The best coves in Ibiza to reach by boat

West coast: sand, turquoise water and sunsets

The west coast is the most rewarding for a day on the water. The bottom is pale sand in almost every cove, which means easy anchoring and that turquoise colour people associate with Ibiza. And because it faces west, any late stop turns into a sunset.

Cala Bassa

A wide, sheltered bay with a sandy bottom. Very easy to anchor and one of the few that holds a lot of people without feeling crowded. It has a beach club with dinghy pick-up.

Cala Comte (Cala Conta)

The islets offshore and the exceptionally clear water have made it the island’s postcard. Beautiful for swimming and snorkelling, though the anchorage is more exposed: best in light winds.

Cala Salada and Cala Saladeta

North of Sant Antoni, between pine-covered cliffs. It saturates quickly by road because parking is minimal, so it is far better by boat. Good shelter from the north.

Cala Tarida

Sand, clear water and the old wooden boat shelters carved into the rock, which give it a very Ibizan character. An easy mid-morning swim stop.

South: deep, well-sheltered coves

The south and south-west are the safe bet on tramuntana days. These are more enclosed coves, with pine-covered hills around them that cut the wind and leave the water flat.

Cala Vadella

Deep and protected by hills, one of the calmest anchorages even when it blows. A very good option for lunch on board without movement.

Porroig and Es Torrent

A discreet inlet that excursion boats rarely enter. The classic stop when the plan is to go ashore for lunch right on the beach.

Cala d'Hort

Facing Es Vedrà. The anchorage is not the island’s most comfortable, but the view more than compensates — and at sunset there is nothing like it.

Cala Jondal

A pebble beach with very clean water, a yacht crowd and several restaurants that collect guests by dinghy. It fills early in high season.

North: the wild side

The north is another island: pine forest down to the waterline, small coves and far less development. It is the area we suggest when someone already knows Ibiza and wants something different. The trade-off is wind: with tramuntana the swell comes in from the north and several of these coves stop being comfortable.

Cala Benirràs

The cove of the Sunday sunset drums, with the Cap Bernat islet in the middle of the view. Sand and gravel bottom, and a relaxed atmosphere.

Cala Xarraca

Deep turquoise water and rocks to jump from. Small and shallow: perfect for snorkelling, with just enough room to anchor.

Portinatx

Several inlets in a row at the northern tip. Good shelter and an easy plan if the day has come up with a westerly swell.

How to actually make the most of them

The difference between a good day and an average one is almost always the order. In July and August the best-known coves are full by mid-morning, so it pays to start early at the famous one and leave the quiet ones for the afternoon, once most excursions have headed back to port.

The other key is the wind. In Ibiza it shifts through the afternoon, and a cove that is perfect at eleven can be uncomfortable at five. We check the forecast the night before and plan two possible routes, then decide which one as we leave the berth, with the sea in front of us.