Cala Salada and Cala Saladeta are two small coves that together make one of the loveliest bays on Ibiza's west coast. The Balearic tourism board calls Cala Salada a beach of sublime beauty adorned with fishermen's sheds, and the description fits. The beach is about 55 metres long and 75 metres wide, the water is transparent over sand, stones and Posidonia seagrass, and pine forests climb the hills behind it. Old fishermen's boathouses sit under the cliffs. Cala Saladeta is the smaller neighbour, separated by a low rocky bar but linked by sand, so you can walk between the two. The bay lies in the protected mountain area of Es Amunts, about four kilometres from Sant Antoni de Portmany, between the headland of Sa Foradada and Cala Llosar. The tourism board recommends staying for the sunset, when the sun drops toward the sea beyond the bay. In summer there are lifeguards, hammocks and pedal boats, plus a couple of beach restaurants, and boats from Sant Antoni stop here on coastal trips. Outside the season the services scale back, and the coves are left to walkers, photographers and anyone who wants a calm place to sit by the sea.
Getting there
Drive from Sant Antoni toward Sant Agnès and take the fork signed for Cala Salada. There is a car park near the beach, and the road is paved but narrow and winding. In summer it fills early and traffic can queue, which is a good reason to visit in the shoulder season or outside the middle of the day. Cala Saladeta is reached by a short footpath from the main beach, and the path includes steps and rocky ground, so wear shoes with grip.
What to expect
Cala Salada is a family-friendly cove with gentle entry into the water and plenty of shade from the pines at the back. Cala Saladeta is more secluded, and its small beach tucks against the cliffs. The seabed has seagrass and rocks as well as sand, so water shoes are useful. In the cooler months the sea is cold and there are no lifeguards, so swim only on calm days and stay near the shore. The setting is lovely for a walk, a picnic or just a long look at the water.
Looking after the place
This is a protected natural area, so take your rubbish with you, avoid walking on the dunes and slopes, and keep noise down so that the neighbours in the fishing huts are not disturbed. The washed-up seagrass on the beach protects the sand in winter storms and should be left in place.
Making it a plan
Combine Cala Salada with a late-afternoon drive along the northwest coast and a sunset at San Antonio or Cala Comte. The area also works well with a morning in Sant Antoni and a lunch stop on the way. If you prefer to see the coast from the water, a summer boat trip from Sant Antoni passes the cove, but you can reach it perfectly well by car or taxi.
For travellers with limited mobility, the car park is close to the main beach, although the path to the smaller cove is not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies.
What to expect
The experience
A beach stop in two linked coves, with a short footpath between them and optional lunch at a seasonal beach restaurant.
Best time
Late afternoon for the light and the sunset, or the shoulder season for calm water and fewer people.
How long
One to two hours, longer for a picnic or a sunset.
Tips
Take water shoes for the seagrass and rocks, bring water, and arrive early in summer to find parking.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone who wants a postcard cove without the beach-club crowds.
- Families
- Gentle entry and pine shade at Cala Salada, but the path to Saladeta has steps.
- Couples
- A sunset picnic on the sand, then dinner in Sant Antoni.
- Pair with
- Cala Comte and Cala Bassa, or the Es Vedrà viewpoint, for a west-coast day.
- Time needed
- Two hours, or an evening with sunset.
Good questions
Is Cala Salada free?+
Yes, public beach access is free. Sunbeds, hammocks and pedal boats are seasonal extras.
How far is it from Sant Antoni?+
About four kilometres by road, a short drive or taxi ride.
Is it open in winter?+
The beach is public and open all year, but summer services such as lifeguards and rentals scale back in the off-season.
What is the difference between the two coves?+
Cala Salada is the larger, more family-friendly cove with a car park nearby. Cala Saladeta is smaller and more secluded, reached on foot.
Is there parking?+
Yes, there is a car park near the beach, but it fills early in summer.
