Son Vell Cove
A Menorcan cove overlooking Mallorca
A small virgin cove located in the south of Menorca, protected from the north winds and included in the Camí de Cavalls. Posidonia usually covers a large part of the shore, but the anchoring conditions are perfect for a day out on a boat.
We should mention that this is a beach where nudism is allowed, something that is not always possible. However, and partly due to the small number of visitors it receives, Cala de Son Vell is a perfect setting for this practice, which is allowed in the area.
A curiosity of this beach is that, if the weather is good and there is good visibility, you can see Mallorca from its sand and, more specifically, the Tramuntana mountain range. If you go by boat, sharpen your eyes and enjoy the views offered by the nature of the Balearic Islands.
Name: Cala de Son Vell
Location: South Zone III (39°55’22.5 “N 3°52’07.0 “E)
Distance from Mahón: 27 MN ; 50 km
Time from Mahón: 2h by boat (average speed: 15 knots); 1h by car
Type of beach: Sand
Boat mooring: Sand and seaweed
Dangerous access by boat: Medium. Quite narrow cove, with little space and depth.
Posidonia: Yes
Nearest gas station for boats: 1’9 MN; Cala’n Bosch
SERVICES
NO SERVICES
PARKING
WALK 2.5 Km
NUDIST
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 de Son Vell in Menorca, how to get there?
There are several options to get to Cala de Son Vell: car, motorcycle, bike. boat or on foot. There are means for everyone! We recommend you to arrive by sea or on foot. The experience is very enriching for the views and for the possibility of discovering the island of Menorca from unusual perspectives.
If you are a real hiker and you decide to walk there, even if it is summer, we recommend you to do it through the Camí de Cavalls. A historical route that runs along the coast of Menorca, whose origin dates back to the reign of King Jaume II, where he placed his soldiers mounted on horseback to protect his coasts from possible invasions.
This route has several stages along its route and you will be able to reach hidden and spectacular coves all over Menorca. Many hikers are encouraged to do it all to live the experience and discover all the coastal corners of the island, cool off in the best coves and enjoy the views.
To reach Cala de Son vell you will have to do stage 12. The easiest way is to take it at Son Xoringuer Beach, since from this point it is only about 2.5km away. It is a fairly short route with many special and paradisiacal corners.
On the other hand, for the more seafaring, the boat option is perfect. If you want to enjoy an extended trip to see the coast of Menorca, you can rent a boat in Mahon where they will tell you the best routes and will help you with everything you need regarding the boat. No worries, you are going on vacation! If you prefer a shorter trip, in Ciutadella or Cala en Bosch you can also rent a boat, both are good options.
Boat rental is the most demanded option for Cala de Son Vell in summer because of its characteristics, mainly because it is quite narrow and when the north wind blows, in that area it protects from the swell.
Services near Cala de Son Vell
NO NEARBY SERVICES*.
*We consider them “close” if they are within a radius of 250-300 m approx.
What to see and what to do near Cala de Son Vell
In Cala de Son Vell you will not find any type of service, since it is a virgin beach, but that does not mean that there are no alternatives for entertainment and fun.
If you are not apprehensive about seaweed or posidonia oceanica, it is a perfect setting for snorkeling. This aquatic plant is home to numerous marine ecosystems to observe and learn about, as well as being a refuge for fish and other animals. On the other hand, the overcrowding of the southern beaches, for example, means that there are not as many animals present. If you like the practice of the most “rustic” and solitary snorkeling, Cala de Son Vell is for you!
If you want to go further and, above all, if you are an expert in the matter, at approximately 80 meters to the right if we are looking towards the sea, you will be able to observe what many people call “underwater tunnel”. It is about 2 meters deep and is only recommended if you are an expert diver, as it requires you to crawl on all fours holding on to the ceiling of the tunnel. A rather risky practice for beginners.
Other options are hiking the Camí de Cavalls (Horse trail), following the route from Son Saura or Playa de Son Xoriguer and boat rentals.
As we have already mentioned, you will not find beachfront restaurants in and around Cala de Son Vell, but you can find alternatives about 2 or 3 km away, near Playa Son Xoriguer. You will find good fish and seafood, seafood rice and even grilled meats in the restaurants near the beach.
If your intention is to spend the day at the beach, and you have not arrived by boat, this may not be the best option, although it is attractive to know that this beach is not usually busy in high season, there are compelling reasons for this, and is that the shore is usually full of dry oceanic posidonia and there is a lot of rock. The space is not the most suitable for this, especially when you have much better coves before arriving from Mahón or Cuidadela. You can check it out if you come from the Camí de Cavalls, since in section 12 you will find other alternatives that will call your attention to spend the whole day at the beach.
How to get to Cala de Son Vell by boat?
To get to Cala’n Bosch by 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 we will pass the outcrops of Na Girada and Punta Rafalet. We will continue skirting the island, which will take us in a SW direction and leave Punta Prima and Punta dels Marbres to starboard. At this point we will have the Illa de l’Aire on our port side.
Following the coastline, we will head in a NW direction and ascend passing the Binibeca Cape, Illot d’en Marçal, Cap d’en Font, Cap de ses Penyes, Illot de Binicodrell, Punta de Macarella, Punta des Tambors…
Past Son Saura and Punta de Sa Barraqueta, we will find the cove of Son Vell to starboard.
Do you want to go to Cala de Son Vell by boat?
