Cala Gat is a golden-sand cove at Cala Ratjada, in the municipality of Capdepera on the eastern tip of Mallorca. Its name means "cat's cove" in Catalan. The shore is narrow, and the seabed mixes fine sand with rocky underwater ledges that draw shoals of small fish, which makes the cove a snorkelling spot. Stairs lead down to the sand from the road, and a coastal walk continues from here to the Capdepera Lighthouse (Far de Capdepera).
Cala Gat Beach
Narrow golden-sand cove at Cala Ratjada, with clear water over sand and rock full of small fish.
- Entrance
- Free; the beach is public and there is no ticket.
- Accessibility
- The beach is reached by stairs from the road.
- Parking
- Free car park and free street parking, about 350 m from the beach in a straight line.
- Difficulty
- Easy: a walk from the parking along the road, about 350 m in a straight line, then stairs down to the sand.
- Transport
- Nearest stop: Restaurante Los Arcos, about 450 m away in a straight line.
- Advance booking
- Not needed.
- Hours
- Open at all times.
- Address
- 07590 Capdepera, Balearic Islands, Spain
What makes it special
The water is the reason to come. It is clear and clean, with posidonia meadows growing nearby, and once your face is under the surface the fish are there: small, colourful shoals over pale sand, and more of them along the rocky ledges at the sides of the cove.
The beach itself is a narrow strip of golden sand tucked between rock and pine. It fills quickly, but the view holds up in any season.
After a morning swim, the coastal walk up to the Capdepera Lighthouse takes about 15 minutes and ends on rugged cliffs above the open sea.
Good to know
- Bring a mask. The fish gather along the rocky edges of the cove, and snorkelling is the main event here.
- Bring drinking water. There is none near the beach. The nearest public toilets are about 630 m away.
- Quieter corners. On the road just before the stairs, head left to find spots among the rocks away from the main sand.
- Stairs. The sand is reached by stairs from the road, which matters with a pushchair or a heavy cool box.
Getting there
You arrive by car or bus in Cala Ratjada. There is a car park as well as street parking, about 350 m from the beach in a straight line; from there you walk along the road to the top of the stairs, which drop down to the sand.
Without a car, the nearest stop, Restaurante Los Arcos, is about 450 m away in a straight line.
From the beach, the coastal path to the Capdepera Lighthouse takes about 15 minutes on foot.
Best time to visit
Best: early morning, between 8 and 9:30, or any time outside summer if you come for the view. Avoid: the early afternoon in July and August.
The shore is narrow, and in high summer it is packed by early afternoon, while the first hours of the morning still leave room for a quiet swim.
Sun & daylight
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Frequently asked questions
Is Cala Gat good for snorkelling?
Yes. The water is very clear, and the seabed of sand and rocky ledges holds plenty of small, colourful fish. The rocks at the sides of the cove are the best part.When is Cala Gat least crowded?
Early in the morning, between 8 and 9:30. In July the narrow beach is packed by early afternoon.Are there toilets or drinking water at Cala Gat?
There is no drinking water near the beach, so bring your own. The nearest public toilets are about 630 m away.Can you walk from Cala Gat to the Capdepera Lighthouse?
Yes. A coastal walk leads up from the beach to the lighthouse in about 15 minutes, with views over the cliffs.