Ibiza beach overcrowding: 1,513 at Platges de Comte

At 3pm on 4 August, 1,513 people were counted at Platges de Comte in Ibiza — nearly three times the 537 people the study estimates the beach can physically accommodate. At the busiest point, each person had about 2.67 m2 of beach space, 4.83 m2 below the 7.50 m2 reference figure. The Ibiza & Formentera Sustainability Observatory recorded the figures during fieldwork from 1 to 4 August 2026.

The pressure was not confined to one peak. Weekday attendance averaged 1,073 people, almost double the estimated capacity, leaving 3.75 m2 per person. The count included people on the sand, including sunbed areas, and in the bathing area.

A sharp contrast at Santa Eulària

The pilot study examined two very different Ibiza beaches: the semi-natural Platges de Comte and the urban Platja de Santa Eulària. Platja de Santa Eulària has 16,688 m2 of surface area and an estimated physical capacity of 2,225 people.

Its highest count was 618 people at noon on 1 August. That was 27.8 per cent of its estimated capacity, with around 27.00 m2 available per person.

The Observatory said the figures for Platges de Comte could affect both the beach-dune system and the experience of people using it. It said the study provides objective data to measure the pressure on each site and guide its management.

888 vehicles counted on weekdays

The study also counted parked vehicles at Platges de Comte. The weekday high was 888 vehicles, compared with 756 at the weekend, while the daily average was 622.

The two nearby car parks and restaurants together cover about 29,526 m2 of protected rural land. Parking there has no specific regulation. The Observatory plans to continue monitoring and consider measures tailored to beaches where estimated capacity is repeatedly exceeded.

Topics: Food & dining

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com