The 6 best coves in Formentera

Formentera, our beloved Mediterranean gem, is a small island just south of Ibiza, famous the world over for its dreamlike beaches and coves, with crystal-clear water and white sand. Its popularity peaks in high season, when thousands of visitors arrive looking for their own corner of paradise. That is why it is always worth exploring the island outside the busiest months: you will be able to enjoy the peace and authenticity that make it so special.

In July and August, the best-known beaches and coves fill up with people and lose some of their charm. If you can, visit the island in low or shoulder season (May, June, September and October) and you will enjoy the true serenity of our little Mediterranean paradise.

An exceptional way to discover the most hidden coves is hiring a boat in Formentera: no more worrying about parking or restricted access, and you reach every corner by sea. If you are after something simple, take a look at our small boats, the ones that until now were hired out as licence-free boats. Bear in mind that, since 1 October 2026, the law requires at least the navigation licence to skipper any hire boat, including the small ones. You get it by taking a short theory and practical course, with no exam.

Cala Saona

Cala Saona is a cove with around 140 metres of sand on Formentera’s west coast, between Punta Rasa and the Caló d’en Trull, surrounded by cliffs. Its calm waters make it ideal for families, and in season it has a lifeguard service (in 2026, from 1 May to 31 October).

How to get there: by car, leave Sant Francesc heading towards cap de Barbaria and take the signposted turn-off to the west; the tarmac ends at a car park next to the beach. By bike, there is a green route from la Savina to Cala Saona along country lanes through pine woods and dry-stone walls.

Next to the cove there is a hotel and several restaurants and beach bars. In high season it is best to book a table in advance.

And if you want a truly special experience, come for the sunset: this is one of the best places on the island to watch the sun go down, and the best memory you can take home with you.

Source: formentera.es

Ses Illetes

This beach, in ses Salines Natural Park, on the western side of the es Trucadors peninsula, is one of the most popular in Formentera. It has more than 450 metres of fine white sand, split into two stretches by a small rocky area, and calm, shallow, turquoise water. There are lifeguards in season.

How to get there: access to the natural park by car or motorbike is regulated and charged in season. In 2026 the scheme ran from 10 May to 15 October, with a cap on vehicle numbers and non-resident fees of €5 to €7 per car and €3 to €5 per motorbike, depending on the fortnight. On foot, by bike or in an electric vehicle, entry is free. There is also a bus from the port of la Savina, and by bike it takes about 15 minutes along the flat La Savina–ses Illetes green route (3.3 km). Whether you come for a summer swim or a walk in the cooler months, ses Illetes is one of the island’s must-sees.

To protect the dunes, stick to the wooden boardwalks and don’t walk on the vegetated sand.

Source: formentera.es

S’Espalmador

S’Espalmador is an islet between Ibiza and Formentera, just north of the tip of es Trucadors. It is privately owned, but it is part of ses Salines Natural Park and its beaches, such as the famous s’Alga bay, are public. Its protected status has spared it from development and mass tourism, making it a haven of peace.

How to get there: by sea only. Wading across from es Trucadors is prohibited because of the strong currents. In s’Alga bay there is a regulated mooring buoy field: tie up to the designated buoys and don’t anchor on the posidonia seagrass.

On the highest point of the islet stands sa Guardiola tower, built between 1749 and 1750 to keep watch for pirates and corsairs; it is the oldest of Formentera’s five defence towers. Inland lies the bassa de s’Espalmador, a lagoon famous for the mud baths people used to take there. Today these baths are prohibited under the natural park’s rules: the lagoon is a resting and breeding area for waterbirds and the mud can cause infections. Please stay outside the cordoned-off area.

Source: formenteravuela.com

Cala en Baster

This small cove on the north coast, near Sant Ferran de ses Roques, is one of the most unspoilt on the island. It has no sand and no facilities (no restaurants or lifeguards), so bring water and something for shade. The way down to the water is rocky: wear suitable footwear to avoid falls. On foot or by bike you can get there along the Sant Ferran–cala en Baster–Migjorn green route.

What makes it unique is its landscape of rock platforms and sandstone walls. The highlight is the caves that fishermen dug by hand into the sandstone to store their boats, adding a touch of history and culture to this idyllic spot. Its clear water is perfect for a peaceful swim and for snorkelling. Avoid it on days with an easterly (levante) wind.

Source: formentera.es

Cavall d’en Borràs

Cavall d’en Borràs beach is the first one you come to on entering ses Salines Natural Park, a lesser-known gem but just as spectacular as its neighbour, ses Illetes. It is about 2 km from the port of la Savina, so it is easy to reach on foot or by bike along the La Savina–ses Illetes green route. By car, take the road that skirts the Estany Pudent; remember that vehicle access to the park is regulated and charged in season.

There are several fish restaurants on the beach, including the well-known Beso Beach. Look north-west towards Ibiza: at sunset the islets of es Vedrà and es Vedranell stand out on the horizon, one of the most beautiful sunsets in Formentera.

It is also a very popular spot for anchoring during the day. If you come by boat, drop anchor only on sand, never on the posidonia seagrass, and remember that the navigation licence only allows daytime sailing: enjoy the sunset from the beach or head back to port before the sun goes down.

Source: formentera.es

Migjorn beach

Migjorn beach is the longest in Formentera: some 5 kilometres along the island’s south coast. Rather than a single beach, it is a string of coves with stretches of sand and rock, each with its own name and access points. From west to east: es Mal Pas, es Ca Marí, es Racó Fondo, es Còdol Foradat, es Valencians, es Arenals and es Copinar.

The most popular areas for swimming are es Ca Marí, es Arenals and es Copinar, with sandy seabeds stretching out into the sea. Migjorn is usually sheltered from the prevailing summer winds and has shallow water, making it a good choice if you are travelling with children. Es Arenals has a lifeguard service in season.

All along the beach you will find beach bars and fish restaurants, some of them also open in low season, which are a wonderful place to watch the sunset. How to get there: take any of the turn-offs heading south from the main road after Sant Ferran, in the direction of la Mola.

Source: formentera.es

Tips for exploring Formentera’s coves by boat

• Qualifications: since 1 October 2026, you need at least the navigation licence to skipper a hire boat. It covers boats up to 6 metres, in daylight only and no more than 2 nautical miles from a port, marina or sheltered spot. If you don’t have one, you can go out with a skipper.
• Anchoring: anchoring on posidonia seagrass is prohibited in the Balearics (Decree 25/2018) and throughout the Spanish Mediterranean (Royal Decree 191/2026). Look for patches of sand or use the mooring buoy fields, such as the one at s’Alga on s’Espalmador.
• Booking: in high season, book your boat in advance at reservas.islazulformentera.com. We set off from the port of la Savina.