Calonet Almadrava

Calonet Almadrava is not a classic beach but a quiet, rocky swimming spot below the Bellavista residential area on the coast of Llucmajor. On land, the narrow inlet divides into two small coves: to the right is a shallow, U-shaped section, while to the left lies the longer Mollet de Can Tem des Cafè. There is no sand here. Instead, the setting is defined by rocks, cliffs, rocky sunbathing areas and a rocky seabed. This pared-back character is precisely what clearly distinguishes Calonet de s’Almadrava from the nearby sandy beach of S’Arenal.

You reach the cove via a staircase with a handrail from Passeig de ses Dames. At the bottom, there is no beach bar, showers, toilets or lifeguards. Instead, the view opens across the Bay of Palma, while the rocky landscape continues beneath the water. Water shoes, drinks, provisions and sun protection should therefore be in your bag. The cove is generally visited mainly by residents of the surrounding residential areas. Caution is advisable in windy or rough conditions: this stretch of coast is exposed and offers boats suitable conditions only in good weather.

Where is Calonet Almadrava?

Calonet Almadrava lies below Bellavista on the coast of the municipality of Llucmajor, southeast of S’Arenal and overlooking the Bay of Palma. The rocky inlet is located between Caló de Can Mercadal and Calonet des Cap Alt. Several small swimming spots lie close together in the surrounding area.

The Balearic Islands beach catalogue places the cove within an extensive rocky stretch of coast that begins at Cala de Sant Antoni beside Club Nàutic s’Arenal and continues to the sandy beach of Sa Ràpita in the municipality of Campos. Between Punta de s’Arenal and Sa Pesquera des Governador are numerous other inlets, including Cala Blava, Caló de ses Lleonardes, Caló des Cap Alt, Na Plana and Es Mollet des Rei.

The Balearic Islands beach catalogue attributes the rugged shapes of this coast to wind erosion, sea currents and the mouths of torrents. Calonet de s’Almadrava is therefore part of a landscape typical of Mallorca’s southern and southwestern coast, characterised by rocky headlands, short coves and abrupt transitions to the sea.

Different distances from Llucmajor are given: the Balearic Islands beach catalogue states 16 kilometres, while the official Balearic Islands tourism portal gives 19 kilometres. From Palma, the tourism portal gives a distance of 19.2 kilometres.

What is the cove like?

Calonet Almadrava is an unspoilt rocky cove without sand, beach facilities or tourist infrastructure. The swimming spot is stated to be around 90 metres long and 10 metres wide, with the inlet dividing into two rocky sections on land.

According to the Balearic Islands beach catalogue, the section on the right is U-shaped and comparatively shallow. To the left is Mollet de Can Tem des Cafè, which is also U-shaped but longer. Both areas are rocky and characterised by small cliffs. The names can initially be confusing because Mollet de Can Tem des Cafè is also listed as a separate nearby swimming spot while forming part of this two-section landscape.

There are areas on the rocks where you can spread out your towel. However, you should not expect a soft, continuous sunbathing area. Calonet Almadrava is therefore better suited to a brief swimming stop or a few quiet hours by the water than to a beach day with sun loungers, parasol hire and places to eat.

The official Balearic Islands tourism portal describes the spot as generally quiet and visited mostly by residents of the surrounding residential areas. This lack of commercial activity is an essential part of its character: you swim here along a residential coastline, not at a managed holiday beach.

How do you get to Calonet Almadrava?

By car, you can reach Calonet Almadrava via the Ma-19, exit 13 towards S’Arenal and Cala Blava, and then through Cala Blava and Bellavista. Carretera al Cap Enderrocat, Avinguda Augusta and Carrer del Torneig are named for the final part of the route.

From the Ma-19, drive towards Llucmajor and take exit 13, signposted for S’Arenal and Cala Blava. Then follow the road to the third roundabout on Carrer de Cala Blava. Continue along the road towards Cap Enderrocat until you reach Avinguda Augusta. Follow it to Carrer del Torneig.

The official Balearic Islands tourism portal describes the route more generally: first follow the signs to Urbanització Cala Blava and then to Bellavista. The actual descent is on Passeig de ses Dames. A staircase with a handrail leads down from there to the rocky coast.

Note: Access is via steps. Calonet Almadrava is not listed as wheelchair accessible.

The route to the area near the cove is considered easy to reach by car. For the final section, however, you must walk down the staircase and later climb back up.

Where can you park at Calonet Almadrava?

You can leave your car in Bellavista or in a designated parking area before Carrer del Torneig. The directions provided by Disfruta la Playa specifically mention parking before you turn into this street.

From the parking area, head towards Passeig de ses Dames, where the staircase down to the cove is located. The final section is covered on foot via the steps. Calonet Almadrava is therefore easy to reach by car as far as the surrounding area, but you cannot drive directly to the water.

There is no consistent information about how many spaces are available or whether parking is subject to a charge. Pay attention to local signs and make sure you do not block entrances in the residential area.

Note: Do not rely on finding a space immediately beside the staircase. Use the designated parking area before Carrer del Torneig and plan to complete the remaining distance on foot.

What are the water, rocks and swimming conditions like?

In calm weather, Calonet Almadrava is suitable for swimming and exploring the rocky seabed, but it offers neither sandy access nor supervision. Water shoes are expressly recommended because of the rocky surface.

The seabed continues the cove’s rocky landscape beneath the water. The official Balearic Islands tourism portal highlights it as interesting for diving, while the Disfruta la Playa beach guide also recommends the cove for underwater observation. There is no designated water sports area.

Because the coast is exposed, wind and swell can significantly change the conditions. The Balearic Islands beach catalogue mainly describes winds and sea forces that can strike the coast from directions ranging from southwest to north. Even shallow-draught boats cannot find reliable shelter here in unfavourable weather.

For swimmers, this means assessing the sea before entering and avoiding swimming when the water is rough. There are no lifeguards or first-aid station. Calonet Almadrava has also not been awarded a Blue Flag.

Warning: The cove is not a sheltered natural pool. In windy conditions or stronger swells, the exposed rocky coast offers little protection, and there is no rescue service on site.

The swimming spot offers only limited comfort for children. There is no sand, play equipment, supervision or easily accessible entry into the water. Anyone visiting with children should pay particular attention to the rocky surfaces, steps and current water conditions.

What facilities are available?

Calonet Almadrava has no tourist beach facilities. There are no showers, toilets, kiosk, restaurant, first aid, lifeguards, playground or water sports station.

Sun loungers and parasols are not available for hire either. You should therefore bring your own drinks, food and sun protection. The official Balearic Islands tourism portal expressly recommends packing provisions and something to drink. Water shoes are also a sensible part of your basic equipment.

The rocky platforms serve as sunbathing areas but are no substitute for a level sandy beach. Pack as lightly as possible, as you must carry everything down the staircase and back up again later. The following items are particularly useful for a visit:

• water shoes for the rocks and rocky seabed
• enough drinking water and food
• your own sun protection
• a towel or mat for the rocky surfaces
• minimal, easy-to-carry luggage for the staircase

No food or drink options are mentioned directly at the cove or in the immediate vicinity of the beach. If you want to stay longer, you should therefore bring everything you need before descending.

Sailing and fishing are listed as permitted with restrictions. You should check the signs and local regulations to determine which specific rules apply on the day of your visit. There is no landing stage or jetty.

When is Calonet Almadrava quiet and when is it worth visiting?

Calonet Almadrava is generally considered a quiet swimming spot visited mainly by residents of the surrounding residential areas. The Balearic Islands tourism portal lists the cove as a destination for winter, spring, summer and autumn without specifying a particular main season or opening hours.

Because there are no seasonal beach restaurants, rental services or supervised swimming areas, a visit depends less on operating hours than on the weather and sea conditions. Along this exposed coast in particular, calm conditions are more important than the calendar month. Before descending, check how the wind and sea are affecting the rocks.

No specific information is available about visitor numbers at different times of day. However, the cove is described as generally receiving few visitors. This does not guarantee an empty spot: the usable rocky areas are limited, and even a few groups can make the small swimming area feel noticeably busy.

If you simply want to swim and enjoy the view across the Bay of Palma, Calonet Almadrava is easy to plan as a short stop. For a long beach day, bear in mind that there are no toilets, food or drinks, parasol hire or supervision.

Which coves and places are nearby?

Several small rocky coves lie directly beside Calonet Almadrava, while S’Arenal and Club Nàutic s’Arenal mark the nearest larger coastal area. The immediate surroundings have a particularly dense concentration of small swimming spots.

Mollet de Can Tem des Cafè is listed in one beach directory as being around 76 metres away. At the same time, according to the Balearic Islands beach catalogue, this longer inlet on the left forms part of the two-section cove of Calonet de s’Almadrava. This dual classification explains why the name appears both as part of the cove and as a separate neighbouring swimming spot.

Other nearby alternatives include:

• Caló Fort, around 180 metres away
• Punta de ses Puntes, around 290 metres away
• Calonet des Cap Alt, around 407 metres away

The nearest harbour is Club Nàutic s’Arenal. It lies on the stretch of coast that begins at Cala de Sant Antoni. Those looking for an extensive sandy beach instead of rocks will find the southeastern section of Platja de Palma in S’Arenal. In the opposite direction, the rocky coast continues past more small coves towards Sa Ràpita.

The short distance figures refer to the locations of the swimming spots relative to one another. They do not mean that every section can be reached directly along the waterline without a detour. For access, follow the roads and staircases in the respective residential areas.

What should you know before visiting?

For Calonet Almadrava, you should be prepared for rocks, stairs and complete self-sufficiency. The spot is straightforward if you are looking for a simple place to swim, but unsuitable if you expect comfort, sand or supervised conditions.

The weather is the most important consideration. According to the Balearic Islands beach catalogue, the cove is suitable for boats to approach and anchor only in good conditions. Skippers can then anchor on suitable sandy patches off the coast if they can identify such areas opposite the beach. The exposed location is problematic in windy or rough conditions; the cove is not a safe harbour.

There are also no safety or comfort facilities on land. There is no supervision, first aid or wheelchair access. Although the descent via a staircase with a handrail is considered easy, you must be able to manage steps.

The Disfruta la Playa beach guide lists dogs as not permitted. As local rules and signs may apply, you should follow the information displayed at the access point. Naturism is also not designated for this cove.

Fishing and sailing are possible only in compliance with the applicable restrictions. Leave the rocky sunbathing areas clean and take packaging and other rubbish with you, as there are no beach services.