Cala Jondal

Cala Jondal is a broad bay on Ibiza’s south coast, held between cliffs and pines. The shore is not sand but large, smooth pebbles; the water deepens quickly and is therefore unusually clear. It is one of the most expensive stretches of coast on the island, and you notice that in everything.

History

Just along this coast, a little to the west, lies Sa Caleta: the Phoenician settlement that forms part of Ibiza’s UNESCO World Heritage site alongside Dalt Vila, Puig des Molins and the posidonia meadows. That is no accident — this south coast offered sheltered landing places and a view over the sea route. Cala Jondal itself was long a remote bay with fishermen’s jetties and terraced fields on the slopes above; the cliffs made it hard to reach by land. Only once the road down was built did it become a destination, after which it turned quickly into the bay the boats from Ibiza harbour head for.

What to do here

• Swim straight into deep water off the pebbles; it is one of the clearest bays on the south coast.
• Arrive by boat rather than by car — the bay was made from the sea and the road down is narrow.
• Walk the coast path west towards Sa Caleta, the Phoenician site on the UNESCO list.
• Bring sandals or water shoes; the pebbles are large and get hot in the sun.
• Look up from the water at the cliffs and the terraces on the slopes — they tell the older story of this coast.
• Come early in the afternoon, before the day boats arrive.

Facts

• The shore is pebble, not sand.
• The Phoenician settlement of Sa Caleta lies on this same south coast and forms part of Ibiza’s UNESCO World Heritage site.
• The water gets deep close to shore, which is what makes the bay usable as an anchorage for larger boats.
• The bay is in the municipality of Sant Josep de sa Talaia.

Good for

A day off a boat, or anyone who prefers deep clear water to a sand beach.