S'Arenalet d'Aubarca

S’Arenalet d’Aubarca beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go

S’Arenalet d’Aubarca, also called S’Arenalet des Verger, is one of the most remote sandy beaches on Mallorca’s northeast coast. Reached only on foot through the Parc Natural de la Península de Llevant, it feels genuinely far from roads, resorts and noise. Hikers often describe the moment the white sand bay appears after the long walk as one of the most rewarding coastal views on the island. The sea here is clear and usually lively with some waves, and behind the beach rise hills and natural scrubland instead of buildings. If you enjoy long walks, wild landscapes and a beach day that feels like an adventure, this spot will appeal strongly.

• Beach type: Remote natural sandy bay
• Ground: Fine white sand with some stones
• Water entry: Sandy, moderate slope
• Water feel: Clear with moderate waves
• Shade: Almost none on the sand
• Facilities: Very basic refuge facilities inland
• Parking: At distant trailheads only
• Best for: Hikers and experienced swimmers

The overall vibe

The overall vibe at S’Arenalet d’Aubarca is quiet, wild and deeply natural. This beach in Mallorca sits inside the Llevant peninsula nature park, surrounded by hills, scrub, pine and rocky coastline, with no road, promenade or hotel in sight. Most people arrive on foot either along the coast from Cala Torta and Sa Font Celada or from inland routes starting at s’Alqueria Vella near Artà. As a result the number of visitors is low, and many hikers report having large sections of the beach almost to themselves outside peak dates. The bay itself is broad and open, with white sand bordered by reddish cliffs and rocks that create a striking visual contrast, especially in clear weather.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The sand here is fine and pale, soft enough for walking barefoot and lying down, but in some sections mid beach there are scattered stones and rock blocks washed down from the surrounding hills. Closer to the shoreline the seabed is mostly sandy, so entry into the water is straightforward, though the slope is a little steeper than at many family resort beaches. Water shoes are optional rather than essential but can be helpful if you walk across the stoneier middle section or explore the rocky flanks of the bay. The sea is usually very clear, and the moderate exposure of this part of the coast means waves and swell are common, with a noticeable but usually manageable break on many days. This makes swimming refreshing and fun for confident swimmers, but less suitable for small children or those who need very calm water.

Who S’Arenalet d’Aubarca is perfect for

S’Arenalet d’Aubarca is perfect for hikers, nature lovers, photographers and strong swimmers who enjoy combining a day’s walk with a swim in a wild setting. It suits travelers who already feel comfortable with longer trails and who do not mind carrying what they need for several hours. It is not ideal for families with young children, people with reduced mobility or anyone looking for quick access, lifeguards, sunbeds and beach bars. If your idea of best beaches Mallorca includes remote coves and natural parks rather than resort bays, S’Arenalet d’Aubarca will likely become a highlight. If you prefer easy parking right by the sand and plenty of services, other beaches in the north such as Playa de Muro, Son Serra de Marina or Colònia de Sant Pere will suit you much better.

Facilities and comfort

Facilities directly on the sand are almost non existent. There are no sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, restaurants or kiosks on the beach itself. Just inland there is a simple refuge area connected to the park network where hikers can find basic shelter, and some routes mention a simple shower and toilet near a hut, but you should not rely on these as primary services for a day trip. There is no regular lifeguard service. This means you must arrive fully self sufficient: enough water for hiking and swimming, food, sun protection and something to sit on. Many regular visitors bring a lightweight beach tent or umbrella because there is almost no natural shade on the open sand, and the sun in this part of Mallorca can be intense even outside midsummer.

Getting there and parking

Reaching S’Arenalet d’Aubarca requires planning. The two main approaches are the coastal route from the Cala Torta area or inland hiking trails from the s’Alqueria Vella car park in the Llevant natural park above Artà. In both cases, you park well away from the beach and then walk several kilometres on marked paths, with the coastal approach from Cala Estreta and Sa Font Celada taking around an hour and a half each way for many hikers, and the inland park routes often similar or longer. Rental cars are often the easiest way to reach beaches in Mallorca, and here they are essential to access remote trailheads like Cala Torta or s’Alqueria Vella, since there is no public transport directly to the start of these walks. The tracks leading to the coastal starting points can be rough and narrow near the end, and there is no formal car park right on the shore, so you generally leave your car where the track is closed or where others have parked and continue on foot. Many travelers in the Mallorcard community say that visiting the area 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, which makes it more practical to reach remote trailheads at cooler times of day and link this hike with other quiet beaches around the Llevant peninsula.

The best spots along S’Arenalet d’Aubarca

The central section of the bay, where the sand is widest and most even, is generally the most comfortable place to settle with a towel after your hike. For example, many hikers drop their packs near the middle of the beach, close enough to reach the water easily but far from any rocky outcrops that can reflect heat. Toward one end of the bay, near Penya Roja and the reddish rock formations, the scenery becomes even more dramatic and can be a beautiful backdrop for photos, though the shore here may have more stones. The opposite end, closer to Sa Font Celada, can sometimes feel slightly quieter if other walkers gather where they first reach the sand. If you like simple snorkeling, exploring alongside the rocky edges of the bay can reveal some fish and underwater rock shapes, but you should always be mindful of waves and avoid going too close to cliffs or exposed headlands.

What you can do nearby

• Hike the coastal trail between Cala Estreta, Sa Font Celada and S’Arenalet d’Aubarca
• Explore additional routes inside the Parc Natural de la Península de Llevant from s’Alqueria Vella
• Visit Artà town for its weekly market, cafés and the Sant Salvador sanctuary on the hill
• Combine this beach hike with stops at other northeast coves like Cala Torta or Cala Mitjana on different days
• Look out for historic watchtowers such as Torre d’Albarca along the surrounding coast

Best time to visit

Timing matters a lot at S’Arenalet d’Aubarca because of the hiking and lack of shade. Morning starts are strongly recommended, both to walk in the coolest part of the day and to enjoy the beach before any afternoon winds or clouds develop. Many hikers aim to reach the sand by late morning, swim and rest through midday with plenty of protection, then begin the return hike as the temperature starts to ease. Afternoon sea breezes and moderate waves are common, which can be refreshing but also make the sea more dynamic. If you are planning several hiking and beach days in northeast Mallorca, it is worth dedicating almost a full day to this route rather than trying to combine it with too many other stops, as the walk plus beach time can be tiring in the heat.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

The most important safety factor here is that you are far from roads, with no lifeguard and only basic shelter near the refuge area. Plan your route carefully, choose a marked trail and check the walking distances before you set out. Take considerably more water than you think you will need, as both the hike and time on the beach are exposed to sun and wind, and there are no shops along the way. Good footwear is essential for the approach: proper walking shoes or sturdy trainers are far better than simple sandals. On the sand and near the waterline, you can switch to lighter shoes or barefoot if conditions feel comfortable. Watch wave size and any currents and avoid swimming far out, especially if you are tired from hiking. Mallorcard recommends for this area that visiting the park region 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 enough water, food, shade gear and spare clothes in the car so you can start early, change afterwards and drive back safely after a long day on the trail and at the beach.

Good to know

S’Arenalet d’Aubarca is on the northeast coast of Mallorca in the Artà municipality, within the Parc Natural de la Península de Llevant and a few kilometres west of the Cap Farrutx area. It is a genuine natural sandy bay bordered by rocky headlands and hills, with no direct road access and no urban or resort development around it. The wider surroundings include protected forests, scrubland and a network of hiking trails, plus historic watchtowers and archaeological sites along the coast. Knowing exactly where this beach lies helps distinguish it from more accessible north coast beaches around the Bay of Alcúdia and from smaller calas like Cala Torta or Sa Font Celada that appear earlier along the routes. This context is important when planning, as S’Arenalet d’Aubarca is best treated as a remote, hike in destination for those seeking one of the island’s most unspoilt coastal experiences in northeast Mallorca.