Beaches

Porto Cristo

Porto Cristo was formally known as Cala de Manacor until its name was changed in 1912 to commemorate the old legend that an image of Christ landed in the cove (cala) in the year 1260.

The town itself has a familiar feel to it and you could liken it to a Devon seaside town, an amalgam of perhaps Torquay, Brixham and Paignton.

Cala Ratjada

A common destination for German tourists and the most eastern point in Majorca. It is located 65KM from Palma, in the northest. This tourist resort used to be a small fisherman’s village and still keeps some of its original feeling. From Cala Ratjada’s lighthouse you can enjoy beautiful sea views and on a clear day you can see Menorca on the horizon, making it a good starting point for excursions to Majorca’s sister island.

This area of Majorca has an abrupt coast line covered with 40KM of coves and beaches, most of them awarded with the European blue flag, which indicates quality and services. Cala Ratjada’s coastline is a bird sanctuary and special protected coastal zone, which maintains it as a little paradise. The water is clear and blue and with some lovely areas for swimming and snorkelling.

Jellyfish Precautions and Remedies

The typical jellyfish found in Majorca are not really good swimmers and they usually arrive to the beach by the sea currents. They feed from small fish after injecting them with paralysing poison. For people, the sting of one of these jellyfish is just painful.

In the Mediterranean Jellyfish do not attack, but if you touch their tentacles, they will sting as a defence mechanism. Usually jellyfish stings in Majorca are not critical, unless the person is allergic to the poison or has some specific disease. Even when they are not critical, they can be really painful and sore.

The typical symptoms are pain, burning and itching sensation, swelling and redness of the area and even bleeding.

Types of Jellyfish Around Majorca

Jellyfish are invertebrates which present special cells used to capture prey and to defend themselves. These cells have a poisonous capsule inside. When a prey or predator contacts with the jellyfish, the capsule opens and the cells stick to the prey injecting the poison. Jellyfish are usually transparent as they are 95% water, allowing them to camouflage easily.

Poisonous Fish of Majorca

Weever fish (Araña)

Live in sandy beds beneath the surface, they are easily captured, but be very careful when handling. The thorns on the first dorsal and areas around the gills are poisonous! They can cause severe prolonged pain, fever, vomiting, slowing of heart rate, difficulty breathing and in some rare cases even death. Return to the sea without touching it.

Alcudia Beach

A family favourite, Alcudia's beach is located on the North coast of Majorca. It boasts the largest beach in Majorca, stretching out over 7KM and is perfect for all swimmers, as the water gets gently deeper. Alcudia beach is actually 4KM and joins Playa de Muro beach which is a further 3KM. You can't tell where one stops and the other starts to be honest.

Palma Nova Beach

Palma Nova beach actually comprises of 3 individual beaches. They are:

• Palma Nova I
• Palma Nova II
• Son Maties

Each beach has a promenade area lined with numerous bars and restaurants which are popular for walks and rollerblading during the day and early evening.

Cala Vinyes - Majorca

Cala Vinyes is one of Majorca's smaller resorts catering more towards families and the older generation. Located in the municipality of Calvia and only a few kilometres from Majorca's busy resorts of Magaluf and Palma Nova, Cala Vinyes offers an ideal retreat for those seeking a quieter holiday, whilst being within taxi distance of its two larger neighbours in the event that you may want a big night out.

Cala Falco Beach Majorca

Hidden away just a few kilometres from Majorca's popular resort of Magaluf is Cala Falco (Falcon Cove). This small cove hosts a sand beach surrounded by trees and steep cliffs on either side, which are great for jumping into the sea from, but make sure you check the depth of the water first!

Take a Good Long Walk - at Sa Coma, Majorca

Further up the east coast, after passing through Porto Christo going north, you will find the road signs will start directing you to such towns as Cala Bona, Cala Millor, S'illott and Sa Coma. In fact, it is possible to walk from one to the other and the boundaries seem to blur a little! Sa Coma is one of the first resorts you are directed towards.