Cala en Donzell

Cala en Donzell beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go

Cala en Donzell, often written Cala Donzell, is a very small, quiet cove on the island of Cabrera south of Mallorca, inside the Cabrera Archipelago National Park. Here you find a narrow fringe of sand and rocks tucked into a rocky coastline with clear, protected water and no buildings in sight. Boat excursions and park rules strictly limit how many people ever reach this spot, so it keeps a calm, almost exclusive feel even in summer. Visitors who do stop here often remember the mix of turquoise water, silence and raw cliffs more than any classic beach conveniences. If you are drawn to simple, wild coves and do not mind basic conditions, this can be one of the most atmospheric corners of a Cabrera day.

• Beach type: Tiny sand and rock cove
• Ground: Sand mixed with pebbles and rocks
• Water entry: Short, sloping shore
• Water feel: Very clear, can deepen quickly
• Shade: Limited, from surrounding rock
• Facilities: None on the beach
• Parking: On Mallorca mainland, then boat
• Best for: Nature lovers, quiet swimmers

The overall vibe

Cala en Donzell is a small beach in Mallorca’s Cabrera archipelago that feels remote, natural and far from everyday tourism. The cove is only about 50 metres long and a few metres wide, so you are always close to the rock walls and scrub that frame it. Because access is controlled by the national park and only a fraction of island visitors come here, it usually feels tranquil, with just a handful of people or sometimes no one at all. The atmosphere is one of stillness and nature watching, with the sounds of water and seabirds dominating. Many people who include this stop in their Cabrera visit describe it as one of the most intimate places they saw on the island.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The shore at Cala en Donzell is a mix of sand and rocks rather than pure, soft sand. You can sit and walk on the sandy parts, but you will notice pebbles and stones scattered across the small beach and at the waterline. The water entry is short and slightly sloping; you step from the sand and stones into clear water that becomes deeper fairly quickly by comparison with big family bays. Simple water shoes are a good idea, as they make it easier to cross stony patches and to stand comfortably in the shallows. The cove lies in very clean, protected water, so visibility is excellent and you can often see the bottom and small fish even without snorkeling far from shore. On calm days the sea feels gentle; with more wind, small waves can enter the cove, so weaker swimmers should always stay close in and read the conditions before going out of their depth.

Who Cala en Donzell is perfect for

Cala en Donzell suits visitors who are already planning a Cabrera trip and who enjoy small, naturish places where the experience is more about the setting than about facilities. It is ideal for confident swimmers who like a short, refreshing swim in clear water and for people who enjoy quietly sitting on a simple shore surrounded by a protected landscape. Anyone interested in marine life will also appreciate that the mix of sand and rock provides habitat for fish and other underwater species very close to the beach. It is less suitable for families with very young children or people who need full services, large sand areas and lifeguards nearby. If you think of best beaches Mallorca in terms of wild character and low numbers rather than comfort, Cala en Donzell fits that more exclusive, nature led category.

Facilities and comfort

There are no facilities directly on Cala en Donzell. You will not find sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets, showers, bins or food outlets on the beach itself. All infrastructure on Cabrera is limited and focused around the small harbour and cantina, where visitors arrive and where basic services exist. So you should come to Cala en Donzell prepared with water, a snack if permitted by your operator, sun protection, a towel or light mat and any personal items you need. Shade depends on the angle of the cliffs and the time of day: at some hours parts of the beach may be in shadow, but at others it can be fully exposed. Because the beach is tiny, comfort is simple and depends heavily on what you bring and how long your excursion allows you to stay.

Getting there and parking

Cala en Donzell is on Cabrera, which has no public roads or car access. To visit, you start from Mallorca’s south coast, usually Colònia de Sant Jordi, where boats depart for the Cabrera National Park under licence. Parking is done on the mainland in public or private spaces in Colònia de Sant Jordi, and it is wise to arrive early in high season to find a spot before your boat leaves. Once you reach Cabrera by boat, you disembark at the small harbour and follow park rules and the schedule set by your excursion operator. Cala en Donzell lies away from the harbour and is reached either by specific guided boat itineraries that drop you near the cove or, if permitted, by hiking routes that connect several coastal points; this depends on current park rules and boat company programmes. Many travelers in the Mallorcard community say that visiting the beach by rental car is recommended so you can reach Colònia de Sant Jordi on time, adjust to boat departures and combine the Cabrera excursion with other south coast beaches, 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 en Donzell

Because Cala en Donzell is so small, you do not have many different zones, but small choices still matter. Many people choose the central sandy area, where the surface is most comfortable and the path into the water is the clearest. Others prefer to sit closer to the edges, where rocks and small ledges give a bit of back support or partial shade at certain times. For example, if you want to combine watching the sea with easy access to the water, a place near the boundary between sand and rock can work well, giving you a stable seat and a short step into the shallows. Snorkelers will usually head a little away from the central swimming area along the sides of the cove, where rocks and sea grass provide more underwater interest. For photos, an angle looking from one end of the narrow beach across to the other, with the cliffs and open water beyond, captures the special scale of this cove.

What you can do nearby

• Swim and snorkel in other permitted coves and beaches on Cabrera as part of a guided excursion
• Visit Cabrera Castle for elevated views over the island and surrounding sea
• Walk authorised paths from the harbour to beaches like Sa Platgeta and other viewpoints
• Take a boat tour to the Blue Cave (Cova Blava) for a short swim in its electric blue water, if included in your excursion
• Learn about Cabrera’s history and wildlife through the small museum and information panels near the harbour

Best time to visit

The timing of a visit to Cala en Donzell is usually dictated by boat schedules and park regulations rather than free personal choice. In general, conditions in Cabrera’s coves are most comfortable when winds and swell are low, which is more likely in settled weather during spring, summer and early autumn. If your excursion allows you to be there in the morning or late afternoon, you will benefit from softer light and slightly cooler temperatures compared with midday. Midday in high season can be intense on such a small, exposed beach, so good sun protection and hydration are essential if your stop falls at that time. When planning several beach days in Mallorca, it can be best to treat Cabrera, including Cala en Donzell, as a dedicated nature day and schedule easier, serviced beaches for other days.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

For Cala en Donzell, the key is to think in terms of a protected island visit rather than a normal beach outing. Wear comfortable walking shoes or sturdy sandals suitable for boat decks and rocky paths, and bring reef safe sunscreen, a hat and a light shirt or cover up to protect from the strong sun. Take enough water for the duration of your excursion and check with your boat operator which snacks or gear are allowed ashore. If you plan to swim, water shoes can make stepping over small rocks and uneven seabed more pleasant. Always follow the guidance of park staff and boat crews about where you can land, how long you can stay, and which areas are off limits, so you help preserve the fragile environment and avoid fines. The Mallorcard community tip is that visiting the beach by rental car is recommended so you can bring all your necessary gear to Colònia de Sant Jordi, adapt quickly if sea conditions change departure times and easily combine this nature day with other south coast stops before or after, 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 en Donzell lies on Cabrera, a small island south of Mallorca that forms part of the marine and terrestrial Cabrera National Park. The coastline here is rocky, with small coves like this one combining sand and stones under low cliffs rather than long, open bays. The surrounding territory is completely natural and unurbanised, home to numerous bird and marine species, which is why access is carefully controlled. On a map, you can see Cala en Donzell as one of several small inlets that complement the better known harbour bay and main beach zones on Cabrera. When planning your Mallorca itinerary, it is helpful to see this cove as an exclusive nature stop inside a highly protected park, balanced with more accessible, infrastructure rich beaches on the main island for your everyday swimming and sunbathing.