Discovering Cala Sa Nau: Mallorca’s Hidden Beach Haven

4 min readJun 6, 2023

Welcome to the serene world of Cala Sa Nau, a pristine example of the extraordinary beaches that dot the southeast coast of Mallorca. Nestled between the lively resort town of Cala d’Or and the charming Porto Colom, and just a short 15-kilometre drive from Santanyi and Felanitx, Cala Sa Nau is a secluded cove beach. It’s a modest yet stunning 50 metres wide and 70 metres deep, encased by low-lying limestone cliffs. This tranquil spot is a favourite among locals and tourists who prefer quieter beaches that offer a more natural, serene experience. However, it’s not uncommon to spot families enjoying the beach as well.

Cala Sa Nau boasts white sand and crystal-clear, blue water, making it an ideal beach for snorkelling and swimming. With no other water sports available for hire, many visitors come here specifically for these activities. You can rent sunbeds and parasols for the day, and there are facilities with showers and toilets. A local beach bar and restaurant serve up tasty beach fare and offer drinks, cocktails and ice cream.

Planning Your Dream Beach Vacation

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Safety and Accessibility

Despite its remote feel, Cala Sa Nau is easily accessible from the main roads by following the signs. There is a paid parking lot as well as free parking on the road if you can find a space. The beach is accessed from a stone stairway and it’s about half a kilometre walk from the car park. A nice feature is a paved wooden walkway for disabled visitors, including handicap parking, making it accessible to wheelchairs and disabled people. There is not a public bus stop here nor will you find tourist buses. There are showers and toilets on site.

With its deeper waters and sandy base, Cala Sa Nau is a great spot for anchoring your boat. You can access the beach on foot along the cliffs which have paths that connect to other nearby beaches such as the tiny, Cala Mitjana. There is no lifeguard on duty here so it’s important to remain vigilant, especially with younger children.

Things to Do on Cala Sa Nau

Snorkel and swim to your heart’s content. This is a beach for relaxing and enjoying the natural surroundings. There are no water sports activities or paddle boats for hire. Explore the paths along the cliffs that connect with nearby Cala Mitjana, the Caló des Moro, which are beautiful, limestone caves, and it is possible to meander along the cliffs all the way to Portocolom on the Sa Ronda path, but that requires proper walking shoes and water as it is a long hike.

Related: Hiking in Mallorca

Restaurants on Cala Sa Nau

The one and only beach bar is a step up from the classic old-school beach bars along the larger, more tourist-oriented beaches. Here you’ll find a bit more innovation in preparation, including fresh fruits and vegetables, milkshakes, paella, grilled fish and a range of delicious cocktails. For a bigger selection of restaurants and food choices, you’ll have to leave the beach and visit a good restaurant in Portocolom, or choose a relaxed sea-view restaurant in Cala D’Or, where the dining options are more beach casual and family-oriented.

Accommodation Near Cala Sa Nau

There are no hotels along Cala Sa Nau and campingis not permitted. The nearest resort town on the beach is Portocolom but there are many more options available including some top beach hotels in Cala d’Or. A bit further afield is the charming town of Santanyi, popular with Germans, and where there are some smaller rural-style Finca hotels and even some of the top hotels in Mallorca.

Exploring Around Cala Sa Nau

This part of the eastern coast of Mallorca offers a bit of rural, countryside, such as the inland town of Santanyi, with its stone buildings, church, open plaza, and markets, or Felanitx, as well as popular, resort towns such as Cala d’Or, with big hotels on the beach, where the main culture is the beach and activities are all about water sports. Nearby Portocolom retains some of its old fisherman’s village charm and there are many good quality restaurants here that make it a great place to stop for a long lunch or dinner.

More about the Best Beaches on Mallorca

We hope you have found this article about Cala Sa Nau useful and that you have many memorable stays in Mallorca as a result of our recommendations. We are always pleased to hear from you, so do send us your feedback here. Enjoy Mallorca!