Cala Engossalba

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

Cala Engossalba, also known as Cala en Gossalba, is one of the most remote feeling coves on the Formentor peninsula. Reaching it involves a proper walk, so almost everyone who arrives has made a conscious effort to escape the busier beaches. The reward is a tiny pebble cove surrounded by high cliffs and pine forest, with very clear water and a strong sense of being away from everything. If you enjoy rugged landscapes and do not need facilities, this could be a very special stop on your north Mallorca days.

Quick facts at a glance

• Beach type: Remote rocky cove
• Ground: Pebbles and boulders
• Water entry: Stony, quite quick depth
• Water feel: Clear, usually calm
• Shade: Limited, from cliffs
• Facilities: None
• Parking: Far away roadside
• Best for: Hikers and strong swimmers

The overall vibe

Cala Engossalba is a small, wild beach in Mallorca hidden on the northern side of the Formentor peninsula. The cove is framed by steep rocky slopes and pine covered hillsides, which drop down to a short strip of rounded stones and gravel. The mood is quiet and dramatic rather than gentle, with tall cliffs rising behind you and open views across deep blue water ahead. Many hikers mention that what makes this spot special is not only the swim, but the feeling of arriving at a tiny, secluded corner after leaving the road far behind. There is very little human noise, so you mostly hear wind in the trees, goat bells on the slopes and the sound of small waves on the stones, which gives spending a few hours here a very immersive, close to nature character.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

There is no real sand at Cala Engossalba, only pebbles, loose stones and larger rocks. Sitting is usually on a towel over the stones or on a flat rock if you find one. The water entry is stony from the start, and the seabed drops off relatively quickly once you move away from the shore. Regular visitors say that water shoes are very helpful here, both for walking across the loose stones and for finding your footing as small waves move the pebbles around your ankles. Once you are fully in, the water is typically very clear and good for swimming, but less comfortable for standing around for long. On days with northerly wind, chop can increase, so strong swimmers feel most at ease, and it is wise to stay within your comfort zone and avoid going too far out alone.

Who Cala Engossalba is perfect for

Cala Engossalba is ideal for people who like combining a hike with a swim in a very untouched setting. Fit walkers, nature lovers, and experienced swimmers who do not mind a rocky shore tend to appreciate this cove the most. It can work well for couples or small groups who are happy to spend a few hours simply resting on the stones, swimming, and watching the changing light on the cliffs. Travelers planning best beaches Mallorca style days that mix famous spots with hidden coves often place Cala Engossalba in the more adventurous category. It is not a good choice for families with small children, anyone with mobility limitations, or visitors who want easy access, soft sand, lifeguards and services nearby.

Facilities and comfort

There are no facilities at Cala Engossalba at all. You will not find lifeguards, toilets, showers, sunbeds or food outlets on the cove or on the path down. Everything for comfort needs to come in your backpack, including drinking water, snacks or lunch, sun protection, and something to sit on. Shade is limited and mainly comes from the high cliffs in certain parts of the day, so the timing of your visit changes how hot it feels. Many walkers bring a light inflatable cushion or thick mat because sitting directly on small stones for several hours can become uncomfortable, and they also pack a bag to carry their rubbish back up so the cove stays as clean as they found it.

Getting there and parking

Access to Cala Engossalba is by foot only. The usual approach is from the Formentor lighthouse road, where you leave your car in one of the earlier parking areas or at a kilometre marker access point and follow a stony path down through pine forest and rocky terrain. The trail is not always perfectly marked and can be steep and loose underfoot in sections, so good footwear is important and the walk is not suitable for flip flops or strollers. The distance and descent mean you should allow enough time for both going down and climbing back up, especially in warm weather. Many travelers in the Mallorcard community say that visiting this area by rental car is recommended, and that mallorcard.es has strong rental car deals because it works with multiple companies and shares the current promo code on mallorcard.es, with typical savings of around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season, which helps you reach the right starting point on the Formentor road early and gives flexibility to combine Cala Engossalba with other north coast viewpoints in one day.

The best spots along Cala Engossalba

Because the cove is small, choosing your place is about micro details. For example, many visitors prefer the corners of the beach where slightly larger stones create a more stable base under their towels. If you like shade, look for areas that the cliffs protect for part of the day, usually towards the back or side walls rather than right by the water. Strong swimmers and snorkelers often enjoy the edges of the cove where the rocks continue underwater and the cliffs create interesting underwater shapes. If you want a wider view, moving slightly up onto the rocks beside the main shore gives better angles over the water and along the Formentor coastline, especially later in the afternoon.

What you can do nearby

• Hike other coastal paths on the Formentor peninsula
• Visit the Formentor lighthouse area for panoramic views
• Swim at Cala Figuera or Cala Murta on the same coast
• Stop at Mirador Es Colomer viewpoint on the Formentor road
• Spend time in Port de Pollença for cafés, restaurants and an easier beach

Best time to visit

In this exposed north coast setting, morning and late afternoon are usually the most pleasant times. Starting your hike down in the morning keeps the climb more comfortable and gives you cooler air on the way back up if you leave before midday heat peaks. Midday brings strong sun on the stones and cliffs, and although the water colours are very vivid, the cove can feel intense without much shade. Late afternoon rewards patient visitors with softer light, interesting shadows on the rock faces and often a calmer atmosphere once most day trippers to Formentor have left the area. If you are exploring several beaches in this part of Mallorca, it can work well to keep Cala Engossalba for a day when you feel rested and can give the hike and swim enough time without rushing.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Pack as you would for a proper hike to a remote rocky cove. Good walking shoes, plenty of water, sun protection and a small snack supply are basic essentials. On the way down and up, take it slowly on loose sections and watch your footing under pine needles and stones. At the water, move carefully over the pebbles and consider wearing water shoes to avoid slipping and to protect your feet on hidden rocks. Check the sea state before committing to a long swim, especially if there is noticeable wind from the north. Mallorcard recommends for this area that visiting by rental car, often using strong multi company deals and the current promo code available on mallorcard.es where typical savings can be around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season, makes it much easier to bring enough water, shade gear and supplies and to time your return drive safely around changing weather and light.

Good to know

Cala Engossalba lies on the Formentor peninsula in the north of Mallorca, between other small coves such as Cala Murta and the headland formations near the lighthouse. The coastline here is steep and rocky, with narrow pebble inlets rather than broad sandy bays, which strongly shapes what kind of beach experience you will have. The surrounding area is completely natural forest and cliff landscape, with no residential or resort development directly above the cove. Precise mapping of the coordinates is useful because the Formentor coast has several similar looking inlets, and a clear polygon helps identify the exact small beach zone where you can comfortably enter the water. Most of the nearby coastline consists of cliffs, boulder slopes and viewpoints, so the truly usable swimming and sitting space is concentrated on the short pebble strip of Cala Engossalba itself.