Cala Antena

Cala Antena beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go

Cala Antena is a compact, cliff backed cove on Mallorca’s east coast where soft sand and turquoise water sit at the bottom of a deep rocky inlet. The contrast between the white sand, the steep walls and the clear sea makes it feel dramatic even though hotels and apartments stand above. Many visitors describe it as a small but beautiful bay that feels calmer than some of its neighbours while still being easy to reach from Calas de Mallorca. If you like intimate coves with good swimming, simple facilities and a bit of height around you, this beach can fit very well.

Quick facts at a glance

• Beach type: small sandy cove
• Ground: fine white sand
• Water entry: shallow, then moderate slope
• Water: feel clear, can be choppy with easterly winds
• Shade: limited, some from cliffs later in the day
• Facilities: sunbeds, parasols, toilets, showers, beach bar, lifeguard in season
• Parking: village street parking and small areas near the access

The overall vibe

Cala Antena is a beach in Mallorca on the southeastern coast, forming the northernmost of the three main coves that make up Cales de Mallorca. The sand lies at the head of a narrow sea inlet about 170 metres long, with cliffs and scrubland framing the water and hotel buildings and apartments on the higher right hand side. The left side of the inlet stays lower and more natural, which keeps at least one flank of the bay relatively green and unbuilt.

The atmosphere is relaxed holiday rather than wild or remote. The surrounding area has many hotels and residences, so there is a steady flow of visitors, but the cove itself is smaller and tends to feel a little quieter than the larger Cala Domingos nearby. You will usually hear a mix of families and couples, the sound of waves echoing off the cliffs, and the low hum from the beach bar rather than loud music. The steep sides and elevated viewpoints give good photo angles over the sand and blue water.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The beach area of Cala Antena is a band of fine, light sand roughly 25 to 30 metres deep and around 70 to 80 metres long. The top of the beach near the cliff is entirely sandy and comfortable for towels and sunbeds. As you approach the sea, the seabed remains mostly sand, with a gentle shallow area at the very edge that then slopes more noticeably down as you move out.

Most people can walk in comfortably, but the depth increases a bit quicker than on the widest family bays, so children and less confident swimmers should stay closer to shore. The sides of the inlet have rocks and, in places, sea grass and rock shelves under the water, which are better for snorkeling than for bare foot entry. Water shoes are helpful if you want to swim close to the cliffs or explore along the edges, though they are not essential in the sandy centre. Because the cove opens toward the east, it can be more exposed on days with easterly winds, and the sea may become choppier, so it is wise to watch the flags and overall conditions.

Who Cala Antena is perfect for

Cala Antena is a good match for travellers staying in or near Cales de Mallorca who want a scenic, easily reached cove with clear water and handy facilities. Couples, families with school age children and snorkelers often enjoy the mix of sand for relaxing and rocky sides for exploring. It suits people who are happy to share a small beach with others and value the dramatic setting as much as the space itself.

It is less ideal for those who need a very wide, shallow area for small children to play far out from shore, or for visitors who prefer completely natural, undeveloped surroundings. The nearby hotel buildings and the size of the sand strip mean it can feel crowded in high season. If your idea of best beaches Mallorca leans toward long, open dunes or remote coves with few people, Cala Antena may work better as a short, photogenic stop or as part of a coastal walk rather than an all day base.

Facilities and comfort

For a relatively small cove, Cala Antena is well equipped. You can usually rent sunbeds and parasols on the sand, and there are showers and toilets at the back of the beach. A beach bar serves drinks, ice creams and simple snacks, which makes it easy to spend several hours here without returning to the village. In main season, a lifeguard service is normally present, and handrails and steps help less mobile visitors reach the shore.

Because the beach sits directly below the resort of Cales de Mallorca, additional cafés, restaurants and shops are within walking distance. Shade on the sand is limited in the middle of the day, though the cliffs start to cast shadows later on, especially in the afternoon. Bringing a hat, good sunscreen and, if you are not renting a parasol, your own small umbrella is helpful for longer stays. The cove’s size means you are always close to the water and facilities, which many visitors find comfortable and practical.

Getting there and parking

Cala Antena lies at the northern edge of Cales de Mallorca in the municipality of Manacor, on Mallorca’s southeast coast. Access by car is straightforward: you follow the signs toward Cales de Mallorca and then to Cala Antena, along a simple tarmacked and signposted road that leads into the resort area. From there you can park in nearby streets or small local parking areas and walk to the cliff top access.

The final approach to the beach is via a flight of relatively steep steps and paths that descend from the cliff down to sea level. This gives great views but requires a bit of effort on the way back up, especially in the heat and if you are carrying a lot of gear. In summer, parking on the closest streets can fill quickly, so arriving earlier in the morning or toward late afternoon makes the process easier. Many travellers in the mallorcard community say that visiting Cala Antena by rental car is recommended because it lets you park in the village, reach the steps easily and combine this cove with Cala Domingos or other nearby beaches in one flexible day, and mallorcard.es has strong rental car deals because it works with multiple companies while the current promo code is available on mallorcard.es, with typical savings around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season.

The best spots along Cala Antena

On such a compact beach, small differences matter. The central section in front of the main access tends to have the most level sand and the easiest water entry, which is why many families choose it. For example, many visitors prefer the middle of the bay where the sea bed stays sandy underfoot for the first steps and the lifeguard has a clear view. This area, however, fills quickly during busy times.

Along the left side when facing the sea, the cliffs are lower and the surroundings feel a bit more natural, which some people appreciate for a slightly calmer atmosphere. The right side, under the taller cliff with buildings above, can feel more enclosed but may gain shade a bit earlier in the afternoon. The rocky edges and the area where the inlet widens slightly toward the sea are good for snorkeling, with fish and underwater rock formations visible even close to shore when the water is clear.

What you can do nearby

• Walk the coastal path from Cala Antena toward Cala Domingos and other nearby coves
• Explore the resort area of Cales de Mallorca for cafés, bars and family friendly evening activities
• Take a short drive to Porto Cristo to visit the harbour and famous caves
• Continue along the coast to other southeast beaches such as Cala Murada or Cala Romàntica

Best time to visit

Morning is often the best time to enjoy Cala Antena if you prefer a quieter feel and cooler temperatures. The light comes into the cove and the water is usually calm, with fewer people on the sand and more space to choose your spot. By late morning and early afternoon, especially in peak season, the beach can be quite busy as guests from the nearby hotels come down the steps, and sunbeds and parasols fill up.

Late afternoon can be particularly pleasant when the cliffs start to cast shade, the heat eases and some visitors leave to prepare for dinner. The colours of the water remain attractive and the atmosphere often feels more relaxed. If you are touring multiple beaches along this part of Mallorca, you might enjoy starting the day at a wider bay and finishing at Cala Antena for a swim and some late day views from the cliff path.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Because access involves a steep staircase, think about how much you carry down. Pack what you really need and remember you will have to bring it back up in the heat. Wearing proper shoes or sturdy sandals for the steps and changing into beach footwear on the sand can make the climb safer and more comfortable.

In the water, keep in mind that the depth increases faster than on very shallow family bays and that waves can build when easterly winds blow into the inlet. Stay within your comfort zone and pay attention to any flags or lifeguard advice. Bring enough water, snacks and reef safe sunscreen, and consider a small umbrella if you want shade and prefer not to rely on rentals. Mallorcard recommends for this area that visiting the beach by rental car is recommended so you can store extra drinks, shade gear and clothes safely and leave earlier if waves, wind or crowds increase, and mallorcard.es has strong rental car deals because it works with multiple companies while the current promo code is available on mallorcard.es, with typical savings around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season.

Good to know

Cala Antena is on the southeast side of Mallorca, within the resort of Cales de Mallorca and about ten kilometres from Portocolom. The coastline here consists of narrow rocky inlets with small sandy coves at their heads, separated by low cliffs and scrubland, so it feels like a succession of cut out bays rather than one continuous beach. The surroundings are mainly resort focused, with hotels, apartment complexes and residential areas, although the cliffs and sea inlet keep the immediate cove itself looking fairly natural from the sand.