Snorkel in Menorca. Caló Fondo — Snorkeling in Caló Fondo (Ses Olles de Binissafúller)

Snorkeling in Caló Fondo (Binissafúller)

Caló Fondo, popularly known as Ses Olles de Binissafúller, is a rocky bathing place in Binissafúller on the southern coast of the municipality of Sant Lluís.

The cove

Its half-moon shape and the fact that it is sheltered by the Illots d’en Marçal mean it is protected from most winds other than the south-south-west gales. It is not very deep (8–10 m) and is very safe because in the summer it is roped off and boats are not allowed to enter. The rocks here are limestone and the surrounding cliffs – albeit not very high – are deeply incised. There is no sand or beach here, just some flattish rocky platforms where the local neighbourhood association places steps in summer to make access to the water much easier.

Snorkeling in Menorca. Ses Olles de Binissafúller. — Ses Olles de Binissafúller

The seabed

The seabed here is of white sand in the centre, surrounded by some thinnish patches of posidonia. The cove is surrounded by cliffs, more vertical to the north and with fallen blocks to the south. The diversity of seabed habitats and its shallowness mean that a great variety of different fish – which are fairly tame as they are used to divers – can be seen here easily. Look out for saddled and annular seabreams, red mullet and numerous groups of two-banded seabream and damselfish. There is also a wonderful diversity of algae attached to the rocks here. You will find light-loving species such as Acetabularia (easy to recognise since it looks like a small umbrella), as well as others such as Corallina elongata and Pterocladiella capillacea that prefer shadier sites.

How to get there

Caló Fondo is in Binissafúller, just over 9 km from Maó and 5 km from Sant Lluís. Take the road from this latter population through s’Ullastrar towards the beaches of the south coast. After about 2 km (after passing the turn-off to Binibèquer) at the prehistoric settlement of Binissafullet, turn left and then right 2 km further on. Follow Carrer de Llevant in Binissafúller for 1 km down to the sea, just in front of Caló Fondo or Ses Olles de Binissafúller.

In the high season a bus runs from Maó – Sant Lluís – Binibeca. It will drop you in the tourist village of Binibèquer Vell, from where a 10-minute walk westwards along the Camí de Cavalls will take you to Caló Fondo. Check out bus times and frequencies (that vary according to the season).

Nearby sites of interest

• Binibèquer Vell: Small, curious tourist village designed by the architect Antoni Sintes Mercadal in 1972. It’s worth wandering around its labyrinth of narrow back streets.

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