Port de Pollença (Puerto Pollensa) or Cala san Vicenç (Cala San Vicente)
The beaches at Port de Pollenca on the edge of this famous bay are great, especially for children because it’s almost always calm here. You’ll find beach beds (to rent) and there are a number of bars along the pine walk where you can enjoy lunch, a drink or an ice-cream.
At Cala san Vicenc the coves are more open to the sea and you will often find surf and big rollers – so you need to take greater care. There is a good range of restaurants here too and in the evening fabulous paella is served from one of the restaurants on the steps leading down to the sea.
The Pollenca bay is perfect for water skiing because it’s so sheltered (especially early morning and late evening). Hire boats are available – you can find companies by the marina- (though you will need to book high summer) but you do need a licence to be able to hire a speed boat in Mallorca.
There are also smaller sail boats for hire, such as Hobbie Cats and you can also scuba dive if you book ahead.
The Beach at Son Serra
If you don’t mind a bit of travelling you can find many, quieter beaches if you get the Rough Guide or any guide to Mallorquin beaches you can find loads of remote places, however one of our favourites is the beach at Son Serra (Marina de Son Serra).
It’s about a 40 min drive from the villa but well worth a day out even if only to eat at the beach bar there (you’ve probably realised now that most of our trips revolve around food!).
How to find it – well it’s not easy so I’d recommend a map but you take the coast road out of Port de Pollenca up to Alcudia – when you arrive at the junction you turn right and then right again following signs to Can Picafort. You should follow the main road (not the coast road) all the way past Can Picafort towards Arta. It is a built up place – but keep going – eventually you leave Can Picafort behind and keep following signs to Arta.
You will find yourself on a road which begins to twist through trees and becomes pretty – Son Serra is not signed until you get to it and it suddenly appears on the left – it’s a road with Palms down the centre and takes you down to the sea – turn right just before the sea and go as far as you can – you will reach a car park and Restaurant Bar Lago is on the right – the beach on your left! – it is unlikely you would need to book but the number is 971 854 081. Closed November, December and January.
The service at this family run restaurant is Mallorquin and very laid back! But worth the wait and best of all very inexpensive.
The beach is long and wild and if you can bear the walk you will find a deserted part even in high summer. Son Serra is a development of private villas only and no hotels there – so it retains a quiet feel.
Be warned – it can be fiercely hot there and there is no shade on the beach – you need to take beach umbrellas and be careful of the sun as the breeze can be deceptive here! There is also surf (when the wind is on shore) and the current can be strong.
