Son Bauló

Son Bauló beach Mallorca: What you should know before you go

Son Bauló sits at the quieter eastern end of Can Picafort, where the built up resort gives way to dunes, a small stream mouth and the start of the Son Real nature area. The beach feels more relaxed than the central town stretch, with soft sand, big sky views and the mountains of Cap Ferrutx in the distance. You still have hotels and cafés nearby, but the surroundings feel noticeably more natural. Many visitors say it is a good compromise when you want services yet prefer a less crowded and slightly wilder atmosphere. If you like the idea of combining a beach day with walks through dunes and coastal paths, this shoreline works very well.

• Beach type: Semi urban sandy bay
• Ground: Fine light sand
• Water entry: Gradual, mostly sandy
• Water feel: Clear, sometimes wavy
• Shade: Parasols and some trees
• Facilities: Well equipped in season
• Parking: Street parking in town
• Best for: Families and nature walks

The overall vibe

Son Bauló is a beach in Mallorca that offers a soft sandy cove right where Can Picafort meets the protected coastal landscape of Son Real. The scene is a sweep of bright sand, clear water and low cliffs on one side, with a lagoon like stream mouth and dunes stretching away on the other. It feels family friendly and lived in, yet still a little more characterful than the central resort strip thanks to the natural surroundings and the absence of tall buildings right on the shore. Lines of sunbeds and parasols mark the central part, but behind them there is a broad back beach where people play, walk or simply sit away from the main bustle. The combination of sea views, mountains on the horizon and easy access to nature gives the bay good photo potential, especially in early morning and late afternoon light.

Sand or rocks and how the water entry feels

The sand at Son Bauló is fine and pale, comfortable for bare feet and ideal for children to dig and play. The seabed near the main swimming area is mostly sandy too, and the depth increases gradually, so you can walk out at a steady pace without sudden steps. Families often comment that on calmer days this makes the beach feel very safe for children and less confident swimmers. When the wind blows from the north or northeast, waves can pick up and create a livelier shore break, which is fun for some visitors but requires more care with small kids. In these conditions, the entry remains sandy but the energy of the water changes, so it is important to read flags and respect lifeguard advice. Water shoes are generally not necessary in the central zone, though they can be useful if you wander toward rockier corners or explore beyond the main cove.

Who Son Bauló is perfect for

Son Bauló suits families who appreciate soft sand, gradual entry and the peace of a slightly less hectic resort quarter. Couples who like to mix beach time with walks through dunes and coastal paths will also find plenty to enjoy here. Swimmers can move parallel to the shore for longer lengths, while walkers and runners use the wide, firm sand and connecting paths into Son Real for exercise with sea views. It is less ideal for travelers who want complete seclusion, since you are still within a resort town and there are often plenty of people around in high season. If your idea of best beaches Mallorca is pure wilderness with no buildings, you might base yourself here but spend more of your time walking on toward the quieter Son Real and Son Serra stretches.

Facilities and comfort

In the main season Son Bauló is well equipped for a comfortable beach day. You can usually rent sunbeds and parasols, and there are showers, toilets and a lifeguard service near the central part of the beach. A wooden walkway helps people cross the hot sand and improves access for those with reduced mobility. Directly behind the beach and in the surrounding streets you will find hotels, beach bars, cafés and small shops, so it is easy to pick up drinks, snacks or a full meal. This means you can travel lighter than you would for a remote cove, although bringing your preferred sunscreen, hats and a bit of extra shade is still wise, especially in midsummer.

Getting there and parking

Son Bauló is located at the southeastern end of Can Picafort, in the municipality of Santa Margalida on Mallorca’s north coast. If you are driving, you follow signs for Can Picafort from the main Ma 12 coastal road and then continue through town toward Son Bauló at the far end. Visiting by rental car is usually the smoothest way to reach the beach and gives you the option to continue on toward Son Serra de Marina or into the interior later in the day. Parking is mainly on local streets and in small informal areas rather than in one big car park, so it is best to arrive earlier in high season to find a convenient space. Many travelers in the Mallorcard community say that visiting the beach by rental car is recommended here and that using strong rental car deals from several companies with a current promo code shown on mallorcard.es can often save around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season while giving you the flexibility to explore other nearby beaches and avoid crowded buses.

The best spots along Son Bauló

The central area in front of the main access point offers the easiest combination of services, sunbeds and gentle water, which many families choose for convenience. For example, many visitors with children settle near the lifeguard tower, where supervision and facilities are closest. If you walk along the sand away from the sunbed zone toward the river mouth and dunes, you usually find more open space and a slightly quieter feel, especially in the early morning. On the opposite side, near the low cliffs and rocks, you can often find firmer sand and interesting viewpoints, though the seabed there is more variable. From the back of the beach, paths lead into the Son Real area, where you can discover quieter little coves and viewpoints looking back over the bay.

What you can do nearby

• Follow coastal trails from Son Bauló through the Son Real public estate toward Son Serra de Marina
• Visit the Son Real necropolis and archaeological remains along the shore
• Explore central Can Picafort for additional restaurants, shops and seafront strolls
• Take a short drive to the S’Albufera wetlands for birdwatching and nature walks

Best time to visit

Mornings at Son Bauló are usually calm and comfortable, with fewer people on the sand and softer light over the bay. By late morning and midday, especially in summer, the beach becomes much busier as hotel guests and day visitors arrive, and the sun is strong, so securing shade and staying hydrated become key. Late afternoon brings a more relaxed mood again as some families leave and the golden light enhances the view of Cap Ferrutx and the dunes. If you are exploring several beaches in the Bay of Alcúdia over a few days, Son Bauló works well as an early or late stop, leaving the hottest hours for lunch or a siesta. On days with stronger north winds, you may prefer to time your visit for calmer morning periods, when the waves are usually smaller.

Important tips for a smooth beach day

When the sea is calm, Son Bauló feels very gentle, but on days with a north or northeast swell the waves can grow, so pay close attention to any warning flags. Children and weaker swimmers should stay well within the shallows in those conditions and avoid the stronger pull of breaking waves. Shade is largely concentrated in the sunbed areas and a few tree lined patches at the back, so bring hats, reef safe sunscreen, plenty of water and perhaps a small shade tent if you prefer to set up further from the facilities. Light footwear can be handy for walking along the hot sand or continuing into the Son Real paths, where surfaces vary. Many travelers in the Mallorcard community say that visiting the beach by rental car allows them to keep extra drinks, snacks and spare clothes in the vehicle and that using strong rental car deals from various companies with a current promo code available on mallorcard.es can typically save around 10 to 50 percent depending on the season while making it easier to leave early if wind, waves or crowd levels change.

Good to know

Son Bauló sits on the eastern side of the Bay of Alcúdia in northern Mallorca, forming the more natural end of the otherwise long resort coastline of Can Picafort. The coastline here is a curved sandy bay with a small river mouth, dunes and a low cliff section, creating a mix of open sand and more rugged edges. The surrounding area blends resort hotels and apartments with the protected Son Real landscape, so you move quickly from urban streets to dunes and coastal scrub. Knowing exactly where the beach lies helps you understand how it connects with the wider Son Real and Son Serra shoreline, which is popular with walkers and nature lovers. Within this setting, Son Bauló is the most practical place to access the sea, start coastal hikes and enjoy a blend of services and natural scenery on Mallorca’s north coast.