Cala Saona

Cala Saona beach in Formentera

Cala Saona is one of the most beloved beaches of the island by both locals and tourists seeking tranquility.

Being a very wide beach you will never feel crowded even if the beach is crowded.

The parking area is large and access to the beach is via wooden walkways to prevent damage to the dune ecosystem.

Description of Cala Saona

Cala Saona stands out for:

• It is very wide (almost as wide as it is long).
• Triangular in shape
• Surrounded by a dense forest of pines and junipers
• Given its west orientation, it is one of the places chosen by many people to watch the sunset, from the beach itself or from the cliffs of Punta Rasa, on the south side.

Beach created by water erosion

What very few people know is that the beach of Cala Saona is the mouth of the Cala Saona channelThe stream is about 800 meters long and, due to the natural unevenness of the island in this area, it collects rainwater from all the surrounding land.

This kind of “river basin” is a very extensive area, which stretches from the northernmost part of Es Cap de Barbaria to the areas south of the urban center of Sant Francesc. You can imagine that in the case of torrential rains, especially when the soil cannot absorb the rain fast enough, the volume of water collected by the canal is very large.

This has been what, after thousands of years of erosion caused by the Cala Saona Channel, together with the sand washed ashore by the sea, has formed the beach as such. The Cala Saona Channel does not see water flowing through it except on rare occasions when the island suffers very heavy rains.

Beach full but very quiet and with all services

Cala Saona beach is very busy during the months of July and August, so be sure to arrive early if you want to find a spot near the shore.

Since the bay is very wide (about 100 meters at its widest part) you will always find room if you move away from the water. To get to the beach we must go down some wooden walkways built to protect the dune system and walk several meters along the sandy area until we reach the shore.

On the beach there is a small beach bar on the south side, the Chiringuito Saona, elevated a few meters above the beach and offering beautiful views of the bay while having a drink. There is also a restaurant on the beach, the Sol restaurant, and another one a little further up the beach, the Chacala. There is also a paddle surf board rental stand and a municipal concession for renting hammocks and parasols.

Visit the varador cottages in Cala Saona

A very characteristic image of Cala Saona are the small huts to shelter the boats, which can be found on both sides of the bay. Now some bathers use them as a shelter from the sun in the months when the heat is more intense and it is one of the most photographed images of the island. It was on this beach that one of Formentera’s first tourist establishments opened in 1955, the Hotel Cala Saona, which is still in operation today.

Sunset at Cala Saona

Since Cala Saona faces west, it is the place chosen by many people to enjoy a spectacular sunset. Both from the beach itself and from one of the cliffs that surround it, the show is guaranteed.

Frequently asked questions about Cala Saona:

In which area of the island of Formentera is it located?

Cala Saona is located in the western part of the island. It can be reached by private transport and parking is convenient.

What are the measurements of the beach?

The beach of Cala Saona is 100 meters long and 80 meters wide approximately, is one of the largest in Formentera.

Are there beach bars and restaurants in this cove?

There are different restaurants and beach bars, where the Chiringuito Saona stands out as the most famous one. An emblematic place to have a drink and disconnect from everything.