Formentera caves: the Cova Foradada and others to visit

Formentera is famous for its beaches and turquoise water, but its cliff-lined coast also hides caves that are well worth a visit: some can be seen from land and others only from the water. Many are on stretches of coast that are hard to reach on foot, so boat hire in Formentera is a great way to see them from the sea.

In this article we tell you which caves you can visit on the island, starting with the best known: the Cova Foradada, a natural balcony over the Mediterranean next to the Cap de Barbaria lighthouse.

The Cova Foradada: a balcony over the Mediterranean

The Cova Foradada is one of Formentera’s most special spots. It is at Cap de Barbaria, the island’s south-western tip, just a few metres from the lighthouse, and it leads to a natural viewpoint open to the sea, high up on the cliff.

How to get to the Cova Foradada

From Sant Francesc, follow the road south to the Cap de Barbaria lighthouse. From 15 May to 15 October cars and motorbikes cannot drive all the way to the lighthouse: you have to park at the Tanca d’Allà Dins, before the barrier (about 60 spaces for cars and 100 for motorbikes), and carry on on foot or by bike. Several of the Consell’s green routes also lead here.

The cave is a few metres from the lighthouse, facing the sea. You get in through a hole in the ground about 2 metres deep, climbing down a wooden ladder. Inside, the cave opens out onto the sea above the cliff.

Tips for your visit

• Comfortable footwear: the ground is uneven rock.
• Take care: the way down is vertical and the cliff is about 100 metres high. The Consell advises taking extreme care; do not go near the edge.
• Water and sun protection: there is hardly any shade at Cap de Barbaria.

Why it is worth it

What makes this cave special is its opening, a natural window looking straight out to the open sea. At sunset the light is beautiful, and from the lighthouse area you can watch the sun go down with the islet of es Vedrà on the horizon.

Cave next to Cap de Barbaria lighthouse. Photo: shaorang from Puerto de Santa Maria, Cadiz, España, CC BY-SA 2.0

Other caves in Formentera

Punta Rasa caves (Cala Saona)

On the west coast, next to Cala Saona, the cliffs of Punta Rasa hide underwater caves that you can see by kayak or paddleboard from the cove, or by coming in close by boat. If you want to scuba dive in them, go with a dive centre: we recommend Formentera Divers, the island’s go-to centre, at Calle Almadraba 7 in la Savina (open all year round, tel. +34 971 180 561), which runs try dives, courses and guided dives.

The boat caves of cala en Baster

On the north coast, near Sant Ferran, cala en Baster is a rocky cove with no sand, surrounded by walls of marès sandstone. Fishermen dug caves into the rock by hand to store their boats, and today they give the cove a very special feel. There are no facilities and it is best avoided when the east wind (levante) is blowing.

Cova d’en Xeroni

The Cova d’en Xeroni, next to the road between Sant Ferran and la Mola, was discovered in 1975 when the landowner was digging a well, and for years it was visited as a show cave. Today it is not open to the public: according to the Showcaves directory of show caves, it closed in 2018. If you are interested, ask at the tourist office before you go.

Tips for visiting Formentera’s caves

• Non-slip footwear: the rock can be slippery, especially near the water.
• Don’t forget your camera: the views from the Cova Foradada are among the most beautiful on the island.
• Respect the environment: don’t leave rubbish and don’t take stones or fossils.
• From the sea: if you go by boat, only anchor on sand, never on posidonia (it is prohibited in the Balearics), and remember that the navigation licence only allows daytime sailing.

When to visit the caves

Spring and autumn are good times: it is less hot and there are fewer people. In summer, go first thing in the morning or at sunset, and remember that from 15 May to 15 October you have to leave your car before the Barbaria lighthouse. For the coastal caves, choose a day when the sea is calm.

Visiting Formentera’s caves is a great addition to your beach days. Don’t miss the Cova Foradada, the island’s finest natural balcony, and if you go out by boat or kayak, take a look at the caves of Punta Rasa and cala en Baster.