Beaches on Mallorca’s East Coast: Best Coves & Day Plans

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Quick Orientation: How the East Coast Fits Together

From Artà’s wild corners down to Cala d’Or’s string of sheltered calas, the east coast gives you a mix of open-swell beaches, piney coves, and family-friendly resort strands. Base yourself in Artà, Cala Ratjada, Porto Cristo, Mondragó or Cala d’Or and you’re never far from clear-water swims.

East Coast at a Glance

Area/Base	Style	Good For	From Palma (drive)
Cala Mesquida / Cala Agulla	Open bays + dunes	Views, early swims	~70–80 min
Artà wild calas	Untamed coves	Hikes + snorkel edges	~70–85 min
Porto Cristo	Town + caves access	Families, calmer days	~60–70 min
Cala Varques sector	Iconic rocky cove	Strong swimmers	~60–70 min
Mondragó Natural Park	Twin coves, paths	Families + walkers	~60–70 min
Cala d’Or cluster	Pocket coves	Easy access + cafes	~60–70 min

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🏝️ Headliners & Why They’re Loved

Cala Agulla Beach

Wide sandy arc backed by pines with walking paths to viewpoints and Cala Mesquida day combos. Mornings are glassier; afternoons bring a light chop that’s fun but watch inflatables.

Cala Mesquida Beach

Dune-fringed, photogenic and a touch wilder than Agulla. Lifeguards in season; bring shade. Great lookout paths for sunset colours.

Cala Torta & Cala Mitjana (Artà)

See Cala Torta & Cala Mitjana, Artà — rugged access, beautiful teal water, limited facilities. Pack extra water and a wind layer on breezy days.

Cala Varques Beach

A classic cove with rocky shelves for snorkelling on calm days. Bring sturdy shoes for the approach and plan an early arrival in peak months.

Cala Mondragó Beach

Twin bays Cala Mondragó and S’Amarador linked by an easy coastal path. Family-friendly with pine shade and viewpoints.

Cala d’Or Beaches Guide

Pocket coves like Cala Gran, Cala Esmeralda and Cala Ferrera. Short walks, quick swims, and café stops between dips.

Porto Cristo

Sheltered town strand with facilities and a good backup plan when open bays have swell. Combine with a slow promenade lunch.

🧺 Family-Friendly Picks

Cala Agulla – Big sandy play space, seasonal lifeguards, easy paths.
Cala Mondragó / S’Amarador – Shade options, short scenic link path.
Porto Cristo – Central facilities, calmer in moderate wind.
Cala d’Or – Short entries, café-to-cove convenience.

🤿 Best for Snorkelling

Cala Torta & Cala Mitjana (Artà) – Rocky shoulders, clearer pockets on calm mornings.
Cala Varques – Shelves and arches; check swell/wind first.
Cala Mondragó – Edges of both bays; go early for visibility.

(For dedicated snorkel planning, see Snorkelling in Mallorca and Snorkelling Southeast Mallorca.)

🚗 Getting There from Palma

Ma-15 east toward Manacor for Porto Cristo / Cala Varques sector.
Ma-19 south for Mondragó / Cala d’Or.
Ma-15 → Ma-12 for Artà / Cala Torta / Cala Mesquida / Cala Agulla.

Parking tips: arrive before 10:00 in July–August; some coves use overflow lots with short walks.

🗺️ Interactive Map Pins

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🧭 Sample Day Plans

Artà Wild Coves

Morning: Park for Cala Torta & Cala Mitjana (Artà); early swims.
Lunch: Picnic in pine shade.
Afternoon: Short hike viewpoint; exit before late-afternoon breeze.

Mondragó & Cala d’Or

Morning: Cala Mondragó loop to S’Amarador.
Lunch: Picnic or chiringuito behind the sand.
Afternoon: Pop to Cala d’Or Beaches for a second swim and gelato.

North-East Duo

Morning: Cala Agulla walk to viewpoints.
Afternoon: Cala Mesquida for dunes, sunset photos.

🍴 Where to Eat & Stay

Good Bases: Artà, Cala Ratjada, Porto Cristo, Santanyí, Cala d’Or.
Ideas near beaches: beach chiringuitos for paella/grilled fish; town tapas in Artà or Santanyí after swims; promenade spots in Porto Cristo for an easy family dinner.

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🧳 What to Bring

Compact shade or beach tent
Reef-safe sunscreen; long-sleeve rash guard for peak sun
Water shoes for rocky entries (Torta, Varques)
Extra water + snacks (limited kiosks at the wild calas)

🦺 Safety & Sea Conditions

Check lifeguard flags on big beaches; red means no swimming.
Inflatables drift fast in onshore breeze—keep them tethered.
Rocky coves + swell = tricky exits. If in doubt, don’t go out.
Jellyfish show up on some summer days—scan shoreline before entering.

📅 When to Go

Month	What to Expect	Our Take
May–June	Warming sea, greener headlands	Lovely shoulder season
Jul–Aug	Warmest water, busier strands	Arrive early; bring shade
Sep–Oct	Clear water, softer crowds	Sweet spot for coves
Nov–Apr	Quiet bays, cooler dips	Coastal walks + quick swims