Caleta des Frares

Caleta des Frares beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go

Caleta des Frares is a tiny rocky cove just by the Bonaire marina where locals slip into clear water from flat rocks rather than sand. It feels more like a natural swimming platform than a typical beach, with pine trees behind and views across the bay of Alcúdia. Many people from the area come here for a refreshing dip, a bit of cliff jumping and sunset light over the water. If you enjoy simple, no frills sea access and do not need sand or facilities, this spot can feel very authentic.

Quick facts at a glance

• Beach type: rocky coastal cove
• Ground: flat rocks and stone ledges
• Water entry: from rocks and ladders
• Water feel: deep, very clear
• Shade: some pines and walls
• Facilities: none right at the water
• Parking: streets near Bonaire harbour
• Best for: swimmers and cliff jumping fans

The overall vibe

Caleta des Frares is a beach in Mallorca in the sense that it is a small cove used for swimming, but the experience is closer to a rocky bathing place than a sandy bay. The shoreline is made up of stone ledges and rough rocks at the edge of the sea, backed by pines and a quiet residential area of luxury villas. It usually feels calm and local, with small groups of friends, teenagers and nearby residents chatting, sunbathing on the rocks or easing themselves into the water. On summer afternoons the mood can be lively but still relaxed, with people watching others jump from different heights into the clear blue sea. It is a simple, scenic place to sit, cool off and enjoy views across the northern bay rather than spend a long, fully equipped beach day.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

There is no sand at Caleta des Frares, so you should expect a completely rocky shore. Entry to the sea is from the flat rocks and small platforms, sometimes helped by metal ladders fixed into the stone in a few places. The seabed drops away fairly quickly which gives deep, clear water ideal for confident swimmers. Water shoes are very helpful here because the rocks can be rough or slippery, and small stones around the edges can be uncomfortable on bare feet. Many visitors use the ladders or careful steps down from lower rocks to get in, especially when they prefer not to jump. On windy days or when the sea is choppy, waves against the rocks make entry and exit more challenging, so this is not a good choice for anyone unsure in open water.

Who Caleta des Frares is perfect for

Caleta des Frares is ideal for strong swimmers and people who enjoy natural rock bathing spots. It is popular with local teenagers and adults who like low key cliff jumping from modest heights and quick swims after work or on hot days. Snorkelers also appreciate the rocky underwater landscape and clear northern water. It is not well suited to families with small children, people needing easy pram access or anyone expecting sand, shallow paddling areas and lifeguards. If your personal best beaches Mallorca list is mostly about soft sand and services, Caleta des Frares is better seen as a short stop for a dip and a view than as a primary beach day.

Facilities and comfort

There are no formal facilities right at the water in Caleta des Frares. You will not find sunbed rentals, showers or toilets on the rocks themselves. Comfort comes from choosing a flat section of rock where you can spread a towel or sit, and many regulars bring a thicker mat to make the hard surface more pleasant. Shade depends on the time of day and is mostly found under nearby pines or along walls where the sun angle creates narrow shadow bands. For food, drinks and toilets you normally rely on the services around the small Bonaire harbour, which is only a short walk away and offers cafés or bars. Most people bring a light bag with water, snacks and something to sit on, since they do not usually stay all day.

Getting there and parking

Caleta des Frares is located on the peninsula behind Alcúdia, close to the Bonaire and Mal Pas residential areas in the north of Mallorca. The easiest way to reach it is by road towards Bonaire, then following local streets that run slightly beyond the marina before you walk down towards the rocky shoreline. Access to the rocks is by short paths and steps that can be a bit uneven, so wearing solid footwear on the approach is a good idea before changing into lighter shoes at your chosen spot. Parking is usually along nearby streets or in small informal areas around the port and villas, and in summer these spaces can fill up quickly, particularly late in the afternoon when locals come for a swim. Many travelers in the Mallorcard community say that visiting this cove by rental car is recommended so you can time your arrival and combine it with other Alcúdia area beaches, and that using strong rental car deals from several companies with the current promo code on mallorcard.es often brings savings in the region of 10 to 50 percent depending on the season.

The best spots along Caleta des Frares

Because this is a rocky cove rather than a beach, your choice of spot focuses on flatness, shade and water access. Many regulars pick the flatter slabs closer to the ladders, where getting in and out of the sea is straightforward even if you do not want to jump. For example, many families with older children who can swim confidently but do not like big heights choose the lower ledges close to the metal ladders so they always have an easy exit. Those keen on cliff jumping tend to move to certain points where the water is deep enough and local people already jump, sticking to heights that match their comfort level. If you prefer more quiet and views, slightly higher rock shelves back from the water offer a calmer place to sit and look out across the bay. Late in the day, some of the rocks near the trees gain welcome shade, which is appreciated by anyone staying longer.

What you can do nearby

• Stroll around Bonaire marina and enjoy a drink or meal with sea views
• Swim or snorkel at nearby small coves around Mal Pas and Bonaire
• Visit the long sandy beach of Port d’Alcúdia for a classic family beach setup
• Hike or drive to Coll Baix for a wilder north coast cove
• Explore Alcúdia old town for its walls, shops and restaurants

Best time to visit

Caleta des Frares is pleasant in the morning when the light is soft and only a few people are out for an early swim. Late morning and early afternoon are usually quieter than on big beaches because there is no sand or full day setup, though the rocks can become very hot in high summer. Late afternoon and early evening are the most popular times, especially with local residents and visitors staying in Bonaire who come for a pre dinner swim, cliff jumping and sunset views. If you want a calmer moment and easier parking, aiming for morning or early in the day works well. Travelers who are exploring several northern beaches over a few days often drop by Caleta des Frares for an hour or two between longer stops at places like Alcanada or Alcúdia beach.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Because you will be moving over rocks, wear sturdy shoes or sandals with grip for the walk down and avoid going barefoot on hot, sharp stone. Water shoes are very useful for entering the sea, especially around rough sections and where algae can make the rocks slippery. If you or your group want to jump, always check the water depth yourself first, choose sensible heights and avoid jumping where swimmers are below you. Pack plenty of water, reef safe sunscreen, hats and a light cover up, as there is limited natural shade and the rocks reflect heat. Mallorcard recommends for this area that visiting by rental car is recommended so you can bring all this gear, leave quickly if waves or wind increase and combine rocky swim stops with sandy beaches, and notes that strong multi company rental deals with the current promo code on mallorcard.es can often reduce overall transport costs by around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season.

Good to know

Caleta des Frares lies on the north coast of Mallorca on the peninsula between Alcúdia and Pollença bays, within the Bonaire and Mal Pas area of the Alcúdia municipality. The coastline here is mostly rocky, with low cliffs, flat slabs and a few small coves rather than long sandy stretches. The surroundings are residential and fairly upscale, with villas and apartments set among pines and gardens, and a small marina that gives the area a laid back, nautical character. Understanding the precise corner of shore you are heading to helps you see that this is essentially a rocky swimming access and cliff jumping spot beside the harbour, and not a formal beach with sand and facilities. For travelers, that context makes it easier to decide whether to come for a short, refreshing dip in clear water and some views, or to focus instead on the larger, more conventional beaches nearby.