Rafalet Cove
A natural pool with the name of a cove
Caló d’en Rafalet is a small virgin cove located in the urbanization s’Algar, belonging to the municipality of Sant Lluis.
Although it is somewhat more difficult to locate (especially if you try to reach it on foot), it is worth a try, as this small cove of sand and rocks offers spectacular scenery, more like a natural pool than the typical coves offered by the Menorcan geography.
To get there you will have to follow a rocky path for about 15 minutes, and look for access to the back of the cove (since the sides of it are cliffs) and, through this access we will reach a pine forest with a wide path and a large shaded area available, which will make its way to this small rocky cove, with little beach space (just 10 meters wide) and an exit to the sea zigzagging.
Its small size prevents the agglomeration of bathers and its access, more complex to locate, make it a perfect beach for those who wish to avoid noisier scenarios and seek to enjoy the calm that the island of Menorca can offer.
Caló d’en Rafalet will allow you to discover one of the wildest landscapes hidden in Menorca.
Name: Caló d’en Rafalet (Rafalet cove)
Location: Mahón Area (39º50.443’N 4º18.164’E)
Distance from Mahón: 4 MN ; 11 km
Time from Mahón: 20 min by boat (average speed: 15 knots); 18 min by car
Type of beach: Sand and rocks
Anchoring for boats: Rocks. Open to E
Dangerous access by boat: Medium. It is a very narrow cove. Barely 10 meters wide. Difficulty in maneuvering if we go too deep.
Posidonia: Protected site
Nearest gas station for boats: 3 MN ; Mahón
SERVICES
NO SERVICES
PARKING
WALK 400/1200 m
FONDEADERO
PADDLE SURF RENTAL
Discover the secret corners and beaches of Menorca!
RENT SCUBAJET
Explore the seabed with the Scubajet thruster. Expand your possibilities of use by motorizing your paddle surf.
Cala Rafalet in Menorca, how to get there?
If we want to reach Caló d’en Rafalet by road, we will have to take into account that the last part of the journey will include a short hike.
To do so, follow the signs to Sant Lluis, and then leave the municipality on the Me-8 towards S’Algar. When we arrive at this urbanization we will have to pass 3 traffic circles, taking the second exit at each one of them. We can park the car in the urbanization of S’Algar and, from there, you can continue on foot following 2 different routes (one of them simpler, but longer; and another shorter, but more convoluted).
Following the Camí de Cavalls is the best option because, although the route is longer, it is easier to reach our destination without getting lost on the way. To do this we will have to go to S’Algar, but not to enter the urbanization. Before reaching it, we will see that on our left there is a path with a sign indicating “Camí de Cavalls”. From here, we can park the vehicle and continue on foot.
We will walk along this path for approximately 1 km until we see on our right a stone wall with a wooden gate and the yellow post indicating that we are on the Camí de Cavalls. At this point, we will see that there is a path that goes down a slope, this is the path that we must follow for about 200 meters and so we will arrive without difficulty to the Cala Rafalet.
If, on the other hand, we prefer a shorter route, we will have to follow the previous indications until entering s’Algar. Then, at the fourth crossroads (once we have entered the urbanization and after having seen the indication to the “Camí de Cavalls”) we must continue on our left (which would be towards the north of the urbanization), and we will continue straight on until we reach the end of the urbanization (where we can park the car).
From here, we must head north, where we will see some cliffs with caves. If we approach these views, we will reach a point where we will see a half-meter wall with stones as steps. On the other side of the wall is the path that we must walk west for 200 meters, until we reach an esplanade that will be located to our right. We will continue along this road for another 180 meters until we reach the back of the cove, where we will find a wooden fence that will lead us to the cove in question.
We must be careful if we follow this path, to approach from the back of the cove and not the sides, which are cliffs and can be dangerous.
Services near Cala Rafalet
NO NEARBY SERVICES*.
There are no services in the cove itself, the closest we could find would be the AluaSun Mediterráneo, located approximately 1 km from the beach. This aparthotel is especially recommended for families as it has a club for children, shows and activities, as well as bars, restaurants and a swimming pool for the enjoyment of its guests.
*We consider them “close” if they are within a radius of 250-300 m approx.
| SERVICE | TELEPHONE | WEB |
|---|---|---|
| ACCOMMODATIONS. AluaSun Mediterranean | 912 18 62 56 | www.aluahotels.com |
What can we see near Cala Rafalet?
This small cove is the perfect place to enjoy a quiet day at the beach, alone or accompanied, taking a swim in its crystal clear waters or sunbathing while appreciating its spectacular views.
Although its small size and location (somewhat further away from civilization), means that there are no services available on the beach itself, that will not prevent us from enjoying a pleasant experience that can include from staying in the cove itself to relax and snorkel in its waters (to discover the marine ecosystem that takes refuge in them), to take a walk around and inspect the area and even join the Camí de Cavalls to explore and discover other nearby beaches.
One of the stages of this path runs from Punta Prima to Cala Sant Esteve and passes through the Rafalet ravine. We can decide to make part of this crossing either heading north towards Punta Prima (a path that runs very close to the coast and during which we can see the Alcalfar Defense Tower and the famous lighthouse of Isla del Aire), or take the opposite path towards Sant Esteve (crossing in which we will ascend from the Rafalet ravine towards the San Vilar estate and from there towards Cal Sant Esteve and the Marlborough fort, which marks the end of the stage).
From end to end, this route of the Camí de Cavalls can be done in about 2h 40min and involves a path of 7’3 km (although, of course, we can decide to do only a part of it).
How to get to
Cala Rafalet by boat?
To reach Cala Rafalet in our boat, we must leave the port of Mahón heading SE. We will sail along the coast, leaving Illa del Rei to port. We will continue out to the open sea, leaving the Punta de Sant Carles lighthouse to starboard.
Following the coastline in a southerly direction and once past the small ledge of Na Girada, we will find Cala Rafalet to starboard.
Do you want to go to Cala Rafalet by boat?
