The coves from Sant Elm to Andratx: which one to pick for today's wind

The question we get most is “which is the best cove?”. The honest answer is that there is no best cove — there is the best cove for today. The first thing we do every morning, before recommending anything, is check the wind and swell forecast. This guide is literally what we tell every customer at boat handover.

The forecast comes first, always

We never recommend a cove without looking at the forecast first. And not just the morning one: a day can dawn perfect and the wind can change by the afternoon, so we judge the two halves of the day separately. With the forecast on the table and many seasons of experience here, we decide where it makes sense to head. That is the whole science — and it is why a local will give you a better plan than any list on the internet.

With Tramuntana (northerly wind)

With Tramuntana, Cala en Basset is out: it sits right in the exposed stretch and the wind can make it impossible. The plan is to head south, following the coast towards Andratx.

• Cala de S’Algar. The first stop heading south, and the one we usually suggest first when the wind blows from the north.
• Cala en Tió. It has a cave and it is a beautiful stop. You anchor outside and swim in with your mask on: it is one of the best snorkelling spots around here.
• Cala Egos. One of our favourites for a full day: it has a good sandy area, so dropping anchor is easy and safe.
• Cala Marmassen. Around La Mola of Andratx and past the harbour, a very small cove: two or three boats. If you find it taken, don’t push it — carry on.
• Cala Llamp. The next one along, beside the well-known Gran Folies beach club. Quite similar to Cala Egos though somewhat deeper, with plenty of room to anchor.

With a southerly wind

Here the map flips. Cala en Basset, ruled out under Tramuntana, becomes one of the sheltered options. And Cala Egos holds up well too, because La Mola shields it. Cala en Tió can work depending on how the southerly comes in, but it is more open and almost always has a bit of chop, so we prioritise Cala Egos whenever we can.

What we do not recommend with a southerly is rounding La Mola: the wind accelerates noticeably there, and there is constant boat traffic. With a southerly, our advice comes down to two names: Cala Egos or Cala en Basset.

Anchoring without wrecking the seabed

This coast owes its turquoise water to Posidonia, the underwater meadow that shows up as dark green patches from the surface. You never anchor on it: find the sand — the pale bottom — or tie up to the buoys where they are installed. Around Sa Dragonera there are also the marine reserve’s own rules, including a 10-knot limit.

We tell you on the day

You don’t need to study any of this. At handover we tell you which coves are good that day, where to go and where not to, and we mark it on the chart for you. And if you go out with our skipper, he simply takes you to whichever is best. You can see the fleet or message us on WhatsApp if you’d like to hear the plan before you book.