Boat Trip from Cala Figuera to Calo de Moro, S'almonia, Cala Màrmols. Mallorca.
Field notes and coastal guide by Rafa Velazquez
Navigating the steep limestone drops leaving the port of Cala Figuera.
Duration
4 hours
Guest Rating
4.8 / 5
Ticket Price
€65.28 (~$71.15)
The Geography Warning
I live in southeastern Mallorca and photograph these specific coastal cliffs. I see a massive routing error happen to independent travelers every single summer. People type the name of the departure port into their rental car GPS and end up on the wrong side of the island. The name Cala Figuera refers to two completely different locations in Mallorca. One is a remote pebble beach on the northern Cap de Formentor peninsula in Pollença. The other is a historic, active fishing port in the southeastern municipality of Santanyí. This 4-hour boat trip leaves from the working port in Santanyí. You must route your map to Port de Cala Figuera, postal code 07659. The northern route has strict summer vehicle bans and requires a shuttle bus from Formentor beach. The southern port has no vehicle bans but requires smart parking timing.
The harbor here is a rocky, open-air marine village. It has no sandy beach in the center. The sheer rock walls historically protected the local fishermen from high-rise hotel development. You walk down steep clifftop stairs to reach the water. The boat slipways, called escars locally, are cut directly into the limestone. This is the exact harbor we are driving to.
The Route and the Coves
The boat pulls out of the narrow, fjord-like harbor of Cala Figuera and turns south. You pass the Torre d'en Beu right at the mouth of the bay. This is a stone watchtower built in 1569 to spot pirate activity, sitting next to a functional 1953 lighthouse. The open sea hits the boat as soon as you clear the tower. The captain navigates along the sheer coastal drops of the Santanyí municipality. The water color changes depending on the depth and the sand below.
The first major stop is Calo de Moro. This is a steep, narrow cut in the coastal rock. The water is bright turquoise and highly transparent. It gets incredibly busy in July and August with hikers trying to climb down the dirt paths. Arriving by boat allows you to swim in the clear water without fighting for a square meter of sand on the tiny beach. The captain drops anchor here for a swimming break.
The boat moves next to S'almonia. This is an old fishermen's refuge. Tiny stone houses with painted green doors sit right on the water line. The rocks form a natural pool. You get a clear view of traditional Balearic coastal architecture that remains untouched by modern resort building.
The final destination is Cala Màrmols. The name translates to Marble Bay. It is surrounded by 20-meter white limestone cliffs. Reaching this beach by land requires a brutal 5-kilometer hike from Cap de Ses Salines with absolutely no shade. The boat trip is the smartest physical way to reach this secluded spot. The sand is stark white and the water is completely clear. You swim directly from the boat into the bay.
Transit and Parking Strategy
Public transit to this corner of the island runs on the regional TIB network. You take Route 516 from the main transfer hub in Campos or Santanyí. The bus fare runs between €4.00 and €6.00 for a single card tap. The bus drops you at the main terminus stop right in the upper harbor village. Ride-hailing apps like global Uber are concentrated around Palma and the airport. They are generally unavailable for spontaneous trips in these rural coves. You need to download the official Mallorcab app to book licensed local taxis.
Most travelers arrive in rental cars. All public parking in Cala Figuera is completely free. The village has unrestricted street parking along the main entrance avenues and a spacious public car park at the harbor entrance. There is a second dedicated clifftop parking area next to the Torre d'en Beu trailhead. Timing is your only obstacle. During the peak season in July and August, the central spaces fill completely by late morning. You must plan to arrive before 10:00 AM to secure a spot without circling the village. Do not attempt to drive your car down the narrow alleys sloping toward the water. Those paths end in pedestrian stairs and private boat docks.
Physical Preparation
The physical environment requires specific footwear. The stone steps and wooden boat ramps surrounding the harbor have a thick layer of algae. They are incredibly slippery. Travel forums are full of stories about people falling on the escars. Do not wear flip-flops or smooth-soled sandals. You need sturdy water shoes or slip-resistant footwear before boarding teh boat.
You are exposed to the open Mediterranean sun for 4 solid hours. Bring heavy sunblock, a hat that ties under your chin, and plenty of drinking water. The wind on the open water makes it easy to forget how much sun you are absorbing.
The Ecotasa Context
Understanding the regional tax structure is part of budgeting your trip to Mallorca. All overnight visitors to the Balearic Islands pay the Sustainable Tourism Tax, known locally as the Ecotasa. Your accommodation host collects this fee.
The high season rate runs from May 1 to October 31. It costs €4.00 per night for luxury hotels, €3.00 for mid-range apartments, and €1.00 for hostels. The low season rate drops these prices by 75 percent. Children under 16 are exempt. This tax revenue goes directly into local environmental protection projects and historical restorations. It funds the cleanup efforts for the exact coves you visit on this boat tour.
Post-Trip Details and Local Culture
If you book the morning departure, you return to the harbor in the early afternoon. The local fishing fleet returns to unload their catch between 4:30 PM and 6:00 PM. This is the best window to observe the working culture of the village. The fishermen mend their nets directly on the dockside. There is no longer a public indoor fish market open to tourists in the village. The local restaurants buy the fresh catch directly from these boats. You can reserve a table at places like Bistro Bar Bonavista or Restaurante s'Ona Beach to watch the boats arrive.
If you visit in mid-July, your trip aligns with the Festes de la Mare de Déu del Carme. This is the primary annual festival honoring the patron saint of fishermen. The harbor fills with live classical music, open-air community dinners featuring regional pork loin, and a massive maritime procession of decorated boats on the water.
Hikers can add a short walk to their itinerary after the boat ride. The Es Pontàs trail starts a few kilometers away near Cala Santanyí. It leads out to a massive natural stone bridge rising directly out of the sea. It is a striking geological formation and a quiet way to end a day on the southeastern coast.
Secure Your Spot on the Boat
Tickets for the €65.28 (~$71.15) departure sell out weeks in advance during July and August.
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