to book ahead.
Santa Ponça: kayak tour in the marine reserve
Guided kayak from the Santa Ponça yacht club along the coast of the marine reserve.
Check dates and pricesBook on GetYourGuide
Santa Ponça: snorkelling in a marine reserve
Three-hour snorkelling trip from the Santa Ponça yacht club into the marine reserve.
Check dates and pricesBook on GetYourGuide
Santa Ponça: 30-minute jet ski ride
Half an hour on a jet ski leaving from the Santa Ponça jetty.
Check dates and pricesBook on GetYourGuide
What you’ll find
- Sand
- Fine sand, about 500 × 90 m of beach.
- Facilities
- Beach bar, lifeguard, toilets, sunloungers.
- Little shade
- There are pines at the south end, by sa Pinada. Elsewhere, parasols to rent.
- Snorkelling: limited
- It's a sandy beach with little marine life. For snorkelling, the rocks on the sides of the bay are better.
- Good for kids
- Fine sand, usually calm water, a lifeguard in season, toilets and playgrounds nearby. With a westerly wind waves can roll in.
- Dogs: not allowed
- Calvià bans animals on its beaches. The municipality's dog bathing areas are Punta Marroig (Palmanova) and Cala des Gats (Costa de la Calma).
How to get there
- By car and on foot
- There are free open-air car parks at both ends of the beach and spaces in the surrounding streets. In summer it's hard to find a spot near the promenade, so it's worth arriving early. It's in the centre of Santa Ponça, about 15 km from Palma along the Andratx motorway. You step straight onto the sand from the promenade, and there are boardwalks for people with reduced mobility.
- By bus
- TIB buses stop right by the sand (Platja de Santa Ponça and Sa Pinada stops). Line 106 goes to Palma, and other lines link to the rest of Calvià and to Andratx.
Best time to go
- Season
- May, June, September and October
- Time of day
- First thing in the morning or at sunset, with the sun going down at the end of the bay
- Crowds in summer
- High
It's one of the beaches in Calvià with the most hotels and apartments. In July and August it gets packed, especially around midday.
Tips and what to bring
- Arrive early in summer. The free car parks at either end of the beach fill up by mid-morning.
- Head for the south end if you want shade. There the pines of sa Pinada reach the sand.
- Stay for sunset. The beach faces west and the sun sets at the end of the bay.
- Walk up the Puig de sa Morisca. The archaeological park, on the edge of town, has Talaiotic remains and views over the bay.
- Check the festival calendar. In September, the Festes del Rei en Jaume re-enact the 1229 landing on the sand, and that day it’s very busy.
The beach faces west, at the head of a fairly enclosed bay. With the tramuntana (north wind) or levante (east wind) it’s usually calm; with the ponent (west wind) or llebeig (south-west wind) the waves roll in.
Photos of Platja de Santa Ponça
Platja de Santa Ponça features in these guides
Nearby coves
- Caló d'en Pellicer0.8 km · guide coming soon
- Platja del Toro2.7 km · guide coming soon
- Platja Gran de Torà2.9 km · guide coming soon
- Platja de Palmira3.3 km · guide coming soon
Frequently asked questions
Where can I park?
There are free open-air car parks at both ends of the beach and spaces in the nearby streets. In July and August they fill up early.
Can I get there by bus?
Yes. TIB buses stop right by the sand, at the Platja de Santa Ponça and Sa Pinada stops. Line 106 links to Palma.
Is it good for children?
Yes. It's fine sand, the water is usually calm, there's a lifeguard in season, toilets and playgrounds on the promenade.
Can I bring my dog?
No. Calvià bans animals on its beaches. The nearest dog bathing areas are Punta Marroig (Palmanova) and Cala des Gats (Costa de la Calma).
What does it have to do with Jaume I?
In 1229 the fleet of Jaume I that conquered Mallorca landed in Santa Ponça bay. A cross by the harbour marks the spot, and during the Festes del Rei en Jaume, in September, the landing is re-enacted with a final battle on the sand.