When looking for a little more tranquillity, there are many small beaches where you can escape to. Many have small secluded bays, ideal for nudists or couples who want to relax away from the crowds. Most are blessed with pristine, shallow waters to cool off in, and when surrounded by rocks, they are ideal for snorkelling. Here's our selection of some of the best.
El Tiburón
El Tiburón is located between Playa Illetes and La Savina beaches, but even so, it remains quiet and peaceful even during high season. Expect pristine waters, the colour of turquoise, and soft white sand. Pine trees surround this beach and offer shade when the heat reaches its daytime peak.
Walking along the boardwalk to this beach, you will be afforded great views of Ibiza and the steep rocky island of Es Vedrà. Once there, you can watch the yachts of the rich and famous as they approach the island. Most likely, those on board will be stopping for a spot of lunch at the restaurant, a popular place with the wet-set and the glitterati.
Note: A small fee has to be paid when you access the small peninsula where Illetes, Levante and El Tiburón beaches are located by car or scooter. The access is limited; when all parking places are full, they don't let you through anymore, so go early. Quad bikes don't have access at all.
Playa Tanga
This bright white sandy beach is located between Es Pujols and Playa de Levante and is only a short ride by bike, car or scooter from La Savina. Backed by dunes that provide wind shelter and shallow pale blue waters, this beach offers space and moderate peace. A volleyball net is put up in the summer, so there's a chance for a little activity.
The beach restaurant here has a history of more than 40 years, and offers paellas and fresh fish dishes. It's also where you will find the car park, directly behind the restaurant.
Note: As this beach is accessed via the area of Playa Illetas, a small access fee applies unless you travel there on foot or use eco-transport, such as bikes, electric bikes and electric cars. See the El Tiburón beach note above.
Playa Sa Roqueta
Another pure white beach with crystalline waters, the popular beach Playa Sa Roqueta lies between Es Pujols and Playa de Levante.
The beach is very popular with nudists, who love the secluded spots of fine-sanded small bays. Though surrounded by flat rocks, the waters are shallow with underlying soft sand, making it perfect for families with little ones, and a fantastic spot for some snorkelling. Couples and solo travellers love this beach too, as it makes for a relatively peaceful escape.
If you walk to the end of the beach, you will find a beach bar. No parking area exists, so visitors should park their cars next to the main road.
Playa Tramuntana
This secluded beach, popular with families and couples, is situated on an otherwise rocky coast in the south-eastern part of Formentera. It is a sweep of almost pure white sand lapped by a calm turquoise sea and divided into small bays by flat rocks - a great place to get shelter from any wind.
It's worthwhile stocking up on food and drink as there are no beach amenities here, though small shops and restaurants can be found in the nearby village of Es Caló.
To get to it, take the road from San Fernando to La Mola, and you will then find the bay on the left just before Es Caló. There is no parking area, so visitors should park their cars next to the main road.
Es Caló
Es Caló is a small fishing village at the foot of the steep hill leading up to La Mola. Along the coastline here, there are several small inlets to stop and swim in, with some of the most stunning turquoise waters you will ever see. Look out for the area of deep water, which has an amazing shade of blue due to minerals in the rocks that reflect the light.
Its pretty pier is surrounded by fishermen's huts, with sloping wooden berths to launch boats into the water, and is a snorkeller's playground. Around here, there are small sandy beaches and coves where you can escape to sunbathe or dive into the clear blue sea.
Es Caló has some good restaurants, one of them offering heavenly picture-postcard views of the sea from its terrace.
Check out Ibiza Spotlight's comprehensive guide to the main beaches of Formentera.
