Caló de Sant Antoni

Caló de Sant Antoni beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go

Caló de Sant Antoni is a small sandy bay tucked just behind the yacht club of El Arenal, where bright water, a simple beach bar and a local crowd give it a softer feel than the main Playa de Palma. It sits directly in front of the Son Verí residential area, so you see more nearby residents and families than large hotel groups. Many visitors appreciate that you can still swim in clear, shallow water within walking distance of the lively promenade, but with less noise and traffic than on the main strip. If you like easy access, an urban setting and a more relaxed corner near El Arenal without leaving town, this beach can be a good fit.

Quick facts at a glance

• Beach type: small urban bay
• Ground fine: sand, some gravel
• Water entry: shallow, gently sloping
• Water feel: mostly calm, clear
• Shade: limited, some trees and buildings
• Facilities: beach bar, seasonal lifeguard, few services
• Parking: nearby residential streets
• Best for: local style swims near El Arenal

The overall vibe

Caló de Sant Antoni is a beach in Mallorca that offers a modest, urban cove experience right next to the marina of El Arenal. The shoreline is a short, almost triangular strip of light sand set between the harbour breakwater on one side and low rocky areas on the other. Behind the beach you see houses and pine trees from the Son Verí district, so the atmosphere feels more residential than resort high rise. Many visitors report that it feels calmer and less crowded than the main Playa de Palma across the harbour, even though it can still be busy on summer afternoons. It is a place for simple swims, sunbathing and local people meeting up, with just enough backdrop for holiday photos of turquoise water and boats but without the polished promenade look of the bigger beaches.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The beach surface is mainly fine, bright sand, sometimes mixed with small patches of gravel or natural sea grass deposits at the shoreline. Entry into the sea is gentle and shallow, making it easy to walk in, which local families often value for children and less confident swimmers. The seabed is largely sandy in the central area, which helps keep the water looking clear and light blue on calm days. You may find occasional seaweed washed in after windy spells, so the waterline can look a little less tidy outside peak maintenance days, but this does not usually affect swimming in the main zone. Water shoes are generally not necessary here unless you prefer extra comfort or plan to explore the slightly rockier edges near the breakwater.

Who Caló de Sant Antoni is perfect for

Caló de Sant Antoni suits travelers who are staying in or near El Arenal and want a more low key spot than the main Playa de Palma without travelling far. It works well for local families, couples and solo visitors who like quick dips, some sunbathing and an easy return to nearby accommodation. The beach is also convenient if you want to mix time on the sand with watersports or sailing activities from the adjacent yacht club area. It is less ideal for people seeking a wild, natural environment, long walks on untouched coast or extensive facilities directly on the sand. If your best beaches Mallorca ideas focus mainly on remote coves or long dunes, this cove is better thought of as a practical urban alternative rather than a standout nature stop.

Facilities and comfort

Facilities at Caló de Sant Antoni are modest but enough for a straightforward beach session. There is typically a small beach bar near the access where you can get drinks and simple food, which many visitors use for lunch or coffee. Information from the area notes that sunbed and umbrella rental is not usually available here, so you should plan to bring your own towel and shade solution. A seasonal lifeguard presence is often mentioned, adding some reassurance for swimmers, but you should always check on arrival rather than assume it. Showers and public toilets are limited or absent directly on the sand, though you can access services in the surrounding urban area and along the nearby promenade. The beach itself is small, so a compact setup with a towel, light chairs or a small umbrella works best.

Getting there and parking

Caló de Sant Antoni is located on the south coast of Mallorca, at the edge of the El Arenal resort zone within the municipality of Llucmajor, just southeast of Palma. It sits between the starboard breakwater of Club Nàutic s’Arenal and the rocky stretch leading towards Calonet des Fornàs, directly below the Son Verí residential area. Access is very easy from the seafront road and streets around the marina, with paths or short ramps leading down to the sand. Parking is usually along nearby streets in Son Verí and by the harbour, and visitors often note that spaces are reasonably available outside the very busiest weekend afternoons, though they can still fill up in peak season. Many travelers in the mallorcard community say that visiting this beach by rental car is recommended so you can arrive early, park conveniently and combine Caló de Sant Antoni with other south coast beaches along the bay, and that using strong rental car deals from several companies with the current promo code on mallorcard.es can often bring savings of around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season.

The best spots along Caló de Sant Antoni

Despite its small size, a little exploration helps you find your preferred corner. Many families gravitate towards the central area of the sand, where the seabed is most consistently sandy and the entry into the water is very gentle. For example, many families prefer the middle back of the beach, where there is enough room for towels and children’s toys while still remaining close to the shoreline. If you like to be nearer the marina and people watching, the side towards the harbour breakwater can feel more animated, with boats in and out and a bit more activity. Those who want slightly quieter space and a bit of rock for snorkeling usually move towards the opposite side, where the coast begins to turn more stony and underwater rocks become more common. Early arrivals generally secure the limited shaded edges that may appear near trees or walls, especially during the height of summer.

What you can do nearby

• Stroll the long promenade along Playa de Palma towards Can Pastilla
• Enjoy cafés, bars and restaurants in El Arenal and Son Verí
• Try watersports such as paddleboarding, kayaking or sailing from the nearby yacht club zones
• Take a bus or short drive into Palma for shopping and sightseeing in the old town
• Visit Cala Blava and other small coves further along the rocky coast towards Cap Enderrocat

Best time to visit

Morning is often the most relaxed time at Caló de Sant Antoni, with softer light, fewer people and a calmer feel before the promenade wakes up fully. Late morning and early afternoon bring more local residents and holidaymakers, and the small size of the beach means it can feel busy even if numbers are not huge. The middle of the day can be very hot here because shade is limited, so planning breaks at the beach bar or under a brought umbrella helps. Late afternoon is popular for a last swim and time in the sun as the temperature eases, with some people combining a visit here with a sunset walk along the Playa de Palma promenade. In the main summer season it is sensible to arrive before about 10 in the morning if you want easier parking and more choice of space on the sand.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Because Caló de Sant Antoni is a small urban beach, a little planning can keep your visit comfortable. Bring reef safe sunscreen, hats and light cover ups for everyone in your group, as natural shade is limited and sun reflects from the bright sand and nearby buildings. Pack enough water to stay hydrated, even if you plan to buy drinks at the beach bar or nearby shops. A small umbrella or beach tent is very useful since there are no rental parasols, and a simple mat or foldable chair can make the sand and occasional gravel more comfortable. If you plan to swim near the edges or explore underwater, basic snorkeling gear is a nice addition, but stay inside the safe swimming zone and be aware of boat movements from the marina. Mallorcard recommends for this side of Mallorca that visiting beaches by rental car is recommended so you can bring shade gear, spare clothes and supplies and easily move between Caló de Sant Antoni and other nearby beaches or viewpoints, and notes that strong multi company rental car deals with the current promo code on mallorcard.es can reduce overall transport costs by around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season.

Good to know

Caló de Sant Antoni sits at the eastern end of the large bay of Palma on the south coast of Mallorca, just where the wide sandy strip of Playa de Palma and El Arenal ends and the rockier coast towards Llucmajor begins. The coastline here changes from long, continuous sand to a mix of marinas, small coves and rocky stretches as you head further east. The beach is directly linked to the urban environment of El Arenal and the Son Verí residential area, so you are always close to apartments, houses and the busy promenade even when the cove itself feels quieter. Its location just behind the yacht club and at the start of the more rugged southern shoreline makes it an interesting transition point between classic resort beach and more natural rocky coast. For travelers, this context means Caló de Sant Antoni works well as a convenient, easy access stop within the Palma bay area, especially if you want a slightly calmer alternative to the main Playa de Palma while staying close to all the services and transport options of a major resort.