Cala Boquer Beach, North Mallorca

Enclosed on two sides by high mountain ridges and backed by a deserted valley, Cala Boquer feels very far away from civilisation, yet is only 2.7 kilometres away from Port de Pollença. Despite the pleasure crafts floating out at sea, this cove is one of the quietest you’ll come across in the north especially in peak summer as the walk will put off most people in the summer heat. If you are going to attempt it, be sure to take plenty of water with you and be aware that there is very little shade available along the walk in the valley.

The best thing about this bay is its water. In the peak of summer, due to the shape of Pollença Bay, the sea soaks up the heat all day every day and retains it, making what should be a refreshing dip in the water feel like an immersion into a warm bath. Not what you need on these hot days of summer! However, in Cala Boquer, located on the north side of the Cap Formentor point, the water is beautifully cold and as refreshing as a dip in the ocean should be, and it’s crystal clear as well. There is no lifeguard station here. 

The beach is very rocky and there is no sand to speak of. Where you emerge from the trail is the most beach-like area with smaller pebbles making up the ground, the further you walk around in either direction, the bigger the rocks get. Your best bet is to find the largest flattest one to set up camp on and then spend all day in the water. The beach is scattered with rocks and huge chunks of driftwood but miraculously free of plastic bottles, picnic rubbish and beer bottles. It seems the people willing to walk to this beach are people willing to clean up after themselves and here’s hoping that it stays that way.

Here the clear, deep water and rocky sea bed makes for very rewarding snorkelling. Crab catchers can also do a decent days work collecting sizeable and varied crustaceans along the rocky front line.

Favoured by sailing fans, this bay is often host to a school of yachts and powerboats which head here from nearby Cala Sant Vicenç or make the trip all the way around Cap Formentor to drop anchor in this sheltered spot. These nautical folk can be seen leaping and splashing into the sea, floating out in the azure depths and lazily lunching aboard their crafts. They rarely head into the coast, leaving the beach free and clear for beachgoers who are willing to walk through the dusty mountains to reach this beautiful spot. In the nearby resort of Port de Pollença you will find a lot more watersports on offer, from kayaking to stand up paddle boarding, and diving.

The trail leading to the beach starts from the last but one roundabout on the Ma2210 road to Formentor and is well signposted from there. Parking is available at the start of the trail, or it is an easy walk from the centre of Port de Pollença. The 1.5-kilometre walk takes around 40 minutes and is fairly easy. However, the terrain is rough in places and steep near the beach which, whilst fine for children, is not suitable for bikes, pushchairs or wheelchairs.

The path weaves through a valley between two large ridges of the Tramuntana Mountains, which makes for dramatic scenery on either side of you as you walk through the scrub and spiky brush covered valley populated only by wandering mountain goats. The outward journey is a slow incline to 91 metres where you’ll be afforded a stunning view of the bay below you. From there, it's a short descent down stony paths (steep in places) to the beach below. Unfortunately, this does mean that the walk home consists of an immediate and fairly steep ascent, which is cruel as it will leave you longing to be back in the sparkling water below.