Es Port

Es Port beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go

Es Port on Cabrera is a small, calm harbour beach at the heart of the Cabrera National Park, reached only by boat from Mallorca’s south coast. Here the sea feels very close, with the quay, a few low buildings and pine covered slopes rising quickly behind the sand. The water is crystal clear and usually gentle inside the bay, while the wider landscape stays largely untouched thanks to strict protection rules. Many visitors say that swimming here after the boat trip feels like stepping briefly into another, quieter world. If you like simple, natural settings and do not need classic resort infrastructure, this little beach is a memorable stop.

• Beach type: Small harbour bay
• Ground: Sand with some pebbles
• Water entry: Gentle and shallow
• Water feel: Very clear, usually calm
• Shade: Some from trees and buildings
• Facilities: Very limited, small kiosk and toilets nearby
• Parking: On Mallorca at departure port only
• Best for: Day trippers, gentle swims, nature lovers

The overall vibe

Es Port is a beach in Mallorca’s offshore Cabrera archipelago that offers a compact sandy and pebbly bay right beside the tiny harbour. The atmosphere is peaceful and nature focused, shaped more by the island’s status as a national park than by tourism development. You will see excursion boats coming and going, park staff working on the quay and day visitors spreading out along the small stretch of shore for a swim and some sun. The overall feeling is calm and respectful, with rules about where you can walk, swim and anchor helping to keep the environment intact. Many visitors describe it as a welcome pause between walking trails, a short climb to the castle or a visit to the museum. Views from the waterline take in anchored boats, the harbour buildings and the rising land behind, giving a sense of being cradled within a protected bay.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The beach surface at Es Port is a mix of sand and small pebbles, so you can comfortably place a towel but will notice some stonier patches underfoot. The water entry is usually gentle and shallow near the shore, allowing you to wade in gradually and making it easy for children and less confident swimmers to enjoy a dip close to land. The water is typically very clear, showing the sandy and pebbly seabed below, with deeper blue tones further out where boats moor. Because the bay is quite sheltered, waves are generally small and the sea feels calm, although occasional wakes from incoming or outgoing boats can send small ripples toward the shore. Water shoes are optional but can be handy if your feet are sensitive to pebbles or if you want to explore around the edges of the bay. As always in a small harbour area, it is important to stay within the marked bathing zone and away from boat manoeuvre routes.

Who Es Port is perfect for

Es Port suits day trippers to Cabrera who want a gentle swim in very clear water as part of a wider nature outing. It is ideal for couples, families with school age children and solo travelers who like simple island atmospheres and do not mind that the beach itself is small. People interested in walking trails, the castle viewpoint or the park’s history also appreciate having this calm bay as a place to cool off before or after their explorations. It is not the right choice for visitors seeking long sandy expanses, sunbed rentals, a loud social scene or full day classic resort beach infrastructure. If you are building a best beaches Mallorca itinerary that includes a special, more remote experience, Es Port on Cabrera works well as a one day highlight combined with a boat trip and hiking rather than as a repeat spot.

Facilities and comfort

Facilities at Es Port are intentionally limited due to the park’s protection status. There is no line of sunbeds or large beach bar on the sand, and shade structures are minimal. However, close behind the beach you usually find a small kiosk or canteen area, basic toilets and park information points. Some trees and buildings provide patches of shade, and there are benches and stone walls where visitors can sit when they are not on the sand. Drinking water and simple snacks are available, but you should not expect the variety of a mainland resort. It is sensible to bring your own towel, sunscreen, hat and perhaps a small extra snack or drink, while keeping your load light enough for the boat and short walks. The comfort here relies on the calm bay and the surrounding landscape rather than on services.

Getting there and parking

Es Port is located on the main island of the Cabrera archipelago, south of Mallorca, and can only be reached by authorised boat services or private boats with permits. Most visitors depart from ports such as Colònia de Sant Jordi, where excursion companies run scheduled trips that include time in the bay, the option to visit the castle or museum and sometimes an extra swim stop elsewhere. Parking is therefore on Mallorca, at or near your chosen departure port, often in local street spaces or designated car parks. Once you arrive at Cabrera, boats dock at the small harbour, and from there it is only a short, flat walk to the beach area. Because timetables are fixed, you should pay attention to your return time and avoid wandering too far from the harbour without checking how long your route will take.

The best spots along Es Port

Given the modest size of the beach, the best spots are often simply those that balance sun, shade and a clear path into the water. For example, many families choose areas near the centre of the bay where the sand is most even and the entry into the sea is very gentle, keeping children close to the shore. Others prefer to sit slightly to one side where there is a bit more space between groups and where they can look out both at the water and up toward the castle hill. For example, many visitors like to settle near the edge where a small patch of tree shade reaches the sand later in the day, making longer stays more comfortable. Swimmers often move to the ends of the marked bathing zone for slightly quieter water, always respecting any ropes or signs that mark off boat areas. If you plan to take photos, short climbs to nearby low viewpoints around the harbour give excellent angles over the bay and the surrounding island landscape.

What you can do nearby

• Walk up to the Cabrera castle for wide views over the archipelago and Mallorca’s south coast
• Visit the small museum and information centre near the harbour to learn about local history and nature
• Follow marked walking paths through the island’s interior landscapes within the time allowed
• Join organised snorkelling or swim stops that some boat trips include around nearby coves
• Enjoy a simple drink or snack at the modest harbour facilities before returning to Mallorca

Best time to visit

Your time at Es Port usually depends on your boat schedule, but conditions are often most pleasant in late morning and afternoon when the sun is high enough to warm the water. Early in the season or on days with more wind, the air can feel fresh, so having a light layer for after swimming is helpful. Midday brings strong sun with limited shade on the sand, which suits those who like heat but requires extra care with sunscreen, hats and hydration. Later in the afternoon, the light softens over the bay and hills, making the area particularly attractive for photos and quieter moments before boats depart. When planning your overall Cabrera day, it can work well to swim first, then explore the castle or paths, and finish with a final short dip if time and your boat timetable allow.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Because you are in a national park on an island, advance planning matters more than on a mainland beach. Bring reef safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and enough water for the time not covered by what you can buy at the kiosk. A light towel, swimwear and simple sandals are usually sufficient for the beach, while more solid shoes are useful if you plan to walk up to the castle or follow longer paths. Respect all park rules, including restrictions on where you can walk, where you can swim and how you dispose of rubbish; taking any litter back with you is essential. Keep an eye on children and weaker swimmers, particularly near any boundaries between the bathing area and boat manoeuvre zones. Because boats run on fixed schedules, keep track of time so you are back at the harbour in good time for your return.

Good to know

Es Port lies on the main island of the Cabrera archipelago, just south of Mallorca’s south coast and usually accessed from ports such as Colònia de Sant Jordi. The coastline here forms a small, well sheltered harbour bay with a short sandy and pebbly beach, surrounded by low buildings, pine covered slopes and rocky hills. The whole area is part of a protected maritime and terrestrial national park, so development is tightly controlled and nature is the main focus. This makes Es Port quite different from mainland town beaches: it feels more like a brief window into a preserved island environment than a fully equipped resort shore. When you look at a map, you can see how this bay faces northwest toward Mallorca, with routes across the island leading up to the castle and around the coastline, helping you understand how a visit to Es Port fits into a wider day exploring Cabrera and the surrounding sea.