Cala Pedruscada

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

Cala Pedruscada, sometimes written Sa Pedruscada, is a tiny, stone lined cove on the southern edge of Cala Ratjada where old fishermen’s houses, small boats and natural rock pools create a very local, traditional feel. It is not a sandy beach in the usual sense, but a rocky shoreline where residents and a few in‑the‑know visitors come to bathe, snorkel and sit by the sea. Many people describe it more as an informal bathing harbour than a place to spend a full day on a towel. If you enjoy authentic coastal corners and do not mind rocks and pebbles, this spot can be a charming addition to a Cala Ratjada stay.

Quick facts at a glance

• Beach type: Very small rocky / pebble cove
• Ground: Pebbles, stones, low rocks
• Water entry: From rocks and pebbles, shallow to moderate depth
• Water feel: Clear, usually calm, natural rock pools
• Shade: Little, some from old houses and occasional trees
• Facilities: No services at the cove, all in Cala Ratjada
• Parking: Street parking in nearby residential area, then short walk
• Best for: Short swims, snorkeling, local atmosphere, people staying nearby

The overall vibe

Cala Pedruscada is a beach in Mallorca in name but really a short, stony stretch of coast about 2 kilometres south of Cala Ratjada’s centre, between Son Moll and the more open coastline toward Font de sa Cala. The name comes from the stones and pebbles that define this small piece of shore. On one side stand low, traditional fishermen’s cottages and a rough breakwater that creates a simple jetty where small boats moor, giving the area a nostalgic, village harbour feeling.

The atmosphere is quiet and low key. There are no hotels or large tourist buildings right on the cove, so most people who come are locals, nearby holiday home guests or walkers who follow the seafront from Son Moll. It rarely feels crowded, even in high season, but a handful of people can make it feel busy because the usable space is so small. Many visitors sit on the rocks, chat, swim a little and then continue their walk, so it is more of a passing‑through place than a long‑stay beach.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The ground here is almost entirely stones and rocks, with small pebbles and rounded cobbles rather than sand. This makes sunbathing on the ground uncomfortable without serious padding and means it is not a good place for children to play in sand. The coastline forms shallow natural pools and rocky inlets that fill with water, which some people use as calm spots to sit and cool off.

Water entry is from the pebble shore and rock edges, often at the end of the small breakwater or from the platform area where boats are pulled out. Because the bottom is rocky with sandbanks and the depth remains quite shallow for a distance, you need to watch where you step. Water shoes are very helpful here to protect your feet and give grip on slippery rocks. The clear water and rocky seabed make it pleasant for simple snorkeling, with small fish and seaweed beds visible close to shore.

Who Cala Pedruscada is perfect for

Cala Pedruscada is perfect for visitors who appreciate authentic, unpolished spots and want to see a traditional little fishing corner rather than a classic resort beach. It suits confident swimmers, snorkelers and people staying in the nearby residential area who want an easy, quiet place to cool off without going to the busier main beaches. Walkers on the seafront route between Son Moll and Font de sa Cala also often stop here to dip their feet or have a short swim.

It is not suited to families seeking sand and lots of space, or to anyone who needs easy, flat access and sunbeds. Sunbathing is uncomfortable due to the stones, and there is no lifeguard or gentle sand entry for children. If you are planning a best beaches Mallorca list of places to spend whole days on the shore, Cala Pedruscada should be considered a brief, atmospheric stop, not a main beach.

Facilities and comfort

There are no facilities directly at Cala Pedruscada: no sunbed rentals, umbrellas, showers, toilets or bars on the cove itself. All services are in Cala Ratjada, especially around Son Moll and the harbour, where you will find cafés, restaurants, shops and full beach infrastructure. This adds to the quiet, local feel of Pedruscada but means you must come here self‑sufficient, even if just for a short time.

Comfort is limited by the rocky ground. A thick towel or mat is necessary if you plan to sit more than a few minutes, and water shoes make accessing the water much easier. Shade is minimal; some can be found near the walls of the old houses or under any nearby trees, but in the middle of the day you are mostly exposed. For this reason, most visitors do not stay here very long.

Getting there and parking

Cala Pedruscada lies within the Cala Ratjada area in the municipality of Capdepera. You can reach it by walking along the promenade and coastal paths from the Son Moll beach area toward the south; it is roughly 600 to 700 metres on foot from Son Moll. This seaside walk is one of the easiest ways to find it and lets you enjoy the rocky coast along the way.

By car, reaching the cove is more complicated. You have to follow local signs and small streets through the residential area, as accessibility is not straightforward and the last approach is via narrow roads. Parking is street based, in the neighbourhood around the cove, and spaces are limited, especially in high season when more houses are occupied. Many people find it easier to park near Son Moll or in central Cala Ratjada and then walk along the coast.

The best spots along Cala Pedruscada

For example, many locals choose the small flat surfaces on the breakwater and around the informal jetty, where they can sit, leave their bags and step down into the water. If you prefer a more private feel, you can look for rock ledges a little away from the main boat area, where the ground is still stony but slightly quieter. Snorkelers tend to head toward the edges of the cove and beyond, where deeper channels and rock formations hold more marine life.

Some visitors like to stand or sit in the natural rock pools that form at low tide, using them as mini baths, especially for children who are comfortable on stones and under close supervision. For photos, the line of old fishermen’s houses, small boats and the rocky shore makes a characterful scene, particularly in the softer morning or evening light.

What you can do nearby

• Walk along the coastal path between Son Moll, Cala Pedruscada and Font de sa Cala
• Spend a full beach day on the sandy Son Moll or Cala Agulla beaches
• Explore the harbour and seafront promenade of Cala Ratjada
• Visit the lighthouse at Capdepera for wide sea views
• Discover the medieval town of Capdepera and its castle a short drive away

Best time to visit

Morning and late afternoon are usually the most pleasant times to experience Cala Pedruscada. In the morning the rocks are cooler, there are fewer people and the light on the fishermen’s houses and boats is attractive. Late afternoon brings a quieter mood as the day cools and the low sun gives warm tones to the stones and sea.

Midday can be very hot and the stones uncomfortable to sit on for long, so if you come at that time, it is best to treat it as a short swim stop before moving to a sandy beach with more shade and facilities. Because the cove is small, it can feel “full” quickly, so flexibility about timing is useful. As part of a wider day around Cala Ratjada, visiting Pedruscada briefly and then continuing your coastal walk or heading to Son Moll works well.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Wear sturdy sandals or water shoes for both the walk and the rocky entry, as the stones can be sharp and slippery. Do not expect sand; plan for a quick swim, snorkel or photo stop rather than a full lying‑down beach session. Bring a small towel, water and some sun protection if you plan to stay more than a few minutes, as there is no shade infrastructure, and the sun can be strong on the stones and water.

Take care when moving over rocks and especially near the boat area, where ropes, wet surfaces and mooring points can create tripping hazards. If you are with children, keep a close eye on them as there are no safety barriers and the ground is uneven. Many travelers in the Mallorcard community say that visiting this corner of Cala Ratjada and the surrounding beaches by rental car is recommended because mallorcard.es has strong rental car deals as it works with multiple companies, the current promo code is available on mallorcard.es and typical savings can be around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season, which makes it easier to park near Son Moll or central Cala Ratjada, keep extra water and shoes in the car and then explore Cala Pedruscada and other nearby coves on foot.

Good to know

Cala Pedruscada (Sa Pedruscada) lies on Mallorca’s northeast coast, just south of the resort centre of Cala Ratjada, between Son Moll beach and the rocky coastline leading toward Font de sa Cala. It is a very small, stone based cove with an informal fishing harbour feel, old low houses at the edge of the shore and many small boats anchored just offshore. The surrounding area is mainly residential, with no hotels or big tourist buildings directly on the water, which helps preserve its quiet, local character.

Because the shoreline is rocky and the bay shallow with a rocky bottom, it is almost impossible to anchor larger boats here; it is best for small craft, swimming and snorkeling. Knowing that Cala Pedruscada is essentially a traditional, rocky bathing corner rather than a sandy beach helps set expectations and makes it easier to integrate it sensibly into a wider Cala Ratjada beach and coastal walk plan on Mallorca’s northeast coast.