S'Arenal de Portocolom

S’Arenal de Portocolom beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go

S’Arenal de Portocolom is a soft sandy beach set on the outer side of Portocolom’s picturesque harbour on the east coast of Mallorca. The bay feels sheltered and friendly, with views back toward the village, boats at anchor and low green headlands on either side. Many visitors like the mix of local atmosphere and holiday comfort here, with easy swimming and a relaxed, sociable feel. Families return often because the water is shallow and calm, while couples enjoy the sunset light and the good beach restaurant right on the sand. If you want a manageable, seaside village style beach without high rise hotels behind you, S’Arenal de Portocolom is a strong option.

• Beach type: Sheltered village bay
• Ground: Fine light sand
• Water entry: Gentle, shallow, sandy
• Water feel: Calm, protected waters
• Shade: Some trees and umbrellas
• Facilities: Sunbeds, bar, toilets
• Parking: Small areas by the beach
• Best for: Families and relaxed days

The overall vibe

The overall vibe at S’Arenal de Portocolom is easygoing, family friendly and distinctly local. This beach in Mallorca offers a compact sandy curve directly opposite the harbour entrance, framed by low rocky points and a scattering of houses and pine trees. The atmosphere can feel lively at peak times, but it rarely becomes overwhelming, as the beach is not huge and maintains a village scale. You will hear children playing, gentle music from the beach chiringuito and the occasional boat passing, rather than loud party noise. Photo potential is good, especially with the view across the bay, the bathing platform out in the water and the warm evening light over the harbour.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The sand is fine and light coloured, comfortable underfoot and ideal for small children to play. Water entry is very gentle, with a sandy bottom that slopes gradually, so you can wade in slowly and stay within your depth for a long distance. Regular swimmers say the water feels especially calm thanks to the protected position inside the larger bay, making it a good place for less confident swimmers. The seabed close to shore is mostly sand, though around the edges and nearer the rocks you may find more stones and some sea grass, which can be interesting for simple snorkeling. Water shoes are usually not necessary for the central part of the beach but can help if you like to explore near the rocky sides or the bathing platform.

Who S’Arenal de Portocolom is perfect for

S’Arenal de Portocolom is perfect for families with children, couples looking for a relaxed day, and visitors who appreciate an authentic harbour setting with all the basics close at hand. The shallow water, lifeguard presence in season and compact size make it easy to keep track of kids. It is also a good fit if you want to combine beach time with harbour strolling and eating well without needing a car once you are in town. It may be less appealing for travelers who prioritise long stretches of sand or extensive water sports, as this is a relatively small bay. For those building a personal best beaches Mallorca style itinerary, S’Arenal often serves as a charming, low stress east coast stop alongside more expansive bays like Cala Mondragó or Cala Sa Nau.

Facilities and comfort

For its size, S’Arenal de Portocolom offers a solid range of facilities. There are usually sunbeds and umbrellas for rent along parts of the sand, plus some natural shade from trees at the back. A beach bar and restaurant sits directly on or just behind the beach, popular for breakfasts with sea views, relaxed lunches and sunset drinks. Showers and toilets are available, and in summer there is normally a lifeguard. A notable feature many visitors mention is the large floating bathing platform offshore, equipped with slides and a diving point, which is free to use and very popular with older children and teenagers. Overall, you can arrive with just a towel and basic beach gear and be comfortable for most of the day.

Getting there and parking

Reaching S’Arenal de Portocolom by car is straightforward. From Felanitx and the main Ma 4010 road, you follow signs into Portocolom, then continue through the village area toward the Sa Punta side of the harbour until you reach the small one way streets behind the beach. Rental cars are often the easiest way to reach beaches in Mallorca, and here they allow you to combine a swim at S’Arenal with other coves and viewpoints nearby. Parking consists of small roadside and informal spaces directly behind or close to the sand; they are convenient but can fill quickly in summer, particularly around midday and on weekends. 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 time your arrival, park close and link Portocolom with other east coast beaches in one day.

The best spots along S’Arenal de Portocolom

The central section of the beach, near the main lifeguard and directly in front of the chiringuito, is the most convenient area for families and anyone who wants everything close by. For example, many parents choose a spot here so children can easily move between the water, the bathing platform and the bar for drinks or ice cream. Toward one end, where the bay curves into slightly rockier ground, the water can be a bit clearer and more interesting for simple snorkeling. The edges are often a little quieter, good for couples looking for more space or for those who want to be closer to the path that leads along the headland. Evening light from the back of the beach, looking across the bay toward the harbour and lighthouse, is especially pleasant for photos.

What you can do nearby

• Stroll the old harbour of Portocolom and enjoy its waterfront cafés and bars
• Take a coastal walk along the Sa Punta headland for views toward the lighthouse
• Join a boat trip or snorkelling excursion leaving from the Portocolom harbour
• Visit nearby Cala Marçal for a slightly larger sandy beach with more resort services
• Explore Felanitx town and its surrounding countryside, including the Sant Salvador sanctuary

Best time to visit

Mornings at S’Arenal de Portocolom are generally calm, with quieter sand and softer light, making them ideal for families with young children and early swimmers. As the day moves toward midday and early afternoon, the beach tends to fill with both locals and visitors, and the bathing platform becomes busier. Late afternoon and early evening bring a more relaxed, almost village gathering feel, with people staying for a final swim and moving on to dinner at the beach restaurant or in the harbour. If you are exploring multiple beaches along the east coast of Mallorca during a few days, S’Arenal works well as a late afternoon swim and sunset stop after visiting more remote or natural bays earlier in the day.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

The water at S’Arenal is generally very safe and calm, but as always it pays to pay attention to local conditions and any lifeguard flags. Children using the bathing platform should be supervised, particularly around the diving areas and slides. The sun can be intense in the middle of the day, so even with some natural shade it is wise to bring reef safe sunscreen, hats and plenty of drinking water, especially if you prefer to sit further from the bar. Simple beach shoes can be useful for those who want to explore the rocky sides of the bay or climb on the platform. 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 towels, shade gear and spare clothes so you can stay for dinner in Portocolom and still drive back comfortably.

Good to know

S’Arenal de Portocolom lies on the east coast of Mallorca in the municipality of Felanitx, on the Sa Punta side of the large, deep natural harbour of Portocolom. It is a sandy, sheltered bay beach with a comfortable village setting rather than a long, open resort strip. The immediate surroundings are low rise and mixed residential, with houses, small accommodation and a couple of beach venues behind the sand instead of big hotel complexes. Knowing exactly where this beach sits helps differentiate it from the main urban beaches in nearby Cala d’Or and from the smaller Portocolom coves like Cala Marçal. This context is useful when planning your time on the east coast of Mallorca, especially if you want one day focused on a friendly harbour beach that combines swimming with dining and a relaxed evening walk.