Arenal Des Casat

Arenal Des Casat is not a beach for a quick jump from your rental car into the sea. Also known as S’Arenal d’en Casat or Ses Assussenes, this stretch of coast lies near Son Serra de Marina, between Can Picafort and Son Serra de Marina, in the protected natural area of Son Real. Fine sand extends in front of the water, with dunes, juniper, garrigue and pine forest behind it. Buildings remain largely out of sight. What distinguishes this place from the developed beaches of Alcúdia Bay is precisely what it lacks: direct road access, sun loungers, showers, places to eat and lifeguards.

You will therefore need to allow for a longer walk and carry your own water, food and sun protection. The shallow entry initially seems straightforward, but the exposed location can bring waves. Washed-up Posidonia is also part of the scenery. Arenal Des Casat is therefore especially suitable for people who want to combine hiking and swimming and are looking for an unspoilt coastline without a beach promenade. Its proximity to the archaeological sites of Son Real and Illa des Porros is also remarkable.

Where is Arenal Des Casat beach, and what is it like?

Arenal Des Casat lies near Son Serra de Marina in the municipality of Santa Margalida, between Punta Llarga de Son Real and Punta des Patró, around two kilometres from Can Picafort. The beach is part of the Área Natural de Especial Interés of Son Real and opens onto Alcúdia Bay.

You will find it along the largely unspoilt stretch of coast between Can Picafort and Son Serra de Marina. Behind the sand, dunes, pine forest, juniper and low Mediterranean vegetation stabilise the terrain. Roots from the vegetation may protrude through the fine, pale sand. Houses and tourist infrastructure do not define this section of coast.

The alternative name Ses Assussenes refers to the sea daffodils that grow in the surrounding area. “Assussenes” is translated as “lilies”. In addition to its landscape, Son Real is particularly notable for its archaeological significance: the Son Real necropolis and the site on Illa des Porros lie close to the coast.

The size figures require some caution. The Balearic Islands beach catalogue describes the individual listed beach as 50 metres long and 20 metres wide. The municipality of Santa Margalida, by contrast, gives a length of six kilometres for the coastal stretch from Son Bauló to Son Serra de Marina. Anyone hiking through the area therefore experiences a longer section of natural coastline, while the officially listed beach section is defined much more narrowly.

How do you reach Arenal Des Casat, and where can you park?

The most practical way to reach Arenal Des Casat is on foot from Son Bauló, Can Picafort, Son Serra de Marina or via the Son Real estate. No road leads directly to the sand, and access is considered difficult.

The Balearic Islands tourist information service recommends the coastal path from Son Bauló as the best option. This route involves a walk of around 1.5 kilometres. The path follows the coast through the na Patana area. Depending on your starting point, you should allow for a walk of closer to two kilometres or around 30 to 45 minutes, especially if you start in Can Picafort or Son Serra de Marina.

Another option begins at the buildings of Possessió Son Real. The corresponding path branches off the road between Alcúdia and Artà and leads through the Son Real area towards the coast. Which option suits you better depends on whether you prefer a coastal walk or access through the estate.

Parking is available in or near Can Picafort or Son Serra de Marina, not directly by the beach. Sturdy sandals or lightweight trainers are more practical for the walk than thin flip-flops because the paths are sandy and uneven in places.

Warning: Do not drive an off-road vehicle across the beach, through the dunes or through the pine forest. The Balearic Islands beach catalogue expressly warns that this type of access damages the protected natural area.

What are the sand, water and swimming conditions like?

Arenal Des Casat has predominantly fine sand and a gently sloping entry into the water, but its exposed location means it is not a calm place to swim every day. Sandy areas may alternate in places with coarser grains, small pebbles or rocky sections.

Posidonia debris may lie on the sand along the shoreline or be noticeable in the water. This material is not removed everywhere along this unspoilt section of coast. Posidonia is a marine plant that forms extensive underwater meadows, so washed-up remains are not an unusual sight.

The gentle slope of the shore makes entering the water easier. According to the Balearic Islands beach catalogue, the water is only around 2.3 metres deep even 150 metres offshore. However, this information should not be confused with consistently safe swimming conditions: the beach is exposed within Alcúdia Bay, and wind can bring waves and moderate swells. The swell is often slight in summer, but caution is still necessary on windy days.

Water shoes are not generally required. They can be comfortable if you dislike the feel of Posidonia underfoot or want better grip in pebbly and rocky areas. Because there is no supervision, do not swim far out if wind, waves or your own fitness give you cause for concern.

Warning: There are no lifeguards at Arenal Des Casat. Assess the conditions yourself, do not go far into the water alone when there are significant waves, and keep children under direct supervision.

What facilities are available at Arenal Des Casat?

There are no tourist facilities directly at Arenal Des Casat. You will find no sun loungers, parasols, showers, toilets, beach bars or supervised swimming area there.

There are occasional trail markers or information boards in the area belonging to the Son Real nature reserve. They are no substitute for amenities at the beach. You must therefore carry everything you need on the walk: sufficient drinking water, food, sun protection and something to lie on.

There is no permanent shade on the beach itself. Your own parasol or a lightweight beach tent can help, but it must be secured well because of possible gusts. You should not create an improvised place to lie beneath the vegetation or beside the dunes if doing so would damage plants or the body of the dunes.

The absence of restaurants and rental services is an essential part of this stretch of coast’s character. If you need toilets, food or straightforward sun-lounger hire, the more developed beaches of Can Picafort or Son Serra de Marina are better suited.

Is Arenal Des Casat suitable for children and families?

Arenal Des Casat can suit families accustomed to hiking, but it is only moderately convenient for small children. The shallow entry is an advantage, while the long access route, lack of shade, possible waves and absence of lifeguards count against it.

The gentle slope of the shore makes entering the water easier. At the same time, the coast is exposed, so water conditions can change when it is windy. Families should therefore not base their decision solely on the water depth but should also consider the current swell.

There is also a walk of around 1.5 kilometres from Son Bauló or, depending on the starting point, around 30 to 45 minutes. Sandy and uneven paths make access difficult with lots of luggage. This route is not suitable for people with limited mobility or anyone who needs an accessible beach.

If children can manage the walk well and you can carry water, food and sun protection, you can combine hiking with a swim. For a classic family beach day with toilets, supervision and short distances, the main beach at Can Picafort is the more practical alternative.

When is the best time to visit, and how crowded does it get?

Arenal Des Casat is often most pleasant in the morning or later in the afternoon because the walk then avoids more of the intense midday heat. There is no natural shade on the sand, so both the outward and return journeys can be strenuous when the sun is high.

The early hours often bring lighter winds and calmer water conditions. This is not guaranteed: as an exposed beach, Arenal Des Casat can still have waves at these times. By late afternoon, the walk usually becomes more pleasant again, although the wind may remain noticeable.

According to the Balearic Islands beach catalogue, high occupancy should be expected during the season. Even so, its character remains different from that of directly accessible resort beaches because reaching it only really makes sense on foot and there is no tourist infrastructure on the sand. In summer, do not expect complete solitude, but neither should you automatically expect the density of a serviced urban beach.

People often gather where the main paths meet the beach. Walking along the sand for a few more minutes makes it easier to find some space. Stay on existing paths and on the beach rather than taking shortcuts across the dunes.

What can you see and do nearby?

The surrounding area is particularly good for combining coastal walks, archaeology and other beaches. The Son Real nature reserve has marked paths, coastal views and important archaeological sites.

The best known is the Son Real necropolis. It lies directly on the coast and belongs to an area that has been inhabited since prehistoric times. Offshore, Illa des Porros contains another archaeological site. Both places explain why Son Real is significant not only for its protected landscape but also for its cultural history.

Arenal Des Casat can form part of a longer hike between Son Bauló or Can Picafort and Son Serra de Marina. The municipality of Santa Margalida describes the Son Bauló–Son Serra de Marina route as a six-kilometre stretch of sandy and rocky coast and lists it with the “Blue Trail” distinction.

If you want amenities after the walk, Can Picafort and Son Serra de Marina are good options. Can Picafort has a promenade, restaurants and more easily accessible family beaches. The beach at Son Serra de Marina has a small selection of bars and basic facilities. The Can Picafort marina is around one nautical mile away.

What practical points should you consider for your visit?

For Arenal Des Casat, you should pack water, food, sun protection and suitable footwear. You cannot buy anything at the beach itself, and there is no reliable shade on the sand.

Plan your supplies not only for your time by the sea but also for the walk there and back. A cap or wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and a well-secured shade solution are especially useful. A mat or lightweight beach pad is more comfortable than a thin towel when the wind starts moving the sand.

Take all your rubbish away with you. Do not leave the marked paths unnecessarily or walk on the dune vegetation. Sea daffodils, juniper, low shrubs and pines are part of the system that stabilises the dunes. You should also avoid damaging any visible roots in the sand.

Naturism occurs along this secluded stretch of coast. There is no consistently documented rule for dogs, however, so check the current signs at your access point. As information and local regulations can change, notices on site take precedence.

The Balearic Islands beach catalogue rates the anchoring conditions as favourable for boats. However, given the protected status, possible Posidonia meadows and the responsibility for safe navigation, you should not interpret this as blanket permission to anchor anywhere.

Note: The return walk is an essential part of the beach day. Save enough water and do not wait to set off until heat, wind or exhaustion has already become a problem.