Sand facing es Pantaleu and sa Dragonera
The sandy beach in the village of Sant Elm, also known as es Geperut, on Mallorca's south-western tip. In front of it is the islet of es Pantaleu, where tradition has it that Jaume I landed in 1229, and beyond it the island of sa Dragonera, a natural park you can reach by boat from the village itself.
130m
Of sand
15min
By boat to sa Dragonera
1229
Jaume I lands on es Pantaleu
Today at Platja de Sant Elm
Sea conditions today
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- Wind
- Offshore waves
Platja de Sant Elm opens to the . With an offshore wind it stays sheltered; if the wind blows in from the sea, the waves come in.
Parking
Pay car park next to the beach
Then about 2 min on foot (easy).
See it from the sea
Trips that pass by Platja de Sant Elm. In July and August it pays to book ahead.
Mallorca: boat trip to Dragonera island and Sant Elm
Boat trip from Andratx visiting sa Dragonera and Sant Elm.
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Sant Elm: guided kayak tour to Dragonera island with a hike
Guided kayak from Sant Elm to sa Dragonera, with a walk on the island.
Check dates and pricesBook on GetYourGuide
Sant Elm: guided kayak tour to Cala en Tió and its caves
Kayak around Sant Elm bay and along the cliffs to Cala en Tió, with views of sa Dragonera.
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What you’ll find
- Sand
- Sand, with rock at either end, about 130 × 30 m of beach.
- Facilities
- Beach bar, lifeguard, toilets, sunloungers.
- Little shade
- There are a few palms and pines behind the sand. Parasols are for hire.
- Snorkelling: good
- The interesting parts are the rocks at either end of the beach and towards es Pantaleu. The sand in the middle has little life.
- Good for kids
- Sand, a lifeguard in season, toilets, showers and the village right there. With a south-westerly wind the waves come in, so check the flag.
- Dogs: not allowed
- During the bathing season animals aren't allowed on the sand or in the water, except assistance dogs. In winter they are. The nearest dog swimming area is Cala Conills, south of the village.
How to get there
- By car and on foot
- There's a pay car park with about 70 spaces next to the beach. The village has other free surface car parks a little further away. In summer it's best to get there early. You drive there from Andratx via s'Arracó, about 8 km by road. The beach is in the middle of the village, at street level and next to the car parks. The Ajuntament (town council) provides amphibious wheelchairs for people with reduced mobility.
- By bus
- TIB has stops in Sant Elm itself, a few steps from the sand (Sant Elm 1 and Sant Elm 2), on route 121, which connects with Andratx.
- By boat
- From April to October, passenger boats leave the Sant Elm jetty for sa Dragonera, a crossing of about 15 minutes. Sailing boats and motorboats anchor off the beach.
Best time to go
- Season
- May, June, September and October
- Time of day
- First thing in the morning, or to watch the sun set behind sa Dragonera
- Crowds in summer
- Medium
It's a small village's beach, with no big hotels, but in July and August it fills up around midday, especially at weekends.
Tips and what to bring
- Get there early. The car park next to the beach is small and in summer fills up by mid-morning.
- Combine it with sa Dragonera. The boat leaves from the village jetty. Book ahead in July and August.
- Parasol or hire one. There are only a few palms and the sand is in the sun almost all day.
- Mask and snorkel. Swim towards the rocks at either end, where there’s most life.
- Stay for the sunset. The sun goes down behind sa Dragonera and es Pantaleu.
The beach faces south-west, towards es Pantaleu and the open sea. With the tramuntana (the north wind) or llevant (the east wind) it’s usually calm; with the llebeig (the south-west wind) or ponent (the west wind) the waves come in.
Photos of Platja de Sant Elm
Platja de Sant Elm features in these guides
Nearby coves
- sa Platja Petita0.2 km · guide coming soon
- Cala Conills0.5 km · guide coming soon
- s'Algar0.8 km · guide coming soon
- Cala en Basset2 km · guide coming soon
Frequently asked questions
How do I get there and where do I park?
Drive from Andratx via s'Arracó. There's a pay car park next to the beach and other free ones a bit further away in the village. The TIB bus from Andratx also runs there.
Can I get to sa Dragonera from here?
Yes. From April to October boats leave from the Sant Elm jetty and the crossing takes about 15 minutes. Check times and availability before you go, as the boats are small.
Is it good for children?
Yes. It's sandy, has a lifeguard in season, toilets and showers, and the village is right there. With a south-westerly wind there can be waves.
Can I bring my dog?
Not during the bathing season, except assistance dogs. In winter, yes. Very close by, at Cala Conills, there's a dog swimming area signposted by the council.
Why does the water sometimes look green?
The beach has had problems with algae for years. In September 2025 the council installed a pump system that moves the water to refresh it and reduce them.
What's the islet in front?
It's es Pantaleu. Tradition has it that Jaume I landed there in 1229 before the conquest of Mallorca. Behind it is sa Dragonera, which is a natural park.