Cala Comte (Cala Conta)

Cala Comte is not one cove but a series of small sand and rock beaches on a low headland on the west coast, in the municipality of Sant Josep. Uninhabited islets lie just offshore and define the view. The water is shallow and exceptionally clear, which is what gave the place its reputation.

History

Until the twentieth century this coast was more or less empty: thin soil, pines, a few goats and some farms inland. What it always had was a view over the shipping route along the west coast, which explains the watchtowers further along this shoreline. The islets off Cala Comte — s’Illa des Bosc among them — are uninhabited and belong to the same protected coastal landscape that runs south towards Es Vedrà. Tourism came here late and relatively lightly: there is no wall of hotels along the beach, which is unusual for a beach this well known.

What to do here

• Walk right around the headland; several small beaches lie one behind the other and the last ones are always quieter.
• Snorkel along the rocky edges — the water is shallow and clear enough to see the bottom.
• Stay for sunset: this is one of the few places where the sun drops into the sea behind islets.
• Arrive early by car, or take the boat from San Antonio; parking is limited.
• Bring shoes that cope with rock, because not every part of the shore is sand.
• Combine it with Cala Bassa further along the same coast for a second, more wooded bay.

Facts

• Cala Comte is the Catalan spelling, Cala Conta the Spanish one — the same place.
• The islets offshore are uninhabited and protected.
• The bay lies in Sant Josep de sa Talaia, the largest municipality on the island by area.
• The shore here is low and rocky; the sand comes in separate pockets between the rocks.

Good for

Swimmers, snorkellers and photographers; an afternoon-and-evening spot rather than a base.