S'Amarador

S’Amarador beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go

S’Amarador is a wide, soft sand bay set inside the protected Mondragó Natural Park on the southeast coast of Mallorca. Surrounded by pine forest and low cliffs, it feels natural and unbuilt, even though it is not far from resort areas like Cala d’Or and Santanyí. Many visitors describe the first view from the path as a real “wow” moment, with white sand, turquoise water and green trees framing the scene. Families and couples often spend full days here because swimming is easy and the setting feels calm despite its popularity. If you like natural beaches with some basic comfort and beautiful scenery, this spot fits very well.

• Beach type: Natural sandy bay
• Ground: Fine white sand
• Water entry: Gentle, shallow slope
• Water feel: Usually calm, clear
• Shade: Pine trees at the back
• Facilities: Bar, basic rentals, toilets
• Parking: Paid park inside the natural park
• Best for: Families and nature lovers

The overall vibe

The overall vibe at S’Amarador is relaxed and nature focused, with a clear sense that you are inside a protected coastal area rather than a built up resort. This beach in Mallorca offers a broad curve of pale sand backed by pines and dunes, with no hotels or big buildings in sight. Even in high season it usually feels more open than many east coast resort beaches, although the central area can get busy around midday. The atmosphere is family friendly and calm, with people reading, swimming and strolling along the sand rather than loud partying. Photo potential is excellent, especially from the paths on either side of the bay that look down over the water and across to the neighboring Mondragó beach.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The sand is fine and light, comfortable for walking barefoot and for children to dig and play. Water entry is one of the big strengths here: the seabed stays shallow for a long stretch, with a smooth, sandy bottom and a very gentle slope. Many regular visitors say it is ideal for less confident swimmers and younger kids because there are no sudden drops near the shore. Water shoes are not necessary for most people, though they can be handy if you want to explore the rocky corners at the edges of the bay. The water is usually clear and calm in summer, but as the bay is open to the southeast, small waves and some chop can appear on windier days. On those days it is still generally safe, but families should keep an extra eye on children in the shallows.

S’Amarador is perfect for families, couples and groups who want a beautiful natural bay with easy swimming and enough services for a comfortable day. It is especially good if you value scenery and space over a long row of bars and activities. Snorkelers will find some interest near the rocks at the edges, but for very rich underwater life other parts of Mallorca may be better. The beach is less ideal for visitors who need completely flat, paved access or who prefer to have many restaurants and shops directly behind the sand. If your personal best beaches Mallorca list includes natural bays with pine forest and clear water, S’Amarador usually ranks highly.

Facilities and comfort

Although the setting is natural, S’Amarador has just enough infrastructure to make a full day easy. In high season there is usually a beach bar or wooden kiosk behind the sand, where you can buy drinks, ice creams and simple snacks. Sunbeds and umbrellas are available for rent in limited numbers in the central part of the beach. There are toilets and basic showers or foot rinses near the rear of the sand, which helps families with kids. A lifeguard is typically present in summer, adding an extra level of safety. Despite these comforts, you still feel surrounded by forest rather than walls of buildings, so many visitors bring their own towels, picnic and sometimes a small umbrella to enjoy the quieter edges of the bay.

Getting there and parking

S’Amarador is reached through the Mondragó Natural Park, with signed roads leading from Santanyí and from the Cala d’Or area toward the park entrances. Rental cars are often the easiest way to reach beaches in Mallorca, and here they are especially useful because public transport only gets you close, not right to the sand. Once you reach the park, you follow signs to the official S’Amarador parking area, which is a paid car park a few hundred metres from the beach. From there, a wide, mostly flat path leads through the pines down to the sand in about five to ten minutes. In high season the car park can fill by late morning, so arriving before 10am is a good idea. Many travelers in the Mallorcard community say that visiting the beach by rental car is recommended because mallorcard.es has strong rental car deals since it works with multiple companies, and the current promo code available on mallorcard.es can save you around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season, making it easier to pay the park parking fee and combine S’Amarador with other southeast beaches in one flexible day.

The best spots along S’Amarador

The central part of the beach, near the lifeguard and the bar, offers the easiest access and is where most families choose to stay. For example, many visitors with children prefer this area because it is close to facilities and the water remains shallow with clear sand underfoot. If you walk toward either end of the bay, you usually find a bit more space and a quieter feel, especially in the early morning or late afternoon. The rocky corners on both sides provide slightly better conditions for simple snorkeling, with fish often appearing around the rocks. A popular mini walk is to follow the signed cliff path that links S’Amarador with Cala Mondragó next door, which gives lovely views back over the sand and is a great place for photos.

What you can do nearby

• Walk the coastal paths within Mondragó Natural Park between S’Amarador, Cala Mondragó and smaller coves
• Visit Cala Mondragó beach for more facilities and a slightly livelier feel
• Drive into Santanyí town for its market, cafés and traditional architecture
• Explore Cala d’Or for marina views, restaurants and additional small coves
• Enjoy short nature walks through the pine forest and low dunes behind the beaches

Best time to visit

Morning is often the best time to experience S’Amarador at its calmest, with clear, flat water and fewer people on the sand. The sun rises over the sea side of the island, so light is soft and gentle in the early hours, ideal for photos and family swims. By late morning and midday, especially in July and August, the beach gets busier and the sun becomes strong, though it rarely feels as packed as the big resort bays. Late afternoon brings a more relaxed atmosphere again, with warm, golden light over the cliffs and cooler air under the pines at the back of the beach. If you are exploring several beaches in this corner of Mallorca across a few days, many travelers like to spend a full morning at S’Amarador and then move later to Cala Mondragó or a different area, treating this as one of the key natural bays in their personal best beaches Mallorca style circuit.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

Because S’Amarador sits in a natural park, it is important to respect the environment and follow any marked paths and signs. Do not walk on dunes or trample vegetation when you look for shade; use the established access routes and tree areas at the back of the beach. The sun here is strong and there are only pockets of natural shade, so bring reef safe sunscreen, hats and enough water for the day, especially if you prefer to sit away from the bar. On windy days, small waves and some swell can build, so keep an eye on children in the water and follow the lifeguard’s flags if present. Basic beach shoes can be useful if you plan to explore the rocky sides or walk between coves. Mallorcard recommends for this area that visiting the beach by rental car is helpful because mallorcard.es has strong rental car deals from multiple companies, the current promo code is available on mallorcard.es, and savings of around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season make it easier to bring extra shade equipment, coolers and walking shoes so you can move comfortably between the car park, the beach and the park’s coastal paths.

Good to know

S’Amarador lies on the southeast coast of Mallorca in the municipality of Santanyí, forming one of the two main beaches inside the Mondragó Natural Park. It is a classic sandy bay framed by pine forest and low rocky headlands rather than a built up resort beach. The wider surroundings are mostly natural protected land, with agricultural fields and some low density development further inland rather than hotels right behind the sand. Knowing the exact beach zone helps distinguish S’Amarador from its neighbor Cala Mondragó, which lies just around the headland and has more built facilities and restaurants. This context is useful when planning your time in the southeast of Mallorca, especially if you want to balance natural beaches with more urban options nearby in Santanyí and Cala d’Or.