In the lovely, wide Bay of San Antonio, you're never far from a beach, with several small coves all within a short walk of either end. In fact, a perfect way to spend a day is to enjoy the pretty sands and clear waters of each cove and then stay for the sunset spectacle.
Each small beach has its own character and atmosphere, so you may like to try a couple of them before deciding which is your favourite. Most of them are well serviced with facilities like sunbeds and parasols, and you will always find a good selection of bars and restaurants, either directly on the coast with marvellous sea and sunset views or at the lively main road, which runs along the whole bay.
The whole bay is backed by a wide offer of hotels and apartments, as well as residential apartment complexes. The restaurants and bars of the hotels are mostly open to non-hotel clients as well - our tip: there are several hotels with rooftop terraces - the perfect place to enjoy the sunset with a professionally mixed cocktail!
Small ferries connect the beaches of the bay or bring you to nearby beaches, such as Cala Conta or Cala Bassa. They depart hourly from many landing points along the bay and from San Antonio marina. Or you can take the bus from San Antonio bus station, and jump off at one of many stops along the bay road. Whatever transport mode you choose, our guide to island travel has more information.
Along the bay and in nearby San Antonio, you have a good choice of water sports and boat excursions. It is the perfect way to spend a hot summer day, with the turquoise water calling you to dive into it and the beautiful beaches along the West coast of the island just waiting to be discovered.
Es Pouet beach
Location: In the Bay of San Antonio
Facilities: Promenade, sunbeds, parasols, showers (turned off to save water), beach ashtrays, bars, restaurants, shops, supermarket, lifeguard, access for the disabled (also into the water under supervision of the lifeguards with amphibious wheelchair), disabled toilet (on the promenade, ask lifeguards for key and exact location)
Activities: Pedalos, boat hire
Getting there: Easily accessible by a lovely walk along the promenade from San Antonio or along the road around the bay. Buses from San Antonio also drop directly on the road by the beach. Parking in the side streets up the hill from the beach is available, but limited.
As you walk around the bay from San Antonio, the first small beach you come to is Es Pouet. It's a sweep of fine golden sand and shallow water that is perfect for children to play safely in. Well serviced by a long-standing chiringuito right on the water's edge, and many other restaurants, bars and shops on the nearby road.
On the other side of the restaurant there is a quieter, smaller section of beach in front of a beach restaurant.
Spotlight tip: The small jetty is a great place from which to fish, or stand in the shallow waters and feed them bread as they swim around you.
S'Estanyol beaches
Location: In the Bay of San Antonio
Facilities: First small bay: beach restaurant, no sunbeds or parasols. Second small bay: water activities and jetty for boat trips and water taxis. Third larger bay: restaurant and many more bars and restaurants along the bay road
Activities: At the second small bay you can book SUP (paddle surf), wakeboard and water ski, jet ski, water toys like banana boat, boat rental and boat excursions; from the nearby jetty more boat trips are offered
Getting there: Walk along the promenade from San Antonio or along the road around the bay. On the bay road, behind the La Sirena shop is free parking; follow the signposts. Alternatively, you can catch the little ferries or the bus from San Antonio.
Walking from Es Pouet beach further round the small headland, you'll find several coves which line the bay S'Estanyol. The first cove has a small, quite broad beach backed by tall bamboo plants, palms and pine trees and a restaurant right on the sands. There are no facilities like sunbeds or parasols, but because of this the beach normally is not so busy, and you will probably find a quiet spot for your towel.
Just around the corner, where Tagomago Hotel sits, you will find the second cove. Backed by two Vibra hotels, this is just a smaller section of sand, mostly popular with hotel guests. There is a water sports centre with a good choice of fun activities (see above). Here the ferry to San Antonio and other beaches can be caught from the small jetty at the far end.
A short walk further on brings you to a third bay and a much larger beach. At either end there are two restaurants with great views of the sunset, along with the popular Axel Beach Hotel. It is a much quieter beach, although the water is still beautiful and clear.
Playa Pinet
Location: In the Bay of San Antonio
Facilities: Sunbeds, parasols, lifeguards, restaurant, bar, nearby supermarket, tourist information office on the bay road (Google Maps)
Activities: Water ski, paddleboard, boat trips, water slide
Getting there: Walk along the promenade from San Antonio or along the road around the bay (around 30 minutes from the centre of San Antonio). Parking is possible along the bay road and in the small side streets, but you have to get lucky in the summer. You can also catch a bus or ferry from San Antonio.
Playa Pinet is the next beach around the bay. Often referred to as Reggae beach, thanks to the Caribbean-style beach that sits on the water's edge, it is a popular sandy spot for both holidaymakers and local families throughout the summer, creating a lively atmosphere. Backed by a rooftop hotel and residential apartment blocks, the beautiful beach has soft sands and shallow waters. It offers great restaurants and bars directly on the beach and in close proximity on the bay road.
At the back of the beach, there is a large water slide which is normally open between July and September for kids from 8 years old, and adults who want a little fun.
From the jetty at the left end of the beach, ferries depart to nearby beaches and San Antonio.
Nearby, on the bay road, you'll find the Tourist information office of Cala de Bou, which is open from April till mid-October.
Spotlight tip: Enjoy the sunset from the roof terrace of the INNSiDE Ibiza Beach Hotel directly on the beach.
Playa Xinxo (Cala de Bou)
Location: In the Bay of San Antonio
Facilities: Promenade, showers (turned off to save water), nearby restaurants and shops, access for the disabled
Activities: Pedalos, jet-ski rental and excursions
Getting there: Walk along the promenade from San Antonio or along the road around the bay (around 35 minutes from the centre of San Antonio) or catch a bus or ferry from San Antonio.
Finally, the last beach in the bay is Playa Xinxo, also known as Cala de Bou. It's a golden curve of sand which shelves gently in calm waters; great for the kids or lolling about on a lilo! Backed by a family hotel and an adults-only hotel at each end, it attracts a nice mix of beachgoers who relax on its sands.
A good selection of watersports is available here, and it's a popular spot for those wanting to access San Antonio Town and surrounding beaches by ferry from the jetty at the far end. On the nearby roads, there are many restaurants and bars to refresh, and many small supermarkets if you'd prefer a picnic on the beach.
Playa Port d'es Torrent
After walking along the main street of San Antonio Bay away from San Antonio, you finally reach Port d'es Torrent, a popular beach at the end of the resort. In fact, it does not really belong to the Bay of San Antonio itself; it is just around the corner, facing west.
Read more about Port d'es Torrent beach.
Find out more about the resort San Antonio Bay, which grows in popularity year by year! Or nearby San Antonio.
