S'Arenal d'en Casat

S’Arenal d’en Casat beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go

S’Arenal d’en Casat is a long, wild stretch of sand on the north coast of Mallorca, set between Can Picafort and Son Serra de Marina within the protected Son Real dunes. Standing here, you see only sand, sea, dunes and low pine forest, with almost no buildings in sight. Many visitors describe it as a place where you feel far from the resorts even though you are only a short drive and a walk away. It is a favourite of walkers, nature lovers and independent swimmers who enjoy space and a more untouched coastline. If you like wide open beaches, a bit of effort to get there and almost no facilities, this is a very good match.

• Beach type: Long virgin sandy beach
• Ground: Fine golden sand, some pebbles
• Water entry: Sandy, some sea grass
• Water feel: Often wavy, open bay
• Shade: None on the sand
• Facilities: No services on the beach
• Parking: In Can Picafort or Son Serra
• Best for: Nature lovers and walkers

The overall vibe

The overall vibe at S’Arenal d’en Casat is quiet, wild and spacious. This beach in Mallorca offers an extensive band of sand backed by high dunes and pine forest in the Son Real protected area, with the Bay of Alcúdia stretching out in front. Even in mid summer it stays relatively empty compared with the nearby resort beaches, because reaching it requires a walk of around 30 to 45 minutes from either Can Picafort or Son Serra de Marina. The atmosphere is laid back and natural, with a mix of walkers, couples, occasional naturists and a few locals who know the area well. The wide views toward the hills of the Llevant peninsula and across the bay make it a rewarding place for simple, landscape focused photos.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The sand is mostly fine and golden, comfortable for walking and lying down, though some sections mix in coarser grains or small pebbles, especially closer to rocky patches. The seabed near the shore is generally sandy with areas where posidonia sea grass washes up or lies under the surface, which is normal for a protected bay like this. Water entry is easy in most places, but you may step through bands of sea grass as you go in. Water shoes are not essential but can be helpful if you dislike the feel of sea grass or want extra grip where small stones appear. The beach is not well protected from open sea conditions, so waves and moderate swell are common, especially on windy days. Regular swimmers say this can be enjoyable for stronger swimmers but less ideal for very small children or those who need perfectly flat water.

Who S’Arenal d’en Casat is perfect for

S’Arenal d’en Casat is perfect for nature lovers, hikers, experienced swimmers and visitors who want a wild feeling beach far from crowds and beach clubs. It suits those who are happy to walk in, carry what they need and spend quiet time in a natural setting. It is less suitable for families with small children, people who need easy access or anyone who relies on close facilities, lifeguards or fixed shade. If your idea of best beaches Mallorca includes untouched sand, dunes and a sense of remoteness, this coastline fits well. If you prefer a staffed, serviced beach with restaurants behind the promenade, nearby Son Serra de Marina or the main Can Picafort beach will work better.

Facilities and comfort

There are no facilities directly on S’Arenal d’en Casat. You will not find sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, cafés or lifeguards on this section of coast. The only infrastructure you might see are occasional path markers or information signs related to the Son Real nature reserve further inland. Everything you need for your visit must be carried in and carried out again. That means enough water, snacks or a picnic, sun protection, and something to sit on. A light beach chair or thick mat makes a big difference on windy days, as the sand can be soft and shifting near the dunes. The upside is a very quiet, natural beach day with no commercial noise or visual clutter.

Getting there and parking

To reach S’Arenal d’en Casat, you start either from the Son Real or Son Bauló side near Can Picafort or from the village of Son Serra de Marina. In both cases you park in or near the town and then follow paths on foot for about 2 kilometres through the dunes and coastal tracks until you reach the beach. Rental cars are often the easiest way to reach beaches in Mallorca, and here they are particularly useful because there is no direct road access to the sand. The paths are mostly flat but sandy and uneven, so comfortable sandals or trainers are better than thin flip flops for the walk in and out. Many visitors choose the Son Serra de Marina side because parking there is usually easier and the walk feels more straightforward. The Mallorcard community tip is that visiting the beach by rental car is recommended 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 more practical to park in town, time your walk around the heat and link S’Arenal d’en Casat with other stops around the Bay of Alcúdia in one day.

The best spots along S’Arenal d’en Casat

Because the beach is long and fairly uniform, the best spot often depends on how far you are willing to walk from your starting point. For example, many visitors from Son Serra de Marina walk far enough that the main town and Son Real access are no longer visible, choosing the central area where the dunes feel highest and the sense of isolation is strongest. Some swimmers stop nearer the rocky transitions toward Son Real, where the sea can be slightly deeper and wave patterns more interesting. If you want a quieter place, it is usually enough to walk five to ten minutes further along the sand away from where you first arrive, as people tend to cluster around main path exits. The back of the beach near the dune line can be more sheltered from wind, but you must avoid walking on or damaging the dunes themselves.

What you can do nearby

• Hike the marked trails of the Son Real estate to visit the necropolis and small coastal viewpoints
• Walk the full stretch between Son Serra de Marina and Can Picafort, using S’Arenal d’en Casat as the central part of the route
• Swim and relax at Son Serra de Marina beach, which has a small number of bars and simple facilities
• Visit Can Picafort for its promenade, restaurants and easier family beach options
• Explore the wider Llevant area, including Artà and its surrounding countryside

Best time to visit

Morning is often the most comfortable time at S’Arenal d’en Casat, as temperatures are lower and the walk through the dunes feels easier. Early hours also tend to bring lighter winds and calmer sea conditions, which suits swimmers and walkers alike. By midday, the sun is strong, there is no shade on the sand and the walk back can feel hot, so planning your main walking segments outside the peak heat is wise. Late afternoon and early evening can be very atmospheric, with warm light over the dunes and hills and a cooler breeze, though winds may still be noticeable. If you are exploring several beaches in the north of Mallorca, this spot works well as a half day excursion combined with more serviced beaches closer to your base.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

The main safety considerations here are the lack of lifeguards, the open sea conditions and the exposure to sun and wind. Only confident swimmers should venture far out, especially on days with noticeable swell or stronger onshore wind. Keep an eye on wave strength and currents and avoid swimming alone. Because there is no shade, bring a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, reef safe sunscreen and enough water for the time you plan to stay, plus extra in case the heat is stronger than expected. A small umbrella or travel shade tent can be very helpful, but be prepared to secure it well against the wind. Pack all rubbish out with you to help keep the beach pristine. 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 typical savings of around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season make it easier to carry sufficient water, food and shade equipment in the car, choose the cooler parts of the day for your walk and leave quickly if wind or sea conditions change.

Good to know

S’Arenal d’en Casat lies on the north coast of Mallorca within the Bay of Alcúdia, in the municipality of Santa Margalida, between Can Picafort and Son Serra de Marina. It is a long, natural sandy beach backed by a significant dune system and pine forest, forming part of the Son Real protected area rather than an urban or resort style coastline. The surroundings are almost entirely natural once you leave the towns, with archaeological sites such as the Son Real necropolis and Illa des Porros not far away along the coast. Knowing this exact stretch helps you distinguish S’Arenal d’en Casat from the more built up beaches of Can Picafort and Playa de Muro and from the smaller Son Serra de Marina beach further east. This context is helpful when planning days in the north of Mallorca, especially if you want to balance quiet nature walks and wild beaches with easier access, serviced shorelines elsewhere in the bay.