Our Favorite Snorkeling Beaches on Mallorca

Mallorca has some of the most crystal clear, cerulean water in the world. It comes in all shades of electric blue and green and is constantly shifting throughout the day. The marine life is maybe not as abundant or striking as places like Hawaii or Fiji…but oh man the water. 

We lived on the island for over a year and have been snorkeling, diving, and swimming all over it. So we put together a list of our favorite spots like Caló des Moro, Cala Santanyí, and others for people like us who can spend an entire day gliding around in the Mediterranean. As with other places in Spain, especially those along the Mediterranean, try to avoid peak summer months because the crowds just kill it.

Planning a trip to Mallorca? Be sure to check out the best airlines to fly from the United States to Europe.

Now let’s look at our favorite snorkeling beaches on Mallorca…

Top 15 Snorkeling Locations in Mallorca

1. Caló Des Moro

2. Cala Santany

3. Cala Agull

4. Palmanova Beach

5. Cala Pi

6. Playa Delta – Maioris

7. Cabrera Beaches

8. Cala Llombards

9. Cala Deià

10. Dragonera Island

11. Sa Calobra

12. Cala D’Or

13. Cala Llamp

14. Cala Sant Vicenç

15. Cala En Basset

1. Caló Des Moro

Caló des Moro has cliffs on both sides, making for a dramatic and very Mallorcan background for a day of snorkeling.  The beach is only about 6 kilometers from the town of Santanyi. There is a road that goes straight to the beach, but there are signs that say it’s private, which is not true!  To get to Caló des Moro, you have to go down a pretty steep set of stairs, and the beach and area around it don’t have any facilities. In terms of marine life, you can expect to see a lot of coral and some really beautiful fish.  It can be busy on the summer, but not nearly as busy as some of the beaches closer to Palma.

2. Cala Santanyí

Cala Santanyí, is one of the most popular in Mallorca, and for good reason! Cala Santanyi is about 10 kilometers away from Santanyi. It has a long beach with calm, clear water that is great for snorkeling.  The beach is also one of the busiest ones in Mallorca, with hotels and restaurants all along it. There are also restrooms and showers on-site.  To get to the beach by car, just follow the signs from the nearby town of Santanyí. A paved path leads right to the beach. Cala Santanyí is famous for its interesting rock formations that you can see as you swim away from the beach and out into the sea. To the left of the beach, there is also an underwater cave.

3. Cala Agulla

In the northeast of Mallorca is Cala Agulla, one of the island’s largest beaches. It is not far from the resort of Cala Ratjada, which is right next door. You can drive or walk to Cala Agulla, which has some of the cleanest, most pristine sand in Mallorca. The water here is especially amazing. On the beach, you can rent kayaks and paddleboards, and there are kiosks and chiringuitos nearby. Many people also like to go for walks in the pine forests that border the beach.

4. Palmanova Beach

Ok, this one is maybe less obvious, because Palma Nova is in the heart of Mallorca’s party central. But there’s actually some great snorkeling to be had and it’s convenient to get to if you’re staying in the Southwest. If you’re not going to explore beyond the resort areas, this is your best snorkeling bet.

5. Cala Pi

Cala Pi is a peaceful beach on the southern coast of Mallorca. It is surrounded by beautiful pine forests. It’s not too far from Vallgornera and can be reached by car or on foot. There are many facilities and amenities here, and during the summer, lifeguards are usually stationed on the beach. There is actually pretty good fish diversity here by Mallorca standards. Keep in mind that getting to the beach requires going down a fairly steep set of stairs. This is not an easy place for the elderly or wheelchair users to get to.

6. Playa Delta – Maioris

You can find Playa Delta between Cala Pi and Palma. Delta is one of the less well-known snorkeling spots in Mallorca. It is in a quiet cove and has cool rock formations to check out. There aren’t many facilities on the beach itself, but there are restaurants and other places to eat nearby.

7. Cabrera Island

Cabrera is an uninhabited island off the coast of Mallorca that no one lives on. It is a true paradise and has lots of staggeringly beautiful beaches and coves. For those not lucky enough to have their own sailboat, there are great tours that run out of Colonia de Sant Jordi.

8. Cala Llombards

Cala Llombards is a beautiful, somewhat less busy cove on the southeast coast of Mallorca. It’s about 10 kilometers from the town of Santanyi. The beach at Cala Llombards has pure white sand and clear turquoise water that is great for snorkeling. It’s one of the best beaches in eastern Mallorca. The spot has some beautiful sea anemones, coral, and cuttlefish. Most of them are grouped near the rocks just off the coast.

9. Cala Deià

Cala Deià is incredible and you should go even if don’t snorkel. It’s tucked away at the base of the Tramuntana Mountains. The village of Deia, which has some great restaurants and charming, typical Mallorcan architecture, is only a few kilometers away and makes for a great place to get lunch and shop. While the beach does have a parking lot, it’s not very big and gets full quickly in the summer. There’s parking spots in Deià, but it’s a pretty long walk to get down to Cala Deia. So we suggest getting there early in the day.

10. Dragonera Island

Off the picturesque little village of Saint Elm on the Southwest tip is Dragonera Island, a nature reserve that can only be reached by boat. Day trips leave from Sant Elm in the summer. It is home to some rare animal and plant species, such as the Lilford’s wall lizard and Eleonora’s falcon. Off the coast of the island, you can see a huge variety of sea creatures, such as dolphins, barracuda, and sometimes fin whales. Since it’s uninhabited, there are no amenities or facilities but Saint Elm is only a 10 minute run by boat.

11. Sa Calobra

At the end of a long snaking road (that is worth experiencing in its own right) is the beautiful cove of Sa Calobra. The cove is special because it has beautiful views of the mountains and rocky outcroppings on both sides. It also has a reputation for having the cleanest, clearest water on Mallorca.

12. Cala D’Or

Cala d’Or is a resort town on the southeast coast of Mallorca. It has some great beaches for snorkeling. Many people go to the inlet of Cala Gran, but you might want to check out Cala Esmeralda instead. The water is surprisingly calm there because of the surrounding cliff, making it perfect for snorkeling.  While Cala d’Or beaches are easy to get to, this also makes them pretty crowded in the summer.

13. Cala Llamp

A cove in the southwestern part of Mallorca is known as Cala Llamp. Many people think it has one of the best beaches in south Mallorca for snorkeling. The cove doesn’t have a beach; it has natural rock formations that line the cove. The nearby Beach Club Gran Folies has a lot of great amenities and food. The water around Cala Llamp is pretty deep and is popular with the yachting set. To get to the water, you have to go down a pretty steep set of stairs, and a lot of the cove is made up of rocks that aren’t level. So it might not be the best choice for the elderly or handicapped.

14. Cala Sant Vicenç

Some of Mallorca’s best bars and seafood restaurants are in Cala Sant Vincenc, which also has three beautiful beaches: Cala Molinas, Cala Clara, and Cala Barques. All three are known for having very clear water that is great for snorkeling. You can see many kinds of fish, like grouper, bream, and mullet, but be aware that jellyfish are sometimes seen here in the summer.  The beaches have good facilities, and you can rent paddleboards at Cala Barques.

15. Cala En Basset

Cala en Basset is in a rough, rocky bay on the west coast of Mallorca. The only ways to get there are by boat or a network of nearby hiking trails. This is my favorite spot on this list and we love going here as a family. The remote west coast of Mallorca is like no where else and is worth chartering a boat if you can swing it.

Recommended Snorkeling Gear…

If you’re looking for good snorkeling gear, here are some suggestions:

Mask: For casual snorkeling about, I really like these full face masks because they are so much easier to see through and tend to get fogged less. You also don’t need a separate snorkel.

Fins: A lot of times I don’t wear them because I’m not covering a ton of ground. But there are some places with currents and it’s probably a good idea to wear them, especially if you like diving deep. Check out these travel fins that are easy to pack.

Water shoes: Mallorca rocks hurt! For the walk in and jumping off rocks you may want to do, I highly recommend water shoes like these.

Beach bag: You of course need a beach bag. I like this one because it gets dry super fact and packs down to nothing.

Sunprotection: So I know they’re kinda dorky, but honestly, the Mallorca sun is STRONG, and nothing is as dorky as getting your back fried while you’re snorkeling. So my husband wears a rash guard like this one, and I wear a zip up one. You should seriously at least wear a t-shirt.

Bottom Line

I pretty regularly dream about the water around Mallorca. It is heaven for me and we have spent countless hours as a family snorkeling all around the island. But if you can, try to go in the spring or the fall. The summer is really pretty overrun everywhere. And no matter when you go, get off the beaten path if you can and find some of the more remote locations. You won’t regret it!

Other Things To Do On the Island of Mallorca…

We were lucky enough to spend a year living on the island of Mallorca as a family of five. And we explored every corner of this remarkable island. Be sure to check out our post on the Best Things to do With Kids on Mallorca, as well as Mallorca for Nature Lovers.

Other Highly Rated Activities on the Island of Mallorca…

Guided Kayak Tour: Join a kayaking and snorkeling tour in the Manacor area. You will explore incredible sea caves in Mallorca, snorkel in the turquoise waters of Cala Varques, and discover its diverse marine life. This is a really beautiful and fun experience for the entire family.

Sunrise Dolphin Boat Tour: Head out in the clear blue water to watch the sunrise and watch Dolphins play in the natural habitat. There is nothing like being out in the water early in the morning before any crowds enjoying the remarkably beautiful island that is Mallorca. Highly recommend!

Alcudia Traditional Wooden Boat Trip with Snorkeling: Discover Mallorca’s northern coastline and Aucanada Island on a half-day cruise from Alcudia on a llaut, a typical Mallorcan boat. Snorkel and paddleboard in crystal-clear waters by Coll Baix Beach and have a day you will not soon forget.

Trip Planning In Mallorca…

There is so much to do on this incredible island and after living here as a family we love helping others plan their perfect trip to this remarkable place. Please reach out to have us help you plan your once in a lifetime trip to the island of Mallorca!