Cala Galdana – Cala Mitjana by kayak

A kayak route to discover the most spectacular places and one of the best unspoilt beaches on the south coast of Menorca

The route

This kayak route begins in the tourist complex of Cala Galdana. At the end of the stream that flows into the sea there is a slipway from which, if you take it slowly, you can launch your kayak (be careful not to slip).  Start paddling eastwards and just after passing the first headland and leaving Cala Galdana behind, the first cave appears. A little further on after the rocks of a landslip, a semi-submerged cave also comes into view. Following the cliffs you reach a small inlet known as Baldritxa Encantada where there is one of the best caves on the whole of this route. You will need a torch because most of the inside of the cave is dark. A gallery takes you to the end of the cave where there is a small beach (depending on the time of year) that is usually covered by posidonia.

Continue paddling along the base of the cliffs as far as the mouth of Cala Mitjana, which we will leave behind for the time being to visit three more caves. A few metres further on you will come to the first of these caves, with two arc-shaped entrances. If you pass through the right-hand entrance you can explore the inside of the cave for a while. At the end of the cave there is a fissure through which you can swim out of the cave.

A little further on you begin to see the entrance to another cave and, once inside, on the left there is a small hole through which you can paddle into a spectacular hidden corner. Once past the headland that you reach almost immediately, you will see Pont de n’Ali, a majestic bridge-shaped rock formation. If you go through it you come to S’Olleta de Trebalúger, the last of this stretch of coast’s caves and a perfect, peaceful place to snorkel or to swim. If you dive you will be able to fully appreciate the rock formations inside this cave and the creatures that live in the waters outside it. On the way back you can stop in Cala Mitjana to stretch your legs and swim in its turquoise waters. Cala Mitjaneta, just a little further on, is another good place to stop on the way back to Cala Galdana.

Cala Galdana – Cala Mitjana – Cala Galdana
Distance: 5.39 km (2’90 nautical miles). Estimated time: 2 h.

Entering the caves can be complicated when southerly winds blow. Cala Mitjana is the only place to shelter if the weather changes suddenly. You can reach here by car and then walk on to Cala Galdana.

• Kayaks can be hired in Cala Galdana in the tourist season

ALTERNATIVE AS FAR AS TREBALÚGER
If you want to go a little further, you can continue as far as the beach at Trebalúger. Along this stretch of the coast there are numerous places to snorkel. Once at the beach you can swim or rest in the shade of the pines that separate the beach from the stream – worth a visit – that runs into the sea here.

Cala Galdana  – Cala Mitjana – Trebaluger – Cala Galdana
Distance: 7.7 km (4.19 milles). Estimated time: 5-6 h

The surroundings

The coastline on this excursion consists of the typical limestone cliffs of the southern coast of Menorca that are only interrupted by the white-sand beaches of Cala Mitjana and Trebalúger at the mouths of the gullies that run down to the sea. In spring and summer the flowers and fruit of wild capers cover the walls of these gullies. Shags, Audouin’s gulls, kestrels, blue rock-thrushes and swifts are just some of the birds that you may come across during this excursion.

How to get there

Cala Galdana is 8 km south of Ferreries. Once in the built-up area, head for the end of the beach where there is a good slipway for launching next to the stream that flows into the sea and by the bridge over it.

In the high season a bus runs to Cala Galdana from Maó, Ciutadella, Alaior, Es Mercadal and Ferreries. Check out bus times and frequencies (that vary according to the season).

Map

See all routes Menorca by kayak