© Anita Gait
© Anita Gait
© Anita Gait
© Anita Gait
© Anita Gait
© Anita Gait
Sa Canova Beach, North Mallorca
2km of unspoilt beach, popular with walkers, surfers and nudists
Stretching along the coastline between Son Serra de Marina and S’Estanyol, is one of Mallorca’s most beautiful and natural beaches. Due to its slight inaccessibility and the fact that it is relatively unknown by tourists this gem of a beach is quiet even in the peak of summer.
In 1991 Sa Canova beach was named a protected ‘Natural area of Special Interest’ due to its ecological importance and abundance of indigenous plant life, and it has so far managed to remain unblemished by tourism and consumer culture. This virgin state is not a given however, as business owners and developers often petition to build along the coast and open bars on the beach in the summer months. The locals are consistently fighting these enterprises in an attempt to keep this stretch of beach unsullied however they surely will not be able to hold off development forever, so if you want to visit this serene patch of natural beauty visit soon whilst it’s still there.
Hotels Nearby
There are a couple of villa style properties located northwest of the beach itself and two small hotels in S’Estanyol in the other direction along the coast. For a wider range of branded hotels, head to Can Picafort - 11km away.
Restaurants Nearby
Pack a picnic and plenty of water and get away from it all for a day if you wish. There are three small cafes in Son Serra de Marina and for another three coastal beach bar/restaurants, head in the other direction to Colonia de sant Pere. For a wider range of cuisine, Can Picafort is the closest option - 11km away.
Setting & Location
Located in the bay of Alcudia in the north, Sa Canova looks out onto the hazy mountains of Cap des Pinar on the left, the Llevant Natural Park and Cap Ferrutx to the right and is backed by kilometres of sand dunes and pine forest. This beach is fully enclosed by nature and feels very far from civilisation, a fact that makes it a favourite spot for nudists who head to the secluded spots amidst the dunes. The fact that nearby town S’Estanyol is home to the Balearics' only exclusively naturist hotel the 4 Star naturist hotel might also have something to do with it.
The sand dunes and forest mean that direct access to this beach is difficult; you can hike in from the tiny town of S’Estanyol at the south end, but the easiest way is to come from Son Serra de Marina at the north end. If you walk south along Son Serra de Marina beach it in time turns into Sa Canova.
Water Safety & Clarity
In places the beach is prone to the sea grass that is prevalent in Mallorca, it clogs the sea in certain spots and washes up on the beach in great mounds that turn dry and brittle grey in the sun, but if you walk along until you have passed the second of the wooden walkways you will find the best stretch of weed free beach with perfectly clear water of palest blue. Here also the sea has several staggered sand banks which mean that your walk out into the sea remains shallow a long way out, making it a great spot for children to play in the shallows.
Despite Sa Canova’s isolation it does have one lifeguard station and it is located just where these two beaches merge.
Beach Quality
2 km long with deep, soft, golden sand and shallow turquoise water, this beach is very beautiful.There are no amenities on this beach, but that is the price you pay for getting back to nature. The sand dunes are protected by ropes preventing people from walking on them but periodically along the beach you’ll find wooden steps and walkways over the dunes to the marked trails behind, perfect for a wander if you tire of sunbathing. A great spot for walkers overall and this beach is on one of Mallorca’s coastal hiking routes.
Watersports Nearby
A day on Sa Canova beach is a day away from sun loungers and pedal boats and the nearest rental location is Can Picafort, which is 11km away to the northwest. The sea on Sa Canova can become rough when the wind picks up as this area is not sheltered like the beaches further up the coast. This fact makes it a very popular spot with the watersports crowd and when the wind and the waves pick up, this beach is a great spot to catch a wave or watch surfers and kite surfers doing their thing.
Directions
Sa Canova Beach is a secluded beach located in the northeast of Mallorca, Arta and Can Picafort are the closest towns to this beach. You can park in Son Serra de Marina and can reach the beach by foot.
