8 coves to go snorkelling in Ibiza

There are so many coves that are great for snorkelling in Ibiza that it’s really easy to practice it during your summer holidays. Among all these coves, we’ve chosen our favourite eight that are especially beautiful and perfect to include in your daytime plans around the island. Don your snorkel mask and plunge into the silent, hypnotic and mysterious Ibiza. Glug, glug, glug...

 You don’t need prior experience or sophisticated gear to go snorkelling in Ibiza and it’s a fantastic way to relax and explore on a beach day. All you need is a mask, a tube and, if possible, flippers to dive into the island’s underwater life, which is especially alluring given the brightness and tranquillity of its waters. 

The island is surrounded by Posidonia Oceanica meadow, a seagrass that only grows 1cm per year. It’s part of a unique ecosystem that is home to fish in all colours, octopuses, starfish and other organisms, which are hard to spot on other Mediterranean coasts. The seagrass meadow found between southern Ibiza and Formentera has been declared UNESCO World Heritage and is considered one of the oldest living organisms in the biosphere, over 100,000 years old.

Posidonia oceanica. Foto: santjosep.net

Where to go snorkelling on the western coast of Ibiza?

Hostal La Torre is on the western coast of the island, with many spots to practice this activity, such as Cala Bassa, Cala Carbó, Platges de Comte, but the coves we’ve chosen are:

Cala Salada and Cala Saladeta
These two coves next to our boutique hotel with a sea view combine light sand with rocky areas at either end. You can snorkel to you heart’s content, as boats aren’t allowed to drop anchor here and you can have fun spotting schools of salp, tilapia and starfish, as well as sea urchins, crabs and sponge-covered walls. Also, this west-facing cove allows you to watch the sunset after a day snorkelling.

Cala d’Hort
With a view of the iconic Es Vedrà islet, Cala d’Hort combines a stunning landscape with crystal-clear waters, a rocky seabed and Posidonia seagrass meadows. On days with no waves, the cove turns into a natural pool where time flies by underwater. If you get hungry, take a break to eat paella at one of its three restaurants: El Carmen, Cala d´Hort or Es Boldado.

Cala Moli. Picture: santjosep.net
Cala Molí
Between Cala Vedella and Cala Tarida, Cala Molí is a sheltered cove surrounded by pine tree woods and cliffs. Its seabed varies from thick sand to rocky areas with underwater caves, all this under crystal-clear, emerald waters. It’s best to wear water shoes to walk into the water safely, as it’s full of pebbles and large rocks.

Cala Gracioneta
Only a few minutes’ drive from Hostal La Torre, this small sandy cove has a rocky wall that is great for snorkelling in Ibiza at the far right end. You can spot lots of different fish, like gudgeon, barred serrano, ilish, green wrasse, salp, white sea bream and, if you’re lucky, sea bream too. After your swim, have lunch at the Cala Gracioneta beach bar that serves Med food with its Levante-style paellas and delicious fish dishes that are perfect for a summer day.

Cala Gracioneta and Cala Gracio. © Grupo Mambo

Eastern and northern coves in Ibiza for snorkelling

If you’d like to explore the island, don’t forget to put your snorkel mask into your basket as you’ll find many spots to go underwater in search of fish and other sea life.

Cala Xarraca 
On the northern coast of the island, Cala Xarraca is the perfect spot to lose track of time underwater. Its rocky seabed and the cracks between rocks are natural hiding places for schools of fish and small shellfish. The clear waters allow you to see clearly without having to dive deep, which is perfect for beginners and kids.

Cala d’en Serra 
Right next to Portinatx, this cove, hidden between the folds of the northern cliffs of Ibiza, has rocky walls that are home to white sea bream and rainbow wrasse. Given its north-facing location, it tends to draw in debris, especially after strong winds and storms, so there are times when it’s not the best place for snorkelling.

Snorkel on the eastern coast of Ibiza. Foto: visitsantaeulalia.com
Cala Olivera
Located in the Roca Llisa residential area, on the eastern coast of the island, this small cove is framed by cliffs and pine trees, forming a beautiful setting together with its crystal-clear waters. Its maximum depth is -6m, which makes it an attractive choice for snorkelling among experts in snorkelling and free diving on the eastern coast of Ibiza.

S’Argamassa
Between Es Canar and Santa Eulària, you’ll find S’Argamassa, a beach made up of small sandy inlets separated by rocky areas. With crystal-clear waters, a sandy seabed and shallow Posidonia seagrass meadows, you can practically see the rich underwater life from the shore. You’ll find a cracked rocky seabed that’s home to salp, rainbow wrasse and white sea bream, and you can even spot red mullet under the sand.

The perfect hotel to go snorkelling in Ibiza

If you’re looking for a hotel in Ibiza that’s close to the best coves to practice snorkelling, you’ll love Hostal La Torre, a boutique hotel with a sea view located on the western coast of Ibiza, the best to enjoy all types of water sports and sailing.

And back from a day out chasing fish underwater, at our hotel you’ll find a splendid terrace with breathtaking views of Conillera island and the sunset, the best Balearic Sound music, refreshing signature cocktails and mouth-watering Mediterranean food to kick off the evening. And, of course, comfortable rooms and suites to recover from your adventures around Ibiza. If you haven’t yet booked your next holiday in Ibiza, find the best rates available on our website and get added benefits.

Come enjoy the best snorkelling! See you soon!

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