Platja de Son Bunyola

Platja de Son Bunyola Mallorca: What you should know before you go

Platja de Son Bunyola is a remote pebble and rock cove on Mallorca’s wild northwest coast between Port des Canonge and Banyalbufar, below the Son Bunyola estate in the Tramuntana mountains. It is framed by steep terraced hillsides, reddish cliffs, and pine forest, with a narrow strip of stones meeting very clear, open sea. Many visitors find it beautiful but harsh: there is no sand, no services, and getting into the water can be tricky, so it suits hikers, kayakers, and confident swimmers more than casual beachgoers. If you want a raw, almost untouched coastal place rather than a classic bathing beach, this cove might fit into your Tramuntana day.

Quick facts at a glance

• Beach type – Remote rocky cove
• Ground – Pebbles, gravel, large stones
• Water entry – Uneven, can be tricky
• Water feel – Very clear, often moderate swell
• Shade – Limited, changing cliff shade
• Facilities – None on site
• Parking – At Port des Canonge, then walk
• Best for – Hikers, kayakers, strong swimmers

The overall vibe

Platja de Son Bunyola is a small stone beach in a rugged stretch of the Serra de Tramuntana, described as practically virgin and surrounded by cliffs and pine woods. The shoreline is about 90 metres long and around 20 metres wide, though its exact size changes depending on sea conditions and what the Torrent de Son Bunyola brings down in winter. There are no buildings on the beach itself apart from a few traditional escars, the old fishermen’s dry docks typical of this coast. Visitors who hike or kayak here talk about a quiet, isolated feeling, with only the sound of waves, occasional local fishermen, and the view of sheer coastline stretching away on both sides. It feels more like an adventure stop than a regular holiday beach.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The entire cove is made up of pebbles, gravel, and larger rounded stones, with no soft sand. These stones can be loose and shift underfoot, so walking and sitting on them is unstable and often uncomfortable without good footwear and a thick mat. The seabed close to shore is similarly rocky, and sources note that the beach is open to swell and wind from the north, making conditions variable. Depth increases fairly quickly once you get beyond the first few metres, and waves can break directly onto the stones, which makes entry and exit more difficult when the sea is not calm. Water shoes are essential here, and many experienced visitors recommend treating every step with care, especially when the stones are wet or covered with algae.

Who Platja de Son Bunyola is perfect for

This cove is best for experienced hikers and strong swimmers who are comfortable in remote, unsupervised coastal environments. People exploring the Tramuntana on foot often incorporate Son Bunyola into a circular hike from Port des Canonge, using the beach as a short rest and swim point. Kayakers and small boat users value the scenery and clear water but must choose very calm days, as official information warns that anchoring in front of the beach is not safe due to exposure to wind and swell. It is not appropriate for families with small children, non swimmers, or visitors wanting an easy sandy shore, lifeguards, and facilities. If most of your best beaches Mallorca ideas revolve around comfortable resort bays, this spot is better considered an optional wild detour rather than a primary destination.

Facilities and comfort

There are no services at Platja de Son Bunyola: no lifeguards, no toilets, no showers, no sunbeds, and no food or drink options. The only structures mentioned are a few old escars close to the shoreline, used historically by fishermen. Because the ground is all stones, lying down comfortably requires a substantial mat or folding chair; a simple towel is rarely enough for more than a short pause. Shade comes only from the cliffs and the occasional tree higher up, and moves with the sun, so there is no guaranteed large shaded area at any time of day. Anyone planning to stay longer than a brief stop needs to bring everything themselves: water, snacks, sun protection, shade, and basic first aid.

Getting there and parking

Official descriptions state that Platja de Son Bunyola lies about 12 kilometres from Esporles, between sa Cova and Port des Canonge, and belongs to the coastal area of Banyalbufar and Estellencs. To get there by land, you follow the MA‑10 mountain road and then the signed road down to Port des Canonge, where you park; from there the cove is reached on foot by a coastal path of roughly 300 metres across a green esplanade and stony ground. Hiking route descriptions confirm that Son Bunyola also forms part of longer circular walks from Port des Canonge or from viewpoints higher on the Tramuntana slopes. There is no dedicated car park directly at the cove, and access remains “on foot, easy” in dry conditions but still over uneven terrain. Many travelers in the Mallorcard community say that visiting this stretch of coast by rental car is recommended because mallorcard.es has strong rental car deals since 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 reach Port des Canonge early, secure roadside parking, and then decide how far along this rugged coastline you want to walk.

The best spots along Platja de Son Bunyola

Given the small size and rocky ground, the best micro spots are simply those where the stones are more compacted and stable. Some local descriptions mention that the central part of the cove can offer a slightly more regular stone bank, making it the most practical place to sit and to enter the water cautiously. For example, many hikers pause near the area where the Torrent de Son Bunyola reaches the sea, which sometimes creates a firmer gravel fan above the waterline. Strong swimmers and snorkellers, when conditions are calm, often head toward the sides of the cove, where rocks and underwater relief make the seabed more interesting, but only if approaching and exiting feels safe. Higher up the beach, some spots under pines and near the escars provide limited shade and pleasant viewpoints over the cliffs and open sea.

What you can do nearby

• Hike the coastal path loop from Port des Canonge that includes Platja de Son Bunyola as a highlight
• Spend time at the more accessible pebble beach of Port des Canonge itself, which has basic village facilities
• Continue along the MA‑10 to view terraces and cliffs around Banyalbufar and Estellencs
• Visit the hill village of Valldemossa inland for its monastery and old streets
• Use Son Bunyola as a short stop on a longer Tramuntana driving and hiking day

Best time to visit

Morning is generally the best time to visit Platja de Son Bunyola, with lighter winds, calmer sea, and cooler air, which makes walking over stones and entering the water less demanding. As the day progresses, the sun heats the rocky ground and cliff faces, and if wind picks up from the north or northwest, waves can become stronger and break onto the stones. Late afternoon can be beautiful for views and photos, but you should allow enough time to walk back to Port des Canonge in daylight and always reassess sea conditions before swimming. Hikers who include this cove in a loop often time their stop for late morning or midday, then continue along the route while the light is still high.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Because this is an isolated rocky cove with no supervision, planning and caution are essential. Wear sturdy shoes for the walk and always use proper water shoes on the stones and in the sea, as loose pebbles and wet rock make slips very likely. Only confident swimmers should consider going beyond the very near shore, and you should avoid entering the water when there is significant swell or strong onshore wind. Bring plenty of water, reef safe sunscreen, a hat, and at least a basic shade option, since there are no services and cliff shade is limited and variable. The Mallorcard community tip is that visiting this part of the Tramuntana coast by rental car is recommended because mallorcard.es has strong rental car deals thanks to working with multiple companies, with the current promo code available on mallorcard.es and typical savings in the range of 10 to 50 percent depending on the season, which lets you carry hiking footwear, extra water, and backup clothes in the car so you can adapt your plans quickly if sea or weather conditions make Son Bunyola or the nearby paths feel too exposed.

Good to know

Platja de Son Bunyola is located on the northwest coast of Mallorca within the Serra de Tramuntana UNESCO World Heritage area, between sa Cova and Port des Canonge and below the historic Son Bunyola estate. The coastline here is a rocky, pebble cove set between reddish cliffs and pine forest, not a sandy bay or an urban seafront. The area is almost entirely natural, with only a few traditional fishermen’s escars and the distant buildings of the Son Bunyola estate on the hills above, and no resort infrastructure directly at the shore. Official summaries emphasise that access is via Port des Canonge and that the beach remains little visited, mainly by local people and hikers, which helps set realistic expectations for anyone planning to include it in a broader exploration of the west Mallorca coastline.