Photo: Olaf Tausch, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cala Mesquida, all dunes and waves
The wildest sandy beach within easy reach, 15 minutes by car. Come for the dunes, the waves and the space, and take toddlers somewhere else.
| At a glance | Details |
|---|---|
| From the apartment | 15 min by car, or the 422 bus in season |
| Sand | White, with protected dunes behind |
| Approximate size | About 300 m long and 100 m deep |
| Facilities | Kiosk, restaurant, water sports, sunbeds, lifeguards in season. Don't count on freshwater showers |
| Parking | Public car park about 200 m back, reported to fill early |
| Shade | Very little |
| With children | Not with toddlers, because of the wind and currents |
What sets it apart
Cala Mesquida sits at the far north-eastern tip of the island and takes far more weather than anything you can walk to from Cala Ratjada. Dunes rise behind the wide band of sand, and there are no big hotel blocks because the area has been protected since 1991. A wooden boardwalk leads through to the water. Stay on it, since the plants on either side are what hold the sand in place.
Surfers gather at the eastern end, as do people who prefer to swim without a costume.
When to go and when to give it a miss
The flat sandy bottom is deceptive. Wind and currents make this bay unsafe for small children, and the waves can get powerful. On those days Son Moll or Font de sa Cala will serve you far better, and the beach guide explains how to choose according to the wind.
On a calm day with older children who can swim, Mesquida makes a cracking outing. Check the flag at the lifeguard post and bring your own shade, as very little grows here that would keep the sun off you.
You'll find a kiosk, a restaurant and sunbeds, plus lifeguards in season. Don't plan around a freshwater shower: the council doesn't list one for this beach and the guides contradict one another, so the salt may have to wait until you're back at the apartment.
Getting there and parking
It's a straightforward 15-minute drive from the apartment. Guides describe a public car park about 200 metres behind the beach that fills up early in high season, though we couldn't confirm how it's run at present. Unless you're leaving first thing, the 422 bus is the more relaxed choice. In 2026 it ran in season between Cala Mesquida and Cala Ratjada.
Walking over from Cala Agulla
If you fancy stretching your legs, you can come across from Cala Agulla over the Coll de Marina, 4 km and about an hour. The route is set out with others under walks, cycling and golf. Mesquida is also the starting point for the climb to the Talaia de Son Jaumell and for the circular walk to Cala Torta.
Information checked on 9 November 2026